In the early light of dawn, Aki rose even earlier than usual. Following their agreement, the First Hokage was to take him into the Forest of Death to begin a rigorous six-month training regimen. Aki packed his daily essentials into a storage scroll, a basic sealing technique easily managed by most Genin. After bidding farewell to his parents, he met Hashirama at the village gates and was led deep into the restricted training grounds.
As they ventured further into the Forest of Death, they arrived at the base of a towering structure. A sudden, chilling wind swept past Aki, making his blood run cold. Despite his past life's experiences, Aki had never truly felt Killing Intent until this moment. The aura was oppressive and bone-chilling, a physical manifestation of a "gaze that could kill". He looked toward the First Hokage with newfound anticipation, hoping to learn how to harness such a terrifying force.
Suddenly, several masked shinobi materialized around Hashirama, kneeling on one knee.
"Lord Hokage," one reported, "we have cleared the large predators from a five-hundred-meter radius around the tower. They will not return for at least a month. Do you have further instructions?"
"Excellent," Hashirama replied. "Return for now. Ensure food is delivered every three days and continue monitoring animal activity. We will occupy this site for two months. My thanks to the Anbu."
Aki watched the masked figures with fascination. These were the Anbu Black Ops, the village's elite special forces tasked with assassination, protection, and high-stakes intelligence gathering. They operated under absolute secrecy, their identities hidden behind animal masks and their loyalty belonging solely to the Hokage.
"It is our honor to serve," the lead Anbu responded before the group vanished in a blur of speed.
Hashirama turned to Aki. "Our training begins here. This is an Anbu training base, designed for the practical application of ninjutsu and taijutsu. First, I need to gauge your current limits. Attack me with everything you have. Do not worry about chakra conservation; I want to see your maximum output and your level of control."
Aki bowed respectfully. "I am coming, Master. Please be careful."
In an instant, Aki's hands blurred through seals: Snake—Ram—Monkey—Boar—Horse—Tiger.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive sphere of flame roared toward Hashirama. The Hokage watched it calmly. "The power and form of this technique are nearly perfect for your current chakra levels. Good. Next." With a single casual wave of his hand, a gust of wind dispersed the fireball into nothingness.
Aki gritted his teeth. My 'perfect' technique was swatted away like a fly, he thought. Fine, let's try something bigger. He wove a longer sequence of signs: Snake—Ram—Monkey—Boar—Horse—Tiger—Snake—Dragon—Rabbit—Tiger.
"Fire Style: Great Fire Dragon Dance!"
A massive, serpentine dragon of fire erupted from his mouth, weaving toward Hashirama with terrifying speed. Hashirama was genuinely surprised. Aki had modified the standard fireball into a combination of the Fire Dragon and Fireball techniques. Without formal instruction in nature transformation, the boy had created an attack bordering on A-rank.
However, before the dragon could strike, it flickered and vanished. Aki collapsed, clutching his mouth as tears of pain welled in his eyes.
"Even a genius is still a six-year-old child," Hashirama thought with a chuckle. He walked over to Aki, who had accidentally burned the corners of his mouth by releasing the unstable chakra too quickly.
"That technique is not something you can sustain yet," Hashirama explained gently. "It has the prototype of an A-rank jutsu, but your chakra and control are not yet sufficient to stabilize it. I will help you refine it later." He placed a hand over Aki's burns, which glowed with a soft green light. Instantly, the pain vanished and the skin healed without leaving a scar.
Aki touched his mouth in disbelief. The wounds are gone completely, he thought. If I had this power back on Earth, I'd be a billionaire.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Hashirama teased.
"Master, your Medical Ninjutsu is incredible," Aki said earnestly. "Can you teach me? My mother has a deep scar on her arm I've always wanted to remove."
Hashirama gave a mischievous grin. "So, helping the wounded is the excuse, but helping your mother is the truth?"
Aki blushed slightly but bowed low. "Both are true. Please, teach me."
Hashirama patted his head. "I cannot. This is a unique application of Wood Style, a bloodline limit that differs from the five basic elements. Aside from me, no one can use it—and especially not an Uchiha. There are... biological reasons for this." He promised, however, to visit Nanako and heal her scar upon their return.
"Now, let us move to theory," Hashirama continued. "Ninjutsu relies on chakra, which undergoes two types of changes. First is Nature Transformation, where you turn chakra into elements like fire or water. Second is Shape Transformation, which dictates the physical form and impact of the attack, such as the burning of fire or the piercing of lightning. Today, we will find your primary affinity."
He handed Aki a small slip of paper. "Channel your chakra into this Chakra Induction Paper. If it burns, you are Fire; if it gets wet, Water; if it splits, Wind; if it crinkles, Lightning; and if it turns to stone, Earth. Begin."
Aki channeled his energy. The paper suddenly crinkled, then began to burn, and then split into two pieces.
"Master," Aki asked, puzzled, "what does it mean when it does three things?"
Hashirama was stunned. "I have never seen three affinities manifest simultaneously in one person. Usually, having two is a sign of great talent—I have two, and your grandfather had two. But to have three... you truly are a monster." He looked at Aki with a newfound, "energetic" glint in his eye. "It seems my training plan was too gentle. We need a more 'active' approach for a genius like you."
Aki felt a sudden shiver of dread. That smile... I definitely sense killing intent now.