Another Wave of Experience Points

"Someone trained here. So many of these trees were blown apart. Could it have been Explosive Tags?"

"No. This wasn't what an Explosive Tag blast looked like. It should have been some kind of ability. Come look at this hole." Asuma pointed at the hole in Little Stone Mountain.

"Judging by the marks around it, this hole must have appeared recently. Look at how deep it is—two meters. Leaving a two-meter-deep hole in such hard rock wasn't simple."

Asuma explained gravely. Even his Chakra Blade, striking at full power, could not leave a mark that deep—not even one-tenth as deep. That made him take it very seriously.

Ino–Shika–Cho were shocked as well and carefully examined the dark hole in Little Stone Mountain.

"Asuma-sensei, could this hole have been dug by someone? Or was it caused by an Explosive Tag?" Ino asked tentatively.

"No. Look at the marks around the edge. It clearly wasn't dug out, nor was it caused by an Explosive Tag," Asuma continued.

"Then what caused it? Ninjutsu? There doesn't seem to be any Ninjutsu like that." After carefully observing it, Shikamaru Nara offered his opinion.

"That's right, it should have been Ninjutsu. But among the Ninjutsu I know, none can leave marks like these. If I'm not mistaken, I'm afraid a new Ninjutsu has emerged." Asuma frowned.

"A new Ninjutsu? What kind of new Ninjutsu?" Ino asked again.

"I don't know, but this Ninjutsu is powerful. It can shatter hard rock, so it can't be underestimated."

Asuma's expression turned solemn. He felt that the large hole might have been connected to someone from another village.

"This..."

Ino–Shika–Cho fell silent, secretly wondering what kind of Ninjutsu it was.

"Let's go. We need to report this to the Hokage and see whether any suspicious outsiders have arrived recently."

After saying that, Asuma hurried away with Ino–Shika–Cho, leaving behind nothing but a wrecked training ground.

Hokage's Office.

Naruto waited quietly. He had originally planned to go home when he suddenly received word from ANBU telling him to fill out his Ninja Registration Number and have his picture taken. That was why he was here.

"Naruto, you're a ninja from now on. Be sure to stay safe when you go on missions." The Third Hokage smiled kindly.

[Experience Points +3]

"I understand."

Naruto nodded and carefully watched the Experience Orbs around the Third Hokage. They were not very large, smaller even than Kakashi's, yet they gave +3 Experience Points.

That made Naruto curious.

He vaguely felt that the increase in Experience Points was related to age. As for why the Nine-Tails, having lived for so many years, also only gave +3, it was likely because +3 was the upper limit for Experience Points.

Of course, that was only speculation and could not be guaranteed. What he cared about more now was earning more Experience Points.

"Naruto, is there anything you lack? If there is, feel free to ask. Ninjutsu, for example."

The Third Hokage continued speaking in a very gentle manner.

He knew full well that Naruto was not particularly skilled at hand seals, so what he said was merely a polite gesture.

But—

After he finished speaking, a voice suddenly rang out.

"I lack a lot of things. Water Release, Fire Release, Lightning Release, Wind Release—the more powerful, the better. Forbidden Jutsu would be best."

Naruto deliberately said this. While farming Experience Points, he was also considering whether the +3 Experience Points were related to age.

"Cough, cough."

The Third Hokage coughed twice, feeling that things had taken a slightly different turn than he had expected.

I was clearly just being polite. I clearly remembered that Naruto wasn't very good at Ninjutsu, so why did he suddenly become so eager the moment he heard about it?

And if he wanted some, fine—but he actually wanted Forbidden Jutsu. That caught me completely off guard and left me feeling rather stifled.

"Naruto, Forbidden Jutsu are too dangerous and aren't suitable for you. How about this? I'll have ANBU deliver a Ninjutsu to you later." The Third Hokage tried his best to maintain his smile.

[Experience Points +3]

"What Ninjutsu? How could just one be enough? I should at least get seven or eight Ninjutsu." Naruto continued farming Experience Points. Ninjutsu was only an excuse.

"Seven or eight?"

The Third Hokage was somewhat speechless. Naruto was still as carefree as before, with no understanding of Ninjutsu at all.

"Naruto, Ninjutsu must be learned one at a time. Trying to learn too many won't be good for your growth." The Third Hokage explained earnestly.

[Experience Points +3]

"Is that so?" Naruto deliberately asked.

"Of course. Only after you've thoroughly mastered one Ninjutsu are you suited to learn other Ninjutsu."

The Third Hokage smiled, feeling that he was finally about to persuade Naruto.

"It's fine. I'm not afraid of growing poorly in the future. Give me a few more Ninjutsu." Naruto said loudly.

"This..."

The Third Hokage was speechless. It felt as though everything he had said earlier had been wasted.

To dispel Naruto's idea, the Third Hokage began earnestly advising him, explaining a whole pile of principles.

But Naruto occasionally said something unexpected, leaving the Third Hokage quite frustrated. Fortunately, after a long period of persuasion, he finally talked Naruto around, though the Third Hokage felt his throat was about to go hoarse.

He even felt that persuading Naruto was more headache-inducing than going onto the battlefield.

"This is a Ninjutsu Scroll. Hurry up and go."

After talking Naruto around, the Third Hokage finally breathed a sigh of relief and even picked up his pipe to smoke.

"Alright, we can talk again next time."

"Cough, cough. Don't come again. I have a lot to do."

The Third Hokage hurriedly refused. If he kept talking with Naruto like this, his throat would probably give out, so he rejected him without hesitation.

[Experience Points +3]

Only after watching all the Experience Orbs around the Third Hokage be absorbed did Naruto happily leave the Hokage's Office and head home.

Along the way, he continuously searched for new targets through his senses, preparing to gain a few more Experience Points.

"Hm? Isn't that Konohamaru? It seems the plot has changed a little."

Naruto discovered Konohamaru through his senses and also saw the Experience Orbs around him. Then he walked over with a smile.

Elsewhere.

Hyuga Clan Compound, Hinata's home.

Bang! Bang!

A complete set of Weighted Equipment appeared before Hinata. It included weighted shoes, a weighted vest, weighted leg guards, weighted wrist guards, and much more. It was extremely comprehensive.

But when Hinata lifted the lightest weighted wrist guard and found it incredibly heavy, she looked at her father in surprise.

"Father, this is way too heavy. It's already very difficult for me to lift just one piece. If I wore the whole set, I'd be flattened."

"You can have Naruto wear one piece first. Once he gradually gets used to it, he can wear the full set. He is from the Uzumaki Clan, after all. His physique is very strong." Hyuga Hi waved a hand.

"I see, but even one piece is heavy enough. I can't even wear the lightest weighted wrist guard." Hinata lifted the wrist guard as she spoke.

"Alright, alright. You can't carry these things. I'll have some clan members help you carry them."

"Okay!"

Hyuga Hiashi waved a hand and called over two clan members to help.

Not long after, Hinata brought the two clan members to Naruto's home. Unfortunately, Naruto was still not there, so Hinata could only have them put down the Weighted Equipment and send them back.

However.

Seeing how exhausted the clan members were, Hinata began to worry about Naruto and planned to remind him to wear only the lightest Weighted Equipment.