Starting From Being Adopted by the Second Hokage!

Konoha Forest, Training Grounds.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was so excited he couldn't sleep all night. Even before the agreed time, he had already arrived at the training grounds ahead of schedule.

The moon was hidden behind thick clouds, and visibility was extremely low.

He had to grope his way toward the training grounds based on memory.

As he drew closer, he noticed a shadowy figure standing in the center of the grounds.

Due to the darkness, he couldn't make out who it was.

Sarutobi Hiruzen moved in for a closer look.

But the moment his footsteps echoed, the figure at the center of the grounds suddenly turned its head and snapped coldly:

"Who's there?"

Hearing that familiar voice, Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes lit up. Wasn't that his good buddy, Danzō?

Just as he was about to identify himself, a shuriken whizzed past his ear and embedded itself into a nearby tree.

Cold sweat instantly broke out on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face as he swallowed hard.

If it hadn't been so dark and Danzō's throw hadn't been off, he'd probably be a corpse right now…

"D-Danzō, it's me, Hiruzen…"

Shimura Danzō approached. Once he clearly saw who it was, he frowned and put away his weapon.

"Hiruzen? Why is it you?"

What was Hiruzen doing here this late at night?

Could it be… he was also chosen as a disciple by Tobirama-sama?

Sure enough, Hiruzen's next words confirmed his suspicions.

"Danzō, I've been taken on as a disciple by Tobirama-sama. He told me to meet here," Sarutobi Hiruzen explained.

Danzō's expression turned to one of realization.

He should've guessed it. If he, the fifth-ranked, could become a disciple of Tobirama-sama, then the top-ranked Hiruzen definitely could too.

He clenched his fists instinctively. Hiruzen becoming Tobirama-sama's disciple was not good news for him.

He had originally thought that with Tobirama-sama's guidance, he could widen the gap between himself and Hiruzen. But now that Hiruzen was also a disciple, that hope was dashed.

Danzō's expression grew gloomier. Hiruzen's talent already surpassed his, and now with Tobirama-sama's personal instruction, the gap between them would only grow wider.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, oblivious to his friend's mood, threw an arm around Danzō's shoulder and smiled.

"That's great, Danzō! I didn't expect us both to become Tobirama-sama's disciples. Now we can train together!"

If Danzō was here this late at night, it meant he was also a disciple of Tobirama-sama.

Hiruzen was genuinely happy for his friend.

Shimura Danzō forced out a strained smile.

"Haha… yeah, you're right. Let's work hard together."

"Mm! Let's grow stronger together!"

"Hey now, you two are here too?"

At that moment, a female voice called out from behind them.

They turned and saw Koharu Utatane and Mitokado Homura walking side by side.

Danzō scowled in displeasure as he looked at Koharu.

"You're also one of Tobirama-sensei's disciples?"

Was being Tobirama-sama's disciple that cheap now?

Could just anyone be taken on by Tobirama-sensei?

"Mhm. Tobirama-sama said I have talent as a medical ninja, so he accepted me as his disciple," Koharu replied with a smile.

"Haha, congratulations!" Sarutobi Hiruzen said cheerfully.

Not long after, a figure emerged from the darkness, approaching the training grounds.

As he came closer, the group finally saw who it was.

"Kagami! I knew it'd be you!" Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed.

Uchiha Kagami smiled. "Hey, everyone."

Shimura Danzō breathed a sigh of relief when he saw it was Kagami.

At least it wasn't that guy Renya…

He still had a psychological shadow from getting beaten by Renya. As long as it wasn't that bastard, it was fine.

The memory of getting thrashed by Renya made Danzō clench his fists again, his face dark with resentment.

In his heart, he swore—one day, when he grew stronger, he'd make Uchiha Renya pay for what he'd done!

"Hmph… Uchiha Renya, just wait!"

But even now, there was still no sign of Renya.

Looks like he hadn't been chosen as a disciple by Tobirama-sama.

How pathetic.

When Danzō mentioned Renya, Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly had a thought.

"Do you guys think… Renya was accepted as a disciple by Tobirama-sensei?"

The group exchanged looks.

Renya's combat ability was beyond question, but his academic scores… well, those were hard to talk about.

Uchiha Kagami said, "If Tobirama-sama only looks at combat performance, then Renya would definitely be accepted. But if he considers overall grades…"

He didn't finish the sentence, but they all understood.

"Sigh, what a shame for Renya-kun," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a bit of regret.

"Haha! Serves him right! That's what he gets for not studying!" Shimura Danzō said, full of schadenfreude.

Now that he had Tobirama-sensei's guidance, his strength would definitely continue to grow until he surpassed Uchiha Renya.

And when that day came, he'd pay Renya back double for every bit of humiliation he'd suffered.

He could already picture himself stepping on Renya.

That day wasn't far away...

"Oi, oi, you bastard—talking about me behind my back again?"

Renya's voice called out from the distance, and Danzō froze, turning his head stiffly.

From the darkness, two figures approached—one tall, one short.

It was Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Renya.

"Good evening, sensei!" the five of them bowed respectfully.

Senju Tobirama nodded and praised them.

"Not bad. No one's late."

Looking at the group, Renya finally understood why Tobirama wanted him to train here.

So the old man had been secretly taking on disciples behind his back…

"You guys, start warming up," Tobirama said, leaning against a tree and closing his eyes.

All eyes fell on Renya.

"Renya-kun, you've also become sensei's disciple?" Uchiha Kagami asked quietly.

"No," Renya replied.

At most, Tobirama gave him guidance, but he wasn't his formal teacher.

"Hmph. If you're not, then leave. Sensei is going to instruct us soon," Shimura Danzō said coldly.

Renya started warming up as he spoke.

"What you've been dreaming of… is just my everyday routine."

He paused and raised one finger.

"I've been training every day. It's been a full year now."

The group's pupils contracted sharply.

So Renya had already been training with the teacher for a whole year?

Shimura Danzō finally recalled—Renya had been adopted by the teacher long ago.

It was only natural for him to receive guidance.

Realizing this, his heart was filled with jealousy.

Why?

What kind of absurd luck did this bastard have to get adopted by the teacher?

Seeing the envy and resentment on Danzō's face made Renya feel completely refreshed.

Just imagining Danzō's miserable appearance during training later made him want to laugh.

Did he really think Tobirama's training plans were going to be easy?

"Warm-up's over. Brat, take them through the drills."

Renya: "???"

Wait, what?

The hell? This old man was just using him as free labor?!

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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