Hiruzen Sarutobi took another deep breath of cigarette and exhaled slowly.
Then there was a hint of worry in his tone:
"It's just that he was not a child who grew up in Konoha after all. He was brought back when he was five years old and has only stayed in the village for less than two and a half years. I'm worried... that he lacks a sufficient sense of belonging to Konoha."
"The stronger the power, the greater the hidden dangers in the future if the heart is not here."
The office was quiet for a while, except for the subtle crackling sound of burning tobacco.
Nara Luhong thought for a moment and spoke again:
"Lord Hokage, your concerns are not unreasonable. But judging from current observations, Lin Ze has shown considerable kindness and bonding with Orphanage's children, Ninja Academy's classmates, and even Might Duy's fringe Ninja."
"He is not a cold and heartless child. We can gradually cultivate his feelings for the village through these bonds."
Hiruzen Sarutobi listened silently, tapping his fingers on the table unconsciously.
He knew that Nara Luhong's analysis made sense and was in line with the "bond" approach he had always adhered to, but as Hokage, he had to think more and further.
Such a talented kid who comes from outside is like a double-edged sword. Even though he knows in his heart that Lin Ze's upper limit may not reach the top, but just looking at the current momentum, Lin Ze will at least reach the level of Kage Level in the future.
Used well, Lin Ze is a top-notch weapon that can withstand wind and rain and protect the village; but if there is a slight difference, this power far beyond its peers may also cause unpredictable troubles.
What's more, as Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi knows better than anyone else that life in Konoha is not easy for orphans from other villages like Lin Ze.
"I hope so." Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, "Fortunately, ANBU and Sakumo are here."
He seemed to be talking to Nara Luhong, or to himself.
"ANBU As long as I'm here, there will be no problem."
A calm but unmistakable voice suddenly sounded in the office Corner.
At some point, a figure appeared there quietly, as if blending into a shadow. It seemed that he had always been there, but no one noticed it.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Nara Luhong seemed to be accustomed to this and were not surprised.
Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his head and looked at Corner: "Sakumo, you are here."
Hatake Sakumo slowly walked out of the shadows. He was wearing standard ANBU clothing, but did not wear a mask on his face. His eyes were sharp and his breath was calm. He had the famous Shinobi World White Fang short knife on his waist. Just standing there gave people an inexplicable sense of security and oppression.
"Well, I just came back to hand over the task." Hatake Sakumo's voice was not high, but it was clearly heard in the ears of Hiruzen Sarutobi. "I already know about the situation of No. 567 and Lin Ze."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him. "What do you think of this child?"
Hatake Sakumo commented concisely and comprehensively:
"Amazing talent, precocious temperament, and extremely high combat IQ. As for loyalty, it seems that he may not have a deep understanding of the concept of 'Konoha', but he will protect the people he cares about. And the people he cares about are currently with Konoha."
These words are undoubtedly an affirmation of Nara Luhong's previous analysis.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression has softened a lot. Being able to get such an evaluation from Hatake Sakumo is enough to explain a lot of problems.
"With you watching him, I feel relieved." Hiruzen Sarutobi finally showed a smile, "ANBU leaves it to you, I never have to worry."
Hatake Sakumo nodded slightly. "It's your job."
Following his response, the originally tense atmosphere in the office quietly relaxed and was no longer as tense as before.
From beginning to end, no one had any doubts about Lin Ze breaking Uchiha En Genjutsu in seconds.
With their level of strength, they all know that when the four doors are open, the flow rate of Chakra in Lin Ze's body will become extremely fast. Not to mention the Hell Viewing Technique that is just D-Rank, even if it is replaced by a B-level Genjutsu, it can be quickly cracked by him.
What's more, when Lin Ze previously played against Uchiha Onibi, it had similar performance in cracking Genjutsu.
The instructors like Ying were just "fans of the authorities". They were shocked by the scene of Lin Ze being able to defeat Uchiha at the age of seven. They didn't have time to think about it. After they came back to their senses, they realized the joints in hindsight, so there was no doubt about it.
Orphanage--Nonō's House.
After dinner, Lin Ze returned to the room and breathed a long sigh of relief.
Three months of high-intensity training and assessment for ANBU took up almost all of his time and energy. Not to mention developing Devil Fruit Powers, it was quite difficult to even maintain daily exercise.
At this moment, I finally returned to this relatively private space, and a long-lost sense of relaxation spread.
Lin Ze moved his limbs, which were still a little sore, and felt that the power in his body that had been dormant for a long time began to slowly wake up and flow.
"I haven't practiced for three months. I don't know if I'm rusty or not."
Lin Ze whispered to himself, then concentrated on trying to mobilize the power of Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon.
Buzz--
A stream of warm air rose from his body and quickly rushed to his arms.
Fine Azure Dragon Scales lines appeared on the surface of the skin, and the fingertips became sharp and shone with a metallic cold light. The whole process was smoother than in memory. Wherever the thought came from, the strength was like an arm using the fingers.
"Huh? It seems... more relaxed?" Lin Ze was a little surprised.
He tried to direct the force to his legs, and the same smooth feeling came. The calf muscles swelled slightly and were covered with a layer of tough scales, and the toes also underwent subtle Dragon Transformation changes.
Then came the chest, and the skin around the heart became hard, faintly forming the prototype of a heart-protecting scale.
"It seems that these three months of high-intensity Taijutsu training and life-and-death fighting, although they did not directly train Devil Fruit Powers, have greatly improved the control of the body and willpower, and indirectly promoted the integration and development of the fruit." Lin Ze quickly figured out the key.
Zoan Devil Fruit is closely related to the user's physical strength and spirit. The experience of ANBU is undoubtedly an efficient "catalysis".
"In this case, why not try to develop new parts."
Lin Ze focuses his attention on the back, which is a blind spot for vision and is also an area easily vulnerable to sneak attacks in battle.
If the back can also be covered with Dragon Scales, the defense will be greatly improved. At least you don't have to worry about being easily stabbed from behind by ordinary Kunai.
He closed his eyes and carefully felt the muscles and bones of his back, guiding the warm power to flow to his spine, shoulder blades...
The process was more difficult than expected. The nerves in the back were not as sensitive as the limbs. The flow of power was a bit stagnant, as if separated by a layer of membrane. The formation of scales was also intermittent, appearing and disappearing.
Lin Ze took a breath and began to patiently try again and again, adjusting the output frequency of breathing and strength.
Sweat gradually soaked the special bandage on his body, but Lin Ze, who was concentrating on it, didn't pay attention, as if he was back to the time when he was training hard by the river day after day.
After an unknown amount of time, he finally felt a clear burning sensation coming from the center of his back, along a line along his spine, and pieces of fine and tough Dragon Scales finally emerged steadily. Although the range was not large, it did cover the vital points.
"Successful!" Lin Ze was overjoyed and slowly finished his work. Dragon Transformation's characteristics gradually faded away.
He collapsed on the bed, feeling the slight fatigue coming from his body, but feeling quite satisfied in his heart.
Now, Lin Ze's hands, legs and chest can Beastification as fast as he wants, and his back can also slowly complete the shape transformation under his control. Currently, only the waist and head are left.
When these three parts are practiced to the point where they are as flexible as hands and can Beastification instantly, it will be the second stage Partial Beastification he originally envisioned.
After that, you can try to enter the third stage·Complete Beastification--Azure Dragon Form!