In some ways, Hyuga Satoru was a boy who lacked confidence.
Even after defeating Hatake Kakashi at such a young age, he didn't feel much joy or excitement.
In this, he was completely unlike his father, Hyuga Hiashi, who now stood tall with pride practically written all over his face.
"He… lost?"
"That Kakashi, lost to that kid from the Hyuga Clan?!"
"Who even is that boy?"
Satoru and Kakashi stood facing one another, exchanging the Seal of Reconciliation.
The duel had ended, but the surrounding ninja still hadn't dispersed. Instead, they whispered among themselves, voices filled with disbelief.
The result had clearly exceeded everyone's expectations.
Amid the murmurs, Hiashi strode forward, bent down, and pulled his son into a warm, beaming embrace.
"As expected of my son!" he laughed. "The future heir of the Hyuga Clan!"
As if afraid that others hadn't heard him, he even lifted Satoru up and spun him in a proud circle before heading toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Reluctantly setting Satoru down, Hiashi turned toward the Third Hokage, bowed slightly, and asked in a lowered voice:
"Lord Third Hokage, Satoru should now meet the council's requirements, shouldn't he?"
At that moment, Namikaze Minato returned, supporting Kakashi.
Hearing Hiashi's words, Minato glanced at the somewhat embarrassed-looking advisors and said with a faint smile,
"Of course. Satoru more than meets the requirements."
"Congratulations, Clan Head Hiashi. To have such an outstanding son—"
"I'm certain that under his leadership, the Hyuga Clan will remain strong for generations."
Minato's compliment was perfectly measured, the kind of courteous flattery that landed exactly where it needed to.
Hiashi's grin widened even more, his joy almost impossible to contain.
If the praise had been about him personally, he might have kept his composure—but Minato's words struck straight at his greatest pride: his son and his clan.
As clan head, Hiashi had always borne immense pressure. His two greatest concerns were that his son would grow into a worthy successor, and that the Hyuga Clan would not decline under his leadership.
Now, it seemed, both hopes were being fulfilled—and for the first time in years, Hiashi felt a weight lift from his shoulders.
"No wonder the Hyuga set their sights on that technique," one advisor murmured.
"With a prodigy like this from the Main Family, it all makes sense. He's already mastered nearly all of their secret arts at such a young age."
"I have no objections."
Danzo Shimura, meanwhile, had not taken his eyes off Satoru since the battle's end.
This child's talent had surpassed even his own expectations.
But surprisingly, Danzo felt no schemes stirring in his mind. Satoru was of the Hyuga main branch—and with how obsessively that clan guarded their bloodline, even he knew better than to meddle.
Recruit him into Root? Impossible.
Yes, Danzo was one of Konoha's top leaders, but even he wouldn't risk open conflict with the Hyuga over one child.
If he couldn't interfere, then better to simply go with the flow.
To him, Satoru's rise posed no threat. The boy was too young, the generational gap too wide. Compared to Minato and Kakashi, Satoru's "threat" was negligible.
And though Danzo still coveted that seat of Hokage, even he had to admit—Minato was an exceptional ninja.
"Alright, everyone disperse!" Hiruzen's voice rang out. "Show's over—back to your duties!"
The watching crowd finally began to thin.
It was easy to imagine that by the next morning, the entire village would be buzzing about this match.
Kakashi was already famous—a genius jonin known across Konoha. And now, the boy who had defeated him would soon replace him as the village's new topic of awe and gossip:
Hyuga Satoru.
After a few final words of praise and encouragement, the advisors took their leave.
Kakashi, who had suffered a few injuries during the match, was escorted by Minato to Konoha Hospital.
Soon, only two Hokage and the Hyuga father and son remained in the office.
After a short silence, and as Satoru waited anxiously, Minato deactivated a hidden seal within the office.
From a concealed compartment, he carefully retrieved a large scroll—and handed it to Satoru.
The Scroll of Seals.
"As agreed," Minato said, "you have one week to study this scroll."
"Every day from seven in the morning until six in the evening, I'll be working here in this office. You can come at any time to read."
"But the Scroll of Seals must not leave this room. You may not copy or transcribe its contents. You may only read."
"I know you're most interested in the Flying Thunder God Technique, and if you have any questions, you can ask me directly—I'll explain what I can."
"Even if you can't master it within the week, that's fine. You've already proven your talent. If you're still willing, I'll personally teach you afterward."
"However, remember this well: forbidden jutsu are labeled 'forbidden' for a reason—because of their danger and destructive power. Never attempt a technique you don't understand. Doing so can harm not only others, but yourself."
Minato's tone was solemn, his gentle demeanor replaced by the firmness of a true mentor.
Satoru nodded earnestly. He understood.
Then, unable to contain his excitement, he was just about to unroll the scroll—
When Hiashi placed a steady hand on his shoulder and said softly,
"Satoru, I'll leave you for now. I'll come pick you up this evening."
He rose and bowed politely before departing.
That small act of restraint made both Hokage breathe a quiet sigh of relief.
If Hiashi had insisted on staying, it would have been awkward to ask him to leave. His tact spared them that trouble.
"Don't worry, Hiashi," Hiruzen said with a genial smile, patting his shoulder. "Minato's busy with paperwork, but this old man has nothing better to do. I'll stay and keep an eye on things."
There was a double meaning in that sentence—one that both Hiashi and Satoru understood.
Of course, the Third Hokage wasn't about to let a five-year-old peruse the Scroll of Seals unsupervised. His "keeping watch" was also to ensure Satoru didn't study anything he shouldn't.
But Satoru didn't mind.
He wasn't interested in every forbidden jutsu anyway. His goal was clear.
After Hiashi's departure, Satoru sat with Hiruzen and finally unrolled the legendary scroll.
The first technique—Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu.
"Hm… a good one," he murmured. "With my chakra reserves, this could be extremely useful for both training and combat. Memorize it. Definitely memorize it!"
Impure World Reincarnation?
The description was… gruesome. The method incomplete. It would require countless experiments to perfect.
And Hiruzen was watching him carefully from the corner of his eye.
"…Skip it for now," Satoru thought, turning the scroll. "But maybe just memorize the hand seals… They say a reversed seal can undo the technique, right? Hopefully, I'll never have to use it."
Eight Gates Release Formation?
"So it's in here too…" Satoru's eyes widened slightly.
"The ultimate technique that opens the body's chakra gates and removes physical limits. I wonder if Gentle Fist principles could help in mastering it more safely…"
He shook his head. "No, I'm still too young. My body isn't ready yet. Better just memorize it for later."
"Memorize it. Memorize everything!"
The entire day passed in silence.
Aside from a brief lunch shared with the two Hokage, Satoru spent every remaining minute seated on the couch, eyes fixed on the Scroll of Seals, memorizing each technique that could someday serve him.
Curiously, he hadn't yet reached the Flying Thunder God. Instead, he found himself drawn to all the other intriguing jutsu within.
Hiruzen remained beside him the whole time, watching quietly.
He noticed exactly which pages the boy lingered on, which techniques piqued his interest.
But he said nothing.
He simply sat there, like a grandfather patiently watching a child flip through a storybook—except this "storybook" held the deadliest secrets in all of Konoha.
......
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