Do You Believe in the Light? X Sarutobi Hiruzen's Probe

How do you grow eyes?

How can one grow eyes?

Roy met Maha's gaze across the rocking chair. The old man seemed to sense his doubt and chuckled, saying, "That's easy. Go all out... and punch me."

No one is born strong, nor are they born with knowledge. The people they meet and the things they experience will ultimately be reflected in their understanding.

Ironically, the foundation for awakening "Nen Ability lies in "cognition."

An old man and a young boy sat quietly in the dimly lit room. A curtain was lifted slightly by a breeze, letting in a few rays of light that shone on them...

Zeno, who hadn't gone far, supported Kikyo Silva, who was escorting Tsubone back to his bedroom. As if by telepathy, they either stopped or looked through the many stone walls of the Ancient Castle...

Roy was stumped by Maha's question and fell into deep thought.

All my strength? My own all my strength... what is that?

I possess the ability to travel through time granted by the [Gate of Cognition], the Book of Imitation that allows me to replicate the talents of others through the [Monster Compendium], the Nen Ability derived from Yin-Yang and Five Elements, and various ninjutsu derived from it. I have Self-Release, Swamp Space, Sharingan, Illusion Jutsu, and... Domain Swordsmanship that has reached LV4.

Too many... too many... should I call it a happy problem?

No, Roy knew his great-grandfather well. Although his great-grandfather loved to joke around, he never spoke without reason!

What's more, this is Kukuroo Mountain, the Zoldyck family's ancient Ancient Castle that has been passed down for nearly a hundred years, the retirement home where Great-Grandpa usually Hermit... To make a move here... wouldn't he be afraid of destroying his family?

Thoughts churned, and Roy's brow furrowed... He was lost.

The Sun-Earring Boy lowered his head, stretched out his hands, stared blankly at his palms, then felt a sharp pain in his forehead. When he came back to his senses, his handsome, rugged head was suddenly grabbed in Maha's hands by Maha, who was standing on tiptoe.

"Son, have you forgotten what you just told your brother?" Maha gently stroked the Sun-Earring Boy's forehead; his thin frame seemed a little taller in the sunlight... He looked at Roy meaningfully and said, "Love yourself before loving others."

"You said you've gained some experience and met some people, and Great-Grandpa believes you, but..."

"And you?"

Where do you place yourself then?

Where have you placed your Believer follow you, trust you, depend on you, and support you?

Boom! A thunderclap erupted from the ground!

A loud bang struck Roy's heart!

He stared blankly at Maha, as if for a fleeting moment he saw again that towering giant, wielding the Hammer of Thunder, about to bring it down...

It dispelled the fog in his heart, revealing a corner of it bright and clear, showing the myriad rays of light that were slowly blooming within!

"I see,"

"Tell me about it,"

"My great-grandfather was telling me to understand my own mind and nature, and to clearly define my own position."

"Anything else?"

"And..." Roy's eyes, previously clouded with confusion, brightened as he looked at Maha and smiled... a radiant smile. He countered with a question, "Great-Grandpa, do you believe in light?"

Maha laughed, a hearty, satisfied laugh... A withered old hand slid down the Sun-Earring Boy's head to his shoulder, patting him twice heavily, saying, "Of course!"

"My grandson Maha must be light, he absolutely must be light, for only light can bring hope to people, to life, to this world."

The old man released Roy, turned around, and lay back down in the rocking chair. Looking out the window, the sun shone brightly, birds sang, flowers bloomed, and Zoldyck moved about –Milluki, Luca, and the Zoldyck family, a diverse group of stewards, beasts, and masters, each with their own "identity" and "profession." He murmured with a profound sadness, "Managing a family is difficult, leading an army is difficult, let alone a city or a country?"

"Roy, if you, as the leader, can't even clearly define your own position, your great-grandfather advises you to abandon the path of [Faith] as soon as possible..."

A revolution needs a program, just as Nen Ability cannot exist without the mind. Roy respectfully bowed to the old man. "Your grandson is enlightened."

Maha waved his hand noncommittally, his eyelids drooping again... Roy wisely left, turning around and quietly closing the door behind him.

The door creaked open and closed.

The footsteps faded into the distance...

At that moment, Maha's Nen Qi stirred, and a gentle, ethereal figure vaguely appeared, watching the Sun-Earring Boy depart. Then, she looked down at him reproachfully and said with a hint of complaint, "The child is still young, can't you wait a little longer?"

"No." Maha slowly opened his eyes, his expression grave. "You saw it yourself, he doesn't have that much time."

