Chapter 48: Officially Becoming a Shinobi
Hiruzen then glanced at Genshu, wanting to see if the instructor knew what had happened, but Genshu appeared equally shocked.
In fact, Genshu didn't even notice the Hokage looking at him.
Hiruzen thought rapidly:
"What should I do now? I can't simply refuse him. That would be far too demoralizing for everyone watching. And refusing him isn't politically advantageous for me either. If I do, I'm absolutely certain Danzo will spread rumors throughout the village that the Hokage broke his promise to Academy students."
Hiruzen deliberated for several more seconds and formulated a reasonable explanation. Seeing Hiruzen about to speak, Kakashi noticed the delay and chuckled internally:
"It took Hokage-sama thirteen full seconds to respond. That kid is genuinely something else."
Hiruzen finally sighed and said carefully: "I'm afraid I cannot grant exactly what you requested, because no one can forge a blade made purely from chakra metal."
Kaito didn't know that chakra blades weren't forged entirely from chakra metal, and he assumed Hiruzen was simply making excuses. His expression visibly dimmed, and he said: "Then perhaps a few kunai made from chakra metal would be acceptable instead?"
Hearing Kaito's revised request, Kakashi's visible eye twitched again. Observing Hiruzen's expression, he struggled hard to suppress his amusement.
Meanwhile, Genshu appeared even more shocked than before.
Hiruzen replied again patiently: "Unfortunately, even those aren't forged entirely from chakra metal."
Hearing this answer, Kaito felt almost angry. But he quickly composed himself and reconsidered what Hiruzen had actually said. A phrase echoed in his mind:
"Not made entirely of chakra metal."
Then realization dawned on him:
"Wait, in my previous world, didn't such specialized production require various alloys and composite materials? Even gold jewelry isn't 100% pure gold. Is that what he means?"
He asked for clarification: "Hokage-sama, what exactly do you mean by 'not made entirely of chakra metal'? Do smiths simply add a small amount of chakra metal to the blade and then incorporate other materials?"
Hiruzen nodded nervously, disliking where this conversation was headed. Kaito said with renewed excitement: "Hokage-sama, then perhaps—"
However, he was interrupted by Hiruzen, who asked strategically: "Kaito, can you explain why you specifically need a blade made with chakra metal?"
As he asked this question, he thought desperately: "I need to redirect this conversation immediately! I cannot allow him to continue pursuing this topic."
Kaito felt somewhat displeased at being interrupted mid-sentence and explained: "I heard they facilitate chakra flow techniques. I prefer using swords and hope to improve my kenjutsu by mastering chakra flow."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes and asked pointedly: "How do you know about chakra flow?"
Kaito did sense Hiruzen's attempt to change the subject, but he didn't pay excessive attention to it. He could always 'innocently' return to the topic later.
Hiruzen's negotiation expertise might be exponentially superior, but being a 10-year-old child also provided many strategic advantages. He answered without hesitation: "Nakatani Michi-sensei mentioned it during training."
Hiruzen glanced with obvious displeasure at Nakatani Michi standing nearby, thinking: "That settles it. I'm assigning him to a weak genin squad and having him perform only D-rank missions for six months. We've recovered from our wartime losses, so temporarily losing one chunin instructor won't significantly impact operations."
Then he 'kindly' explained to Kaito: "Using chakra flow doesn't specifically require a blade made with chakra metal. Ordinary swords can also channel chakra, but they will fracture and break with repeated use."
Kaito thought: "Yes, I already know that. Please get to the point."
Hiruzen continued his explanation: "Actually, there are specialized swords crafted specifically to facilitate chakra flow. In the Land of Iron, many samurai utilize such blades. As for chakra metal weapons, ownership is somewhat problematic and might cause you considerable trouble."
Kaito naturally understood this implication perfectly.
Possessing a sword worth tens of millions of ryo would make him an obvious target for theft or worse. That's precisely why he intended to delegate this security problem to Hiruzen. He thought: "This is a legitimate concern. However, I don't believe this is his primary reason for refusing me a chakra blade. But this new information about samurai swords has genuinely piqued my interest. Why don't weapon shops stock such specialized blades?"
He set this question aside momentarily and asked: "Is it possible to commission a sword specifically designed to channel Wind Release chakra?"
Today, Kaito asked this question with complete sincerity for the first time. However, this still made Hiruzen extremely nervous. He thought: "Yes, it's entirely possible. However, Wind Release-attuned chakra metal must be incorporated. And it will still cost several million ryo minimum!"
Hiruzen replied carefully: "Yes, but you are not ready to effectively utilize such a weapon right now. How about this—when you've developed sufficient skill, I will personally help you contact the appropriate craftsman to forge such swords."
Kaito thought with disappointment: "I suspect I can contact them independently very soon regardless."
But he still nodded in apparent acceptance.
Hiruzen finally relaxed, relieved that he had avoided spending millions of ryo. He was preparing to conclude when Kaito spoke again, asking: "Hokage-sama, you mentioned the sword you're providing me is designed for samurai, correct?"
Hiruzen nodded, genuinely hoping there wouldn't be any more excessive demands. Kaito continued: "Then could you arrange for someone to teach me samurai-style kenjutsu? Please."
Hiruzen contemplated this request briefly.
On one hand, he felt relieved this request didn't involve tens of millions of ryo. Secondly, he had noticed Kaito's genuine interest in swordsmanship. He thought: "A master swordsman skilled in Wind Release who also possesses sensory abilities could prove very valuable to the village. Although we cannot simply teach samurai techniques to just anyone, it's acceptable to provide instruction to promising students."
He nodded and said: "Very well, I will assign an appropriate instructor to you."
Only then did Kaito politely thank him and step back respectfully, thinking: "Playing the role of an innocent child has many strategic advantages. Although I seriously doubt I can outmaneuver Hiruzen in negotiations again. That old survivor has negotiation experience from three Great Shinobi Wars, and the opponents he dealt with were exponentially more unreasonable than me!"
Watching Kaito retreat, Hiruzen breathed a profound sigh of relief. Then he congratulated all the graduates and quickly departed.
As he left, he privately decided this would be his final year personally presenting awards to top students.
After Hiruzen departed, many instructors looked at Kaito with awkward expressions. But he simply ignored them, pretending not to notice their uncomfortable gazes.
After Hiruzen left, the instructors from each class distributed forehead protectors to their students and praised them for passing the early graduation examination.
They were instructed to return to the Academy in three days.
After receiving his forehead protector, Kaito immediately tied it on. His first genuine thought after that moment was: "I'm officially a real shinobi now!"
Kaito sat cross-legged in his living room, meditating. He cleared his mind completely and began strategic planning. He thought analytically:
"Academy life has finally concluded. Although I had to graduate two years earlier than ideal, it's not a catastrophic problem. The only major event approaching is the Uchiha Clan massacre. But right now, I'm nowhere near strong enough to intervene in that situation. Although I still have approximately two years, by then I can at most achieve official chunin rank."
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