On the mountain forest hilltop southeast of Konoha, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, but otherwise, the peak was utterly silent. Nearly a hundred shinobi were gathered here, yet no one uttered a sound. The scene they had just witnessed – Tatsuya's Sage Art: Heaven and Earth Giant tearing a rift in space itself – was simply too shocking; no one had yet recovered enough to speak.
Simultaneously, among the assembled elite, those with keen political minds were already pondering Tatsuya's true motive for deliberately displaying such terrifying power so openly. For any shinobi, details about their powerful techniques were typically guarded secrets. Once intelligence about a jutsu leaked, it became far easier for enemies to develop countermeasures. Information asymmetry was often the deciding factor in high-level shinobi battles. Yet Tatsuya had just revealed such a terrifyingly powerful technique, seemingly without reason. This act inevitably sparked a great deal of speculation.
The first thought that leaped into most minds was the recently finalized Military Police Reform Plan. It was the biggest political event in Konoha lately, and Tatsuya, as the newly appointed Captain of the Third Combat Division, was directly linked to it. Considering this, some shinobi cast subtle, speculative glances towards Uchiha Fugaku, who stood grim-faced among the other clan heads.
Standing at the forefront of the group, the Third Hokage harbored similar thoughts, though his suspected targets were more specific: the internal dissenters within the Uchiha clan who opposed the reforms, and perhaps Danzo's Root organization. In Hiruzen's view, Tatsuya's overwhelming display was likely intended as a deterrent – a clear message to intimidate those restless opponents agitated by the recent changes.
Gradually, Hiruzen schooled his complex expression, reigning in the shock and awe. Beneath the surface, an indescribable sense of relief and ease washed over him. He was profoundly glad he hadn't misjudged the young man, Akimichi Tatsuya. Although Tatsuya often acted unconventionally, sometimes in ways that were difficult to fathom, Hiruzen felt increasingly certain that he was genuinely acting with the village's best interests at heart.
The Third Hokage gave Tatsuya, who was now calmly standing beside Naruto and Sasuke as his Sage Mode faded, a long, deep look. Then, without saying a word, he turned and led the Hokage Guard ANBU back down the mountain path.
Seeing the Third Hokage depart so abruptly without comment, the assembled clan heads also remained silent, exchanging brief, meaningful glances before turning and leaving as well. Before departing, however, many cast lingering, thoughtful glances towards Naruto and Sasuke, who were still standing near their new, incredibly powerful teacher.
Soon, the vast majority of the assembled shinobi had departed the hilltop, leaving only Shisui, Itachi, Kakashi, Guy, Kyoko, and Anko remaining with Tatsuya and his students.
"That was quite the commotion for a 'first lesson,' wouldn't you say?" Shisui remarked with a wry smile, glancing at Naruto and Sasuke who still looked somewhat dazed from the experience. Itachi had already informed Shisui that Tatsuya had agreed to train the two boys, and today was supposed to be their first proper session. No one could have possibly imagined Tatsuya would kick things off with such a massive, village-alerting display of raw power.
Tatsuya shrugged nonchalantly. "I just wanted them to witness what a truly powerful shinobi is capable of," he replied softly, casually glancing towards Naruto and Sasuke, "so they don't approach their training with a lazy heart."
Hearing Tatsuya's incredibly understated explanation, Kakashi and the others present were momentarily speechless. Naturally, none of them actually believed his justification. Causing that much chaos, altering the very sky, just to teach a couple of Academy students a lesson about diligence?! Who does he think he's fooling?
As Tatsuya's gaze swept over them, Naruto and Sasuke, who had indeed still been reeling in a state of stunned disbelief, both flinched as if jolted awake and snapped back to reality.
"Fat Uncle! Wow, you're really super strong!" Naruto exclaimed, forgetting his earlier instruction and bounding over ecstatically.
