Shimura Kizaru would apply for early graduation at the end of his first year and undergo an assessment by fighting a Jonin!
With the Shimura Clan spreading the news, the village's discussions about Kizaru grew even more heated.
Everyone knew that ordinary students applying for early graduation only had to fight a Chunin, whereas Kizaru was challenging a Jonin. The difference in difficulty was enormous.
Whether the barely six-year-old Kizaru really had the strength of a Jonin became the hot new topic of discussion.
The faction representing the Shimura Clan's ninjas argued that Kizaru had a monstrously strong physique, Chakra reserves comparable to a Tailed Beast, and had mastered Chakra nature transformation and high-level Wind Release techniques. Judging by the facts, he already had the strength of a Jonin, if not an Elite Jonin.
The opposing faction, led by the Uchiha Clan, first questioned the claim that Shimura Kizaru had improved ninjutsu. They then pointed out that Kizaru had no real combat experience. Against a Jonin with extensive battle experience, it would be difficult for him to bring his full strength to bear. Thus, Kizaru's true combat strength definitely fell short of a Jonin's, let alone an Elite Jonin's.
The Uchiha Clan wasn't targeting Kizaru because they envied his talent or because he had defeated some of their younger members. They questioned him simply because they hated Danzo.
Danzo had inherited the Second Hokage's ideas and taken them to even greater extremes. He loathed the Uchiha Clan and had been persistently suppressing them.
As a result, the Uchiha ninjas were openly hostile toward Danzo.
As Danzo's clan and a staunch supporter of his, the Shimura Clan naturally earned the Uchiha's hatred as well.
Faced with the doubts raised by some Uchiha ninjas, Danzo couldn't get involved personally. He simply took out his little notebook and silently added another mark against the Uchiha Clan.
The Uchiha, huh? Questioning my nephew, are you? Getting cocky, are you? You're obviously rebels. I'll wipe you out sooner or later.
Although his hatred for the Uchiha had grown, Danzo didn't have time to take revenge on them just yet.
Lately, all of Danzo's attention had been focused on choosing a mentor for Kizaru.
His eldest nephew had such exceptional talent, so naturally he needed an excellent teacher to match.
Danzo had put a great deal of thought into choosing a mentor. After considering many possibilities, he had settled on two candidates.
The first was Hatake Sakumo, an Elite Jonin in the Anbu. He was exceptionally strong, skilled in swordsmanship, and had extensive combat experience.
The second was Orochimaru, his old friend's student. Like Danzo's nephew, he was a top-tier genius and proficient in ninjutsu of every nature.
Danzo was torn between the two. One had extensive experience, while the other was more well-rounded. Both were outstanding ninjas in the village.
Danzo wasn't the only one concerned about choosing a mentor for Kizaru. Hiruzen Sarutobi was invested in it, too.
Kizaru's talent was so exceptional that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he was sure to become a Kage Level powerhouse—and a candidate for Hokage.
Hiruzen couldn't let a super-genius like him grow up without guidance. If he went astray, it would be a tremendous loss for the village.
The candidate Hiruzen most wanted as Kizaru's teacher was his own student, Orochimaru.
Hiruzen had his own motives, too. His old friend Danzo was indeed part of the same faction, but the two didn't see eye to eye on everything. Their views sometimes conflicted.
Over the years, they had maintained close cooperation and presented a united front because of various internal and external pressures.
Now Danzo had a descendant of astonishing talent. Naturally, Hiruzen wanted to raise him to carry on his own ideals.
He wanted Kizaru to graduate early and then have his own student become his teacher. Through their relationship as master and pupil, Orochimaru could instill the right beliefs in Kizaru and keep him from being led astray by his uncle and taking an extreme path.
That had been Hiruzen's true purpose when he suggested Kizaru graduate early on the school grounds.
To make sure Orochimaru became Kizaru's mentor, Hiruzen had specifically invited Danzo to his office for a talk that day.
Hiruzen rose from his chair and waited for Danzo to arrive. Then he slowly walked over to the window.
He took out his beloved old pipe, packed it with tobacco, and lit it. After taking a deep drag and slowly exhaling, he gazed out at the village streets and pondered how to persuade his old friend to accept Orochimaru as Kizaru's mentor.
Danzo didn't keep Hiruzen waiting long after receiving the invitation. Just as Hiruzen took his third puff, Danzo pushed open the door and entered the office.
"Hiruzen, what is it?" Danzo asked as he walked in and closed the door.
Hiruzen put out the tobacco in his pipe, then turned around with a smile and looked at Danzo.
"Have a seat first." As he spoke, Hiruzen walked over to his desk and sat down.
Danzo sat across from Hiruzen. Looking at his old friend's smiling face, he had a pretty good idea why he'd been invited.
"Danzo, have you chosen a mentor for Kizaru?" Hiruzen asked casually, leaning back in his chair as if they were making small talk.
Danzo's lips curled up slightly. Having guessed his old friend's intentions, he was in a very good mood.
"I have two candidates. One is Hatake Sakumo." Danzo deliberately paused to see how his old friend would react, but Hiruzen kept smiling without the slightest change in expression, so he continued, "The other is your student, Orochimaru!"
Hiruzen's expression didn't change when Danzo named the first candidate, but his heart tightened.
It wasn't that Hiruzen disliked Hatake Sakumo. In fact, he admired him greatly. Sakumo was an outstanding ninja, close to perfect.
But Hatake Sakumo was suited to being a ninja, not a leader. He could become an excellent Famous Sword, but he couldn't be a torch that led everyone forward and lit the way ahead.
Having a genius like Kizaru study under Hatake Sakumo would be a waste.
When Hiruzen heard Danzo name the second candidate, he wholeheartedly approved. Delighted, he smiled even more broadly.
So my old friend and I really are on the same wavelength. Hiruzen silently praised Danzo.
"Sakumo's busy with missions. He might not have time to mentor Kizaru," Hiruzen said, gently dismissing Danzo's first candidate.
Danzo immediately understood what his old friend meant. He nodded slightly and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Hiruzen!"
"With a genius like Kizaru as his student, I'm sure Orochimaru will be delighted." Hiruzen accepted on Orochimaru's behalf.
"Hahaha!" Danzo gave a modest laugh, then said to Hiruzen, "Kizaru's also looking forward to becoming Orochimaru's student."
The two old foxes smiled at each other in the office, both pleased with the arrangement.