The next day, Konoha.
Qingyu headed toward the Ninjutsu Repository.
He planned to pick out an S-rank ninjutsu.
As for what exactly to choose, Qingyu intended to first see what was available.
Konoha did not actually have many S-rank ninjutsu.
A-rank and B-rank ninjutsu were what saw more mainstream use.
C-rank and D-rank techniques, meanwhile, were relatively basic ninjutsu.
Of course, that did not mean these techniques were weak. On the contrary, when mastered well, they could be even more powerful than higher-ranked ninjutsu.
That was because a ninjutsu's rank only represented its difficulty of learning.
Still, the more difficult a ninjutsu was, the more troublesome its mechanics usually became.
Just as Qingyu was about to arrive, he ran into Sarutobi Hiruzen head-on.
Sarutobi Hiruzen held a pipe in his hand and appeared to have just come out of the meeting room.
The matter of the Sunagakure delegation had largely been settled, and Sarutobi Hiruzen wore a rare look of relaxation.
After all, an alliance with Sunagakure would give Konoha one less enemy and one more ally.
"Qingyu, are you heading to the Ninjutsu Repository?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen stopped, the corners of his eyes crinkling with a smile.
"Yes. Lord Hokage said last time that I could choose an S-rank ninjutsu, and I happened to have time today."
"Then let's go together. This old man happens to need to pick up something there as well."
Sarutobi Hiruzen tapped the ashes from his pipe and walked beside Qingyu toward the Ninjutsu Repository.
Along the way, he asked Qingyu about his training over this period, and Qingyu answered each question.
As Sarutobi Hiruzen listened, his pace unconsciously slowed.
"Your mastery of many ninjutsu has likely already surpassed that of most shinobi."
"I'm still far behind you, Lord Hokage."
Qingyu shook his head.
"Hahaha,