Betty fell silent... She sat down next to Maha's lap, but alas... She, who had been residing within Maha as a wisp of "obsession" manifested as "Post-Mortem Nen," had long since lost her physical form; she was merely a wandering soul...

Fortunately, a ray of light shone down and enveloped her... Maha, with his [entangled] hand, took her hand and then pulled her into his arms... On this bright morning, the human and the ghost tenderly embraced each other in the small room.

Betty, as always, pressed her hand against Maha's chest, listening to his heartbeat and sensing his heavy heart.

She then looked up, cupped his face in her hands, and asked, "Did... someone project their image down to the mortal realm?"

Maha frowned and remained silent, while Betty understood. "Is it... [God]?"

"He can't get down,"

"Is that... one of His Believer?" Betty frowned and pressed, "[Servant of God] or... Angel?"

"It's unclear at the moment; Silva is investigating."

"No matter who it is, crossing Lake Mobius and penetrating deep into the human world won't be easy... at least 80% of their strength will be used up..." A rare, dangerous glint flashed in Maha's weathered eyes, and he added at the end...

"I can handle it!"

Betty remained silent. She tried to smooth out the wrinkles on Maha's face, but they just kept reappearing, completely useless... She sighed softly... Her former lover, in the end, had grown old...

And she, with her crippled body, wanted to help, but was powerless to do so... If, if she could be resurrected, could her thousands of comrades who had died alongside Maha also be resurrected...

Perhaps, Maha, wouldn't have to be in such a difficult position alone.

Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs" in this world.

"Whoosh~" A gust of wind blew by, causing the willows outside the courtyard to sway.

At the same time, they exist in the Hokage world within the same parallel universe.

In Konoha, there's a structure shaped like a giant, upside-down rice cooker inside the Konoha Hokage Building.

Upon returning to his office from the Ninja Academy, Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately ordered the Anbu to summon Uchiha Fugaku to discuss... the Roy bombing incident.

Before he could even settle into his chair, he was stunned by the <Limb Removal Technique> that Uchiha Fugaku suddenly presented to him!

Hiruzen narrowed his old eyes, glanced at Fugaku, then lowered his head to carefully study the scroll. His mind was in turmoil, and the first thing that came to mind was a "forbidden ninjutsu," named—

"Edo Tensei!"

This "S"-rank "Summoning Jutsu," developed by the Second Shinobi, his teacher Senju Tobirama, can summon the souls of long-dead Ninja back to the world and revive them in physical form... It shone brightly alongside Senju Tobirama during the Second Shinobi World War, earning the admiration of Chiyo, and was described as despicable by the Second Tsuchikage, Mu, who was also incredibly envious... It truly deserves the "S"-rank title, even making this "Professor of Ninjutsu" marvel at it, yet...

Right now, right here in this office, nothing is as overwhelming as the astonishment he feels from the "Dismembered Life" book he's holding in his hand!

It is important to know that Ninja must form hand seals to connect their Chakra and perform "ninjutsu"... Even the First Hokage, who was hailed as the "God of Shinobi," could not avoid this, which shows how important hands are to a Ninja!

Especially considering that... Konoha still has many disabled people who lost their limbs in the war and will never be able to pursue the path of Ninja, Sarutobi Hiruzen his fist and firmly secured the scroll to his desk, then looked intently at Fugaku and said, "Fugaku, you have truly given this old man a tremendous surprise."

"Limb regeneration lives up to its name. With this ninjutsu, all the disabled people in Konoha will have to remember your favor from today onwards."

"A lucky find on the battlefield, Hokage- sama, you flatter me." Uchiha Fugaku remained as aloof and reserved as ever, his face concealing emotions that remained a mystery.

But... what about those enemy Ninja who possess this ninjutsu, acquired on the battlefield? Why haven't they used it?

Sarutobi Hiruzen the battle reports sent from the front lines, but he couldn't recall any report mentioning anyone regenerating severed limbs... or displaying extraordinary regenerative abilities...

He suddenly remembered someone, chuckled, and said calmly, "Tell me about that kid, Jin."

"At such a young age, not only is his [Fire Release] technique incredibly skilled, but he's also managed to develop such a [Limb Regeneration Jutsu] on his own. Fugaku..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stared intently at Fugaku's face, not missing even the slightest expression, and praised, "You truly have a fine son."

Uchiha Fugaku was startled, but on the surface he said angrily with disappointment, "I'm sorry to have made the Hokage laugh at us. This kid Jin didn't know his own strength and damaged the school wall right in front of everyone. According to the rules, he must be severely punished!"

