"Dad, Lord Hokage is calling for you!"
Might Guy tugged hard on Might Duy's sleeve and whispered excitedly, "The Third actually knows you. Are you friends with Lord Third...?"
Might Duy finally snapped out of his daze somewhat.
"Ah, yes!" He nodded instinctively, but his cheeks reddened.
No father wanted to lose face in front of his son.
But as a supporter of youth, lying was something that made him feel ashamed.
"Lord Third..." Standing before Hiruzen Sarutobi, Might Duy greeted him somewhat awkwardly.
"Duy, you came out for morning training too?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. "How many laps did you run with your son today?"
At that question, Might Duy could not help straightening his chest slightly, gaining a bit of confidence.
"We've already run three hundred laps around the village's Inner Ring! After seeing your youth and hard work, Guy and I decided to add another three hundred!"
Hatake Sakumo's gaze shifted slightly.
He had a recognized trait within the village—keen eyes capable of seeing others' potential.
"A child this age already has calluses this thick on his palms?" Hatake Sakumo's expression grew more serious. "His frame is developing very well too..."
If the intensity of six hundred laps was real, it was enough to make anyone look at him differently.
Grueling training was not something one could accomplish merely by talking about it.
Reaching that level required more than unwavering willpower.
His physical talent had to be extraordinary as well.
Beside them, Kakashi secretly rolled his eyes.
He knew about the father-son pair, Might Guy and Might Duy, thanks to the sheer attention-grabbing nature of their youth-based performance art...
He wants to get into the Ninja Academy, but he can't even use ninjutsu... Kakashi held back his sharp critique and grumbled internally, Six hundred laps? What a liar!
After all, Lord Hokage was right there.
"What an outstanding child!" Hiruzen Sarutobi heartily praised Might Guy. Since he trained every morning, he could roughly estimate the truth.
Might Duy had been telling the truth.
At Hiruzen Sarutobi's praise, Might Guy's eyes immediately lit up.
Aside from his father, this was the first time anyone else had acknowledged him...
And it was the Hokage!
"How is your child doing at the Ninja Academy?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked conversationally.
"He hasn't enrolled yet, Lord Third!" Might Duy's tone dipped slightly, but he quickly brightened again. "But we'll work hard! We'll definitely get in..."
Might Guy, who had just raised his head, lowered it again.
Before anyone else, he might have been able to give a thumbs-up and say, "Thanks for the support!"
But before the Hokage...
"He didn't get in? Doesn't the Ninja Academy have a make-up exam?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes, his gaze turning sharp as he spoke in an unquestionable tone. "Duy, tell me everything."
The Ninja Academy's initial exam was a comprehensive test of Ninjutsu Taijutsu Genjutsu.
The make-up exam, meanwhile, was for children with special talent in a particular field. It was comparable to the system for Special Jonin.
If someone with Might Guy's talent had been overlooked...
Then the Ninja Academy's admissions staff either had a serious problem or, at the very least, were neglecting their duties.
As Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed, the air seemed to freeze...
The gentle warmth from moments ago suddenly became biting cold.
Might Duy hesitated for a moment.
This burly man sniffled unusually. "That day, I saw you sparring with Lord Orochimaru and heard your declaration to protect the village..."
"I was too excited!"
"Guy was the same. We overtrained, and we hadn't recovered by the day of the make-up exam..."
"This was youth's fault. We failed to take training seriously!"
"So Guy and I decided that, since we had not respected the village's examination, we would punish ourselves by delaying his enrollment for a year and doubling this year's training volume..."
Several crows flew overhead at just the right moment, cawing a few times.
The solemn atmosphere vanished without a trace.
Hiruzen Sarutobi almost failed to keep a straight face.
Ninjas really did have minds that were far too strange and varied. He still needed to get used to it.
He had thought something was wrong with the Ninja Academy...
"Duy, your intentions came from a good place."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said softly, "But a ninja's training is not just about grueling practice. It requires systematic educational resources, and talent must be demonstrated at the proper time."
"If Guy does not enter the Ninja Academy, no one will evaluate him at the appropriate time. Later, the village will provide targeted advanced training for academy students. Even if he has the aptitude, he will miss that opportunity."
Might Duy's heart tightened. "Lord Hokage..."
Was the Hokage really speaking such heartfelt words to a Genin like him?
"I can see that your heart is as pure as gold, Duy." Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. "But sometimes, being too restrained is not a good thing..."
"As Hokage, there is a question that often worries me."
