Hiruzen Sarutobi Conquered (Seeking Follow-up Reads!)

The next day after school, Kizaru let Zen-hiko and the others head to the clan training ground on their own before he set off toward the Hokage Rock.

The school was located just below the Hokage Rock, and since Kizaru was in no rush, he took a leisurely stroll up the stairs until he reached the observation deck above the monument.

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi had not yet arrived, and the observation deck was completely empty.

Walking forward to the railing, Kizaru leaned his back against it, staring blankly at the sky while waiting for Hiruzen to appear.

About five or six minutes later, the sound of footsteps echoed from afar, and Hiruzen's head popped up from the stairwell, a pipe clamped between his teeth.

Hearing the noise, Kizaru rested his hands on the railing and turned his head to look over.

"Teacher Hiruzen, long time no see!" Kizaru waved a hand and greeted him with a smile.

Taking the pipe from his mouth, Hiruzen nodded in response with a smile.

Quickening his pace slightly, Hiruzen walked toward Kizaru.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long, Kizaru!"

"I only just arrived myself."

As they spoke, Hiruzen reached Kizaru's side.

Looking at the boy before him, then shifting his gaze forward to take in the entire village behind him, Hiruzen's heart was filled with hope.

The child before him was the new hope; he would surely become a pillar of the village's future!

Thinking of this, the look Hiruzen gave Kizaru became even softer, yet deep within it lay a firm resolve.

"I heard from Danzo that you are very interested in Genjutsu and Sealing Technique." Hiruzen took the initiative to open the conversation.

"That is correct," Kizaru admitted.

Reaching into his inner pocket, Hiruzen pulled out two scrolls and offered them to Kizaru.

"These are the basics of Genjutsu and Sealing Technique that I have compiled myself. Take them back and study them well."

Looking at his teacher, Kizaru had to admit that when it came to winning people over, Teacher Hiruzen was far superior to his own inhuman uncle.

"Thank you so much, Teacher Hiruzen!" Kizaru said gratefully as he took the scrolls.

Seeing Kizaru accept the scrolls, Hiruzen smiled warmly and said, "As a teacher, isn't it only right to provide for a student's needs? Don't say thank you anymore, Kizaru!"

Kizaru nodded, tucked the scrolls away, and replied, "Then I won't stand on ceremony in the future, Teacher!"

"Hahaha!" Hiruzen laughed heartily and said, "That's the spirit!"

After the laughter died down, Hiruzen's expression turned slightly more serious as he looked at Kizaru and continued, "I asked to meet you today not just to give you these scrolls, but because there are some things I want to discuss with you."

Kizaru remained silent, simply meeting Hiruzen's gaze as he waited for what was to come.

"I know you are eager to learn, but a person's energy is limited. I believe that compared to Genjutsu and Sealing Technique, your Kekkei Genkai has much greater potential for development."

Hiruzen had been looking for an opportunity to say this to Kizaru ever since Danzo told him about the boy's interest in those subjects.

However, he had been worried that the six-year-old Kizaru might be proud and headstrong, and that his advice would trigger a rebellious reaction.

After some consideration, Hiruzen decided to first compile the introductory knowledge on Genjutsu and Sealing Technique as a gift for Kizaru.

He planned to wait until Kizaru accepted the gift and the bond between them had strengthened before offering his counsel.

Hiruzen truly valued and liked the child that was Kizaru.

Therefore, he neither wanted his student to neglect his natural talent nor did he want to damage their relationship through heavy-handed pressure.

Having heard Hiruzen's advice, Kizaru, who possessed the mind of an adult, naturally felt no such rebellion.

Kizaru understood Hiruzen's good intentions and saw his sincerity through the scrolls he had been gifted.

However, Kizaru had his own plans regarding Genjutsu and Sealing Technique.

He had no intention of delving deeply into these two types of ninjutsu, nor did he plan to make them his primary means of combat in the future.

