Chapter 133: Sage Arts
Hiruzen thought with a bitter smile,
He truly doesn't miss any opportunity!
He said, "Unfortunately, you cannot learn that technique yet."
Kaito showed a thoughtful expression and asked, "Why can't I learn it now?"
Hiruzen replied, "To learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, you need to meet two conditions. First, you must become a master of sealing jutsu. You'd need to study every sealing technique in our library and be able to perform them with ease. In our village, there are fewer than ten sealing masters."
"Secondly, you need an affinity for Space-Time Ninjutsu. Such talent is extremely rare. I only know of five ninja in Konoha who possess this gift."
Kaito thought for a moment and asked, "If I become a sealing master, can I then learn the Flying Thunder God Technique?"
Hiruzen chuckled. "Of course. However, mastering sealing jutsu is incredibly difficult, and I suggest you don't waste your time on it right now."
Kaito nodded.
Hiruzen asked, "Is there anything else you want to learn?"
Kaito nodded again. Hiruzen thought in surprise, He even prepared backup questions in case his first request was rejected?
Kaito said, "I heard that one of your students, Jiraiya of the Legendary Sannin, can use Sage Mode. Can you teach me Sage Mode?"
Hiruzen was shocked again! He thought, Am I getting too old to keep up with this generation? Where did he even learn about Sage Mode?
Mieko and Hodaka looked at Kaito with confused expressions.
"What's Sage Mode?"
Hiruzen asked, "Where did you learn about Sage Mode?"
Kaito replied, "I read about it on a scroll in the library."
Hiruzen wondered, Has he read through everything in there?
Hiruzen said, "Unfortunately, I cannot teach you Sage Mode, as I don't know it myself."
Kaito looked genuinely surprised and exclaimed, "Even you don't know it? Then can you—"
Hiruzen interrupted, "Just like the Flying Thunder God, you don't meet the requirements to learn Sage Mode either. The basic condition for learning Sage Mode is possessing enormous chakra reserves."
He began releasing his chakra, demonstrating for Kaito. "You need more chakra than I currently have to safely learn Sage Mode."
Kaito, Mieko, and Hodaka were all shocked by the immense amount of chakra Hiruzen possessed! He had about 150% more than Renjiro! Kaito thought in amazement, At his age, he still has this much chakra? His reserves are almost eighteen times my own!
Kaito sighed internally. How long will it take me to reach that level?
He said aloud, "Understood, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen was getting tired of asking Kaito what he wanted to learn. He was afraid of what ridiculous request might come next. But before he could speak, Kaito asked, "Hokage-sama, can you teach me the Wind Release: Vacuum series techniques then?"
Hiruzen's eye twitched. He wondered, Did he find information about those in the library too?
Kaito looked at Hiruzen, thinking strategically, I knew I couldn't learn the Flying Thunder God or Sage Mode. Even if I could, I doubt he'd just hand over the scrolls or provide the guidance needed. Minato probably only got it because he was Jiraiya's student.
But if I hadn't mentioned those two and went straight for the Vacuum techniques, he would likely refuse because they're too dangerous. But now that he's already turned me down twice, he probably won't refuse a third time.
The only concern is whether he'll ask Danzo to teach me instead. But looking at his Vacuum Palm demonstration, I bet he knows the Vacuum techniques too. Even if he does ask Danzo, as long as Danzo doesn't try to recruit me for Root, I don't care. After all, he hasn't gotten Shisui's eye yet. And before he does, Root will be disbanded—at least officially.
Hiruzen's thoughts followed a similar analytical path.
Wind Release: Vacuum techniques... their destructive power is enormous. I don't want to teach such dangerous jutsu to a child. But I've already refused him twice. Refusing again would look bad. Moreover, they're much safer than Sage Mode or the Flying Thunder God.
He decided to teach him. Hiruzen nodded and said, "Alright, I will teach you the Wind Release: Vacuum techniques..."
He suddenly realized what he'd just agreed to!
Kaito immediately smiled, bowed respectfully, and said, "Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
Hiruzen looked at the eleven-year-old child in disbelief, thinking, I agreed to teach them ONE jutsu! He just made me agree to teach him an entire series of techniques. And he thanked me so quickly...
Hiruzen sighed inwardly and decided, Never mind. I'll teach him to avoid him pestering me again. However, in the future, I must make absolutely sure not to promise him any more rewards.
Unfortunately for Hiruzen, he'd already made Kaito certain promises about the future.
Although Hiruzen didn't think those situations would actually arise, Kaito had taken those words very seriously!
Even though Kaito didn't have enough chakra to use shadow clones for ninjutsu training—especially when mastering B-rank techniques or enhancing jutsu—he'd have plenty of opportunities to use them when studying sealing jutsu!
Once he mastered all available sealing techniques, he'd ask Hiruzen to help him learn the Flying Thunder God. By then, he might have built a good reputation in Konoha, making it more likely for Hiruzen to agree.
Hiruzen created several shadow clones. Hodaka and Mieko each followed one clone, while his real body remained with Kaito.
Hiruzen looked at Kaito seriously and said, "Kaito, before I teach you, I need you to promise me something."
Kaito asked, "What is it, Hokage-sama?"
Hiruzen replied, "The Wind Release: Vacuum series is truly extremely dangerous. Never use these techniques against comrades or allies. In the future, you'll likely spar with other Konoha ninja, and you are absolutely forbidden from using the Vacuum techniques against them under any circumstances. Understood?"
Kaito nodded and said without hesitation, "I promise, Hokage-sama. I won't even use my sword during those matches."
Hiruzen nodded, satisfied. This was the main reason he'd agreed. "Very good. I'll now explain the principles behind Wind Release: Vacuum Wave, and once you understand, we'll begin practical training."
Kaito nodded and listened attentively. Hiruzen's shadow clones also began teaching Mieko and Hodaka.
Mieko had the Sharingan, so she quickly grasped the theoretical basics. But actually performing the technique was far more difficult—it was an A-rank jutsu after all! She couldn't yet form the ring of fire around herself.
Hodaka also struggled with the step of creating and projecting the vacuum sphere. Both would need considerable time to overcome these hurdles.
However, once they cleared these initial obstacles, their progress would accelerate rapidly.
Kaito also faced a formidable challenge!
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