Naruto: The Clanless Prince

Ninja Hospital.

Sarutobi Hiruzen promised Sora that after he was discharged from the hospital, he would be arranged to live in the centre of Konoha so that Sora would no longer be a marginalized person.

The scene was a little cold now.

Sarutobi Hiruzen said nothing, and Qianyu naturally had nothing to say to him.

Sora was waiting.

He didn't believe that Sarutobi Hiruzen came to visit him today to win him over.

Sora knew that for Sarutobi Hiruzen to visit him personally at the Ninja Hospital, there had to be something in him that the Hokage found valuable.

Otherwise, Sarutobi Hiruzen could wait until he was discharged and summon him to the Hokage Building.

There was only one thing in Sora that Sarutobi Hiruzen could possibly value.

His mastery of thunder.

It was undeniable—it was powerful enough to destroy the forest as it did.

"Sora, were you the cause of the destruction in the Konoha forest?"

Sure enough, Sarutobi Hiruzen began asking about the events of that day.

Sora understood that this was why Sarutobi Hiruzen had come in person today.

Sora replied guiltily, "I'm extremely sorry, Hokage-sama. Because of my training, Konoha suffered losses. It's also thanks to you for saving me that day. Otherwise, I would have been buried in the sea of fire."

Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand and said, "There's no need to take this small matter to heart. No matter who it is in Konoha, as Hokage, it's my duty to help them if they're in danger.

But Sora, what kind of ninjutsu were you practising to cause so much destruction and place such a heavy burden on your body? If we hadn't discovered it in time, you would have been in serious danger."

Sora smiled bitterly and said, "Hokage-sama, you know that my parents and I lived in other villages for several years. Back then, my father rescued a ninja whose forehead protector had a logo like three clouds, with a line drawn through it..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes narrowed.

A defector from Kumogakure?

Sora continued, "At that time, the ninja was gravely injured. My parents did their best, but he only survived half a month. To thank them and to ensure his self-created ninjutsu wasn't lost, he taught it to my parents.

My father couldn't use Lightning Release so that he couldn't learn it, but my mother could. Even though I was too young to practice, my mother made sure I memorized it.

Because learning this ninjutsu requires mastering both the form changes and Nature Transformation of lightning attribute Chakra, I began practising Chakra refinement as soon as I could, following the methods my parents taught me.

A few months ago, I finally mastered the lightning attribute Chakra form change and Nature Transformation. I kept working on this ninjutsu until I finally perfected it a few days ago. But I overexerted myself and passed out."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was visibly shocked.

Sora had mastered the lightning attribute Chakra form change and Nature Transformation at such a young age.

There was no doubt—Sora was a genius.

If Sarutobi Hiruzen had known earlier that Sora had achieved this, even without the recent incident, he would have taken Sora seriously.

There were indeed many ninjas in the world...

But there are very few top ninjas.

With the talent Sora was showing now, it was likely he would become a top ninja in the future.

Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a moment and then asked, "What is the name of the ninjutsu you've mastered?"

Sora immediately replied, "Thunder Breathing Sword Type."

Sora then said, "Hokage-sama, I want to dedicate this ninjutsu to Konoha."

Sarutobi Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Why? This ninjutsu was left to you by your parents. Are you sure about dedicating it to Konoha?"

Sora said sincerely, "Hokage-sama, I've said before that I want to become a ninja of Konoha. The ninjutsu I've mastered naturally belongs to Konoha.

Although my parents left Konoha, they always considered themselves part of it and never wavered in their loyalty. If they knew I dedicated the Thunder Breathing Sword Type to Konoha, I believe their spirits in heaven would be proud of me."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction. "Sora, I'm very pleased to see that you have this mindset. Although life has been hard for you these past years, it's clear you've perfectly inherited Konoha's Will of Fire. Konoha will not treat you unfairly.

There's no rush about the ninjutsu. Let's talk about it after you've been discharged from the hospital and fully recovered. It's getting late, so I won't disturb your rest. Recuperate well. Only a healthy body can support better training."

With those words, Sarutobi Hiruzen left, clearly satisfied.

After Sarutobi Hiruzen's departure, the room fell silent once more.

Sora's eyes darkened, filled with unclear emotions.

Hand over the Thunder Breathing Sword Type?

He would only consider doing that if he had a hole in his head.

But circumstances were against him. Right now, he was dependent on others and had no choice.

However, even if Konoha obtained the Thunder Breathing Sword Type, their Lightning Release ninja could only imitate its form, not its essence.

This was because, although the Thunder Breathing Sword Type was now utilized with Chakra, it required specific breathing techniques to achieve its full potential.

Without the breathing technique, its power would be greatly diminished.

Through this formal interaction with Sarutobi Hiruzen, Sora finally gained a clearer understanding of the Hokage.

Strength and self-interest were paramount.

If one possessed strength or something of value, discussions would go smoothly.

If one had neither, Sarutobi Hiruzen would never have paid any serious attention.

Charity, kindness, and tolerance were merely pretences.

Sora took a deep breath.

After handing over the Thunder Breathing Sword Type, the days ahead shouldn't be too difficult.

News of Sarutobi Hiruzen personally visiting him at the Ninja Hospital would soon spread.

This gesture would send a signal—those fools in Konoha, out of respect for Sarutobi Hiruzen, would likely curse him less openly.

Next, Sora needed to prove himself a genius to gradually raise his standing in Konoha, making it easier to protect himself and Uzumaki Kushina from being manipulated by Konoha.

Though awake, Sora's body was still too fatigued. After lying down for a while, he drifted off to sleep again.

The next day.

When Sora woke, his body was still sore, but he could manage to walk.

Deciding to leave the Ninja Hospital, he intended to return to his dilapidated hut to rest, pack his belongings, and await Sarutobi Hiruzen's arrangements for his new house.

Just as Sora exited the Ninja Hospital, a ninja suddenly appeared before him.

"Follow me."

Sora complied and followed the ninja. They stopped in front of a house located just a street away from the Ninja Academy.

"This is the house that Hokage-sama has prepared for you. Hokage-sama also instructed that you report to the Hokage Building as soon as you recover fully."

The ninja handed Sora a key before using the Body Flicker Technique to disappear without giving Sora a chance to respond.

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