The Third Generation's Teachings

"That Lightning Release of yours doesn't seem to consume chakra, but rather physical stamina, right?" the Third Hokage asked.

"That is correct, Teacher." Qingyun nodded.

"Since that is the case, I know how to instruct you. First, recover your health, and then we shall train your physical stamina. Once your stamina is up to par, there will be very few people in the ninja world capable of defeating you."

"Once your stamina increases, your chakra will also grow. In that way, whether you use ninjutsu or your special Lightning Release, you will be able to defeat your opponent first or simply outlast those stronger than you."

"Remember your strengths, consider your weaknesses, and by playing to the former while shoring up the latter, you will always be able to defeat your opponents."

"Rest well, and once you have recovered, come find me directly." The Third Hokage patted Qingyun on the head and departed with a very kind expression.

The Third Hokage had the Anbu secretly protect Qingyun, and Qingyun was able to recover his health in the hospital with peace of mind.

Once he had recovered, Qingyun immediately sought out the Third Hokage. After the Third Hokage analyzed that day's battle point by point, Qingyun realized where he was lacking and learned a great deal.

Only then did Qingyun understand the greatness of the Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage was not some brute who just poked people with a staff; he was a man who loved to research ninjutsu and treated the analysis of others' combat as a favorite pastime.

This showed that many of the Third Hokage's ninjutsu were learned through accumulation. In his early days, he favored using ninjutsu and taijutsu in battle, and he maintained a hardline stance among the ninja villages.

However, the current Third Hokage had reached middle age and seemed to have realized that relying solely on force was no longer enough, so his policies had become much softer.

This was also the point of contention for Danzo.

"Qingyun, in truth, the relationship between villages is much like the relationship between people. As long as there is harmony and the ability to develop together, there is no need for military conflict."

The Third Hokage did not just teach Qingyun how to fight; he often spoke of his philosophies on governing the village. This moved Qingyun deeply and allowed him to recognize the true Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage was a man of iron with a tender heart. His original policies were quite rigid, but later he balanced hardness with softness. In his later years, he preferred to avoid unnecessary trouble, all for the sake of Konoha's stability and peace.

The Third Hokage was also a sentimental man, as evidenced by his sparing of Orochimaru; he was very fond of those with exceptional talent.

Qingyun did not disappoint the Third Hokage, answering his questions with great ingenuity and earning his deep affection.

Once these matters were settled, the Third Hokage's physical training for Qingyun officially began.

The Third Hokage's physical training was actually quite simple: running.

At first, Qingyun was quite surprised. While running could enhance stamina, the improvement was not exactly significant.

However, when Qingyun realized he would be running with weights, he understood the Third Hokage's painstaking efforts.

"Summoning Technique!" The Third Hokage directly summoned Enma. Enma possessed an indestructible body; though he was very agile, his weight was unimaginable.

Imagine a four-year-old child carrying Enma while running around the training ground? That was simply not a task a normal human could complete.

Qingyun possessed the Chakra Enhanced Strength of Tsunade, but this power was usually unleashed in an instant during an attack; naturally, it was not used during daily life.

Now, however, Qingyun had no choice but to apply his Chakra Enhanced Strength to his physical training.

Carrying Enma and utilizing his Chakra Enhanced Strength, it was quite easy at first, but by the second lap, Qingyun found his stamina nearly exhausted, and his running turned into walking.

Even so, Qingyun gritted his teeth and persisted. Since stamina was his weak point, he naturally had to insist on overcoming his shortcomings.

Whenever Qingyun wanted to give up, he would think of his goal.

He was going to become the Hokage and change the entire ninja world!

No matter how many difficulties arose, he persisted until the end.

Every time the Third Hokage saw Qingyun's hardworking appearance, he was filled with deep emotion.

"For such a genius to work so hard to improve himself—I think there is no one in the entire ninja world more diligent than him, is there?" The Third Hokage's fondness for Qingyun grew with each passing day.

Of course, if he only did physical training all day, Qingyun would have been quite free, but in reality, Qingyun still had to perform missions every day.

For a ninja, performing missions was part of the job. Qingyun had to constantly complete C-rank and D-rank missions.

In this way, Qingyun's training continued for half a year. Finally, one day, Hiruzen Sarutobi said to Qingyun, "You have already completed many C-rank and D-rank missions. From now on, set aside two hours every day to spar with me!"

As an absolute Kage-level powerhouse, Hiruzen Sarutobi possessed extremely rich combat experience, and his mastery of ninjutsu and taijutsu was unrivaled. Since he was willing to serve as a whetstone for Qingyun, Qingyun naturally could not ask for more.

Every time Qingyun sparred with the Third Hokage, his combat experience grew, and after every defeat, Qingyun would summarize the reasons for his failure.

Of course, it was not that Qingyun was unable to defeat the Third Hokage, but for the sake of his future growth, he temporarily refrained from using that fruit ability.

After some time had passed, one day, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly looked at Qingyun and said, "In the days prior, you have been sparring with me, and your progress has become increasingly evident. Next, I will teach you ninjutsu."

Qingyun had been waiting and hoping for the Third Hokage to say exactly that.

As the Professor of Shinobi, his greatest strength was undoubtedly his ninjutsu.

Of course, for the Third Hokage to decide to teach Qingyun ninjutsu meant that he had completely accepted Qingyun as an important personal disciple.

The previous sparring sessions were merely to help Qingyun shore up his weaknesses, but now he was to learn new techniques.

"The secret technique of our Sarutobi Clan, the Great Flame Technique. Watch what I do, and do the same." Hiruzen Sarutobi said very seriously.

The Third Hokage performed the hand seals once, and Qingyun had already firmly memorized them. After all, Qingyun possessed super-sensory abilities, could see through others' chakra, and even possessed a Single Tomoe Sharingan.

Thus, Qingyun grasped the essentials of the Great Flame Technique in an instant.

When Qingyun tried to use it for the first time, he immediately exhaled a scorching flame. This flame was even capable of burning an opponent to ash, showing its immense power.

"The Fire Release of the Sarutobi Clan seems no weaker than that of the Uchiha Clan," Qingyun remarked in surprise.

The most surprised of all was Hiruzen Sarutobi. He had not expected Qingyun to master the exquisite Fire Release of the Sarutobi Clan so quickly.

"Qingyun, when I said you had astonishing talent before, it seems I still underestimated you."