"When I get back, I will immediately expel him from school, take him to the Police Force for trial, and imprison him!"

"It really wasn't him?" Sarutobi Hiruzen looked suspiciously at Uchiha Fugaku, who seemed to have lost his mind in anger. Without bothering to think it over, he chuckled and waved his hand, "Kid, no need to take it so seriously."

"In my opinion, not only should they not be punished, but they should also be encouraged..."

"In my opinion, with his current abilities, staying in school is a waste of his talents. He should be allowed to graduate early."

"Lord Hokage, this... is against the rules..."

"Rules are rules, but people are flexible; when necessary, special cases can be handled specially."

Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately made the decision, leaving no room for argument... He waved his hand and said gently to Fugaku, "You've also stayed up all night. I'll grant you a day off to go home and rest. I'll inform you and Jin separately once I've finalized the selection of your instructor."

Fugaku: ".., Yes."

He had no choice but to bow slightly and leave...

"Squeak~" The door to the Hokage's office opened and closed.

The footsteps faded away... After Fugaku left, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat alone at his desk, leaning against the bright window. After a while, he opened a drawer, took out the scroll with Roy's detailed information, spread it out, and silently looked at it for a moment. He subconsciously reached for the Crystal Ball... but then silently withdrew his hand...

"The Hokage's fire is just fire; it can't contain the Uchiha, nor can it contain the entire ninja world."

Just now, that Sun-Earring Boy, those eyes, those words, that fireball that covered half the size of the training ground—all were still vivid in his mind, lingering there. Sarutobi Hiruzen murmured softly, "Was it really not you?"

He picked up his pen and wrote a sentence next to Roy's name, "Uchiha Jin," on the scroll.

"The exceptionally talented and gifted Uchiha is suspected to be the true developer of the <Limb Regeneration Jutsu>..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen writing, and after uttering the two words, "Perhaps...", he couldn't continue for a moment.

He knew perfectly well that the Sun-Earring Boy understood the Will of Fire, but did that Will of Fire encompass the Uchiha...? Just like when he faced Roy in the school arena, Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated...

You're back?

"Um."

After leaving the Hokage's office and arriving home, Fugaku reached the entryway and, while taking off his shoes, asked Mikoto, "Where's Jin?"

"Asleep,"

Uchiha Mikoto took her husband's combat uniform and said helplessly, "He said the midday sun is nice, a good time to sleep, and he even told Itachi not to disturb him. He's still the same as when he was a child, always wanting to sleep."

Fugaku smiled, wanting to wake the child and talk to him, but ultimately decided against it.

Let him sleep.

"I'll eat first."

"I saved this for you." Mikoto accompanied Fugaku to the dining table and sat down, watching him eat while resting her chin on her hand. Thinking about school, she asked, "What did the Hokage say?"

"Graduate early," Fugaku said succinctly.

Uchiha Mikoto asked in surprise, "So early?"

It's precisely because it's so early... that it's so eye-catching.

Fugaku put down his chopsticks and sighed softly, "I used to hope he was a genius and wouldn't disgrace the Uchiha. Now... I actually hope that nobody knows about him."

"What's wrong?"

"Isn't it good that our son is successful?"

"Okay, of course it's good, but I'm afraid some people might overthink it." Fugaku recalled the sudden probing by Sarutobi Hiruzen in the Hokage's office earlier... Luckily, he reacted quickly enough and feigned anger to get away with it. He pulled out a tissue, frowned, wiped his mouth, and said, "Jin cannot and absolutely cannot be harmed. His importance to the Uchiha is unparalleled."

"At least..

"At this stage, I don't want too much attention to be focused on him,"

"This is also the opinion that I share with my Yashiro clan uncle."

"That's also why I took on the <Limb Regeneration Jutsu> this time, a result I obtained on the battlefield."

Uchiha Mikoto: "Can you stop them?"

"We can't stop him." Fugaku smiled bitterly. "He blew up the school, graduated early, and it'll be hard for him not to become famous. Now we'll see..."

1

Who will be the mentor that the Third Hokage generation appoints for him?

, Mikoto:

Silence fell...

The woman had never imagined that one day she would worry about her son being too outstanding, and she sighed...

"Anyway, Ananda (husband), let's go to sleep first."

Mikoto winked playfully at Fugaku: "While the children are asleep,"

She plopped down on Fugaku's lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, Fugaku Fugaku:

You finally get a day off, and you...