Evenings in the Hidden Leaf Village always carried a measure of calm after the day's bustle. The setting sun cast a golden-red halo over Hokage Rock, while the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood before his office window, wisps of smoke curling up from his pipe.
He had just finished hearing the Sarutobi Squad's mission report and was now gazing at the household lights gradually coming alive beyond the window.
"That boy Neji truly exceeded expectations..." the Third murmured. Sarutobi Hoshino's description of the technique "Crystal World Advent" surfaced in his mind. Even for someone as knowledgeable and experienced as him, such a distinctive manifestation of a Kekkei Genkai domain was rare.
The last time he had seen anything like it was Lord Hashirama's Wood Release.
The ink on the promotion document spread across his desk had yet to dry. It clearly read: "Hyuga Neji, twelve years old, exceptionally promoted to Jonin." This broke Konoha's record for the youngest Jonin in history, yet Hiruzen Sarutobi had signed his name without the slightest hesitation.
"Someone."
"Lord Hokage!" An ANBU ninja silently appeared in the office.
"Deliver this order to Adviser Neji."
"Yes!"
After the ANBU ninja departed, the Third looked out the window once more.
"War..."
Sarutobi murmured the word, but his eyes held no fear of war. Instead, they shone with a soul-stirring anticipation. Tempered by the First Great Ninja War, Konoha had now established a sufficient military system. At the same time, he and the upper ranks were in their prime. Faced with the friction with the Land of Lightning, an impulse suddenly rose in his heart.
"Sensei, Hidden Lightning Village's debt to you is due to be repaid..."
On the wall opposite his desk, Tobirama's eyes in the portrait were as sharp as an eagle's.
Within Stillness Garden, the