The Eight Inner Gates Technique, and there are experts too?

"Dad, Lord Hokage is calling you!"

Might Guy tugged hard at Might Duy's sleeve and whispered excitedly, "Lord Third actually knows you. Are you friends with Lord Third...?"

Only then did Might Duy snap somewhat out of his daze.

"Ah, yes!" he nodded instinctively, though 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 ashamed.

"Lord Third..." Standing before Hiruzen Sarutobi, Might Duy greeted him somewhat awkwardly.

"Duy, you came for Morning Training too?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. "How many laps did you run with your son today?"

At the mention of this, Might Duy could not help puffing out his chest slightly, regaining some 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 was recognized throughout the village for one particular trait—his discerning eye for seeing others' potential.

"The calluses on a child this age are already this thick?" Hatake Sakumo's gaze grew more serious. "His frame has developed well too..."

If it was true that he could run six hundred laps, that alone was enough to make people see him in a new light.

Hard training was not something one could achieve through words alone.

Reaching this level required more than merely an unyielding will.

His physical talent had to be far beyond ordinary as well.

Kakashi quietly rolled his eyes beside them.

He knew about this father-son pair, thanks to the eye-catching nature of their Youth-based performance art...

"This guy wants to get into the Ninja Academy, but he can't even use ninjutsu..." Kakashi suppressed the urge to offer his sharp critique and muttered inwardly, "Six hundred laps? What a braggart!"

After all, Lord Hokage was right there.

"What an outstanding child!" Hiruzen Sarutobi heartily praised Might Guy. Since he did Morning Training every day himself, he could roughly estimate it.

What Might Duy said was true.

At Hiruzen Sarutobi's praise, Might Guy's eyes instantly lit up.

Other than his father, this was the first time he had received someone else's approval...

And it had come from the Hokage!

"How is the child doing at the Ninja Academy?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked conversationally.

"He hasn't enrolled yet, Lord Third!" Might Duy's tone sank 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 supplementary exam?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharpening as he spoke in an unquestionable tone. "Duy, tell me the whole situation."

The Ninja Academy's first examination was a comprehensive test of ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu.

The supplementary exam, meanwhile, was for children with exceptional talent in a particular area, comparable to the mechanism for Special Jonin.

If someone like Might Guy had been overlooked...

Then the academy's admissions staff, if not facing a major problem, were at the very least neglecting their duties!

As Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed, the air itself seemed to freeze...

The warmth from before abruptly turned biting.

Might Duy hesitated for a moment.

This burly man unusually sniffled. "That day, when I saw you sparring with Lord Orochimaru and heard your declaration to protect the village..."

"I got too excited!"

"Guy was the same. We overtrained, and we hadn't recovered by the day of the supplementary exam..."

"This was Youth's fault. We failed to take our training seriously!"

"So Guy and I decided that, since we hadn't respected the village's examination, we would punish ourselves by delaying enrollment for a year and doubling this year's training volume..."

A few crows flew overhead at just the right moment, cawing several times.

The serious atmosphere vanished without a trace.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nearly failed to keep a straight face.

Ninjas' brain circuits were simply too bizarre and diverse. He still had a lot to get used to.

He had thought there was some problem with the Ninja Academy...

"Duy, your intentions are good."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said softly, "But a ninja's training isn't just about grueling practice. It requires systematic educational resources, as well as opportunities to display one's talent at the right time."

"If Guy doesn't enter the Ninja Academy, no one will assess him properly. In the future, the village will provide targeted advanced training for academy students. Even if he has the aptitude, he'll miss out on it."

Might Duy's heart clenched. "Lord Hokage..."

Was the Lord Hokage really saying something so heartfelt to a Genin like him?

"I can see that you have a heart of gold, Duy." Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head. "But sometimes, being too restrained isn't a good thing..."

"As Hokage, there's a question I often worry about."

"How can I ensure that all these children, everyone, receives resources suited to them as much as possible?"

"For a hardworking genius like Guy to not 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 village's ninjas really are wonderful..."

"People like you and Guy even feel guilty about taking an extra exam."

"As Hokage, I'm afraid of leaving behind comrades who possess such a strong Will of Fire..."

"So, Duy, remember this: if you achieve anything in your training in the future, report it to the village promptly. Even if you have shortcomings, the village will find a suitable position for you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi meant every word.

He had also recalled some things about Might Duy...

Aside from Youth, because of his shortcomings in teamwork, tactics, and combat techniques as a ninja, no one was willing to team up with him...

So he could only do odd jobs like carrying bags and finding cats. He had even once been called the "Cat-Finding Expert."

"Let Guy enroll..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi rummaged through 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.

Good thing 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 at attention. "Lord Hokage, please give the order!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi handed the stack of money to Might Duy. "Ensure the village's future is properly nourished. Taijutsu and grueling training are only one part of it; rest and nutrition need to keep up as well..."

"If anything goes wrong, I'll hold you accountable!"

Hatake Sakumo smiled silently.

He no longer intended to ask the Hokage for that one hundred thousand ryo...

It really warmed one's heart...

"H-how can I possibly accept this, Lord Third..."

Tears streamed down Might Duy's face. He kept wiping them away and hurriedly waved his hands. "There are still so many people in the village who need help. I'm only a Genin..."

"Duy, you're a good man."

Hiruzen Sarutobi patted his shoulder. "You're indeed not the only ninja who needs assistance, and the village has already considered this matter."

"Those whose parents have both died, those who are talented but temporarily impoverished, and Lonely Old Men 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 led by 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 strongly of all, repeatedly inviting Hiruzen Sarutobi to the Land of Fire. Still, he understood the current situation among the Major Hidden Villages of the Shinobi World.

He merely hoped that this excellent business could be finalized as soon as possible.

He was practically ready to come over in person and pour silver straight into the Lord Hokage's pockets.

Hatake Sakumo's eyes lit up.

Naturally, he was not part of this so-called support system, but he 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 can't expect me, the Hokage, to see a problem, refuse to solve it, and just keep dragging things out, can you?"

Might Duy accepted it through his tears.

"Minato, if you decide to train in Lightning Style Nintaijutsu, go file a report with the Administrative Department."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Train hard. In the future, you'll be sent to the Ninja Academy to provide advanced instruction for the children."

"If you find any promising students suited to this technique, you'll be responsible for them!"

Namikaze Minato readily agreed. "Lord Hokage, leave it to me..."

Like Hatake Sakumo, he was greatly stirred by the Hokage's considerations for the village's future.

He sincerely wanted to contribute.

"Want to learn?" Namikaze Minato said to Might Guy with a cheerful smile. "I noticed the look in your eyes... Study hard at the Ninja Academy. I'll come find you."

Might Guy nodded vigorously.

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 'austere training' was a form of inner cultivation, and that speaking of it to others went against Youth..."

"But I never imagined that Lord Hokage had already considered the village's needs so thoroughly..."

"If I continue to stubbornly go my own way, Duy will never be able to forgive himself. I beg you to guide me in the future, so that my Youth may make the greatest contribution to the village!"

Kakashi frowned.

What was a Genin talking about?

Then, the next moment.

Might Duy shouted furiously, "Eight Inner Gates, open!"

Surging Chakra erupted from his body, blasting against Kakashi's little face until it was pulled tight.

A flicker of delight flashed through Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.

There was another expert?

Thank you, dear readers, for your monthly votes, follow-up reads, and favorites!

or2!! You're absolutely amazing!!!