Beside him, Sasuke remained silent, but his eyes, fixed intently on Tatsuya, shone with undisguised shock and burgeoning excitement. To have such a terrifyingly powerful expert guiding my training… How could Sasuke not be overjoyed? Maybe… maybe it won't be long before I can finally surpass Brother! If that happens, Father will surely praise me too! At the thought of that possible future scene, an unconscious, eager smile curved Sasuke's lips.
"I told you, call me 'Teacher'," Tatsuya said mildly, lightly bonking the bouncing Naruto on the head.
"Teacher…" Naruto clutched his head, whimpering pitifully, though his eyes still sparkled with excitement.
Ignoring Naruto's theatrics, Tatsuya looked up at Kakashi, Shisui, and the others, waving a hand dismissively to shoo them away. "Alright, alright, I still need to actually teach my students now. Don't you all have other things to do? Go on, get busy!"
Seeing Tatsuya clearly unwilling to discuss his earlier display further, Shisui, Kakashi, and the rest knew they wouldn't get any real answers out of him at the moment. They exchanged knowing glances, didn't linger, and soon departed, leaving Tatsuya alone with his companions and students.
Kyoko and Anko were the last to leave after watching for a short while longer. Since today was a rest day for the Academy and Anko wasn't currently assigned a mission, neither woman was in a particular hurry to return to the village proper. They were both curious to see how Tatsuya would actually proceed with educating his new students after such a dramatic introduction.
Tatsuya didn't object to their quiet observation and simply began instructing Naruto and Sasuke directly. Regarding their training regimen for the day, he didn't implement anything particularly novel or advanced. He started them with the absolute fundamentals: basic chakra refining and chakra control exercises.
Naruto and Sasuke were nearing the end of their first year at the Academy, so they had already learned the rudimentary chakra refining techniques. Tatsuya focused on helping them correct any bad habits in their form and optimize their methods for greater efficiency. As for chakra control, the first exercise was the standard tree climbing practice. At their current young age, mastering these foundational skills was paramount, and their bodies were best suited for this type of training. These were exercises most Konoha shinobi knew well; practically anyone could have taught them these basics.
However, being taught these fundamentals by Tatsuya, immediately after witnessing his unbelievable demonstration of power, filled both Naruto and Sasuke with a completely new level of motivation and determined drive.
Amidst this rather dry, yet newly inspired, fundamental training guidance, the rest of the day passed quickly.
Meanwhile, as Tatsuya was busy guiding Naruto and Sasuke's first lesson, in another distant mountain forest far outside the village…
Kabuto Yakushi, clad in his long robe, stood silently concealed in the deep shadows atop a tall tree. He gazed intently towards the direction of the training ground where Tatsuya and the boys were located. Kabuto's eyes flickered with a mixture of lingering excitement and profound shock as he murmured softly to himself, "I never expected Akimichi Tatsuya's strength had already reached such an unbelievable level… It seems Lord Orochimaru's plans regarding him will be impossible to realize in the short term."
After observing from afar for a while longer, Kabuto finally melted back into the shadows and vanished from the treetop.
Konoha Village – Deep underground, within the Root headquarters.
A Root ninja knelt on one knee before Danzo, delivering a detailed, emotionless report of the day's stunning events on the training hill, including Tatsuya's identification as the source of the power.
After listening to the entire report in stony silence, Danzo's expression was extremely grim, almost ugly. That colossal blue-purple energy giant… was actually Akimichi Tatsuya's ninjutsu! The thought was infuriating. A technique powerful enough to rival the First Hokage or Uchiha Madara… How in the world did that kid learn to perform something like that?!
Danzo's heart burned with a jealousy so intense it nearly drove him mad. If I possessed such strength, Danzo raged internally, clenching his fist, I could easily seize the title of Hokage from the increasingly senile Hiruzen's grasp! But now, Tatsuya's overwhelmingly demonstrated power had become the single greatest obstacle standing in his path.
Thinking of this, a dangerous glint of fierce light and covetous greed flickered in Danzo's narrowed eye.