Chapter 76: Grandfather and Disciple
The Third Hokage glanced at Shaly, who seemed a little more relaxed now, and smiled.
"Little Shaly, if you want to come by in the future, just come directly. There's no need to have the ANBU report it."
"Understood, Third Grandfather," Shaly replied in a noticeably lighter tone. After all, he was the Third Hokage's disciple—there was nothing to worry about.
"Hm…" The Third Hokage looked around, thought for a long moment, and then said, "Little Shaly, when no one else is around, you can just call me 'Grandfather.'"
Shaly had been wondering why the Third Hokage suddenly fell silent. When he heard those words, he was momentarily speechless.
Seeing the expectation on the old man's face, Shaly didn't refuse.
"Grandfather."
"Heh, good… good…" A smile spread across the Third Hokage's face. At this moment, he looked like an ordinary elderly man rather than the legendary ninja hero known throughout the world.
Shaly looked at him and couldn't help sighing inwardly. Three years had passed, and the Third Hokage had aged yet another year.
At his age and physical condition, retirement would have been reasonable—but…
Who should succeed the Third Hokage?
Asuma lacked both the strength and reputation compared to others. Kakashi might have been suitable if he hadn't wasted so many years. Danzo, in Shaly's eyes, was far too extreme—what a pity.
The best candidates were Jiraiya and Tsunade. Yet one was obsessed with prophecy, while the other couldn't even be contacted.
The Third Hokage himself probably felt uneasy about this as well.
Looking at the boy before him—clearly only ten years old, yet already with the physique of a twelve- or thirteen-year-old—the Third Hokage's eyes were filled with satisfaction.
It was a pity. Shaly was simply too young. Time would not wait.
"Grandfather, these are my experiences from the past few years while studying the Flying Thunder God technique," Shaly said, taking out a scroll. After opening it, he used telekinesis to retrieve several even larger scrolls and handed them over.
"Well done," the Third Hokage said with a smile as he accepted them. "With these, perhaps our village will be able to cultivate a few more ninjas capable of using the Flying Thunder God."
Shaly merely smiled. He didn't quite agree.
The more he understood the Flying Thunder God, the more he realized how terrifying its talent requirements were. Even if these experiences lowered the difficulty somewhat, mastering the technique was still beyond most people. Those who could truly learn it were exceedingly rare.
"Little Shaly, what ninjutsu do you want?" the Third Hokage asked after a moment's thought. "These Flying Thunder God notes could be exchanged for an A-rank technique."
As soon as he said that, Shaly clearly felt a fluctuation in the ANBU's presence nearby.
Even Shaly himself was startled. At most, his notes were worth a B-rank—perhaps even just a knowledge-based one. C-rank would have been normal.
Yet the Third Hokage raised it directly to A-rank.
The favoritism was so obvious that even the ANBU couldn't ignore it. But what could they say? Shaly was his disciple—and had just called him "Grandfather."
The ANBU could only sigh inwardly, consumed by envy.
"The Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique," Shaly answered without hesitation.
"That's a technique I'm very skilled at," the Third Hokage said, stroking his beard.
"Of course," Shaly said smoothly. "After all, Grandfather created it himself."
The Third Hokage's eyes lit up. He knew that?
Delighted, he said, "Come on, Little Shaly. Let's go to the training ground behind the office. I'll demonstrate it for you personally."
"Yes, Grandfather."
In truth, the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique was fundamentally derived from the Shadow Clone Technique. Given enough time, Shaly could have developed it himself—but why waste time reinventing the wheel?
Understanding the theory didn't mean instant mastery. If he could learn it directly, why refuse?
Behind the Hokage Office – Training Ground
"Watch carefully, Little Shaly," the Third Hokage said as he began forming hand seals.
His seal speed was extremely slow—far too slow for real combat. Clearly, this was intentional, meant to show Shaly every detail.
Even at such a slow pace, the chakra flow remained smooth and precise, perfectly aligned with the technique's requirements.
Despite his age, the Third Hokage was still the "Professor of Ninjutsu." Time had only refined his control and understanding—though his chakra reserves had inevitably declined.
With a few seals completed, the shuriken split into dozens of shadow clones and shot forward in unison.
This was the result of deliberately restrained chakra output. With more chakra, hundreds—or even thousands—would not have been a problem.
Shaly's eyes burned with excitement.
If this were combined with Flying Thunder God kunai…
There would be limitations, yes—but even dozens of separated kunai would be more than enough.
Though the weakness of shadow clones—dispersing upon impact—still remained, that was irrelevant. Everything depended on how the technique was used.
"Did you see it clearly?" the Third Hokage asked with a smile. "If not, I can demonstrate it again."
"Yes, Grandfather. I saw it clearly," Shaly nodded.
The demonstration was impeccable—better even than Jiraiya's, at least for teaching purposes.
