Chương 12: Chapter 12: Hokage's Attention

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, half a month has already passed.

Noon—

The blazing sun shone high in the sky.

On the rooftop of the ninja academy, which was currently unoccupied.

After school, Tenten excitedly dragged Kiyoshi here.

Her ten fingers stretched out.

A series of chakra threads shot out from her fingertips.

Connecting to the puppet doll placed in front of her.

"Ka...ka..."

As she skillfully manipulated it with her fingers, the puppet doll moved its legs, swung its arms, walked, jumped, and ran...

Although the puppet's movements appeared somewhat stiff and lacked the natural fluidity of a real person, unable to move as gracefully as Kiyoshi, it was already quite impressive.

"How is it, Kiyoshi?" Tenten said excitedly.

Looking at Kiyoshi in front of her, she asked happily, "Am I doing well?"

"Very well, you've made great progress!"

Kiyoshi smiled and nodded.

Over the past few days, under his guidance, the two girls had been diligently practicing, and their efforts were beginning to pay off.

One couldn't deny that Tenten indeed had a talent for puppet manipulation.

Her progress could be described as rapid.

She could easily control the puppet doll with chakra threads, maneuvering it at will.

However, this was mainly because the puppet doll was relatively small and lightweight.

If it were a large puppet proportional to a real person, controlling it would not be so easy.

Meanwhile—

In the Hokage Building, in the highest office.

An old man with white hair and beard, marked with age spots, and a pipe in his mouth, looked surprised as he gazed at the crystal ball before him, which was about the size of a fist.

Displayed on the crystal ball was the scene on the rooftop of the ninja academy.

"It has just been half a month, and she can already manipulate the puppet doll so skillfully?"

Watching the images in the crystal ball, Hiruzen couldn't help but praise, "It seems this girl indeed has some talent to be a puppeteer!"

However, what truly caught his attention was not Tenten.

It was the orphan of the late medical ninja Ishikawa Masato—Ishikawa Kiyoshi!

"Although I have long noticed that Kiyoshi inherited his father's talent for medical ninjutsu, and his chakra volume is astonishing with chakra control far beyond his peers, he has even mastered some basic medical ninjutsu."

Gazing at the young boy in the crystal ball, even Hiruzen, the self-proclaimed mature and steady Hokage who has seen countless talented people, couldn't help but feel a twinge of amazement.

"Yet I never expected that this child could master Puppet Jutsu so quickly by merely studying a few basic puppet books on his own, and he could even design and create such exquisite puppet dolls."

A few days ago, while surveying Konoha as usual with his Telescope Technique, he happened to discover Kiyoshi teaching Ino and Tenten Puppet Jutsu.

Moreover, he was able to manipulate two puppet dolls at the same time.

It was quite unbelievable.

For a child who had outshone even the genius Neji from the branch family at the ninja academy, he had certainly drawn the Hokage's attention.

Hiruzen had not overlooked him.

He had seen Kiyoshi diligently reading related books on puppetry multiple times.

But he had not expected that the eight year old Kiyoshi could actually achieve something remarkable.

Though it was just two inconspicuous puppet toys.

The Third Hokage's insight was, of course, not something ordinary.

From a glimpse, one could see a glimpse of Kiyoshi's talent.

Moreover, he was able to control the puppets with such precision and fluidity that they seemed almost alive.

Such astonishing chakra control was something even he, as Hokage, might not be able to achieve.

This child's talent surpassed that of his father.

"Hmm…"

Looking at the young boy in the crystal ball, Hiruzen took a deep puff from his pipe and exhaled a cloud of smoke.

He couldn't help but reveal a pleased smile, filled with a hint of anticipation.

"Perhaps, in the near future, Konoha will indeed see the emergence of a master puppeteer proficient in medical ninjutsu!"

At that moment—

On the rooftop of the ninja academy.

As the Third Hokage shifted his gaze away from the rooftop with his Telescope Technique, Kiyoshi couldn't help but smile slightly, revealing a barely noticeable grin.

How could he not sense the presence of that old man, who often spied on him, monitoring the village every few days?

Moreover, it was impossible to hide the fact that he was teaching Ino and Tenten about Puppet Jutsu.

So, he never intended to conceal it from the start.

He wasn't from the Uchiha clan.

He was simply a civilian ninja with a clean background.

