The Third Hokage's Visit

Nichigetsu's happy school life had begun.

His Shadow Clone attended classes all day, taking breaks to recover its energy during lessons on history and politics. After all, its fatigue would eventually be passed on to the original. Nichigetsu paid close attention during lessons on chakra, ninjutsu, and taijutsu. When Ebiki had time, he even gave Nichigetsu extra lessons, explaining more advanced chakra-control techniques.

Nichigetsu found that the chakra theory taught at school was indeed more comprehensive than what he already knew. Studying it systematically would give him a stronger foundation. For example, how much chakra should he use for defense, and what was the limit of that defense? How could he use Ninja Footwork while conserving chakra? Without opening the Eight Inner Gates or using secret techniques, how could he distribute his chakra to maximize his strength and speed? Nichigetsu also found the lessons on taijutsu techniques extremely useful.

He studied all this knowledge very carefully: which chakra pathway to use when performing ninjutsu; how to protect himself with his own chakra while using nature transformations; how the chakra control required for each set of Hand Seals worked; how to simplify Hand Seals; and the principles behind one-handed seals. He learned a great deal.

During physical education, Nichigetsu kept a low profile, making sure his grades stayed average. The Uchiha boy in his class, on the other hand, came in first every time, as if first place had been reserved for his family. He grew increasingly arrogant in the way he looked at others, convinced he was a genius. Uchiha Jun had secretly kept an eye on Nichigetsu at first, but after realizing that Nichigetsu's grades were only average, he stopped paying him any attention. Nichigetsu didn't mind. Plenty of people in the Uchiha Clan were like that, so conceited they looked down their noses at everyone.

Of course, Nichigetsu's original body wasn't idle, either. He either trained hard or went to the school library to read. He pored over a wealth of information about the world of Naruto, including its geography, national affairs, customs, culture, technology, and religion. Nichigetsu devoured all the knowledge this world had to offer.

When he had time, Nichigetsu also sparred with Kushina. Her Sealing Jutsu was truly impressive and opened his eyes. In turn, Nichigetsu taught Kushina quite a few taijutsu moves, as well as the Shadow Clone Technique. Shadow Clones and Uzumaki Kushina, with her enormous chakra reserves, were a perfect match—especially since she was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. The technique's power in her hands would be no less than it was in Naruto's.

Using the moves Nichigetsu taught her, Kushina beat everyone who called her "tomato" or "redhead" until they were black and blue. The Ninja Academy's reputation for having a "Blood-Red Pepper" grew even stronger. With Nichigetsu as a good friend, along with her other companions, Kushina began to like her red hair. She also became much more cheerful.

When he had time, Nichigetsu invited Choza Akimichi, Inoichi Yamanaka, Shikaku Nara, and Kushina over for meals. They brought along two new friends: Aburame Shibi and Inuzuka Tsume. Everyone raved about Nichigetsu's Sichuan cooking. Choza ate enough for five people, and Nichigetsu had to fry three plates of kung pao chicken just so Inoichi and Shikaku could get a bite.

After the meal, everyone watched Nichigetsu and Shikaku play international chess. Their tense match was as intense as a battle. Shikaku truly was a master strategist; Nichigetsu fell into his traps several times when he let his guard down. But Nichigetsu had played international chess for longer. He was shrewd and cautious, and had a unique strategic vision. Like Sima Yi and Zhuge Liang, the two battled back and forth. After several games, they ended in a draw. Nichigetsu marveled at Shikaku's incredible intelligence, while Shikaku admired the intricacies of international chess. He was delighted to have found an equal in Nichigetsu.

Inoichi brought a few pots of flowers, and Nichigetsu demonstrated grafting techniques, along with a handy tool for flower arranging: floral foam. Inoichi treasured them like precious discoveries. Shibi, Tsume, and her companion, Kuromaru, loved Nichigetsu's cooking. Nichigetsu was also curious about the talking dog.

