A Unique Ability (Part 2)

After Hatake Sakumo left the training ground, Hanyu remained there. He recovered his stamina and chakra while silently summarizing the lessons learned from the day's training.

At the same time, his hands were subconsciously repeating hand seal exercises.

Hands are a ninja's most important "weapon." While hand seal practice is not a formal curriculum, it is something that must be reinforced anytime and anywhere, especially for a novice who cannot afford a moment of slack. Although Hanyu's speed and proficiency were still a far cry from top-tier ninjas, considering when he became a ninja and the duration of his training thus far, his speed could be rated as "very fast."

"Very fast" in relative terms.

Because hand seals are the foundation of ninjutsu, simplifying the number of seals required for a technique—or even advancing to the use of no-seal ninjutsu—has always been the dream of every ninja. If a ninja can perform a technique with one less seal, their attack becomes a fraction faster; such a negligible difference in time can often determine the outcome of a battle.

However, whether it is simplifying the seals for high-level ninjutsu or developing no-seal techniques, both are exceptionally difficult, existing only in the imaginations of ordinary ninjas.

"Oh, those are all Water Release hand seals."

Just as Hanyu was weaving one finger movement after another in the established sequence, a voice abruptly sounded in his ear.

"Ah?" Because he hadn't sensed anyone approaching beforehand, Hanyu's first reaction upon hearing the voice was extreme vigilance. But as he realized who this slightly familiar voice belonged to, his guard instantly relaxed.

"Third Hokage." Hanyu stood up quickly and respectfully lowered his hands.

The person who had appeared behind him was none other than Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Are these the ninjutsu Sanshao has been teaching you lately?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Yes, Lord Hokage," Hanyu replied. He wondered why Sarutobi Hiruzen, acting as the interim Hokage, wasn't exceptionally busy at a time like this. Why would he appear beside him? And alone, at that?

Lord Hokage did not resolve Hanyu's internal confusion but continued, "I saw your practice just now. As someone who has only recently become a ninja, your rate of progress is quite extraordinary. You certainly have talent for elemental techniques."

Hanyu was about to express humility toward such praise when he heard Sarutobi continue, "However, when I was your age, I was already proficient in five types of elemental releases."

"...Heh... hehe, truly worthy of the Third." Hanyu tried to force a show of respect, but he couldn't help but reveal a stiff, insincere expression—was this guy here to praise him, or to show off?

And what did he just say? Was the Third watching from the sidelines the whole time he was training with Hatake? So, this old man's habit of wandering around the village and peeping at people started when he was this young... This disrespectful thought couldn't help but surface in Hanyu's mind.

However, according to Hanyu's knowledge, the number of ninjutsu the Third Hokage could use was unrivaled in the ninja world. It could even be said to be unprecedented and likely never to be surpassed—even including ninjas like the First and Second Hokage, they could not compare to the Third in terms of the sheer volume of techniques.

Therefore, Hanyu had no doubt that Sarutobi could use five elemental releases in his teens.

Beyond the evidence in his memory, first, Sarutobi Hiruzen was a direct descendant of the Sarutobi clan and had an incredibly formidable father, a genius who could use all five chakra natures. Second, as part of the first generation to grow up after the founding of the Hidden Leaf Village, Sarutobi was a disciple trained by both the First and Second Hokage, having been carefully cultivated under the village's expectations from a very early age.

But how to put it? What Hanyu was thinking at this moment was... letting young people hold state power really isn't a good thing. Even someone like Sarutobi Hiruzen would show a lively, or even somewhat frivolous, side.

At this time, the Third Hokage was only twenty-four years old.

Fortunately, there were elders like Uzumaki Mito in the village.

"Ahem," Sarutobi Hiruzen soon realized that such boasting did not befit his status as interim Hokage, so he continued, "Have you tested your chakra affinity yet?"

"No, Sanshao-sensei told me to focus on Water Release training for now," Hanyu said. Although he wanted to improve his strength quickly, he understood the principle that trying to do too much at once leads to failure.

"That may be so, but after reaching the Chunin level, almost every ninja needs to master two types of chakra nature transformations. Normally, at your age, you shouldn't be far from becoming a Chunin, so getting in touch with other nature transformations early on isn't a bad thing..." As he spoke, the Third Hokage handed a piece of chakra test paper to Hanyu. "Take a look first to see if you have any other natural potential."

Hanyu still didn't understand what the Third Hokage was trying to do, but he took the paper as instructed and channeled his raw, un-transformed chakra into it.

The surface of the test paper changed accordingly.

"First charred, then damp. This indicates that Fire is your most innate direction for chakra nature transformation. The Water Release you mastered first may truly have been a result of external stimulation," the Third Hokage concluded after seeing the results.

"Fire Release?"

If his "foundation" was Fire, would it have been better to start learning Fire Release instead of Water? The Third Hokage's words made Hanyu hesitate for a moment.

"You don't need to worry too much. This only means that if you were to practice chakra nature transformation under normal circumstances, you would most likely succeed with the Fire element first, and learning Fire Release ninjutsu would be easier. But since your Water Release training is going very smoothly, there's no need to fret over it. However... as a reward for the great help you provided the village a while ago, I can teach you a Fire Release ninjutsu," the Third Hokage said.

It seemed he hadn't forgotten the contribution Hanyu made during his recent trip to the Cloud Village.

"How about it? Do you want to learn?"

Hanyu didn't give a direct answer; he just stared at the Third Hokage without blinking... Ninjas are all like this, saying one thing about not biting off more than one can chew, while thinking, "I want it all."

"You've already learned Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet, so I'll teach you a Fire Release ninjutsu of the same level... Fire Dragon Flame Bullet. I hope you can learn this technique as smoothly as you learned the Water Release one," the Third Hokage said.

Whether it was Hatake Sakumo before or Sarutobi Hiruzen now, they both liked to make things sound so simple. "Geniuses" always have this flaw; they think that because something is easy for them to learn, others will learn it just as quickly. But one must ask: how can someone who hasn't even learned Fire-style chakra nature transformation directly learn a Fire Release ninjutsu?

Does he intend to follow the Second Hokage's advanced experience and open a hole in Hanyu with Fire Release first?