The Future Hokage

Such a genius must be eliminated!

Outside the academy, amidst the cheering and bustling crowd, a plain-looking, short middle-aged man watched Kizaru on the training ground with an expressionless face.

Having entered Konoha under the guise of a merchant guard from the Land of Wind, he held another identity: a spy for Sunagakure!

Collecting intelligence within Konoha was his mission.

He had expected this trip to Konoha to be like all the others—gathering gossip from the villagers to barely satisfy his superiors.

He never imagined he would happen to witness the early graduation exam of a new Konoha genius.

To be honest, when he first saw the two on the training ground, he couldn't even distinguish who was the student and who was the examiner.

It wasn't until he heard the discussions around him that the spy gained a preliminary understanding of this new genius.

Shimura Kizaru, nearly seven years old, possessed a mysterious Kekkei Genkai that allowed him to emit light.

His physical fitness was exceptionally outstanding (based on visual observation), his talent was astonishing, and he had been dubbed "First Hokage's Potential" in Konoha.

Occupying the most fertile land with a developed economy and a constant stream of geniuses, Konoha had already made all the other ninja villages feel extremely troubled and wary.

And now, a super genius labeled with "First Hokage's Potential" had been born!

He had to return to the village immediately to report this intelligence to the Kazekage.

Such a genius must be eliminated in coordination with other ninja villages!

At any cost!

After watching the entire match and forming his assessment, the middle-aged spy turned and slipped away from the crowd.

Standing in the center of the training ground, having passed the graduation exam, Kizaru stood with his hands in his pockets, surveying his surroundings.

Inside the academy, countless students watched him with gazes of worship or envy.

Outside the academy, countless villagers cheered for him!

The birth of a new super genius meant an increase in the village's strength, and more importantly, a significant boost to the power protecting the village's stability and interests.

Therefore, the vast majority of villagers were genuinely happy that Kizaru had defeated an elite Jonin of the Uchiha Clan so cleanly.

This was the will of the people!

The will of the people can be utilized!

Standing on the rooftop, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi watched his disciple Kizaru accepting the villagers' cheers, sighing silently in his heart.

Beside him, the head of the Uchiha Clan and several elders did not look very pleased.

Their expressions grew even worse as others present enthusiastically congratulated the Great Elder of the Shimura Clan.

They had never thought they would lose, let alone lose so miserably!

After this battle, the face of the Uchiha Clan had been thoroughly trampled underfoot by Shimura Kizaru.

In a foul mood and unwilling to hide it, the Uchiha Clan head used the excuse of checking on Uchiha Kensuke's injuries to lead his elders away from the rooftop in a hurry.

"That child went too far; how could he injure Jonin Kensuke so severely! It truly makes this old man feel guilty," the Shimura Great Elder said with a tone of regret, watching the Uchiha Clan leave with a chuckle.

"In a live-combat exam, it's inevitable that someone gets hurt!"

"Indeed, I've watched that child Kizaru grow up; I even held him when he was little. I know him—he has a kind heart!"

Shameless!

The other clan heads present watched the two advisors fawning over the Shimura Great Elder and cursed them fiercely in their hearts.

But on the surface, they wore masks of smiles, exchanging pleasantries with the Shimura Great Elder.

Unlike the Great Elder, who was basking in flattery with a face full of smiles, Danzo, who had been standing beside Hiruzen Sarutobi, remained calm.

Having traded blows with Kizaru, he understood that Kizaru's victory over Uchiha Kensuke was certain, and effortless at that.

Now, Danzo was thinking more about how to continue building hype for Kizaru, and what kind of ninjutsu that chakra sphere Kizaru used during the exam was.

As if guessing his old friend's thoughts, Hiruzen Sarutobi lit his pipe and turned to look at Danzo.

Taking a deep puff and exhaling leisurely, Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile, "That ninjutsu is called Rasengan; it's an A-rank, signless ninjutsu that Kizaru developed just a while ago."

