Chapter 13: The Hokage's Reward
Even though Akatsurugi had been introduced to Konoha by the Second Hokage himself and had become a student of the respected Uchiha Kagami, the Uchiha clan as a whole was still viewed with a measure of suspicion within the village. This stemmed from the Second Hokage's policies, a legacy that the Third Hokage and Danzō had not only inherited but intensified, ultimately leading to the clan's tragic end decades later.
In the eyes of the village leadership, however, Akatsurugi was merely a talented Genin. One couldn't just expect a Genin to have an audience with the Hokage on a whim. Did he think he was Naruto?
In all of Konoha's history, the only Genin who could barge into the Hokage's office at will were Naruto Uzumaki and Konohamaru Sarutobi, the Third Hokage's own grandson. Coincidentally, both were Konoha's royalty.
Thus, only through Uchiha Kagami's escort was Akatsurugi able to enter the Hokage Building without being questioned.
Outside the office door, Uchiha Kagami knocked. "Come in, Kagami," came Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice from within; he had already sensed his former comrade's chakra.
Uchiha Kagami pushed the door open and entered, with Akatsurugi following closely behind. Hiruzen glanced at the boy and smiled. "Kagami, what brings you here with your student today?"
Kagami gave Akatsurugi a look, signaling him to speak.
Akatsurugi stepped forward promptly. "Lord Hokage, I have developed a new ninjutsu and wish to dedicate it to the village."
The Third Hokage felt a flicker of pleasure upon hearing this. A ninja willingly submitting a self-developed technique showed a strong Will of Fire. Kagami had not disappointed him in cultivating a successor. However, Akatsurugi was a late bloomer, a half-trained Genin. Even if he was a genius, he was still just a Genin.
Konoha was not short on geniuses. Therefore, Hiruzen didn't take the ninjutsu Akatsurugi claimed to have developed too seriously. You're a Genin. Could you really have created an A-rank jutsu? he thought skeptically. That's absurd. Genius has its limits. Not everyone is Tobirama Senju.
"Akatsurugi, what kind of ninjutsu is it?" the Third Hokage asked, maintaining his kindly smile.
He couldn't rebuff a child demonstrating the Will of Fire, so he decided to humor him.
Akatsurugi immediately extended his hand. A swirling sphere of blue chakra materialized above his palm. The appearance of the Rasengan made the Third Hokage's eyes narrow instantly.
The current Hiruzen Sarutobi was not the aged man he would become. He was in his prime, his power surpassing that of the future Fifth Hokage. It was no exaggeration to call him a full-fledged Kage-level shinobi, a master of all five basic chakra natures.
He could combine them at will to perform immensely powerful combination jutsu. The Third Hokage at this point had no glaring weaknesses.
Otherwise, would he have dared to boast of being the strongest Hokage? Of course, later generations of shinobi would become increasingly monstrous.
"Did you develop this technique yourself?" the Third Hokage asked, his tone now solemn. He glanced at Uchiha Kagami. He could immediately perceive this jutsu's potential growth and power. It was a seal-less technique, and calling it an A-rank jutsu was no exaggeration.
It represented the pinnacle of chakra form manipulation. If chakra nature transformation were added... the result would undoubtedly be S-rank or higher.
"Well, I just had an idea and figured it out by experimenting with chakra rotation," Akatsurugi explained, offering the prepared excuse.
Seeing Uchiha Kagami remain silent, Hiruzen knew Akatsurugi was likely telling the truth. If so, the boy's talent was extraordinary. A pity he had become an Uchiha's student.
Even though he held Kagami in high esteem, an Uchiha was still an Uchiha.
The only consolation was Akatsurugi's strong Will of Fire. That was good.
Having processed this, Hiruzen smiled. "Akatsurugi, you must understand, in my assessment, this technique reaches A-rank. With the addition of nature transformation, it could achieve S-rank. Are you truly willing to hand it over to the village?"
Here we go, Akatsurugi thought internally. If I said no now, would you have me killed?
Knowing this was another of Hiruzen's tests, Akatsurugi mentally reaffirmed his role: I am a successor of the Will of Fire. No one can doubt my dedication.
He nodded firmly. "Yes. The village took me in. I only regret being too weak to be of more help. If this jutsu I created can benefit the village, how could I be selfish?"
Seeing the determination in Akatsurugi's eyes, Hiruzen nodded, satisfied. What a fine boy! What a pity! Why didn't sensei have him become my student?
"Very well, we will record it. However, the village is not stingy. Akatsurugi, what kind of ninjutsu do you require? The village can provide it," Hiruzen said.
As Akatsurugi wrote down the Rasengan's training method, he shook his head at the offer. "Lord Hokage, I don't want anything. The ninjutsu given to me by Lord Second Hokage and taught by my sensei are more than enough for me to learn."
Of course he had to say the right thing. Could he possibly say he was eyeing the Scroll of Seals? With just an A-rank Rasengan, he likely wasn't qualified to see it anyway. It was better to use this as a gesture of loyalty to the higher-ups.
If the village shamelessly accepted it without compensation, he wouldn't complain, but clearly, the Third Hokage wouldn't do such a thing.
"Well, you are a Fire-nature user. I believe Kagami has already taught you many Fire Release techniques, so I won't elaborate on that. But a shinobi needs ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu. Your sensei has taught you taijutsu, so I will teach you a genjutsu. This is one even the Uchiha clan does not possess."
As he spoke, the Third Hokage searched through a cabinet and finally retrieved a scroll, placing it before Akatsurugi.
Akatsurugi hesitated for a moment, then accepted it. Having come this far, refusing would seem hypocritical.
He respectfully placed the completed Rasengan instructions before the Third Hokage, who smiled. "Good. I have much to attend to, so I won't keep you. Oh, and Kagami, stay for a moment."
Akatsurugi understood the dismissal. They wanted to speak privately. He wisely bowed and left the Hokage's office.