The next day after school, Kizaru sent Zen-hiko and the others to train at the clan's Training Ground, then headed toward Kage Rock.
The school sat beneath Kage Rock. In no hurry, Kizaru took a leisurely stroll up the stairs and reached the Observation Deck above.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had yet to arrive, and the Observation Deck was deserted.
Kizaru walked over to the railing and leaned back against it. He gazed absentmindedly at the sky as he waited for Hiruzen Sarutobi.
About five or six minutes later, footsteps sounded in the distance. Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared at the stairway, a pipe between his lips.
Hearing the footsteps, Kizaru rested his hands on the railing and turned to look.
"Teacher Sarutobi, long time no see!" Kizaru waved and greeted him with a smile.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took the pipe from his mouth and smiled as he nodded in reply.
He quickened his pace a little and walked toward Kizaru.
"I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long, Kizaru!"
"I just got here, too."
As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi came to stand in front of Kizaru.
Looking at the boy before him, Hiruzen Sarutobi let his gaze travel past him, taking in the village behind him. His heart brimmed with hope.
This child was a new hope. He would surely become a pillar of the village's future!
At the thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze softened, though a quiet determination shone deep within it.
"Danzo told me you're very interested in Genjutsu and Sealing Technique," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, starting the conversation.
"That's right," Kizaru admitted.
Hiruzen Sarutobi reached into his inner pocket, pulled out two scrolls, and held them out to Kizaru.
"These contain the fundamentals of Genjutsu and Sealing Technique, which I've put together. Take them home and study them well."
Looking at his teacher, Kizaru had to admit that when it came to winning people over, Teacher Sarutobi was far better than his own inhuman uncle.
"Thank you, Teacher Sarutobi!" Kizaru took the scrolls and expressed his gratitude.
When Kizaru accepted them, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled warmly. "As your teacher, isn't it only right that I help you with what you need? Don't thank me again, Kizaru!"
Kizaru nodded, put away the scrolls, and replied, "Then I won't hold back next time, Teacher!"
"Hahaha!" Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed heartily. "That's the way!"
After his laughter faded, Hiruzen Sarutobi grew a little more serious. Looking at Kizaru, he continued, "I asked to meet you today not only to give you the scrolls. There's something else I'd like to discuss with you."
Kizaru said nothing. He simply held Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze and waited for him to continue.
"I know you love to learn, but a person's energy is limited. I think your Kekkei Genkai has far greater potential than Genjutsu and Sealing Technique."
Ever since Danzo had told him of Kizaru's interest in Genjutsu and Sealing Technique, Hiruzen Sarutobi had been looking for an opportunity to bring this up.
But he worried that Kizaru, at only six years old, might be arrogant and react badly to his advice.
After giving it some thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to first compile an introduction to the basics of Genjutsu and Sealing Technique and give it to Kizaru as a gift.
Once Kizaru accepted the gift and their relationship grew closer, he would try to persuade him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi truly valued and liked Kizaru.
He didn't want his student to waste his talent, but neither did he want to damage their relationship by putting pressure on him.
With an adult's mindset, Kizaru naturally didn't take Hiruzen Sarutobi's advice the wrong way.
Kizaru understood that Hiruzen Sarutobi meant well, and the scrolls he'd given him showed his sincerity.
But Kizaru had his own plans for Genjutsu and Sealing Technique.
He had no intention of delving deeply into either discipline, nor did he plan to make them important parts of his fighting style in the future.
Developing the Glint-Glint Fruit and studying ninjutsu that could be combined with its powers were Kizaru's priorities.
He studied Genjutsu and Sealing Technique only to broaden his knowledge, shore up his weaknesses, and avoid being caught off guard or left without a counter when fighting shinobi who specialized in them.
So, in response to Hiruzen Sarutobi's well-meant advice—and with his regard for him having grown—Kizaru explained.
"I'm sorry, Teacher. My uncle may have given you the wrong impression. I don't plan to delve deeply into Genjutsu or Sealing Technique.
"I'm only studying them to broaden my knowledge and make up for some of my weaknesses.
"That way, when I fight shinobi who specialize in those techniques in the future, I won't be caught off guard or left without a way to respond or counter them."
Hearing Kizaru's explanation, Hiruzen Sarutobi paused. He was surprised both that he'd misunderstood his student and that, at only six years old, the boy was consciously taking the initiative to study and improve his weaknesses.
What an extraordinary child!
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt both admiration and awe for Kizaru.
"Looks like I was worrying for nothing," Hiruzen Sarutobi said. "You already have the mature mindset of a powerful shinobi!"
"I'll accept the compliment, then, Teacher!" Kizaru smiled and took Hiruzen Sarutobi's praise without false modesty.
"Hahaha!" Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed even louder and more heartily than Kizaru. "That wasn't a compliment. It was a fact!"
Watching Hiruzen Sarutobi laugh so happily, Kizaru had an idea. He thought of what he'd accomplished recently and decided to make his teacher even happier.
"Teacher, I just created a new ninjutsu. Could you give me some pointers?" Kizaru asked with a smile.
"Oh!"
Hearing Kizaru's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi nearly lost control of his expression.
He had great faith in Kizaru's talent for ninjutsu.
Although he knew that the story going around the village about Kizaru improving Wind Release Ninjutsu was a fabrication by that fellow Danzo, the fact that Kizaru had created a new Kekkei Genkai at the age of six was more than enough to prove his exceptional talent for ninjutsu.
What? The Kekkei Genkai was inherited from the Shimura Clan's ancestors?
That ridiculous lie might fool ordinary villagers and the smaller clans.
But the Sarutobi Clan had maintained its traditions for generations and was a powerful clan. They knew the Shimura Clan's history all too well.
The Shimura Clan's ancestors had a Kekkei Genkai?
Hah! Shameless!
Everyone knew the Shimura Clan was famous for Wind Release Ninjutsu!
So, when Hiruzen Sarutobi heard that Kizaru had created another new ninjutsu, he felt both delighted and eager to see it.
"What kind of ninjutsu is it?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked curiously.
Kizaru didn't answer. Instead, he raised his right hand.
Chakra with no elemental nature gathered in Kizaru's palm, compressing and spinning faster and faster. The air around it began to swirl as well.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared fixedly at Kizaru's palm, his eyes widening until they were as large as they could go. He completely lost control of his expression!
He didn't know how it worked and hadn't experienced it firsthand, but Hiruzen Sarutobi was certain that the ninjutsu before him had tremendous destructive power.
The boy had created another powerful hand-seal-free ninjutsu—and this time, it wasn't a further development of his Kekkei Genkai, but a completely independent, brand-new technique!
A monster! He really was a monster!
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at his student, his mind in turmoil. He was so shocked he couldn't speak.
What First Hokage's Potential? His student Kizaru might have even greater potential than Lord Hashirama!
A regular Tuesday request: please follow! We're counting on everyone to check in and read the latest chapter every day!
Under Qidian's current recommendation system, read-throughs are the most important metric by far. A book with more read-throughs gets more recommendations!
So please, everyone! Maomao is deeply grateful!!!