Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet Technique!
Boom—
The roaring fire dragon bullet slammed into the training target with scorching heat. In an instant, the entire target shattered into pieces, and fierce flames still burned across the exploding fragments.
"Pant... pant... pant..."
Not far away, an ordinary-looking boy barely over ten years old panted as he looked at the results of his ninjutsu, a flicker of delight appearing in his eyes. Being able to use a ninjutsu of such scale at his age truly counted as exceptional talent.
"Still not enough!" The boy clenched his fists tightly. Just as he was about to gather more chakra and cast another ninjutsu, his already exhausted body swayed with dizziness, and his legs nearly gave out beneath him.
"Hiruzen, still training?"
Three figures approached from behind. The boy on the left had long bangs swept to one side and wore thick glasses, looking every bit like a scholar. On the right was a lively young girl with her hair in buns. The boy walking between them had a firm, angular face, though his eyes carried a faint gloom not seen in others his age.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at his companions in surprise. "Danzo, Enkō, Koharu, why are you here?"
Utatane Koharu smiled. "We knew you'd be sneaking off to train by yourself again. Did you forget that today is your birthday?"
"Huh? Hehehe, I forgot if you hadn't reminded me." Hiruzen scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Thank you for remembering my birthday."
Mitokado Homura smiled as well. "All right, let's go eat ramen. Danzo's treating us today."
Hiruzen looked curiously at Danzo. "Oh? The cheapskate is being so generous today?"
"Tch. Eat it or don't."
"Hahaha, I was joking." Laughing, Hiruzen went over and slung an arm around Danzo's neck. Amid Danzo's