"How can I ensure that the children—and everyone else—receive resources suited to them as much as possible?"
"If a hardworking genius like Guy fails to enter the Ninja Academy, I would consider it a dereliction of my duty."
Might Duy was greatly alarmed. "Please don't say that!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. "The ninjas of this village really are wonderful..."
"People like you and Guy feel guilty even for taking one more exam."
"As Hokage, I am deeply afraid of overlooking companions with such a strong Will of Fire..."
"So, Duy, remember this. If you achieve something in your training in the future, report it to the village in time. Even if you have shortcomings, the village will find a suitable position for you."
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke from the heart.
He also recalled some things about Might Duy...
Aside from youth, because of his shortcomings in teamwork and tactical skills as a ninja, no one had been willing to form a team with him...
So he could only do miscellaneous jobs like carrying bags and finding cats. He had even been called the "Cat-Finding Expert."
"Let Guy enroll in school..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi searched his pockets, then asked Sakumo without changing expression, "Did you bring any money?"
Lord Hokage rarely carried money when he went out.
"I did, I did." Hatake Sakumo handed his wallet to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Luckily, he had brought it...
"I'll pay you back later."
Hiruzen Sarutobi counted out one hundred thousand ryo. "Genin Duy, the village has an important mission for you!"
Might Duy instinctively stood ramrod straight. "Lord Hokage, please give the order!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi handed the stack of money to Might Duy. "Do a good job ensuring the village's future nutrition. Taijutsu and grueling training are only part of it. Rest and nutrition must keep up as well..."
"If anything goes wrong, I'll hold you accountable!"
Hatake Sakumo smiled soundlessly.
He no longer wanted to ask the Hokage for those one hundred thousand ryo back...
It warmed the heart.
"H-how can I accept this, Lord Third...?"
Might Duy's tears poured down as he kept wiping them away and hurriedly waved his hands. "There are so many people in the village who need help. I'm only a Genin..."
"Duy, you are a good man."
Hiruzen Sarutobi patted his shoulder. "You are indeed not the only ninja who needs assistance, and the village has already considered this matter."
"Orphans, those with talent who are temporarily struggling, and lonely elderly people will all be included in the support system. The village will do its best to provide them with a safety net."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was not making empty promises.
He dared say this because the Administrative Department under Koharu and Mitokado Homura had received an extremely enthusiastic response to the Sage Land Pill—the Chakra health supplement developed by Orochimaru and the others.
The Daimyo himself had reacted most enthusiastically. He had invited Hiruzen Sarutobi to the Land of Fire several times, though he understood the current situation among the Major Hidden Villages of the Shinobi World.
He only hoped that this excellent business could be finalized as soon as possible.
It was almost as if he wanted to personally come over and pour silver into Lord Hokage's pockets.
Hatake Sakumo's eyes lit up.
Naturally, he was not part of this so-called support system, but he deeply loved this sense of human warmth.
This was the village... This was the Will of Fire!
"So, this money is merely an advance from the village."
"You cannot expect me, the Hokage, to see a problem, refuse to solve it, and let it drag on, can you?"
Might Duy accepted it through his tears.
"Minato, if you decide to cultivate this Lightning Style Nintaijutsu, go file a report with the Administrative Department."
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Train well. In the future, I'll send you to the Ninja Academy to provide advanced instruction for the children."
"If there are any suitable prospects for this technique, you will be responsible for them!"
Namikaze Minato readily agreed. "Lord Hokage, please leave it to me..."
Like Hatake Sakumo, he was deeply stirred by the Hokage's consideration for the village's future.
He sincerely wanted to contribute.
"Want to learn it?" Namikaze Minato grinned at Might Guy. "I noticed the look in your eyes... Study hard at the Ninja Academy. I'll come find you."
Might Guy nodded hard.
At that moment.
Might Duy suddenly dropped to one knee and said in a deep voice, "Lord Third, please forgive Duy for his narrow-mindedness!"
"I once believed that 'grueling training' was cultivation of the heart, and speaking of it to others went against youth..."
"But I never expected Lord Hokage to have considered the village so thoroughly..."
"If I continue to stubbornly persist, Duy will never be able to forgive himself. I beg for your guidance in the future, so that my youth may make the greatest contribution to the village!"
Kakashi frowned.
What was a Genin even talking about?
Then, the next moment.
Might Duy roared, "Eight Inner Gates Technique, open!"
Surging Chakra erupted from his body, blowing Kakashi's little face taut.
A flash of delight passed through Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.
There was another expert?
Before you continue