The next morning, inside the Hokage's Office.
"Souma," the Third Hokage said warmly, "I've heard the details from Kakashi.
You performed excellently. It seems allowing your team to take on a C-rank mission early was the right decision."
Hiruzen Sarutobi beamed with satisfaction.
Letting a fresh genin squad bypass D-rank chores had caused quite a stir within the administration.
But Hiruzen insisted—they were special.
And their performance truly earned him a face.
A clean division of roles, smooth teamwork, quick judgment…
By most standards, they were already a fully qualified shinobi cell.
"I simply did what needed to be done," Souma replied calmly.
To him, cutting through a band of wandering samurai hardly counted as impressive.
There was no real tactical pressure—just execution.
Hiruzen let out a hearty laugh.
"For a first mission, that level-headedness is already remarkable.
Now then—are you here to return your books? Or is there something else?"
Souma placed three scrolls on the desk—then an additional stack of eight sealing tags and a neatly written report.
"Lord Hokage, this is a technique I modified during the mission.
It lets the Binding Array maintain itself briefly after activation.
I believe it has practical value."
"Oh?"
Hiruzen accepted the tags and report.
Another technique?
Even if it was a modification, that alone was impressive.
But when he remembered Souma had only studied sealing for—how many days? Ten?
The Hokage silently took a breath.
He read through the report carefully… and his expression turned solemn.
This wasn't a modification.
This boy had stripped apart a technique, fused another into it, and built a new configuration from the ground up.
Hiruzen finally raised his head, eyes sharp.
"Every time I think I've grasped the extent of your talent… you show me something new."
"Is that a compliment?" Souma asked lightly.
"Of course," Hiruzen chuckled.
If Konoha had a hundred such innovators, the world might have been unified long ago.
He turned back to the tags.
A self-sustaining Binding Array—practical, flexible, and deadly if paired with a fast attacker.
Its usage difficulty felt around B-rank.
But the inscription complexity… easily A-rank or higher.
This child's creations never come easy.
Then—Hiruzen flipped to the next page.
"Proposal: Nature Transformation for Chakra Threads."
He blinked.
Then—unexpectedly—felt relieved.
At least this page wasn't unveiling yet another brand-new jutsu.
Just… a refinement suggestion.
He read through it.
Souma spoke, "I personally can't use nature transformations, so I can't test it.
But I believe chakra threads have unused potential.
If others experiment with it, the village might gain something new."
Hiruzen nodded slowly.
"You're encouraging others to join innovation."
"Exactly. Many shinobi have ideas, but they die on paper, locked away.
It's a huge waste.
If Konoha wants to grow stronger, knowledge-sharing must increase."
Hiruzen's eyes softened.
Wise—far beyond his years.
Souma continued:
"We could model it after the Forbidden Scroll.
Store new, high-value jutsu in a controlled archive.
Contributors can exchange their innovations for access to one technique within."
Hiruzen laughed.
So that was his aim.
Souma never hid his hunger for knowledge.
It wasn't manipulation—just honesty.
"I'll consider your suggestion seriously," Hiruzen replied.
"And I'll arrange for a reward."
Now comes the headache.
What could he give this child?
Restricted library access—already granted.
Swordsmanship notes—already given.
What else?
Ah.
"You seem to lack a proper weapon," Hiruzen said.
"I still have a small amount of chakra metal left.
Think about what you want forged."
Souma's eyes lit up.
"Chakra metal? That's amazing!"
He leaned forward conspiratorially.
"Lord Hokage… when you say a small amount, how small?"
"Enough for a blade about your current sword's size," Hiruzen coughed.
"Come on, Hokage-sama~ don't be so stingy.
After all the good I've done for the village?
Surely I deserve a little extra?"
Hiruzen sighed.
"…What do you want to forge?"
"Nothing extravagant," Souma said immediately.
"Just the sword—and one more thing: a chakra-infused wire.
Strong, durable."
"Wire?"
"Mm. So it won't require much metal."
"…Fine. One sword, one wire. And that really is all I have left."
Souma grinned.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage! I'll bring the designs later."
He didn't know anything about forging, of course.
But his team had a specialist—Moonlight Hasuka.
He'd let her draft the specifications.
As he stepped out of the office, flipping his notebook absently, he noticed an old man approaching from the hallway.
Bandaged arm.
Crutch.
Dark, heavy aura.
Souma narrowed his eyes.
Shimura Danzo.
Konoha's infamous schemer.
Souma stepped aside politely and bowed.
Danzo paused beside him.
His voice rasped like a blade drawn slowly from a sheath.
"Young man… your talents far exceed what that room can offer.
Tell me—
Would you like to perform on a larger stage?"
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