Everyone found time to go camping together. A few moments were frightening and exciting, but they all had a wonderful time—mostly because of Nichigetsu's ghost stories and Shadow Clones.

"Suddenly... the candle blew out... A demon! A demon... is right behind you!" Nichigetsu said, his face grim. The flickering candlelight had made his face look shadowy and eerie. Then the candle really did go out.

"Ah!!" "What happened?" "A ghost?"... Cries of alarm rang out. Just then, a white figure drifted past behind them. Long black hair hid a pale, hideous face, its rotting, wrinkled skin as if it had been soaked in formaldehyde. Its long, filthy fingernails were pitch-black. Of course, Miss Sadako had arrived.

"Uh... ah... gah... ooh..." The evil spirit Sadako made a garbled sound. Naturally, it was Nichigetsu's Shadow Clone, wearing a white bedsheet and imitating Sadako. But the effect exceeded his expectations.

Inoichi froze. "It's really floating... A ghost..."

Kushina shrieked in terror and hid at the very back. "A ghost! Don't come any closer!" Naruto's fear of ghosts must have been inherited from his mother.

Shikaku looked tense. "Hey, hey, there isn't really a ghost, is there...?"

Shibi, usually so calm, spoke slowly. "Could an evil spirit have come to claim our lives...?" His voice trembled a little.

Choza, Inoichi, and Shikaku turned pale and huddled together, backing away. Kuromaru, Inuzuka Tsume's companion, was shoved right to the front by everyone else.

Then the white ghost suddenly vanished, leaving only its robe floating down. In their panic, everyone looked around. When they turned back, the disheveled evil spirit was crawling out of the tent, its bones cracking as its deathly pale hands groped blindly. While the Shadow Clone distracted everyone, Nichigetsu's original body had used the Transformation Technique to imitate the classic scene of Sadako crawling out of a television.

"Ah... uh... ha... heh..." The evil spirit slowly crawled toward them.

"Ah! Ah, help! A ghost!" Everyone screamed and scattered. Kushina fainted on the spot.

"Uh... seriously? That was enough to scare everyone off?" Nichigetsu took off the black wig. Aside from Kushina, who had fainted, everyone else had vanished.

This left Nichigetsu in a tough spot. He didn't manage to find everyone and bring them back until dawn.

Only later did Nichigetsu learn that the two Anbu protecting Kushina in secret were probably inexperienced rookies. One had fainted, while the other had run off to request backup. The Third Hokage gave the two Anbu rookies a severe scolding and then reassigned them. Nichigetsu grumbled to himself that those rookie Anbu were ridiculously timid.

And so, three wonderful months passed.

That day, Nichigetsu was eating breakfast at home. When he heard a knock at the door, he went to answer it with a piece of bread in his hand. A man in his middle years stood outside, wearing a long robe and smoking a pipe. He had short black hair, a pointed face, and a tuft of hair on his chin. He smiled as he studied Nichigetsu.

Could that old man be... Sarutobi Hiruzen?! Still chewing his bread, Nichigetsu asked, "Hello. You're... the Third Hokage, right? May I ask what brings you here?"

"Child, you're Hyuga Nichigetsu, aren't you?" the Third Hokage asked kindly.

"Mm." Nichigetsu nodded.

"What's the matter? Don't you want to invite me in for a visit?" the Third Hokage said with a smile.

"Lord Hokage, please, come in!" Nichigetsu hurriedly ushered the Third Hokage inside.

The Third Hokage entered Nichigetsu's home. It was clean and simple. He found a chair and sat down, while Nichigetsu made him a cup of tea. Nichigetsu wondered why the Third Hokage had come to see him in person. He could have simply summoned him to the office.

The Third Hokage had his reasons. If he summoned Nichigetsu to the office, many people would learn about it and start paying attention to him. They would soon discover Nichigetsu's abilities—people like the Hyuga Main Family, the Uchiha Clan, Anbu, and Root.

