Chapter 45 – The Third Hokage's Invitation
Over the next few days, Ryuya began focusing on researching his new "plugin": the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
During this period, the struggle among Konoha's higher-ups for the position of Hokage had already come to an end.
After a series of secret power struggles, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, once again defeated Danzō and reclaimed the position of Hokage.
As for this outcome, Ryuya was neither surprised nor particularly interested.
The power struggles among Konoha's upper echelon were still far removed from him, and he had no intention of getting involved in them in the future.
Inside the clan's private training chamber, Ryuya used the Shadow Clone Jutsu and directly split into four solid clones to begin training.
He assigned each of the four clones to train the nature transformation and control of one chakra attribute: Wind, Fire, Water, and Earth.
Aside from hand seal speed, chakra nature transformation and control were key factors that determined both the casting speed and power of ninjutsu.
They were fundamental courses that every ninja had to master.
When students first entered the Ninja Academy, the school conducted collective tests, and Ryuya was found to possess four chakra natures: Wind, Fire, Water, and Earth.
Generally speaking, once a ninja reached the jōnin level, they would usually have at least two nature transformations. Someone like Ryuya, who possessed four chakra natures from the very beginning, could already be classified as a genius.
However, in the past, Ryuya's aptitude had been rather poor. He was clumsy when it came to extracting chakra and learning ninjutsu.
As for the Yang Release unique to the Akimichi clan, very few people were even aware of its existence.
All ninjutsu could only be performed using chakra of the corresponding attribute, and chakra nature transformation was the key.
Among the five common nature transformations, each had its own strengths and weaknesses against the others. Generally speaking:
Fire counters Wind, Wind counters Lightning, Lightning counters Earth, Earth counters Water, and Water counters Fire.
Through training in chakra nature transformation proficiency, not only could one increase the speed and power of ninjutsu, but it also laid the groundwork for the future development of kekkei genkai.
In theory, by simultaneously fusing two different chakra nature transformations, a new Release could be created—this was known as a kekkei genkai.
Once a kekkei genkai was successfully cultivated, it would alter one's bloodline. This new Release would be recorded in the genes and passed down through blood relations to the next generation, benefiting one's descendants and potentially allowing a single person to revive an entire clan.
In the shinobi world, there were many kekkei genkai that had been inherited after being developed by predecessors.
In the future, Ryuya also harbored ambitions of re-developing some practical kekkei genkai through his own training.
As for chakra control, it was the most basic of fundamentals. Training methods such as tree climbing and water walking, practiced by Sasuke and Naruto, were all ways to improve chakra control.
The higher a ninja's control over their chakra, the greater the speed and power of the ninjutsu they could perform.
Moreover, improved chakra control could help avoid many issues during training and offered numerous advantages in actual combat.
Basic training was always dull and tedious.
With Shadow Clones grinding experience on his behalf, