Drawing a Big Picture for the Third Hokage

A few days later, the Konoha group returned to the village without incident.

After a simple debriefing on their return, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, gave a brief summary and words of encouragement to the ninjas who had participated in the exams, then dismissed them to rest, but called out to Higashino Shinichi, who was about to leave. "Shinichi, stay a moment."

In the Hokage's office, only the old man and the youth remained. The Third Hokage sat behind his spacious desk, his smile warmer than usual. "You did exceptionally well on this trip to Sunagakure," he began slowly, his voice gentle yet firm. "Not only did you bring back the championship honor for Konoha, but you also displayed the caliber and strength of our village's younger generation before many foreign ninjas and even the Kazekage himself."

He paused, took a puff from his pipe, and continued, "As per tradition, ninjas who perform exceptionally well in the Chunin Exams, especially those who take first place, receive additional rewards from the village as encouragement. Tell me, Shinichi, for such a meritorious achievement, is there any particular reward you desire? As long as it's within reason, I can try to secure it for you."

Shinichi stood before the desk, not answering immediately. He lowered his gaze slightly, as if deep in thought. After a moment, he looked up and spoke, "Lord Third, actually, on the way back to the village, I've been thinking these past few days... about what path I should take next."

"Oh?" The Third Hokage showed interest, leaning forward slightly. "Tell me, what ideas do you have?"

"Yes." Shinichi nodded, his tone turning serious and clear. "Through this exam, I've gained a clearer understanding of my strengths and weaknesses. I excel at taijutsu, my chakra nature is Fire, and I've developed some insights into shape transformation. But I've realized that against certain specific enemies or complex situations, pure taijutsu, or ninjutsu that can't instantly change the tide, both have their limits."

He paused briefly, as if organizing his words more precisely. "I've been wondering if there's a way to more deeply integrate my best taijutsu with Fire Release. Not just following a taijutsu move with a Fire Release, or using Fire Release to create openings for taijutsu—that kind of tactical coordination. But something more fundamental: truly merging the nature and power of flames into every punch, every step, even into defense and evasion, forming a complete, unified combat system that is uniquely my own."

Shinichi continued, "Then, I thought of a possible direction—Nintaijutsu."

"Nintaijutsu?" The Third Hokage repeated the word softly, rubbing his fingers on his pipe, his expression showing even greater surprise. He said slowly, "This idea... is ambitious. But Shinichi, integrating Fire Release ninjutsu into bodily functions for combat is extremely difficult. The demands on the body and chakra control are harsh. In Konoha, and indeed across the entire ninja world, the only truly complete system with formidable combat power in Nintaijutsu..."

He paused again, then continued, "Strictly speaking, perhaps only Kumogakure's Lightning Release Chakra Mode, passed down through generations and the foundation of their village, can be considered a successful and powerful example. That's a legacy they've honed with immense effort and time. Currently... Konoha has no such systematic inheritance."

He looked at Shinichi, his tone gentle but carrying a note of caution. "This also means it's almost equivalent to starting from scratch on your own. Do you understand the hardships and uncertainties involved?"

Shinichi met the Third Hokage's gaze without flinching, his eyes growing brighter at the weight of the words. "I understand, Lord Third. I think if Lightning Release can use cell activation to grant power, speed, and defense, then why can't the scorching, burning, explosive nature of Fire explore its own path and form its own Fire Release Chakra Mode?"

"You see, Kirigakure excels at Water Release, Iwagakure at Earth Release, Sunagakure controls wind and sand, and Kumogakure built its village on Lightning Release—each has a very distinct style. And our Konoha..." Shinichi paused here, as if choosing his words, then said bluntly, "Versatility!"

"Our Konoha is steeped in an all-embracing foundation. The First Hokage pacified the chaotic era with his mighty Wood Release, the Second Hokage laid the village's cornerstone with space-time ninjutsu and refined Water Release, and you, Lord Third, are a master of all five natures, hailed as the Professor of Ninjutsu. Each of your predecessors' combat styles reached the pinnacle and commands deep respect."

"But I've been thinking, amidst this versatility and diversity, isn't there a lack of something uniquely Fire-based, corresponding to our country's name? A signature Fire combat system that, when mentioned, immediately brings to mind the Land of Fire and the Will of Fire?"

"So, though I am unworthy, I want to try moving in this direction. I dare not hope to match our predecessors; I only wish to explore a path, to attempt pioneering a combat system centered on Fire, with a sufficiently distinct and intense style. Even if I can only lay a single brick for those who come after, perhaps it might leave a slightly different mark on the legacy of Fire under the name of Hokage."

Though Shinichi didn't directly say "I want to become Hokage," his words made his ambition unmistakably clear: he was eager to advance, to be the first Hokage renowned for Fire Release.

Wanting to become Hokage was a good thing!

The Third Hokage felt no aversion at all; instead, his eyes showed approval. Young people with lofty ideals and goals to strive for were precisely the future hope of the village.

His smile grew warmer, and he encouraged, "Having ideas, boldness, and ambition—this is good. The village needs young people like you, daring to forge new paths."

Then, returning to practical matters, he reminded him, "However, Shinichi, you must know that Fire-nature chakra, like Lightning-nature chakra, is known for being violent, dangerous, and difficult to control stably. Integrating such a nature safely into the body carries difficulty and risk that may even exceed Lightning Release."

Shinichi had clearly thought this through. He replied steadily, "Yes, Lord Third. That's why I won't try to directly develop a Fire Release Chakra Mode from the start—that would be too impractical. I plan to proceed step by step. The first step is to complete the Fire-nature transformation of the Rasengan. By combining this shape-transformation technique I know best with Fire's nature, I can develop a seal-less Fire Release ninjutsu, using it as a starting point and testing ground for exploring the fusion of the two."

He paused briefly, then added, "Also, I've noticed that successive Raikages are known for their incredibly powerful physiques and astonishing defensive capabilities. I think this might not just be due to Lightning Release's activation effect; a strong body itself is the foundation for bearing and controlling such dangerous chakra. Since Fire-nature chakra is equally dangerous and violent, strengthening my own constitution and tempering my physique must be an indispensable prerequisite."

Having said this, Shinichi smoothly presented the request he had been pondering. "So, Lord Third, the reward I seek is not a specific ninjutsu or material item. I would like to ask: does the village have any unique training methods for strengthening the constitution and honing the physique? Or, is there any senior in the village with an exceptionally powerful body, whose physical toughness far surpasses ordinary people? I hope to have the opportunity to seek guidance, exchange ideas, and draw experience from them, laying the most solid foundation for my future exploration."

Training methods for strengthening the constitution and honing the physique?

The Third Hokage pondered. If speaking of systematic, secret training methods specifically designed to temper the body to its utmost limits, Konoha's Strong Fist Style Taijutsu was itself an excellent path for honing the body and forging the will.

But when it came to reaching the terrifying level of Kumogakure's successive Raikages—tempering a mortal body to the point of clashing with tailed beasts—Konoha's Strong Fist Style truly fell short.

As for a senior with an exceptionally powerful and tenacious body?

The Third Hokage mused for a moment. That, he actually had.