The Third Hokage had lived long enough to see many promising youngsters go without proper training and end up mediocre. He had also seen too many geniuses die young. He wanted to protect Nichigetsu, a promising child, and make sure nothing interfered too much with his growth. He didn't want others to ruin the child he had taken an interest in. And he especially didn't want anyone secretly turning Nichigetsu into one of their pawns for personal gain. Nichigetsu had to be a Konoha ninja.

With Nichigetsu in the Hyuga Clan, ten years of careful training could make him a Hokage candidate. But would certain members of the Main Family let the boy grow up? Could the Uchiha Clan sit by while such a genius was born into the Hyuga Clan? Danzo was expanding his Root organization, and besides, the boy was a descendant of the Senju Clan. Would Danzo really not be interested? That was why the Third Hokage had come in secret: to make plans for Nichigetsu's future.

The Third Hokage took a sip of tea, lit his pipe, and inhaled. Then he asked, "Child, have you gotten used to living alone?"

Nichigetsu nodded. "I have, Lord Hokage."

The Third Hokage got straight to the point. "I came to see you today because you'll soon be graduating from the academy. A five-year-old graduating as a Genin and then quite possibly becoming a Chunin before long—that's an astonishing rate of growth. Even my three students didn't graduate from the Ninja Academy until they were six or seven. Nichigetsu, your potential is remarkable, and all kinds of people will soon start paying attention to you, including your own Hyuga Clan. I don't want too many things interfering with your growth. Do you understand?"

Nichigetsu nodded. There was no avoiding it. Better to draw the attention of various factions than be secretly killed by members of the Main Family. For instance, the Third Hokage already wanted to protect him; otherwise, he wouldn't have come to see him in secret.

"That's why people will soon find out about your situation. I want to help you find a teacher. I could teach you myself, but I'm busy with my duties as Hokage, so I'll recommend a teacher for you. I also think it would be better for you to train outside the village for a while. You feel that you lack real combat experience, don't you?"

The Third Hokage wants to find a teacher to act as my patron and protect me. He also wants me to leave the village and gain experience—is it because I'd be in danger here? Nichigetsu thought, then answered, "Yes, Lord Hokage."

The Third Hokage nodded with satisfaction and continued, "I have three students. Last year, they earned the title of Konoha Sannin on the battlefield in the Land of Rain. They're currently commanding Konoha's forces on the front lines. Would you be willing to take one of them as your teacher?"

"You mean Lord Jiraiya, Lord Orochimaru, and Lady Tsunade?" Nichigetsu asked respectfully.

"That's right. Orochimaru is skilled in ninjutsu and taijutsu, and he's always coming up with unusual techniques. Tsunade is skilled in Medical Ninjutsu and taijutsu. Jiraiya is good at ninjutsu, taijutsu, and Sealing Jutsu, though he's lacking when it comes to genjutsu. I'll recommend you to one of the three."

The Pervy Sage would make a very good teacher. He taught two students who became Hokage, as well as Nagato and Naruto; each of his students is stronger than the last. But I don't know the Five Basic Nature Transformations, and Kushina is already teaching me Sealing Jutsu. The Child of Prophecy can be left for Minato, Nagato, and Naruto.

Orochimaru loves experimenting on living people and developing forbidden techniques. He likes to plant "seeds" in his students, and his ninjutsu is all kinds of bizarre. He's also sly and cunning. As a doctor, I wouldn't get along with him.

Tsunade would be great. Medical Ninjutsu and taijutsu are exactly what I love. My chakra control is excellent, so I shouldn't have any trouble learning Medical Ninjutsu. The Byakugan is both an X-ray machine and a microscope—a perfect tool for surgery. Combined with my medical skills from my previous life, I could become the best medic in the world!

After thinking it over, Nichigetsu made his decision. "Lord Hokage, I've made up my mind. I want to become Lady Tsunade's student."