The development of his Glint-Glint Fruit abilities and the ninjutsu that could be combined with them were the focus of his studies.

His research into Genjutsu and Sealing Technique was merely to expand his knowledge base and master countermeasures, so as to avoid being blindsided by other ninjas using such techniques.

Thus, facing Hiruzen's well-meaning advice, Kizaru—whose favor toward the man had increased—began to explain.

"I am truly sorry, Teacher! Perhaps my uncle's words caused a misunderstanding. I do not intend to study Genjutsu and Sealing Technique in depth.

I am learning them only to increase my knowledge and shore up my weaknesses.

I want to ensure that in the future, when I fight ninjas who specialize in these arts, I won't be caught off guard or left without a method of response and counter-attack."

After hearing Kizaru's explanation, Hiruzen was stunned. On one hand, he realized he had misunderstood his student; on the other, he was amazed that a child of only six had the conscious initiative to study and improve his own shortcomings.

What an extraordinary child!

In his heart, he felt both deep emotion and admiration for Kizaru.

Hiruzen looked at Kizaru and said, "It seems I was overthinking things. You already possess the mature mindset of a powerful ninja!"

"I will accept your praise without false modesty, Teacher!" Facing Hiruzen's compliment, Kizaru did not humble himself but accepted it with a smile.

"Hahaha!" Hiruzen laughed even louder and more happily than Kizaru, saying, "That isn't praise, it's a fact!"

Watching Hiruzen laugh so heartily, Kizaru felt a stir in his heart. Remembering his recent progress, he decided to give his teacher even more reason to be happy.

"Teacher, I happened to create a new ninjutsu recently. Why don't you help me critique it?" Kizaru said with a beaming smile.

"Oh!"

Hearing Kizaru's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi nearly failed to maintain his composure.

Hiruzen Sarutobi held Kizaru's talent for ninjutsu in high regard.

Although he knew that the rumors circulating in the village about Kizaru improving Wind Release ninjutsu were fabricated by that fellow Danzo, the fact that Kizaru had created a new Kekkei Genkai at the age of six was enough to prove his superb aptitude for ninjutsu.

What? The Kekkei Genkai was left behind by the ancestors of the Shimura Clan?

Such a ghost-deceiving lie could only fool the ordinary villagers and those minor ninja clans.

For the Sarutobi Clan, which had maintained its heritage and possessed considerable strength, the records of the Shimura Clan were all too well known.

Your Shimura Clan's ancestors had a Kekkei Genkai?

Pah! Shameless!

Who didn't know that your Shimura Clan was a ninja clan famous for Wind Release ninjutsu!

Therefore, hearing Kizaru say he had created another new ninjutsu, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a mix of surprise and anticipation.

"What kind of ninjutsu is it?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked curiously.

Kizaru did not speak, instead raising his right hand directly.

Non-elemental chakra gathered in Kizaru's palm, constantly compressing and rotating at high speed, causing the surrounding airflow to spin along with it.

Staring fixedly at Kizaru's palm, his eyes widening involuntarily, Hiruzen Sarutobi's composure completely collapsed!

Although he didn't know the principle and hadn't experienced it firsthand, Hiruzen Sarutobi could be certain that the ninjutsu before him possessed immense lethality.

This child had created another powerful, hand-seal-less ninjutsu, and it wasn't a further development of a Kekkei Genkai, but a completely independent, brand-new ninjutsu!

A monster! He truly is a monster!

Looking up, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his disciple with a thousand thoughts racing through his mind, too shocked to speak.

What First Hokage's Potential? His disciple Kizaru might even possess potential that surpasses Lord Hashirama!

Daily request for follow-up reading every Tuesday! I beg everyone to try and read to the latest chapter every day!

Under the current promotion system on Qidian, follow-up reading is the most, most, most important metric. It can be said that whichever book has high follow-up reading gets more recommendations!

So I am counting on everyone, Maomao is eternally grateful!!!