"Dad, the Hokage is calling you!"
Guy tugged hard at Might Duy's sleeve, whispering in excitement, "The Third actually knows you. Are you friends with the Third Hokage?"
Duy finally snapped out of his daze.
"Ah… yeah!" he nodded instinctively, though his cheeks turned red.
No father wanted to lose face in front of his son.
But as a devoted believer in youth, lying made him feel ashamed.
"Third Hokage…" Standing before Hiruzen Sarutobi, Duy greeted him awkwardly.
"Duy, out for morning training too?" Hiruzen smiled. "How many laps did you and your son run today?"
At that, Duy straightened unconsciously, confidence returning to his voice.
"We've already run three hundred laps around the inner ring of the village! Seeing your youth and hard work inspired us, so Guy and I plan to add another three hundred!"
Sakumo Hatake's eyes shifted slightly.
He had a reputation in the village for one particular trait. He could see potential in others.
"At that age, and his palms already have calluses this thick?" Sakumo's gaze sharpened. "His bone structure is developing well, too…"
Six hundred laps. If true, that was no small feat.
Hard training was not something you could just boast about.
To endure that level of grind required more than sheer willpower.
It demanded an exceptional body as well.
Kakashi rolled his eyes subtly.
He knew this father and son duo well. Their flashy youth antics were hard to ignore.
"He wants to enter the Ninja Academy, but he can't even use ninjutsu…" Kakashi grumbled inwardly. "Six hundred laps? What a brag."
Still, the Hokage was standing right there.
"That's an outstanding child," Hiruzen praised heartily. From his own rooftop observations during morning exercises, he had a fair estimate.
Duy was telling the truth.
Guy's eyes lit up instantly.
Aside from his father, this was the first time anyone had acknowledged him.
And it was the Hokage.
"How are things at the academy?" Hiruzen asked casually.
"He hasn't enrolled yet, Third Hokage." Duy's tone dipped for a moment before he forced it bright again. "But we'll work harder! We'll definitely pass next time!"
Guy had just lifted his chin proudly, only to lower it again.
In front of others, he might have given a thumbs up and declared, "Thanks for the support!"
But in front of the Hokage…
"He hasn't passed? Doesn't the academy have a make-up exam?"
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, his voice turning firm. "Duy. Tell me the full situation."
The initial academy exam evaluated ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu across the board.
The make-up exam existed for children who showed exceptional talent in a single area. It functioned much like the system for Special Jonin.
If someone with Guy's abilities had been overlooked…
Then either the academy had a serious problem, or its recruiters were slacking.
As Hiruzen's expression hardened, the air seemed to tighten.
Moments ago, he had felt like a warm spring breeze. Now he was cutting and cold.
Duy hesitated.
The man sniffed, an unusual crack in his composure.
"That day, when I saw you spar with Orochimaru, and heard your declaration to protect the village…"
"I was too excited!"
"Guy felt the same. We overtrained. On the day of the make-up exam, we hadn't rested enough…"
"That was the fault of youth. We failed to treat the trial with proper seriousness!"
"So Guy and I decided that, since we hadn't respected the village's examination, we would punish ourselves by delaying enrollment a year and doubling this year's training volume!"
A few crows happened to fly overhead, cawing at just the right moment.
The heavy atmosphere shattered.
Hiruzen nearly lost his composure.
The thought processes of ninja were endlessly creative. He still had much to get used to.
He had assumed the academy was at fault.
"Duy, your intentions were good," Hiruzen said gently. "But ninja training isn't just about grinding yourself down. It requires systematic education and timely opportunities to showcase talent."
"If Guy doesn't enter the academy, no one will evaluate him properly. In the future, the village will raise standards and create targeted advancement programs. Even if he has the aptitude, he could miss his chance."
Duy's heart clenched. "Hokage…"
Was the Hokage really speaking so personally to a mere Genin?
"I can see the gold in your heart, Duy," Hiruzen said, shaking his head. "But sometimes, being too restrained does more harm than good."
