At the same time Jiraiya had this thought.
Just after reading the Scroll of Sealing, Sarutobi Hiruzen had the same thought.
After all, Sarutobi Hiruzen was already planning to trade his life to take Uchiha Fugaku with him. Before he was sealed away, he might as well indulge his hobby a little more. Once he was sealed, he wouldn't get another chance to watch.
Thinking of this, Sarutobi Hiruzen quietly took out his treasured Crystal Ball and began performing his signature ninjutsu.
The Telescope Technique.
As soon as Sarutobi Hiruzen used the Telescope Technique to locate the Hot Spring, he spotted Jiraiya already sprawled on the roof, peeping.
Seeing Jiraiya, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help feeling exasperated at how unprofessional his student was.
With the way you're watching, of course you'll get caught. No wonder the Konoha Sannin have such a bad reputation. Couldn't you at least pretend to be subtle? Keep this up, and you'll ruin your name sooner or later.
You should learn from your teacher. Now this is what you call professional.
Then the Telescope Technique moved inside the Hot Spring.
At that moment, the same thought rose in both Sarutobi Hiruzen and Jiraiya's minds—So white!
Afternoon
Uchiha Fugaku had finally finished reading the entire Qi Refining Technique, and with the help of his Sharingan, he had memorized all of it.
Uchiha Fugaku slowly got to his feet and rubbed his throbbing head, planning to take a break. After all, he needed to be in his best condition to enter Enlightenment Mode.
Then Uchiha Fugaku went to the training ground and practiced Taijutsu with the others, using the training to relieve his mental strain.
After completing his training, Uchiha Fugaku soaked in a medicinal bath. Then, after dinner, he went to bed.
The next day
Uchiha Fugaku woke up feeling refreshed.
He checked his memory and found that he hadn't forgotten anything.
Then Uchiha Fugaku ate a simple breakfast and once again left the day's affairs to Uchiha Itachi.
He then gave Uchiha Mikoto and Itachi some instructions. Until he came out on his own, he wouldn't see anyone who came looking for him. And as long as he stayed in this room, no one was to come in and disturb him.
Uchiha Fugaku strode into the room and locked the door.
Then he began to clear his mind, regulate his breathing, and make tea.
By the time the tea was ready, Uchiha Fugaku was in peak condition.
After going over the tea-making process once, Uchiha Fugaku took out the Enlightenment Tea and began brewing it.
After all, Uchiha Fugaku only had three leaves of Enlightenment Tea. Even the slightest waste would break his heart.
Before long,
tea brewed from a single leaf of Enlightenment Tea sat before Uchiha Fugaku.
Without hesitation, Uchiha Fugaku drank it all, leaves and all.
As soon as Uchiha Fugaku drank the Enlightenment Tea,
a mysterious sensation washed over him.
Uchiha Fugaku felt as though the shackles around his soul had broken and the haze within it had lifted. Countless flashes of insight appeared in his mind.
Uchiha Fugaku naturally realized he had entered an enlightened state, and began studying the Qi Refining Technique intently.
Now that Uchiha Fugaku was in an enlightened state, the obscure knowledge he had struggled to understand suddenly became clear and easy to grasp.
As Uchiha Fugaku continued to understand the material, he saw it transform into countless symbols that sank deep into his mind.
After fully learning the material, Uchiha Fugaku began studying Senjutsu suited to the Shinobi World.
After all, cultivating the Qi Refining Technique required spiritual roots and spiritual energy, and Uchiha Fugaku had neither. Developing and creating Senjutsu was his only option.
Within Enlightenment Mode, a Senjutsu unique to Uchiha Fugaku, based on the otherworldly Qi Refining Technique and the Uchiha Clan's ninjutsu, began to take shape—a brand-new Sage Mode.
At the same time, Uchiha Fugaku finally sensed the natural energy in the air. It slowly began to enter his body, where it fused with his chakra and produced a special Senjutsu Chakra.
As the Senjutsu Chakra formed, a faint red glow gradually appeared around Uchiha Fugaku's body.
Hokage Building
Might Guy and his teammates, Ebisu and Gekko Hayate, returned to Konoha after completing their mission.
"Knock, knock, knock, knock."
A series of knocks interrupted Sarutobi Hiruzen as he was peeping.
Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly covered the Crystal Ball, checked it carefully, and only then cleared his throat and said,
"Come in."
With Sarutobi Hiruzen's permission, Might Guy, Ebisu, and Gekko Hayate entered the Hokage Office.
Of the three, Ebisu was the first to speak to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Lord Hokage, we've completed the mission to escort the merchant caravan."
"Here's the proof of completion."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the three exhausted men, took the mission proof from them, and checked that everything was in order. Then he paid them their reward.
After receiving their payment, the three said their goodbyes to Sarutobi Hiruzen and prepared to leave.
After all, they had just completed a mission, and Might Guy, Ebisu, and Gekko Hayate wanted to go home and rest.
At that moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen called out to Might Guy.
"Might Guy, stay behind. I need your help with something."
The three paused at Sarutobi Hiruzen's words. Though Might Guy had no idea what it was about, he left the group and stayed in the Hokage Office.
After Ebisu and Gekko Hayate left, Might Guy asked,
"Lord Hokage, is there something you need me to do?"
At Might Guy's question, Sarutobi Hiruzen's tense heart eased somewhat. After all, Might Guy was one of the trump cards he had left behind for Konoha.
Might Guy was a ninja fiercely loyal to Konoha. His upright, grateful nature, his bond with Kakashi, and Sarutobi Hiruzen's kindness to him when he was young made him someone Sarutobi Hiruzen trusted deeply.
Then Sarutobi Hiruzen said to Might Guy,
"There is something, but we're still waiting for someone."
"When he arrives, I'll explain it to both of you."
Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's reply, Might Guy answered at once.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Before long, Hyuga Hiashi, the Hyuga clan head who had been summoned, arrived at the Hokage Building.
When he entered the Hokage Office, Hyuga Hiashi asked,
"Lord Hokage, what did you want to see me about?"
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Sarutobi Hiruzen set down his pipe and said,
"I called you here because I want to consult the two of you, as people who know Taijutsu best in your respective villages."
????
Taijutsu? Consult?
Hearing this, Might Guy couldn't help getting excited and asked,
"Lord Hokage, what would you like to know?"
Hearing Might Guy's question, Sarutobi Hiruzen understood what he was thinking. He shook his head and said,
"It's not what you think. I'm not the one learning."
"Recently, the Uchiha Clan has been acting strangely. Their members have all started training in Taijutsu, so I want you to come with me and take a look."
"See if there might be some underlying problem."
Before you continue