A few days later, the Konoha delegation returned to the village without incident.
After a brief report upon their return, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi gave the ninjas who had participated in the exams a short summary and a few words of encouragement. Then he dismissed everyone to rest, stopping only Higashino Shinichi, who was about to leave.
"Shinichi, stay a moment."
Only two people remained in the Hokage Office: an old man and a young one. The Third Hokage sat behind his broad desk, smiling even more warmly than usual.
"You did very well on this trip to Sunagakure." He spoke slowly, his voice gentle yet firm. "Not only did you win the championship for Konoha, you also showed the young generation's potential and strength to ninjas from other villages—and even to the Kazekage."
He paused to take a puff of his pipe, then continued. "As a matter of custom, the village gives extra rewards to those who perform exceptionally well in the Chunin Ninja Exams, especially the top-ranked contestant. It's a way of encouraging them. Tell me, Shinichi, you've earned such a reward with your contribution. Is there anything in particular you'd like? As long as it's reasonable, I can put in a good word for you."
Shinichi stood before the desk. At the question, he didn't answer right away, instead lowering his gaze as though giving it careful thought. After a moment, he looked up and said:
"Third Hokage, actually, I've spent the past few days on the way back thinking about what path I should take from here."
"Oh?" The Third Hokage looked interested and leaned forward slightly. "What have you got in mind?"
"Yes." Shinichi nodded, his tone turning serious and precise. "This exam helped me understand my strengths and weaknesses better. I'm good at Taijutsu, my Chakra nature is Fire, and I've learned a little about shape transformation. But I've realized that against certain enemies or in complicated situations, Taijutsu alone—or Ninjutsu that can't turn the tide in an instant—has its limitations."
He paused, seeming to search for the right words. "I've been wondering if there's a way to combine my strongest skill, Taijutsu, with Fire Release more deeply. Not the usual kind of teamwork, where you follow Taijutsu with Fire Release, or use Fire Release to create an opening for Taijutsu. I mean something more fundamental: truly infusing the nature and power of fire into every punch, every step, even my body's defense and evasion, until it becomes a unified combat style of my own."
Shinichi continued, "That led me to a possible direction—Nintaijutsu."
"Nintaijutsu?" the Third Hokage repeated softly, rubbing a finger over his pipe. A touch of surprise showed on his face. "That's an ambitious idea. But Shinichi, infusing Fire Release Ninjutsu into your body to fight is extremely difficult. The demands it places on your body and Chakra control are exceptionally harsh. In Konoha, or even the entire Shinobi World, there's only one Nintaijutsu system with a complete form and proven power in actual combat..."
He paused, then went on. "Strictly speaking, the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, passed down through generations in Kumogakure and central to the village's identity, may be the only successful and powerful example. They spent countless years and immense effort refining that legacy. As things stand... Konoha has no such systematic tradition."
He looked at Shinichi, his tone kind but cautionary. "That means you'd have to create it yourself, almost entirely from scratch. Do you understand the dangers and uncertainties involved?"
Shinichi met the Third Hokage's gaze without the slightest hesitation. If anything, the attention made his eyes shine brighter. "I understand, Third Hokage. Lightning Release can activate the cells to enhance strength, speed, and defense. So why shouldn't we explore a path of our own for fire—with all its heat, its burning power, its explosive force—and create a Fire Release Chakra Mode of our own?"
"Look at the other villages. Kirigakure excels at Water Release, Iwagakure at Earth Release, Sunagakure controls the winds and sands, and Kumogakure built its identity around Lightning Release. Each has a distinct style. But Konoha..." Shinichi fell silent for a moment, as though choosing his words. Then he said bluntly:
"We're all-rounders!"
"Konoha has the depth to embrace every discipline. The First brought an end to an age of strife with his overwhelming Wood Release. The Second laid the foundations of the hidden village with Space-Time techniques and masterful Water Release. And you, Third Hokage, are proficient in all five natures and honored as the Professor of Ninjutsu. Each of you reached the pinnacle of your own fighting style and earned the world's admiration."
"But I've been wondering: amid all that versatility and variety, are we missing a distinctively Fire-based combat style to match our country's name? Something that would immediately bring the Land of Fire and the Will of Fire to mind whenever people heard of it?"
"So, though I'm not especially talented, I'd like to try following this path. I don't dare hope to equal the greats who came before me. I only hope I can find a way forward and try to create a bold, distinct combat style centered on fire. Even if all I do is lay one stone for those who come after me, perhaps I can leave a different mark on the Hokage's legacy of fire."
Although Shinichi never actually said, "I want to become Hokage," his words made it perfectly clear that he was eager to advance and wanted to become the First known for Fire Release.
Wanting to become Hokage was a good thing!
The Third Hokage felt no displeasure at all. Instead, his eyes filled with approval. Young people with lofty ideals and goals to strive for were exactly the hope of the village's future.
His smile grew even warmer as he encouraged Shinichi. "You have ideas, courage, and ambition. That's a good thing. The village needs young people like you, who dare to break new ground."
Then he returned to the practical concerns and cautioned him. "But Shinichi, remember that Fire Nature Chakra, like Lightning Nature Chakra, is known for being volatile, dangerous, and difficult to control. Safely infusing that kind of power into your body may be even more difficult and risky than Lightning Release."
Shinichi had clearly thought this through. He answered calmly, "Yes, Third Hokage. That's why I won't try to develop a Fire Release Chakra Mode right away. That wouldn't be realistic. I plan to take this step by step. First, I'll complete the Fire Release nature transformation of the Rasengan. I'm most familiar with that shape-transformation technique, so combining it with fire will let me develop a hand-seal-less Fire Release Ninjutsu—a starting point and testing ground for exploring how the two can be combined."
He paused briefly, then added, "I've also noticed that every Raikage has been famous for his tremendous physique and astonishing defense. I suspect that isn't just the result of Lightning Release's cell-activating effects. A powerful body must also be the foundation for bearing and controlling such dangerous Chakra. Since Fire Nature Chakra is just as dangerous and volatile, strengthening my constitution and tempering my body must be essential."
With that, Shinichi made the request he had arrived at after careful thought. "So, Third Hokage, I'm not asking for a particular Ninjutsu or material reward. I'd like to know if the village has any special training methods for strengthening the body and tempering the physique. Or is there anyone in the village whose body is exceptionally strong and resilient? I hope I might have a chance to ask them for advice and exchange ideas, so I can learn from their experience and build the strongest possible foundation for my future research."
A training method for strengthening the body and tempering the physique?
The Third Hokage considered it. If Shinichi meant a systematic secret method specifically designed to forge an exceptional physique, Konoha's Strong Fist Style Taijutsu was already an excellent path for tempering the body and will.
But if he meant reaching the terrifying level of the Raikage, whose mortal body could withstand a Tailed Beast's attacks, then Konoha's Strong Fist Style Taijutsu simply wouldn't be enough.
As for someone with an exceptionally strong and resilient physique?
The Third Hokage thought it over. There was, in fact, someone who fit the bill.
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