Before Sakumo Hatake noticed Hiruzen Sarutobi's presence, the situation between him, Minato Namikaze, and Kakashi had turned… strange.
It could be summed up as: Look behind you. No, you look behind you.
And meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi's unspoken answer was: Why don't all of you try looking above your heads instead?
Sakumo's expression shifted between surprise and embarrassment.
Wait…
He hadn't sensed the Third Hokage at all?
This was bad. The deputy commander of the Anbu personally stepping in to "intimidate" a Chunin, only to be caught in the act by the Hokage himself.
Granted, Minato Namikaze was no ordinary Chunin…
A faint smile curved Hiruzen's lips.
In the Hidden Leaf, even bending the rules had its hierarchy.
Kakashi's ambush was the first layer.
Minato countering with a Curse Mark was the second.
Sakumo suppressing his presence was the third.
And the Hokage appearing out of nowhere, without even the White Fang detecting him… that was the fourth.
"The Third Hokage's entrance was so cool…" Guy clenched his fists, eyes shining. "So stylish!"
Hiruzen landed lightly in front of them and reached out to ruffle Kakashi's hair.
The Cursed Seal of Self-Binding dissolved instantly.
Relief flooded Kakashi's body. He straightened at once. "Thank you, Third Hokage!"
"You're probably the first academy student to personally experience the power of a Curse Mark," Hiruzen teased. "So? Do you think your father's impressive now?"
He said it with purpose.
Hiruzen had often heard Sakumo's quiet complaints. As a single father, the White Fang was proud of Kakashi's talent, but he struggled with one particular problem.
How was he supposed to show his son just how strong he really was?
Demonstrate it in sparring? That risked crushing the boy's confidence. And if it looked forced, it wouldn't be impressive at all.
Sakumo's reserved pride had backfired. Instead of inspiring awe, it had left Kakashi vaguely wondering if his father wasn't all that strong.
After watching the stunned expressions on Asuma and Kakashi's faces when they saw Hiruzen and Orochimaru fight, Sakumo had gotten an idea.
He couldn't exactly stage something that dramatic himself.
So he chose Minato as the stage.
It would temper Kakashi's impatience while giving him a glimpse of his father's strength.
Everything would have been perfect.
If the Hokage hadn't seen it.
"Yes… Father is very strong!" Kakashi ducked behind Sakumo, cheeks burning. In a small voice, he asked, "When we spar… have you never really been serious?"
Minato's mouth twitched.
This kid really had no idea how high the sky was.
"Ah, I was very serious," Sakumo replied at once, basking in his son's admiration, face glowing.
"If you were truly serious… would I even be able to block a single move?" Kakashi muttered.
Laughter rippled through the group.
Kakashi fell silent, retreating behind his mask into quiet humiliation.
"You've grasped the basics of Curse Marks already. You're improving fast," Hiruzen said to Minato. "Stop clinging to that Chunin title. Find time to report to the Administrative Department and schedule your Jonin evaluation."
How long had Kushina been teaching him sealing techniques? And he'd already reached this level.
Add to that the insight he'd displayed while explaining the Steel Shell Seal during the Eight-Tails incident…
Hiruzen was certain.
Minato Namikaze was a natural genius when it came to fuinjutsu.
Perhaps… he could try the Flying Raijin?
The Forbidden Jutsu created by Tobirama Senju had effectively vanished from the village.
The technique demanded extraordinary mastery of sealing arts. It also required extreme neural reaction speed and dynamic vision.
And the greatest hurdle of all was sensitivity to what people loosely called "space."
It was something impossible to describe clearly, almost metaphysical in nature.
No reliable method existed to train it from scratch.
Hiruzen didn't know whether Minato could succeed.
But among all candidates, the blond boy showed the most promise.
"Understood, Third Hokage."
Minato flashed his signature sun-bright smile. "I wanted to take the Jonin exam in better condition. I was worried about tarnishing my grandmaster's reputation otherwise."
"Since you've given the order, I'll go right away."
He paused, then added with careful humility, "Though… I do have a small question about my training."
Sakumo's eyes sharpened with surprise.
Not only was this kid monstrously talented in battle, he was just as sharp elsewhere.
Sakumo himself couldn't pull off a move like that.
"Brat, you sure know how to talk," Hiruzen laughed. "Go on."
"Grandmaster, is there a ninjutsu that can further enhance speed and strength?" Minato asked earnestly.
That was exactly what he needed.
"There is."
Hiruzen considered.
There were many techniques of that type. But for someone with Minato's gifts…
It needed to be powerful in both offense and defense, and have room to grow.
The most suitable was the Lightning Style body enhancement technique he himself was cultivating.
"It places heavy demands on stamina and physical resilience. You qualify."
Hiruzen's gaze flicked subtly to the blade at Sakumo's waist.
Good. Just the standard Anbu issue sword, not the famed White Fang short blade.
"Sakumo. Give me a hand."
Lightning burst from Hiruzen's body in a violent surge. He raised his left arm.
Sakumo understood instantly. In one smooth motion, he drew his blade.
The detail lay in the angle.
He struck with the blunt edge.
The standard Anbu sword collided with the Hokage's forearm wrapped in Lightning Style.
Only Minato managed to catch the fleeting arc of steel.
To everyone else, it was just a blur.
The next instant, the finely forged blade shattered without warning, fragments clattering to the ground with a sharp, ringing sound.
"But this technique requires constant refinement. The process is grueling," Hiruzen said as the lightning faded. He exchanged a glance with Sakumo. "You have Lightning Style Chakra, correct?"
Minato's eyes lit up. "Yes, sir!"
Hard work alone? He didn't fear that.
The blond had already made up his mind. Even if one day Kushina bore the burden of sealing the Nine-Tails within her body, he would charge forward without hesitation.
This technique suited him perfectly.
Beside him, Guy tugged gently at his father's sleeve.
He had Lightning Style Chakra too.
And the Hokage's requirements…
Physical endurance. Tolerance for pain.
Those were the only two things Guy believed he truly excelled at.
If he learned that technique, maybe… just maybe… he could enter the Ninja Academy.
A child's thoughts were simple.
But Might Duy was an adult.
He believed in youth. He encouraged his son.
Yet he was only a Genin. In a moment like this, how could he possibly make a request of the Hokage?
Duy lowered his head, powerless.
Hiruzen noticed.
He remembered Might Duy mostly for his exaggerated style.
But in recent weeks, during his morning observations from the rooftops…
He had often seen the father and son running laps around the village, pushing themselves through relentless physical training.
Their effort had long surpassed that of ordinary Genin.
What they lacked was systematic guidance.
Hiruzen turned.
"Duy. Why are you standing over there? Come here."