"You…"
Hiruzen's pupils trembled slightly as he stared at Arata. He pressed his somewhat dry lips together and said, "You actually… learned the Lightning Cutter?"
"Sorry, Third Hokage-sama, it still feels far inferior to Kakashi Hatake's Lightning Cutter."
Hyuuga Arata shook his head, looking at the lightning in his hand with a troubled expression. "My control over Lightning Release chakra's nature transformation and shape transformation is still far below Kakashi-senpai's. I think it can only reach the level and difficulty of an A-rank jutsu for now."
"It's not worthy of being called Lightning Cutter yet… perhaps it should be called Chidori?"
After saying that, he lifted his gaze toward Hiruzen Sarutobi, his expression modest and somewhat ashamed.
[Ding, your lie has been judged as [blatant nonsense]. Hiruzen Sarutobi has experienced a strong emotional fluctuation, reaching the level of [questioning life]. You gained 800 Reality Points.]
'Only A-rank… and you're still dissatisfied?'
The corner of Hiruzen Sarutobi's eye twitched. For a moment, he didn't know how to express his feelings, and could only force out a complicated smile. "That's already very impressive."
After all, this Third Hokage was genuinely recognized across the ninja world as the "Professor of Ninjutsu."
This wasn't some flattering title like "God of Shinobi" or "Strongest Hokage" used by Orochimaru to praise his teacher.
From a young age, Hiruzen could combine five different chakra natures. Later, he mastered thousands of jutsu. His control over all five elemental chakra transformations was extremely refined, and he was proficient in secret techniques, taijutsu, and genjutsu alike.
The reason he favored Orochimaru the most among his three disciples was precisely because Orochimaru, like him, naturally possessed all five chakra natures, making him the most suitable successor.
Unfortunately, Orochimaru later strayed from the path.
Because of this, Hiruzen clearly understood what Arata's performance represented.
"Ahem."
He coughed lightly, composed himself, and smiled sincerely. "Arata, when did your Lightning Release reach this level?"
And that was exactly why he had reacted so strongly.
Since Arata had used a simplified, hand-seal-free version of Wind Release: Wind Cutter at the jonin meeting, it meant his mastery over Wind Release's nature and shape transformation was already extremely high.
That was why Hiruzen had intentionally left so many B-rank Wind Release jutsu here, even considering whether to have Danzo, who excelled in Wind Release, personally teach him.
After all, mastering a single chakra nature to the level of B-rank jutsu was already standard jonin level.
That was also why, during the jonin meeting, when Arata revealed that Wind Release technique, everyone else fell silent, and even mocked Hyuga Hizuru in their hearts.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi himself was only at that level for individual chakra transformations.
His most practiced techniques, Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet, Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet, Lightning Release: Thunder Strike, and Wind Release: Air Current, were all B-rank jutsu.
Of course, what he truly excelled at was composite ninjutsu.
But what he hadn't expected was that Arata's Lightning Release had also reached such a level, completely surpassing ordinary jonin.
Buzz!
The condensed lightning in Arata's hand dispersed, leaving only a few serpentine arcs in the air.
He scratched his head, seeming a bit embarrassed under the Hokage's gaze. "Actually… Third Hokage-sama, I've been using Lightning Release chakra to temper my body since three or four years ago."
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell completely silent.
But his eyes grew brighter and brighter.
'How old is this child?'
'Fifteen? Sixteen?'
Looking at the young face before him, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt as if he were looking at a "rare treasure."
At just fifteen or sixteen years old, both his Lightning and Wind Release had surpassed jonin-level mastery, and because he came from the Hyuga branch family, several of his earlier years had been wasted…
"Arata!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly used the Body Flicker Technique to appear in front of him, grabbing his shoulder firmly as he asked seriously, "Have you ever tested your chakra attributes?"
After such emotional highs and lows, a powerful impulse surged within him.
'Orochimaru could no longer be relied on, but if it were this child…'
However, Arata's smile stiffened. Lowering his head, he said dejectedly, "I only have Wind and Lightning attributes."
Hearing this, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him. He instantly calmed down, and the strength in his grip loosened.
"Only Wind and Lightning…" he sighed in disappointment.
He had truly felt the urge to pass on his legacy, to take Arata as his disciple.
But cultivating additional chakra natures from nothing was even harder than mastering shape transformation.
'What a pity… truly a pity.'
"It's alright. Having two attributes is already excellent."
Noticing Arata's dejection, Hiruzen Sarutobi forced a smile and patted his shoulder. "Most ninja can't even master a second nature in their entire lives. With your talent, I believe you'll go even further."
He still held expectations for him.
After all, the boy was only fifteen or sixteen.
But… it was a shame he came from the Hyuga branch family.
At that thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi instinctively glanced at Arata's forehead, though it was hidden beneath his forehead protector.
As if suddenly remembering something, he looked at the scroll on the table, the Yin Seal, and pressed his lips together.
"Arata…" he said, testing him, "I noticed you also looked at the Yin Seal. What do you think?"
Under the Hokage's hopeful, almost wishful, gaze, Arata shook his head without hesitation, his tone low.
"I can tell that technique suits me very well… but that meridian system seems designed only for women."
"To modify it… the workload would be too great."
[Ding, your lie has been judged as [blatant nonsense]. Hiruzen Sarutobi has experienced emotional fluctuation, reaching the level of [easily influenced]. You gained 600 Reality Points.]
A cold, emotionless notification echoed in his mind.
Yes, the Yin Seal… he had already mastered it.