"Hey, Tsunade, did you feel that?"
Orochimaru's pupils trembled, and even his voice carried a rare quiver.
Long ago, when he was just a child, his parents had already passed away. Even in those early years, he vividly remembered the icy sensation of life slipping away.
Because of this, he valued the fragility and preciousness of life more than anyone else.
Though he had not yet experienced Dan's death or the brutal trials of the Second Ninja World War his obsessive pursuit of life had not yet reached the extreme madness it would later his keen awareness of existence was already deeply ingrained.
Just a moment ago, he had witnessed something fundamental: a boy named Julian White healing Might Duy in a way that could not be explained by ordinary medical ninjutsu, not even techniques as legendary as the Mysterious Palm.
It was… a mysterious power, one that rewrote the very state of life itself. A previously unseen bloodline limit. In an instant, it pulled Duy back from the brink of death and restored him to perfect condition.
It completely overturned all of Orochimaru's beliefs.
He stared intently at Tsunade's lips, waiting for the wisdom she might reveal.
"Hmm, that's not the Mysterious Palm," Tsunade replied, frowning. "No technique can do that. Restoring a body to flawless perfection in an instant… it is nothing short of a miracle."
"However, such an extraordinary miracle must have its limits perhaps it can only occur once a day, or it requires some hidden cost."
As they spoke, Julian White had already healed the remaining nine participants. To onlookers, these later healings were far less spectacular than Duy's resurrection, seeming only to erase minor scratches and bruises.
Yet, even so, hearts raced at the display: this jutsu was clearly repeatable and remarkably effective.
In the stands, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, smiled with satisfaction.
"Konoha is now brimming with talent. Though undercurrents may stir, as long as we remain united, no challenge is insurmountable. We will never betray the hopes of our predecessors."
"Now, everyone return to your rooms. I will announce the results shortly."
With that, he was the first to leap from the stands.
It was no wonder the Third Hokage was so confident.
Among the older generation, he, Danzo Shimura, Choji Akimichi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado were still at their peak, capable of supporting the entire village.
The mid-generation Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya had inherited the legacies of their masters. Hatake Sakumo's swordsmanship was formidable. The young Uchiha heirs and Hyuga brothers were also outstanding.
Tempered by war, they would undoubtedly shoulder the responsibility of protecting Konoha.
The younger generation Dan, Julian White, and Minato Masu had already emerged like bamboo shoots after a rain.
Even Might Duy's peculiar taijutsu, though limited in duration, clearly reached the level of an ordinary Kage.
Undoubtedly, this was the strongest period Konoha had seen since the death of the First Hokage. Despite the storm on the horizon, this solid foundation gave Hiruzen Sarutobi immense confidence.
He approached the young ninjas, and their quiet conversations immediately ceased.
Facing the village's highest leader, the respected Hokage, the young ninjas' eyes shone with honor and excitement.
"First, I want to address each participant," the Third Hokage's voice was steady and powerful yet gentle. "You have shown extraordinary courage and perseverance. Some of you may not have won, but your resilience and unyielding spirit have been witnessed by all."
"Therefore, you still have priority in choosing missions. The three winners will also receive private guidance and may learn one jutsu of their choice."
His gaze swept over them, filled with expectation. "You are Konoha's future. May this experience not become a shadow, but rather a source of courage and strength as you move forward."
They lifted their heads, meeting the complex light in the Hokage's eyes a mixture of concern, pride, and deep trust.
Hiruzen stepped back, surveying the young ninjas as though seeing a microcosm of Konoha's future.
"Where the leaves fall and dance, the flames will burn eternally," he murmured, a personal creed of the Will of Fire.
"You are like tender new leaves, yet like flames that burn fiercely. Though times may be turbulent, it is because seedlings like you continue to emerge that the Will of Fire can be passed down through generations."
"You three, come with me," he said to Julian White and the others. "Tell me which jutsu you specialize in." He drew on his pipe, his expression serious; he could not afford to be casual with the foundation of Konoha's future at stake.
"I will guide you according to your strengths."
The three exchanged glances. Dan stepped forward first.
"I specialize in Earth and Water Release. My best techniques are Earth Release: Nether Swamp and Water Release: Rampaging Water Wave. I am also training in my family's secret taijutsu the power to enhance chakra."
Next, Might Duy spoke, his voice filled with youthful vigor: "My specialty is my original secret technique the Eight Gates! By opening the eight chakra gates Opening, Healing, Life, Trauma, Limitation, Insight, Wonder, Death you can unleash hidden potential."
He elaborated: "These Eight Gates restrict our chakra flow. The Eight Gates technique forcibly breaks these limits, greatly amplifying a person's power. The more gates opened, the stronger you become!"
"But starting from the Fourth Gate, each gate brings enormous strain, and the power increase becomes extremely dangerous. If the Seventh Gate is still insufficient…"
His eyes blazed with fury. "My youth will burn away! I will open the final Death Gate, surpass all limits, become a crimson beast, and fight to my last breath!"
"However, with Julian here, that won't be necessary."
Duy scratched his head, grinning broadly.
Finally, all eyes turned to Julian White.
Calmly, he said, "My specialty is my bloodline limit 'Please Don't Die'. It can instantly restore a dying person to full health."
Yet his tone revealed vulnerability: "Currently, I have no effective defensive or restraint techniques. Once an enemy targets me, escaping is difficult. So, I want to learn how to stall enemies and buy time."
His words were simple, but they carried weight and gravity.