A New Star of Konoha Stirs Up a Storm

The Hokage Building was wreathed in smoke.

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, took a deep draw from his pipe and exhaled a grayish-white smoke ring, his sharp gaze fixed on the golden flash before him—Minato Namikaze.

"Minato, what do you think of that child Haotian?" The old voice carried a trace of barely perceptible excitement. Even his heartbeat had quickened slightly, and a long-lost sense of pleasure rippled through his heart.

Minato pondered briefly, his golden hair gleaming beneath the lights.

"He's a rare talent. His strength far surpasses that of his peers." He recalled Haotian's battle with Kakashi—the composure, the decisiveness. Even he could not help but admire it.

That ruthlessness, in particular, had left a deep impression on him.

The Third Hokage nodded approvingly, and even the wrinkles on his face seemed to ease.

"It isn't just his strength. This child's way of thinking is unexpectedly mature as well." He took a scroll from a drawer and slowly unfurled it. It was densely covered in writing—the very exam paper Haotian had submitted at the Ninja Academy.

"Take a look at this."

Minato accepted the scroll, his eyes sweeping over the words. "This... this is... written by an expert!" he could not help but praise. The scroll not only demonstrated a profound understanding of ninjutsu, but also reflected an advanced strategic mindset. Some of its ideas had never even occurred to him.

The Third Hokage took another draw from his pipe and exhaled a wisp of smoke. His gaze deepened as he asked meaningfully, "Minato..."

"Minato, would you be interested in taking him as your disciple?" The Third Hokage's voice held a trace of expectation as he stared intently at Minato.

Minato's golden brows furrowed slightly, and a hint of difficulty appeared on his face.

"Lord Hokage, I've only recently taken Kakashi as my student, and my energy is truly limited. Besides, I haven't yet done enough research into Haotian's... Kekkei Genkai. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to give him the most suitable guidance." Minato tactfully declined the Third Hokage's proposal.

It was not that he did not wish to take Haotian in. He simply worried that he would be unable to fully draw out the potential of that strange power within Haotian.

Besides, Kakashi needed his dedicated guidance as well.

Meanwhile, throughout the streets and alleys of Konoha, news of Kakashi's defeat spread like wildfire.

At first, it had merely been whispers among a few student eyewitnesses, but it quickly became a hot topic in teahouses and taverns.

"Have you heard? Kakashi, the Hatake clan's genius, actually lost to a new student named Haotian!" A burly, bearded man gulped down a mouthful of liquor, his tone full of disbelief.

"Really? Kakashi's a once-in-a-century genius!" Another thin man widened his eyes as though he had heard something utterly absurd.

"It's absolutely true! I saw it with my own eyes! That Haotian was practically a monster—Kakashi's Lightning Blade was caught head-on by him!" A young ninja vividly described the scene, his voice filled with awe and fear.

As the news spread, the descriptions of Haotian became increasingly exaggerated.

Some claimed he possessed the legendary Kekkei Tōta. Others said he could shatter boulders with a single punch. Some even claimed he was the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths.

"Haotian... just who is he?" An Anbu ninja wearing a mask hid among the crowd and muttered under his breath.

He gazed at the lively street in the distance, and an almost imperceptible gleam flashed through his eyes...

At Konoha's Ninja Academy, an indescribable atmosphere filled the graduates' classroom.

The news of Kakashi's defeat swept through the entire academy like a hurricane, stirring the once-calm waters into raging waves.

Some were shocked, some doubtful, some excited, and some jealous. All kinds of emotions intertwined, making even the air feel thick.

"Is it true? Kakashi actually lost?" A tall, burly boy slammed his hand onto the desk. His rough voice echoed through the classroom, making the windowpanes hum.

His name was Akagi Takenori. His personality was as fierce as his name suggested, and he had always regarded Kakashi as the goal he sought to surpass.

Now that his idol had been defeated, the blow to him was obvious.

"It's true. I saw it myself!" Another thin boy quickly chimed in, with a trace of barely concealed excitement in his voice.

His name was Yamada Ichiro. He had always lived beneath Kakashi's shadow, but Kakashi's defeat now made him feel as though he had caught a glimpse of hope.

"Haotian... I'll remember that name!" A girl with a ponytail clenched her fists tightly, determination gleaming in her eyes.

She was Hyuga Hanabi, a talented girl of the Hyuga Clan who had always aimed to become a powerful ninja.

Haotian's appearance showed her new possibilities and stirred the fighting spirit deep within her heart.

"I want to be like Haotian too—to go to the battlefield, kill enemies, and protect Konoha!" A voice suddenly rang out, firm and forceful, carrying unquestionable resolve.

The speaker was a boy named Inuzuka Kiba. Beside him, his ninja hound Akamaru barked excitedly as well.