Even if he displayed some extraordinary talent, it wouldn't make the higher-ups too wary; at most, they would just pay a bit more attention.

There was no need for him to be overly cautious and second-guess everything.

"You called me over; it shouldn't just be for this, right?"

Kiyoshi smiled at Tenten, saying, "Lee said he wanted to challenge Neji, and I have to go treat him!"

"Eh? Lee is challenging Neji again?"

Tenten was taken aback for a moment.

Then, she spoke somewhat helplessly, "He really doesn't learn his lesson!"

She had long grown accustomed to similar challenges.

However, Lee always ended up with a bruised face.

"By the way, here's something for you!"

Tenten took out a storage scroll from her ninja tool pouch and handed it to Kiyoshi.

"This is the materials list you provided last time; I had my family prepare everything!"

Tenten said happily.

After she made up her mind to become a puppeteer, Kiyoshi had directly given her a list of some materials to have her family gather.

He said it would be used to create a proper combat puppet for training.

Tenten had been looking forward to this for a long time.

Especially after witnessing her achievements in training over the past few days.

Even her initially skeptical parents fully supported her in becoming a puppeteer.

Because becoming a puppeteer typically didn't require direct combat with others.

In fact, if it weren't for their precious daughter crying and demanding to attend ninja academy, Tenten's parents would have preferred that she not become a ninja at all.

After all, as one of the prominent wealthy families in the Land of Fire, they often hired Konoha ninjas to protect their merchant caravans.

Tenten's parents understood very well just how dangerous the profession of a ninja could be.

"Oh? So soon?"

Kiyoshi raised an eyebrow.

But he wasn't very surprised.

After all, he knew Tenten was a rich girl who didn't lack money.

Moreover, her family ran a weapon shop, so they were never short on resources in that regard.

"Well, wait for my good news!"

He smiled and nodded, accepting the storage scroll.

He had already prepared the puppet design and was just waiting for the materials to arrive.

Waving at Tenten, Kiyoshi lightly leaped off the rooftop, jumping onto a nearby tree, and headed toward the training ground.

"I'm off. Lee and Neji are still waiting."

---------------

Guys do leave some power stones and reviews.

🤞patreon.com/plotplanner🤞

If you guys enjoy this story, you can support me on Patreon and get access to Advance Chapters, it really helps me to work on new chapters.

bình luận bình luận của 12

Bình chọn

Chương 13: Chapter 13: Proud Genius

"Bang... Bang..."

In the wide training ground.

A heavily bruised Lee let out a pained scream.

He was struck hard and sent flying, landing in a battered heap.

Across from him stood a young man with a proud stance, wearing a training outfit and bearing pale, piercing eyes.

"It's useless, Lee..."

Looking down at the defeated Lee before him, Neji spoke coldly, "No matter how many times you try, you'll never be my match!"

"The gap between an ordinary person and a genius can't be bridged with just a few passionate slogans!"

"Damn it... I won't give up, Neji..."

Though bruised and bloodied, Lee clenched his fists, filled with determination rather than despair.

With a face full of resolve, he stared up at the arrogant Neji and shouted, "Someday, I'll prove that hard work can overcome talent!"

"Neji, you went too hard on him..."

Kiyoshi, who had predicted the outcome, walked over with a hint of exasperation.

Seeing Lee's battered state, he sighed, "After all, Lee is still our friend."

Neji remained indifferent, snorting, "He brought it upon himself!"

Anyone would get annoyed being constantly challenged, and the proud Neji was no exception.

He wasn't here to be someone's training tool.

If they wanted to challenge him, they had better be prepared to suffer for it.

As far as he was concerned, he'd already gone easy on Lee, only giving him a taste of what defeat felt like.

If he'd been serious and used the full extent of his Gentle Fist Jutsu, the injuries would've been more than just superficial.

"Lee, you're being reckless..."

Kiyoshi didn't think Neji had overstepped.

Raising his right hand to his chest, he calmly formed a one-handed seal.

A gentle green light glowed from his palm as he placed it on Lee, healing the external wounds from his battle with Neji and the inevitable scrapes of his usual training.

Watching Lee lying there in exhaustion but otherwise unharmed, Kiyoshi cautioned him once again.

"Training has to be balanced. Pushing your body to the limit all the time will only lead to setbacks, maybe even lasting injuries."