???

Danzo looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with some confusion, not understanding how this old man would know.

Facing Danzo's reaction, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled even more happily.

"When I met with him last time, he showed it to me voluntarily, hoping I could offer some suggestions!" At this, Hiruzen Sarutobi paused deliberately, puffing on his pipe while watching his friend's expression with amusement.

"This child's talent is truly incredible! The Rasengan was developed quite perfectly by him; even I couldn't find any faults, so I could only offer him some minor suggestions for further development!"

Old bastard!

Gritting his teeth and cursing internally, Danzo looked at the smug Hiruzen Sarutobi and retorted, "I'm sorry to trouble you with a child of my Shimura Clan!"

Old bastard!

Gripping his pipe tighter, Hiruzen Sarutobi replied with a smile, "It's no trouble! After all, he is my disciple!"

So infuriating, yet there's no way to refute it!

Danzo had no choice but to avert his gaze, looking down at Kizaru below, and began to chuckle slowly.

Mirroring Danzo's movements, Hiruzen Sarutobi also looked down at Kizaru, a satisfied smile on his face and deep anticipation shining in his eyes!

Next, let your teacher help you reach even greater heights!

Thinking this to himself, Hiruzen Sarutobi took action.

Amidst the slightly surprised expressions of those around him, especially Danzo, Hiruzen Sarutobi jumped directly from the rooftop into the training ground.

Standing beside Kizaru, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the cheering children and villagers all around, then looked up at Kizaru again.

With a smile tinged with affection directed at Kizaru, Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his hand and patted him on the shoulder.

"You performed very well!"

"Just average!" Kizaru said "humbly."

"Hahaha!" Laughing heartily, Hiruzen Sarutobi shifted his gaze back to the cheering crowd.

"As the Third Hokage, I hereby announce that Shimura Kizaru has passed the examination and is graduating early!"

As Hiruzen Sarutobi's words landed, the cheers all around reached a crescendo!

"Shimura Kizaru! His talent is exceptional and his strength is outstanding; I have decided to take him as my disciple!"

With these words, the surrounding cheers paused instantly; everyone present was stunned by Hiruzen Sarutobi's decision.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had not taken on a disciple in over a decade, had actually taken one again today.

Ordinary villagers and most of the students at the academy did not think about the deeper implications; beyond their surprise, they simply began to discuss it with those around them.

They were all envious that Kizaru could be taken as a disciple by Lord Hokage!

However, the high-ranking officials of Konoha present were different; after hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's decision, their hearts were stirred by many ripples.

Looking at the Third Hokage and Kizaru below, then at Danzo and the elders of the Shimura Clan, they felt as if they were looking at the future successor to the Hokage.

If not the Fourth, then the Fifth!

As long as nothing went wrong, Shimura Kizaru was the nailed-on future Hokage!

PS: The plot of the first volume ends with this chapter. The new volume will be the Second Shinobi World War two years later, which will be the beginning of Kizaru's journey from the village to the Shinobi World.

The core of the first volume was the debut of a genius, Kizaru's initial emergence, so all the plot points were paving the way for the final graduation exam.

And the second volume will be the story of Kizaru stepping onto the grand stage of the Shinobi World and making a name for himself!

For this book, Maomao's original intention for creating it was very simple: I've read too many novels that claim to be about an invincible protagonist but end up suppressing them.

Feeling unsatisfied, Maomao decided to write one myself—a story about the invincible path of a super genius.

No tormenting the protagonist, no suppression, just pure satisfaction all the way through—that is Maomao's slogan!!!

Maomao also implores everyone here to make sure to read up to the latest chapter every Monday and Tuesday.

Qidian's current promotion system is based on the effective follow-read count on Tuesdays, ranking from most to least to advance in PK.

Therefore, the follow-reads on Monday and Tuesday are very important to this book. Maomao kneels and begs everyone to be sure to flip to the latest chapter on Mondays and Tuesdays. Thank you!!!