The Lord Third, Sarutobi Hiruzen, pondered for a moment, then took several folders from his desk drawer. He walked over to Sato Hideaka, handed them to him, and said, "These are the files and intelligence on Hyuga Ningbo and Uchiha Kaoru. They might come in handy for your showdown a month from now..."
"Hyuga Ningbo is a prodigy of the Hyuga Clan. He activated his Byakugan at five and specializes in Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, Eight Trigrams Empty Palm, and Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation. He's already mastered all three techniques, and his strength puts him among the best of the Chunin..."
"Uchiha Kaoru is a prodigy of the Uchiha Clan. She awakened her Sharingan at eight and gained two tomoe at ten. She has Fire and Lightning chakra natures and specializes in Sharingan Windmill Triple Blade, Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique, Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, and other Fire Release Ninjutsu. Word has it that her talent for Lightning Release Ninjutsu is no weaker than her talent for Fire Release Ninjutsu..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen recited their intelligence in a low voice. Sato Hideaka's expression darkened. Uchiha Kaoru hadn't used Lightning Release even once in the Forest of Death. Clearly, she'd been hiding a great deal of her strength. She was probably much stronger than he'd imagined.
"The Uchiha Clan once killed a Yotsuki Clan shinobi during a battle against Kumogakure and obtained a method of using Lightning Release to strengthen the body. As a direct relative of the Uchiha Clan's Elder, Uchiha Kaoru may also know how to use Chakra Nature Transformation to enhance her cells and increase their activity... So her strength should be above that of an Elite Chunin!"
There was no mistaking the admiration in Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice. He clearly thought highly of Uchiha Kaoru's talent. Sato Hideaka also remembered what had happened in the Forest of Death. Kaoru had displayed incredible speed, which was likely connected to increased cellular activity.
Lightning-induced cellular activation could be divided into two types: permanent activation and temporary activation. The two methods were quite different.
Temporary cellular activation involved using Lightning Release Chakra Nature Transformation in place of the bioelectric signals that connected the nerves. This increased cellular activity and the speed of nerve reflexes. It put the body under intense strain, provided a tremendous boost, and caused greater damage...
Permanent cellular activation, on the other hand, involved physiological training over time, aided by Lightning Release Chakra Nature Transformation. By continually pushing past their physical limits, a person could permanently enhance their physique, speed, and strength. The effects were much gentler.
The first method was more powerful, while the second was permanent. Together, the two methods had given the Yotsuki Clan their formidable physiques and made them better suited to Lightning Release Chakra Mode, turning them into the cream of the crop among speed-based Nintaijutsu users!
Based on the Lord Third Sarutobi Hiruzen's intelligence, Uchiha Kaoru's speed back then was probably also linked to Lightning Release Chakra Nature Transformation and permanent cellular activation!
Judging by their previous fight, Uchiha Kaoru was already stronger than he was. And she still had Lightning Release Ninjutsu and Lightning Release Chakra Nature Transformation in reserve. He, meanwhile, had already used all his trump cards. Sato Hideaka couldn't help reaching for the antique box in his hand...
Did he really have to take that Special Military Ration Pill during the showdown?
The Lord Third looked at Sato Hideaka and continued, "Uchiha Kaoru's strength should fall somewhere between Elite Chunin and Special Jōnin. If you really want to defeat her, there's only one person who can help you!"
One person who could help him?
Sato Hideaka was a little confused. He already had several powerful bloodline techniques, but at fourteen, Uchiha Kaoru far surpassed him in speed, strength, and physical toughness. Who could help him overcome such a huge gap?
"How about this? I'll write you a letter of recommendation. Take it to a Genin named Might Duy. He may only be a Genin, but his Taijutsu is exceptional and can help make up for your current weaknesses. Of course, the training will be extremely grueling..."
As though he'd noticed the confusion in Sato Hideaka's eyes, Sarutobi Hiruzen wrote a letter of recommendation at his desk and handed it to him.
Sato Hideaka jolted. He silently cursed himself. After watching so much anime, how had he never thought of using the Eight Inner Gates Formation to make up for his weaknesses?
Might Duy was the father of Might Guy, the Blue Beast of the Hidden Leaf. A pure Taijutsu specialist, he excelled at the Eight Inner Gates Formation. His greatest feat had been standing alone against the infamous Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. He killed four of them and drove off three, becoming the only man ever to make the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist question their lives!
He hadn't appeared often in the anime, so his strength could only be inferred from the little that was shown. To face seven top Elite Jōnin alone, kill four, and drive off the other three was a clear sign of Kage Level combat strength.
The Eight Inner Gates was an absolute Kage Level Taijutsu technique, and opening all eight gates gave a person the ability to surpass Kage Level strength for a short time!
Sato Hideaka accepted the letter from the Lord Third, bowed, and said calmly, "Thank you, Lord Third... I won't let you down!"
After exchanging a few perfunctory words, Sato Hideaka left the Lord Third's office. Following the intelligence Anbu had just sent, he went to find Might Duy and ask for his guidance. Watching Sato Hideaka walk away, the Lord Third gave a wry smile and said:
"He won't let us down. A prodigy seen only once in a century, indeed. Has he already seen through our so-called plan? He doesn't call me 'Grandpa Third' anymore, either. I suppose he's still unhappy with me...!"
"Hideaka is only six, and he's just arrived in Konoha. He's wary of his surroundings. Why not have Kakashi carry out this mission?" Hatake Sakumo stood nearby and asked in a low voice.
"The Council's position is that Kakashi only recently became a Chunin. If he took part in a Genin competition, even defeating the prodigies of the Hyuga and Uchiha Clans wouldn't make the outcome perfect. That's why they had Hideaka step in... I refused at first, but Danzo agreed to it."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head, then continued, "I've guessed some of Danzo's motives, too. Sato Hideaka's potential is simply too great. Even the First and Second might not have been stronger than him at that age. I suspect Danzo wants to suppress the two clans while also limiting Sato Hideaka's potential!"
"The Land of Fire has the largest and richest territory in the world, and the other four great nations have long coveted this fertile land. No one can guarantee that one of their shinobi villages won't produce a prodigy like the Second Raikage. If Konoha has already begun limiting its prodigies' potential, then who will be able to stand against them?"
Even someone as composed as Hatake Sakumo couldn't help feeling indignant when he heard that Danzo had used such a sinister, vicious scheme against a child who was barely six years old. He couldn't help but feel angry on Sato Hideaka's behalf!