Ninja Hospital
Hiruzen Sarutobi had promised Chi Yu that once he was discharged from the hospital, he would arrange for him to live in central Konoha—so that Chi Yu would no longer feel like an outsider.
The atmosphere in the room was cold. Tense. Reserved.
The Third Hokage said nothing. Naturally, neither did Chi Yu.
But Chi Yu was waiting.
He didn't believe that Hiruzen had come today just to put on a show of goodwill.
Chi Yu understood perfectly: the only reason the Hokage would come personally to the Ninja Hospital was because there was something about him—Chi Yu—that had piqued his interest.
Otherwise, Hiruzen could have just waited until discharge and summoned him to the Hokage Building like any other genin.
And the only thing on Chi Yu worth noticing?
His Breath of Thunder.
Anyone with a brain could recognize the kind of power it took to scorch and collapse an entire section of Konoha Forest.
Sure enough, Hiruzen broke the silence.
"Chi Yu," he began, "the destruction in the forest… was that your doing?"
So that's why he came. Just as expected.
Chi Yu responded with deliberate guilt: "I'm very sorry, Lord Hokage. I was training in secret. I never intended to cause harm. If you hadn't shown up that day, I would've burned alive in that sea of fire. I owe you my life."
Hiruzen waved it off with a benign smile. "No need to carry that burden. If anyone in Konoha is in danger, it is my duty as Hokage to protect them.
But Chi Yu… what exactly were you practicing that caused such devastation—and nearly killed you? If we hadn't found you in time, you might've died."
Chi Yu offered a bitter smile, then launched into the story he'd already prepared.
"My parents and I lived outside the village for several years. One day, my father rescued a gravely wounded ninja. His forehead protector had a symbol like three clouds, with a scratch across it…"
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed.
A missing-nin from Kumogakure?
Chi Yu nodded, continuing the fabrication smoothly.
"That shinobi barely lived two more weeks. As thanks, he passed on his self-created technique to my parents. My father couldn't use Lightning Release, so only my mother learned it. I was too young to train, but she had me memorize the theory by heart.
Later, after learning to extract chakra, I began practicing the jutsu myself. A few months ago, I finally grasped both the shape and nature transformation of Lightning Release chakra. Then, a few days ago... I succeeded. But I pushed myself too far and blacked out."
Hiruzen's expression hardened.
To master both shape and nature transformation of an elemental chakra at this age…
That level of control was exceedingly rare, even among jōnin. The boy in front of him wasn't just talented—he was a once-in-a-decade prodigy.
Had Hiruzen known about this sooner, Chi Yu would've been on his radar long before the forest fire.
There are many shinobi in the world. But true elites? The kind who rise above clans, countries, and conflicts? They're forged in fire.
This kid had potential.
After a moment of silence, Hiruzen asked, "What is the name of this jutsu you've mastered?"
Chi Yu answered without hesitation. "Breath of Thunder, Sword Style."
Then, without waiting for prompting, he added, "Lord Hokage, I wish to dedicate this jutsu to Konoha."
Hiruzen arched an eyebrow. "Oh? That jutsu was left to you by your parents. Are you sure? Giving it away so freely?"
Chi Yu nodded with solemn, strategic sincerity. "I said I wanted to become a Konoha shinobi. That means the jutsu I wield should serve Konoha.
Even though my parents left the village, they never stopped seeing themselves as part of it. If they knew I'd offered the Breath of Thunder to Konoha, I believe they'd be proud—wherever they are now."
Hiruzen smiled, pleased.
"Well said. You may have lived a hard life, but clearly, you carry the Will of Fire in your heart. Don't worry—Konoha takes care of its own.
As for the jutsu, there's no rush. We'll discuss it more once you're fully recovered. It's getting late. Rest well, Chi Yu. A strong body is the foundation of strong ninjutsu."
With that, Hiruzen Sarutobi took his leave.
Once the door closed, silence returned.
Chi Yu lay still, eyes unreadable in the dim light.
Hand over the Breath of Thunder?
He'd have to be out of his damn mind.
But right now, he was living under another man's roof—and in a village where political power mattered more than promises.
Still, even if he handed the technique over, what could they really do with it?
Konoha's Lightning Release users might imitate the form, but not the essence.
Because the Breath of Thunder: Full Sword Style wasn't just about chakra—it was about breathing, timing, rhythm. Like swordsmanship woven with heartbeats. Without that synergy, the power would be a fraction of what it should be.
This meeting had also clarified something else for Chi Yu.
Hiruzen wasn't driven by kindness.
He was driven by results.
Strength, utility, politics—those were his currencies. If you had none, he had no reason to care.
Chi Yu exhaled deeply.
With the Hokage's favor, things would probably calm down. The fact that Sarutobi visited him personally wouldn't stay quiet for long.
That signal would force some of the more vocal Konoha haters to pipe down—for now.
Next, he needed to be seen as a genius—to keep increasing his value, and eventually, gain enough leverage to protect both himself and… Kushina Uzumaki.
That thought flickered in his mind like a lightning spark.
Soon after, exhaustion returned—and Chi Yu fell back asleep.
---
The Next Day
When Chi Yu awoke, his body still ached, but he could walk—barely.
Deciding not to waste any time, he left the Ninja Hospital to return to his rundown shack, intending to pack and wait for the new housing Sarutobi had promised.
But he didn't get far.
A Konoha shinobi appeared in front of him in a flash of motion.
"Follow me," the masked ninja said curtly.
Chi Yu complied.
They stopped in front of a modest home just a street away from the Ninja Academy—a prime location.
"This is the house Lord Hokage prepared for you," the ninja said. "He's ordered that once you recover, you're to report to the Hokage Building."
He handed over a key, then vanished with the Body Flicker Technique, not even waiting for a response.
Chi Yu stared at the key in his palm.
One step closer.
But the climb was far from over.