The Shimura Actually Has Ice Release

Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly reacted and recognized the boy.

Uchiha Obito—the only Uchiha among this group of kids, and a close friend of Takeshi.

"Obito, huh? Then I'll be waiting for the day you become Hokage."

He stretched out his right hand, still smelling of smoke, and patted Obito on the head with a smile.

Who would've thought that someone from the Uchiha clan would actually embrace the Will of Fire?

If that's the case, maybe it won't take long for the issues between the Uchiha and Konoha to be resolved.

As long as more and more people believe in the Will of Fire...

If Takeshi knew what Hiruzen was thinking at that moment, he would definitely be clapping at the side in agreement: "Yes, yes, exactly—you're absolutely right. This kid really did solve the Uchiha problem in record time. It's just... maybe not in the way you expected."

Seeing Obito being praised, Ebisu jumped in as well.

"Third-sama! I'll also carry out the Will of Fire to the very end!"

"Good, very good."

Hiruzen's smile grew even brighter.

"If you want to become Hokage, you first need to enroll in the Ninja Academy and become a shinobi. I'll be waiting for you there."

After a few words of encouragement to the children in front of him, Hiruzen cheerfully left the street.

...

"Come to think of it, it's almost time for the Ninja Academy enrollment period."

It was Ebisu's first time speaking with the Hokage so closely, and he was visibly excited. His eyes were shining so brightly that not even his sunglasses could hide it.

"Yeah, it really is," Rin nodded in agreement, then turned to the other two.

"Kurenai, Anko, are you both planning to apply?"

"Well, of course we're going. It's not like I've got any other career options besides becoming a ninja."

Anko folded her arms behind her head and gave a big, bright smile.

"I've been doing pretty well with the Clone Technique, actually. I think I can pass the entrance test."

Kurenai counted her efforts on her fingers.

"Clone Technique? That's not fair, Kurenai! I only just figured out how to circulate chakra!"

Anko grabbed Kurenai in a mock whine, clearly distressed that Kurenai was so far ahead.

"Eh? I thought everyone was already practicing it..."

Kurenai, slightly choked by Anko's grip, struggled to speak.

"Clone Technique, huh?"

Ebisu immediately lost his fighting spirit.

"Tch. You think everyone's a genius like Kakashi?"

Anko rolled her eyes and finally let go of Kurenai, pointing over at Kakashi, who had been silent the entire time.

"Hmph! The basic Clone Technique? That's child's play for me!"

Obito looked at Kakashi defiantly, spouting big words even he didn't quite believe.

"Just keep being the dead last, idiot."

Kakashi couldn't be bothered to even look at Obito as he continued to grumble beside him.

"You bastard!"

Obito was instantly triggered.

Only Takeshi remained completely lost.

Right. The most basic entry-level ninja technique was the Clone Technique. But Aburame Ryoma had never taught him anything like that. Wait... were those guys actually just taking out their frustrations on him after being scolded by Danzō?

"Jealousy always follows geniuses, doesn't it?"

Just as Takeshi was doubting whether those guys had personal vendettas, Asuma's voice suddenly came from nearby.

Takeshi turned his head toward Asuma, seeing him staring at Kakashi with a complicated expression.

"Yeah, that's true, but..."

Takeshi also looked toward Kakashi and smiled.

"If you just chalk everything up to 'genius,' don't you think that's a bit one-sided?"

"You're right."

Asuma smiled back and patted Takeshi on the shoulder.

"True. That guy, despite being a genius, works harder than any of us. Looks like I need to step up, too."

"Then let's challenge that arrogant jerk Kakashi together!"

Takeshi raised his fist.

"Yeah! And we'll bring Obito along to charge in first while we cover him!"

Seeing Obito getting more and more worked up, Asuma laughed and walked over to pull him away.

"Alright, enough of that. Let's go to the pastry shop and get some cake. My treat today!"

To calm Obito down, Asuma reluctantly made the decision, patting his nearly empty wallet.

Is it possible... that knowing too many people is actually a bad thing?

Next time, maybe we shouldn't go out as a group.

"Alright, everyone, let's go! Asuma-sama's paying today!"

Seeing Asuma take the initiative to foot the bill, Takeshi immediately rallied the troops and charged toward the pastry shop.

"Too sneaky, Takeshi! Wait for me!"

Anko launched the second wave of the charge.

...

"It's almost time for the Ninja Academy entrance, right?"

At the dinner table, Danzō suddenly spoke up, catching Takeshi completely off guard.

How would I know the schedule? I'm not even a local.

After months together, Takeshi no longer acted so stiff around Danzō. Now, he was noticeably more relaxed when speaking to him.

"Probably. I ran into the Hokage today, and he mentioned it."

Danzō showed no surprise upon hearing that Takeshi had met Hiruzen—it was clear he already knew.

"Taijutsu training always takes time to build up. It can't be rushed. But if you want to see a ninja's true talent, ninjutsu is the key."

He put down his bowl and chopsticks.

"Tomorrow morning, you're coming with me to a place."

A place?

Don't tell me it's Root...

Takeshi had a vague suspicion but still asked out of curiosity.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see when we get there."

Danzō replied with a calm, unreadable expression.

...

Before the sun had risen the next day, Danzō called Takeshi up.

Right in front of him, Danzō lifted the tatami mat to reveal a hidden trapdoor, exposing a dark passageway.

Whoa, is this some old-school Konoha tunnel warfare?

Takeshi's hunch was right. Danzō was indeed taking him to the Root base—but what he hadn't expected was that Danzō had actually built a secret underground tunnel between his home and the base.

After walking through the long corridor, Takeshi arrived at the most secretive place in all of Konoha—Root.

"What is this place?"

Though he already had a good guess, Takeshi played dumb so as not to arouse suspicion.

"This is where Konoha's true protectors gather."

Danzō didn't seem interested in giving a full explanation of Root, instead speaking with a tone of pride:

"This is also where I work. When you have free time, you can come here to train your ninjutsu."

Under Danzō's lead, the two of them arrived at a training ground.

The open area was littered with humanoid training dummies and marked with countless traces of intense training—clearly used by veteran Root members.

"This is a basic Wind Release ninjutsu. Unlike neutral-type techniques like the Shadow Clone Jutsu, this one requires wind nature transformation."

As Danzō spoke, he began forming hand seals at an extremely slow pace.

Rat – Dog

"Wind Release: Breakthrough!"

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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