"As Hokage, I often worry about one thing."
"How can I ensure that every child, every comrade, receives resources suited to them?"
"If someone like Guy, a hardworking genius, fails to enter the academy, I would consider that my own negligence."
Duy paled. "Please don't say that!"
"The ninja of this village are truly admirable," Hiruzen continued. "You and Guy felt guilty just for participating in an extra exam."
"As Hokage, I'm afraid of overlooking comrades who carry the Will of Fire like you."
"So remember this, Duy. If you achieve something in your training, report it to the village. Even if you have shortcomings, the village will find a suitable role for you."
He meant it.
He recalled Duy's history.
Aside from his devotion to youth, his tactical coordination weaknesses had made others unwilling to team with him.
So he ended up running errands, carrying packs, searching for lost cats. He had even jokingly called himself a "cat-finding specialist."
"Let Guy enroll."
Hiruzen slipped a hand into his pocket, then turned to Sakumo without changing expression. "Did you bring any money?"
The Hokage rarely carried cash.
"I did." Sakumo handed over his wallet, relieved that he had brought it.
"I'll pay you back later."
Hiruzen counted out one hundred thousand ryo and handed it to Duy.
"Genin Duy, the village has an important mission for you."
Duy straightened instantly. "Hokage, please give your orders!"
"Oversee the village's future nutrition program," Hiruzen said, pressing the money into his hands. "Taijutsu and hard training are only part of it. Rest and nutrition must keep up as well."
"If anything goes wrong, I'll hold you accountable."
Sakumo smiled faintly.
He had no intention of asking for that money back.
It warmed the heart.
"T-This isn't right, Third Hokage…" Tears streamed down Duy's face as he waved his hands frantically. "There are so many others in the village who need help. I'm just a Genin…"
"Duy, you are worthy."
Hiruzen patted his shoulder. "You're not the only one who needs support. The village is already considering broader measures."
"Orphans with talent but temporary hardship, elderly living alone, others in need. They will be incorporated into a protection system. The village will provide a safety net."
He wasn't making empty promises.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado at the Administrative Department had been reporting strong feedback regarding the Sage Land Pill, the Chakra health supplement developed by Orochimaru and others.
Even the Daimyo of the Land of Fire had reacted enthusiastically, repeatedly inviting Hiruzen to visit. Though he understood the current tensions among the hidden villages, he urged the deal be finalized quickly.
He was practically ready to pour silver straight into the Hokage's pockets.
Sakumo's eyes gleamed.
He did not belong to this protection system.
But he cherished this sense of humanity.
This was the village. This was the Will of Fire.
"So this money is simply the village giving you an advance."
"You wouldn't expect me, as Hokage, to see a problem and leave it unsolved, would you?"
Duy accepted the money through tears.
"Minato, if you decide to cultivate that Lightning Style body technique, file a report with the Administrative Department."
Hiruzen continued, "Train well. In the future, you'll be assigned to the academy to lead advanced programs."
"If you find students suited for this technique, you'll be responsible for them."
"Understood, Hokage," Minato replied without hesitation.
Like Sakumo, he felt invigorated by the Hokage's vision for the village's future.
He wanted to contribute.
"Interested?" Minato grinned at Guy. "I saw the look in your eyes. Study hard at the academy. I'll come find you."
Guy nodded fiercely.
At that moment, Might Duy suddenly dropped to one knee.
"Third Hokage, forgive my previous narrow-mindedness!"
"I believed that 'hard training' was an inner cultivation, and speaking of it violated the spirit of youth…"
"But I never realized how far you had already planned for the village's future."
"If I continue stubbornly, I won't be able to forgive myself. Please guide me from now on, so my youth can contribute its greatest value to the village!"
Kakashi frowned.
What was a Genin talking about?
The next second—
Might Duy roared, "Eight Gates… open!"
Chakra erupted from his body in a violent surge, whipping through the air and squeezing Kakashi's cheeks tight from the pressure.
A flicker of delight flashed in Hiruzen's eyes.
There was another expert here after all.