In real combat, such visible chakra flow would never be allowed. It wasted chakra, slowed execution, and even risked letting the enemy learn the technique.
"Then try it yourself," the Third Hokage said, surprised but pleased.
"Alright."
Shaly stepped forward, casually threw a shuriken, and began forming seals.
The Third Hokage's eyes lit up again.
For a first attempt, Shaly's seal speed was already impressive. More importantly, his chakra flow matched perfectly. His fundamentals were rock-solid.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
Shaly didn't deliberately restrain his chakra. The shuriken instantly split into hundreds of clones, tearing across the field and kicking up a massive cloud of dust.
The Third Hokage watched with deep satisfaction.
His disciple was truly a genius.
Chapter 77: Early Graduation
"He learned it… just like that?" the ANBU captain muttered, drawing in a sharp breath. "As expected of the Third Hokage's disciple. That talent is terrifying."
"Alright, alright," the Third Hokage said, stroking his beard.
"It's all thanks to Grandfather's teaching," Shaly said with a smile. "Your chakra control is incredible. If you were still teaching, you'd raise countless powerful ninjas."
"Haha, forget it," the old man laughed. "This old man doesn't have the energy anymore. Otherwise, why would I hand you over to that useless disciple of mine?"
Just then, an ANBU appeared at the edge of the training ground.
"Hokage-sama! The latest mission scrolls have arrived."
"Leave them here. I'll handle them later," the Third Hokage said.
"Grandfather, work comes first," Shaly added. He had already learned the technique—there was no reason to stay.
The Third Hokage took a puff of his pipe and glanced at the ANBU with faint displeasure.
"Let's go, Grandfather," Shaly said softly, sensing his mood.
The Third Hokage smiled. The irritation faded.
His disciple was perceptive—and kind-hearted.
That only made it more regrettable.
If Shaly had been born a few years earlier… perhaps he could have held on a little longer.
What a pity.
Back in the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage worked while Shaly sat nearby, quietly reading medical scrolls.
Watching him, the old man felt even more satisfied.
He had seen many geniuses—but few were truly diligent.
Time passed, and the Third Hokage finally finished his work.
"All done?" Shaly asked.
"Yes. Come, Little Shaly. Walk around the village with me."
"Alright."
As they walked, Shaly became acutely aware of one thing:
The Third Hokage was truly, truly old.
He didn't summon extra guards, though ANBU—especially the captain—still followed discreetly.
Everyone recognized the Third Hokage. More astonishingly, he remembered most of their names.
Shaly couldn't imagine himself ever doing the same.
Was this… the Will of Fire?
He wanted to sneer, but couldn't. In the end, he could only sigh.
Whether he liked it or not, he was already trapped in it.
As Jiraiya's disciple and the Third Hokage's successor in name, as long as he stayed in Konoha, he would be drawn into the current.
This was the unavoidable price of his chosen path.
But what was the price of power?
As long as his strength continued to grow—until it broke through the threshold—every problem would cease to matter.
This world had always been ruled by strength.
At last, they stopped beneath the Hokage Rock.
The Third Hokage stared silently at the stone faces. Shaly stood beside him, unmoving.
"Do you know this, Shaly?" the old man finally asked.
"Yes?"
"Wherever leaves dance, fire will burn."
He smiled but said nothing more.
"Let's go back."
"Yes, Grandfather."
Shaly was not moved by the words.
As a time traveler, his worldview was already set. Right or wrong, it wouldn't change easily.
And now was certainly not the time to display his own philosophies.
Drawing suspicion would be suicide.
Back in the office, the Third Hokage spoke again.
"Shaly, with your ability, you should have already graduated. There's no need for ninja academy anymore."
"Yes, Grandfather. That's why I came—to apply for early graduation."
"Haha, indeed. Approved. Go take your photo later. I'll have the ANBU deliver your chūnin vest."
"…Alright."
Shaly was momentarily stunned.
Straight to chūnin—no exams at all.
But on second thought, mastering the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique in one try was not something ordinary chūnin could do.
"Have you decided which team you'll join?" the Third Hokage asked, handing him several scrolls. "These are newly formed teams and some older ones."
Shaly didn't take them.
"Oh?" the Third Hokage immediately understood. "You have another plan?"
"Yes," Shaly said directly. "Grandfather, I want to temporarily join the ANBU responsible for foreign affairs."
For the past three years, his opponents had mostly been toads.
That counted as combat—but not against humans.
He needed real experience, and fast.
And the best place for that was ANBU.
Not the village patrol type—but those handling rogue ninjas and external operations.
The ANBU captain's ears perked up instantly.
The Hokage's disciple… joining his unit?!
The Third Hokage fell silent in thought.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
for 30 advanced chapter, visit my patreon
'patreon.com/fatimasoomro123'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"