Before Sakumo noticed Hiruzen, the posture among him, Minato, and Kakashi was rather strange.
It could be described as: "Look behind you—now look behind you again!"
As for Hiruzen, it was—you should all look up at what's above your heads!
Sakumo's gaze was both surprised and awkward.
Wait…
He hadn't even noticed that the Third Hokage was here?
This was bad.
The deputy commander of ANBU frightening a chūnin—only to be personally caught by the Hokage!
Even though Minato was no ordinary chūnin…
Hiruzen smiled faintly.
In Konoha, even being unscrupulous had its own hierarchy…
Kakashi's sneak attack was the first level.
Minato using a cursed seal to counter was the second level.
Sakumo restraining his aura was the third level…
And he—the Hokage—appearing out of nowhere without letting White Fang notice him, that was the fourth level!
"The Third Hokage's entrance is so cool…" Might Guy clenched his fists tightly. "So stylish!"
Hiruzen leapt to the front of the group and also rubbed Kakashi's head.
The Self-Curse Binding Seal was instantly released.
Kakashi felt his entire body relax and hurriedly thanked him.
"Thank you, Third Hokage-sama!"
"A Ninja Academy student who's experienced the power of a cursed seal—you're probably the first," Hiruzen teased Kakashi.
"So, do you think your father is impressive now?"
The reason he said this was that Hiruzen had recalled Sakumo's usual complaints.
White Fang, a single father raising a child alone—although very satisfied with Kakashi's talent—was troubled by one thing.
How was he supposed to show his son just how impressive he was?
Demonstrating it during sparring would work, but it might dampen Kakashi's enthusiasm, and being too deliberate wouldn't look cool enough.
With his reserved personality, he remained tangled in this dilemma, which instead made Kakashi feel that his father might not be particularly strong…
But after witnessing Asuma and Kakashi's utterly shocked expressions when they saw Hiruzen and Orochimaru fight, Sakumo came up with an idea…
Naturally, it wasn't convenient for him to cause such a huge commotion himself.
So Sakumo chose Minato as the stage.
That way, it could keep Kakashi from becoming too impetuous, while also displaying a father's strength…
Everything was perfect—except that the Hokage saw it.
"Mm, Father is really impressive!"
Kakashi hid behind Sakumo, his face burning as he spoke softly.
"So when you sparred with me before, you were never serious?"
The corner of Minato's mouth twitched slightly.
This kid really doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth…
"Ah, I was actually being very serious!"
Sakumo basked in his son's admiration, his face glowing red.
"If you were serious, then wouldn't I be unable to block even a single move…?"
Kakashi continued to ask in a low voice.
The people present all let out kind, good-natured laughter.
Kakashi stopped making a sound, retreating behind his mask and slipping into a shut-in state.
"Cursed seals count as an entry point—you're improving fast…" Hiruzen said to Minato. "Don't keep hanging onto that chūnin title. Find a time to go to the Administrative Department and arrange a jōnin test."
How long had Kushina even been teaching him Fūinjutsu? And he'd already reached this level…
On top of that, during the Eight-Tails incident, the insight he displayed while explaining the Iron Armor Seal…
Hiruzen dared to conclude that Minato was absolutely a genius at practicing Fūinjutsu.
'Maybe I should let him try the Flying Thunder God Technique?'
This kinjutsu, originating from Senju Tobirama, had already died out in Konoha.
This technique not only demanded an extremely high level of mastery in Fūinjutsu, it also placed the same level of demands on neural reaction speed and dynamic vision.
And there was the greatest difficulty of all: one's sensitivity to so-called "space."
That was something you couldn't really explain clearly; it was hard to define—mystical in a way…
To this day, no method had been found to train it through acquired practice.
Hiruzen also didn't know whether Minato could do it, but given the talent he had displayed, he truly was the one with the greatest hope.
"Third Hokage-sama, I understand…"
Minato put on his trademark little-sun smile. "I was thinking of taking the jōnin test in a better state—otherwise I was afraid it might affect Grand-sensei's reputation…"
"Since you're telling me to go, I'll go right away!"
"It's just that I still have a bit of confusion in my training…"
Sakumo's eyes grew astonished.
This kid didn't just have extremely high combat talent—he wasn't lacking in other areas at all…
He didn't even know this trick!
"You brat—your words do sound nice," Hiruzen scolded with a laugh. "Go on. What is it?"
"Grand-sensei, do you have any ninjutsu that can increase speed and strength?" Minato asked seriously.
This was exactly the kind of technique he needed most…
"I do."
Hiruzen pondered for a moment. In truth, there were many techniques like that, but a technique suitable for a genius like him…
It not only had to be strong in both offense and defense, it would be best if it also had room for growth.
The most fitting choice was the Lightning Release nintaijutsu he was currently training in…
"This technique has fairly high requirements for stamina and bodily strength—you're a good fit."
Hiruzen cast an oblique glance at the saber hanging at Sakumo's waist.
Not bad. It was standard-issue ANBU equipment, not that famous White Fang short blade…
"Sakumo, give me a hand!"
In an instant, surging lightning flared up around Hiruzen as he raised his left arm.
Sakumo understood at once and drew his blade in a flash!
The key detail was that he used the back of the blade.
The ANBU-standard sword collided with the Hokage's forearm.
Only Minato was able to catch that fleeting blade shadow.
Everyone else merely felt their vision blur.
They saw the standard-issue blade, forged of refined steel, snap without any warning, crashing to the ground with a crisp sound.
"But it requires persistent tempering, and the process is relatively grueling… You do have Lightning-nature chakra, right?"
Hiruzen exchanged a glance with Sakumo and withdrew the lightning.
Minato's eyes lit up. "Grand-sensei, rest assured!"
At worst, it was just hard training—he wasn't afraid of that…
The blond-haired youth had already made up his mind: even if one day Kushina were to have the Nine-Tails sealed within her, he would still press forward without hesitation!
This technique was simply far too well-suited for him!
Off to the side, Might Guy lightly tugged at his father's sleeve.
He actually also possessed Lightning-nature chakra…
And the requirements the Hokage mentioned…
Endurance of the body, tolerance for pain—these were precisely the only two points Might Guy currently believed he could truly put forward!
If he had this technique, he might even be able to enter the Ninja Academy…
A child's thoughts were simple, but Might Duy was already an adult.
Although he encouraged his son and himself believed in youth, he was, after all, just a genin—there was no way for him to make a request of the Hokage in a setting like this…
Duy lowered his head helplessly.
That reaction, however, did not escape Hiruzen's notice.
As for Duy, Hiruzen had remembered him mainly because of his flamboyant appearance.
But during recent morning training sessions…
From high places, he could always see the Might father and son running laps around Konoha, carrying out all kinds of physical training.
It had long since surpassed the scope of an ordinary genin.
What they lacked was merely some systematic guidance.
Hiruzen turned his head and called out, "Duy, why are you just standing there? Come over, come over…"
Duy lifted his head in disbelief.
The Third Hokage-sama… was calling him?
Calling a mere genin like him?
And in such a friendly manner?
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