Although he understood the Senju Clan's obsession with the Hokage position,
the Senju Clan currently had no powerful ninja capable of becoming Hokage. If they insisted on occupying the seat without doing anything, weren't they just asking for a beating?
So it was hardly surprising that they'd been shoved off the seat.
"Now that Sarutobi Hiruzen has become Hokage, it's time I got my hands on the Water Release Ninjutsu!"
Keigo Uchiha chuckled.
Recently, as his Lightning Release had grown stronger, Storm Release had become more powerful too—but it was also getting harder to control.
It was obvious that it no longer came as naturally as it had at first.
The main reason was the imbalance between his Lightning Release and Water Release!
So Water Release had become an urgent need for him!
Three days later, Keigo Uchiha was just about to leave after class when Kamimura Yanoi looked at him with a complicated expression and said, "Keigo, make sure you remember: Lord Hokage wants you to visit him."
Kamimura Yanoi fell silent.
His expression grew complicated.
He'd worked diligently for all these years and still hadn't once been granted a personal audience with Lord Hokage!
Yet Keigo Uchiha had been received at just seven years old... The difference was enough to make a man despair!
"I understand. Thank you, Teacher Kamimura."
Before long, Kamimura Yanoi led Keigo Uchiha to the Hokage's office.
And at last, Keigo Uchiha got a close look at the Shinobi Hero!
He was in good shape, with a handsome face that radiated resolve!
Most memorable of all were his eyes. They were like a tiger's, full of authority!
This was the Shinobi Hero in his youth: Sarutobi Hiruzen, in his thirties!
"Lord Hokage, I've brought Keigo Uchiha to see you."
With that,
Kamimura Yanoi left. It was clear that what followed wasn't something he was allowed to hear.
"I've been hearing your name constantly lately. At last, I get to meet you, Keigo Uchiha. Your grandfather has told me about you—the most gifted young boy in the Uchiha Clan today!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a smile, his gaze full of warmth.
"Here's something for you. The Great Elder and I are very good friends, so come visit me at home sometime."
"If you run into any problems at the Ninja Academy, you can come to me anytime."
For a first meeting, this was already plenty of goodwill.
Sarutobi Hiruzen understood that too much of a good thing could backfire.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage. You're even more handsome than I imagined. I didn't expect you to be so young."
Keigo Uchiha put on a look of surprise.
Sarutobi Hiruzen froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Of course! I'm the most handsome Hokage of all time!"
Seeing Keigo Uchiha's innocent face,
he was in an excellent mood.
If an adult had said that, it wouldn't have meant much. But would a boy lie?
Clearly, Keigo Uchiha really meant it!
Keigo Uchiha's mouth twitched. Then he said, "The Great Elder told me that you know all five nature transformations and can even use combination ninjutsu. You're the strongest ninja in the whole village—is that true?"
Flattery always got through.
Keigo figured it was better to get along with Sarutobi Hiruzen than to oppose him.
After all, Sarutobi Hiruzen was Hokage now, with enormous power. If he started scheming against Keigo behind his back, life would get very difficult.
If Keigo could make smooth progress, why go around picking fights and making enemies at every turn?
Of course, Keigo was privately a little speechless.
So this was the self-absorbed Sarutobi Hiruzen? No wonder he called himself the strongest Hokage. He'd been shameless even when he was young!
Never mind anyone else—his teacher, the Second, Senju Tobirama, was ridiculously handsome.
Handsome from childhood to adulthood.
He could hold his own even against the Fourth Hokage.
As for Sarutobi Hiruzen's looks... Forget it. Let's not even go there. Danzo was a whole lot better-looking than him.
Of course,
that guy Sarutobi Hiruzen... had thick skin!
"Of course! That's why I became the strongest Hokage of all time. I know all five chakra natures, so no matter what kind of ninja I face, I can handle them with ease!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was brimming with pride.
Keigo Uchiha: "..."
Damn!
He'd been this shameless even when he was young?
Stronger than the cheat-code Senju Hashirama?
Stronger than the forbidden-jutsu master Senju Tobirama?
What utter nonsense!
"Impressive, impressive!"
Keigo Uchiha said, "I want to become a ninja as powerful as you someday, Lord Hokage!"
"Hahaha! What an interesting boy."
Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed heartily. "Come visit me at home sometime!"
"Oh, I also have a scroll with instructions on Water Release training. It might be useful to you."
As he spoke, he handed Keigo Uchiha a scroll with a smile.
Tobirama's Water Release Detailed Explanation!
At first,
he'd intended to keep Keigo Uchiha at arm's length and string him along.
But there was no helping it. The boy was so good at saying the right things!
And... he admired him so much!
Keigo Uchiha raised an eyebrow and took the scroll. He made no effort to hide his delight. "Thank you, Lord Hokage. I'll definitely visit!"
At the same time, he cursed inwardly.
That bastard really knew how to play the angles.
This was supposed to be part of the deal with the Great Elder, but he'd still managed to squeeze another favor out of Keigo.
What a snake.
Still, it didn't matter. The scroll was in his hands now.
As Keigo looked at the scroll, his joy washed away his earlier exasperation.
This was Senju Tobirama's detailed guide to Water Release!
Who was Senju Tobirama?
The forbidden-jutsu master!
And his Water Release was so powerful that no one in the entire Shinobi World could match him. To put it bluntly, if Senju Tobirama wasn't second in Water Release, no one else would dare claim first place!
This was the man who'd made a pact with the sea!
Sarutobi was a real ingrate. If Senju Tobirama knew that his signature techniques had been handed so easily to an Uchiha by his own student, he'd probably leap right out of his coffin in rage!
With that, Keigo Uchiha bowed respectfully. "Then I won't disturb your rest any longer."
After speaking,
he turned and left.
Polite and orderly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen watched Keigo Uchiha's departing figure. The more he looked, the more he liked him. His grin nearly stretched from ear to ear. "Such a fine young talent—a perfect heir to the Will of Fire!"
Keigo Uchiha looked at the Water Release scroll in his hands, growing more excited by the moment!
This thing was incredibly detailed.
It even covered chakra control.
"The knowledge in here can be applied not only to Water Release, but also to Storm Release. I can keep refining Storm Release, compressing it until its already formidable power becomes even more terrifying!"
Keigo Uchiha drew in a sharp breath.
For the next while, whether at home or in class, Keigo practiced Water Release and chakra control every chance he got. His progress was rapid!
One day, in class,
Kamimura Yanoi tapped the blackboard. "You were all born with exceptional talent in your respective clans, so ordinary lessons won't do much for you. Starting today, you'll learn to climb trees!"
"This will be one of the most important lessons of your ninja careers!"
"And it's something every ninja has to go through!"
Before you continue