"Hm? Wouldn't you like to think it over a little more? Take Orochimaru, for example. He's my most outstanding student," the Third Hokage said. Nichigetsu had chosen Tsunade quickly, though the Third Hokage had actually hoped he would choose Orochimaru, since he was a genius.

"My mother was a doctor, and I'm very interested in medicine. I want to become a medic. Lady Tsunade can teach me both taijutsu and Medical Ninjutsu very well," Nichigetsu said earnestly.

"Mm. Then it's settled!" The Third Hokage nodded to himself. Nichigetsu had made a decisive choice, thought things through, and picked the teacher best suited to him. He didn't dither or second-guess himself, and he had a maturity that other children lacked. The Third Hokage admired him greatly.

Nichigetsu hadn't chosen the Third Hokage's favorite student, Orochimaru, or Jiraiya, the most considerate and kindhearted one. He had chosen Tsunade instead. But she was also the best fit for Nichigetsu, because she was the little princess of the Senju Clan, the First's granddaughter. Nichigetsu was also a descendant of the Senju Clan.

"I'll recommend you to Tsunade when the time comes. Keep working hard! At the very least, I won't let anyone interfere with your growth before you become a Chunin, child." The Third Hokage nodded.

"I will. Thank you, Lord Hokage!" Nichigetsu was delighted and bowed to the Third Hokage.

"By the way, Nichigetsu, there are a few things I'd like to ask you," the Third Hokage continued.

"What is it, Lord Hokage?"

"How did you train? Most people can barely reach Genin level by the time they're ten." The Third Hokage was curious.

"Half of it was self-taught. My father left me quite a few scrolls, and the rest was taught to me by Mizuki."

At the mention of Nichigetsu's father, the Third Hokage's expression softened with sympathy. "Nichigetsu, your father... on the battlefield..."

Nichigetsu nodded calmly. "I know, Third Hokage." There was a hint of loneliness in his eyes.

The Third Hokage nodded. "Mm." He didn't say anything more.

The mood grew a little somber. Nichigetsu began to explain how he had trained.

When Nichigetsu said that he had followed his father's scrolls and developed chakra in just a few hours, the Third Hokage couldn't hide the admiration in his eyes. When Nichigetsu talked about the Shuriken Jutsu he had created himself, the Third Hokage nodded again and again. When Nichigetsu mentioned his Tree Climbing and Water Walking training, the Third Hokage couldn't help giving him a thumbs-up.

What impressed the Third Hokage even more was the hard work Nichigetsu had maintained year after year. That kind of perseverance was rare. Talent was certainly important, but even great talent only let someone get ahead a little faster. In the end, only unwavering conviction could bring a person to the place they dreamed of reaching.

This child is so mature. Losing both parents at such a young age and being bullied so often would naturally force him to grow up early, the Third Hokage thought with a quiet sigh.

Of course, Nichigetsu still didn't mention his medical skills and experience from his previous life. He had no way to explain them. He couldn't very well say he was a transmigrator and tell the Third Hokage that he'd eventually die at the hands of his beloved student, Orochimaru.

"What about your Gentle Fist?" the Third Hokage asked, very interested.

"Using the Byakugan and my medical research, I discovered that besides the 361 chakra points, the human body has many other unusual points. For example, there's a point below the earlobe. It doesn't carry chakra; it's just where a large number of nerves gather. But if you strike it, the person will temporarily suffer ringing in their ears and dizziness."

The Third Hokage nodded with satisfaction. This child really was suited to learning Medical Ninjutsu. The Third Hokage felt that he had finally met a true genius. His resolve to protect Nichigetsu grew even stronger. Konoha had to protect this promising youngster. When he grew into a towering tree, Konoha would naturally flourish all the more.

Before leaving, the Third Hokage gave Nichigetsu a scroll as an early gift to congratulate him on becoming a Genin.

Nichigetsu saw the Third Hokage off, then opened the scroll and took a look.

"This is... the Body Flicker Technique!"