The next afternoon, Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived at Tsunade’s mansion on time.
He did not use the main entrance; given his status, making a grand show of visiting would only make Sosuke nervous.
Sosuke was standing in the courtyard, holding a wooden sword, practicing basic Konoha Style Kenjutsu with meticulous precision.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood in the tree’s shadow by the wall, observing Sosuke.
Regarding swordsmanship, although Hiruzen Sarutobi was not a Ninja with a strong sense of swords like Sakumo Hatake, and he preferred using the staff transformed from Enma over a sword, he was, after all, revered as the Professor of Ninjutsu.
He knew a thing or two about almost every Ninjutsu in Konoha, and swords were naturally no exception.
Sosuke’s foundation was very solid.
This was Hiruzen Sarutobi’s first impression.
From the posture of holding the sword to the point of force when striking, and the speed at which his body returned to balance after sheathing the blade, everything was solid.
How old was this child?
How long had he been exposed to swords?
Hiruzen Sarutobi’s movements as he stuffed tobacco into his pipe slowed down.
Smoking was affecting his observation of Sosuke, so Hiruzen Sarutobi put his hands behind his back and set the pipe down.
After practicing for a while, Sosuke began training in Water Release Ninjutsu.
“Water Release: Water Bullet!”
Sosuke refined Chakra and formed hand seals, firing water bullets.
“Swish, swish, swish!”
The water bullets struck the wooden stakes, leaving deep craters.
‘Not bad.’
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought to himself.
He revered his teacher, Tobirama.
When he was young, he had also done quite a bit of research into Water Release Ninjutsu.
However, he later discovered that his research into all five great elemental releases was quite good.
Just then, Sosuke suddenly sheathed his sword and looked back in his direction.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was slightly taken aback.
Had he been discovered?
Even though he hadn’t deliberately hidden his presence, he shouldn’t have been discovered so easily.
This brat’s sensory ability was actually much keener than he had anticipated.
…
[Collectible Trait Detected: Water-Style Chakra Proficiency (Hiruzen Sarutobi-style) ]
[Effect: When training in Water Release Ninjutsu, you will gain a bonus proficiency.]
Little did he know, Sosuke had only looked over because he saw the system appear suddenly.
‘What kind of trait is this?’
C-Rank?
Sosuke looked at the prompt text appearing before him, confirming he hadn’t misread it.
E-Rank traits included “Attitude is the Mask of the Heart” and “Swordsmanship Foundation,” while D-Rank traits included “Great Strength,” “Sword Obsession,” and “White Fang’s Insight.”
And this was the first time a C-Rank trait had dropped so far.
…
“Since you are here, Hokage-sama, why not come in and sit for a while?”
Sosuke was somewhat surprised; he then put away his wooden sword and spoke towards Hiruzen Sarutobi’s direction.
Hiruzen Sarutobi only assumed Sosuke was surprised to see him appear suddenly, and he didn’t think much of it.
He stepped out from the shade of the tree.
Beyond a hint of surprise at having his presence discovered, his face also showed appreciation.
“No need, I just came by to take a look.”
He waved his hand.
“Your swordsmanship is well-practiced.
Who did you learn it from?”
“Mostly, I practice on my own following scrolls, and I often spar with Kakashi.
A few days ago, Sakumo-sama also gave me some pointers.”
Sosuke answered truthfully.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and did not continue to press the matter.
Watching through a crystal ball and seeing it with his own eyes were indeed two completely different experiences.
You could only see the movements in the crystal ball, not the details.
But standing so close today, he could clearly feel the ease and proficiency in Sosuke’s sword strikes.
This child was indeed suited for the path of Kenjutsu.
Moreover, Hiruzen Sarutobi remembered that Sosuke was training in Water Release Ninjutsu.
Water Release + Sword.
Oh no, why did he feel like he saw the shadow of his teacher, Tobirama?
“Tsunade has spoken to me about the sword of the thunder god.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi took his hands from behind his back, picked up his pipe, took a puff, and said slowly.
Sosuke looked up, waiting for what would follow.
Since he had come, it meant that Hiruzen Sarutobi had not rejected this matter. Read this novel at novelping.com for the best experience.
“I can give you that Ninja Tool.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Sosuke.
“However, there is one condition.”
“Please tell me, Hokage-sama.”
“At the end of this semester, how about you take first place in the entire school?”
In Hiruzen Sarutobi’s view, Sosuke was a child worth cultivating.
If Sosuke only had Uchiha blood, Hiruzen Sarutobi would have intended to continue observing him.
Of course, the sword of the thunder god would not have been given away either.
But what was important was that Sosuke also had half Senju blood, and this implication was suddenly very different.
Hiruzen Sarutobi still felt guilty in his heart regarding the Senju Clan.
Firstly, he hadn’t had the chance to repay his teacher, Tobirama, and instead, this Hokage had to cover the retreat for those of them who were the “Hokage’s Guards.”
Secondly, the Senju Clan had disbanded and integrated into Konoha, no longer possessing any extra privileges or resources.
Coupled with Sosuke’s support for the Will of Fire, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no reason not to include this child in his sphere.
“Of course, no problem, Hokage-sama.”
Sosuke nodded.
Although he had only ever placed second in his class, even when placed against the entire grade, he was still in the upper echelon.
After all, there weren’t many students in this year, and most of them were civilian Ninjas.
Most civilian Ninjas had not received early education, so even if they had talent, it could only be unleashed in the later stages.
Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a satisfied grunt.
“By the way, if you can always be first, I can consider giving you something else.”
After saying this, he didn’t wait for Sosuke’s answer, and with his hands behind his back, he walked out slowly.
Sosuke’s mind echoed with the promise Hiruzen Sarutobi had dangled before him, watching Hiruzen Sarutobi’s back disappear outside the courtyard gate.
“Getting first place in the whole school is not a difficult task.”
Sosuke rubbed his chin.
Even without these traits, he had the Sharingan during his time at the Ninja Academy, which could be considered a significant lead.
His biggest rival at the moment was actually Kakashi.
After being stimulated by him, Kakashi would inevitably work harder than in the original story and naturally become stronger.
Unfortunately, Sosuke was cheating.
Traits, let me see your limits!
Next, Sosuke’s goal was to trigger various traits.
What kind of behavior was most likely to trigger traits?
Through observation, Sosuke discovered that besides places with many people, it was defeating enemies!