"One-handed seals?"

Neji's eyes widened in shock at the sight.

Coming from a prestigious clan, Neji understood the implications of one-handed seals better than Lee.

Some powerful Jonin, after countless hours of practice, could simplify hand seals for basic jutsus, but only few could perform seals with only one hand.

And what Kiyoshi was using wasn't just any jutsu—Healing Jutsu was an A-rank medical ninjutsu, far more challenging than the basic Jutsus.

"Kiyoshi, have you really reached this level?"

Neji couldn't hide his astonishment.

For Kiyoshi to pull off such a feat meant he could likely perform advanced jutsu with a single hand.

In battle, this was akin to having an extra hand compared to one's opponent.

Especially in a tense standoff, the sudden use of one-handed jutsu could catch an opponent off guard, an unpredictable trump card.

Then again, Neji thought Kiyoshi's absurdly impressive chakra control was so far beyond that perhaps he shouldn't be surprised.

"Yeah, with constant practice, I can just about manage it."

Kiyoshi shrugged casually, showing no pride.

In truth, with his precise chakra control, he could even perform this level of Healing Jutsu without any hand seals.

He simply didn't want to appear too abnormal.

"Incredible!"

"Unbelievable…"

Both Lee and Neji couldn't help but gaze at Kiyoshi in admiration.

But at that moment, Kiyoshi's eyebrows furrowed.

Sensing something, he turned to look in the direction of Konoha's main gate.

"Hmm?" He detected a fairly strong chakra signature suddenly appearing there.

Clearly, it wasn't an intruder.

It was someone walking right through the front gate.

"That chakra... It feels strangely familiar, yet distant..."

Kiyoshi's eyes flashed thoughtfully.

"Could it be..."

---

Meanwhile—

In the Hokage's office on the top floor of the Hokage Building—

"Hokage-sama..."

An Anbu member wearing a cat mask appeared suddenly.

Kneeling on one knee before Hiruzen, he reported, "The gate guards just reported that... Tsunade-sama has returned!"

"Oh?"

Hiruzen, puffing on his pipe as he reviewed confidential files, immediately stood up, visibly surprised.

"Tsunade? She's come back?"

"Yes!"

The Anbu member confirmed.

Hiruzen frowned, full of questions.

Back during the Third Great Ninja War.

Dissatisfied with Konoha's leadership, Tsunade had left the village, taking her disciple, Shizune, with her.

In the years since, she had completely distanced herself from village matters, and even from him, her former mentor.

Not even the death of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, had brought her back.

So why now, so suddenly?

Could she have changed her mind and decided to stay in the village?

Having such a skilled medic and powerful shinobi would undoubtedly be a boon for the village.

At the same time, the return of Tsunade, who once held high status and popularity, also made Hiruzen wary.

Long ago, in the wake of the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha was left weakened. To end the drawn-out conflict, they'd refrained from demanding reparations from Iwagakure.

To appease dissent, Hiruzen had once resigned, stepping down for Minato, a disciple of Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin.

But after the Nine-Tails incident eight years ago, the Fourth Hokage sacrificed himself.

Konoha, devastated and leaderless, fell into chaos.

Other shinobi nations began eyeing the village hungrily, the threat of war looming once again.

Hiruzen took advantage of the situation, resuming his role as Hokage.

Yet power, once tasted, is as addictive as any drug.

Even during Minato's tenure, Hiruzen had retained much of the Hokage's authority, resulting in Konoha essentially having two Hokages at the time.

As a young Hokage, Minato had struggled under these constraints, never able to lead freely.

Now—

The once-respected "Strongest Hokage," adored by countless in Konoha, was more reluctant than ever to release his hold on power.

Over the years, his three disciples had all left the village in one way or another.

The return of Tsunade both pleased and unnerved the aging Hiruzen, whose grip on power had gradually eroded his former strength and ideals, turning him into a calculated politician.

After all, this particular disciple of his was unlike the others.

As the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and personally appointed as "Princess of Konoha" by the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, Tsunade held significant influence in the village.

Her impressive record in battle and her exceptional medical skills earned her deep respect among the villagers.

Many of Konoha's shinobi, including clan leaders, had benefited from her healing abilities at one point or another.

In the right circumstances, she might actually rally a significant following.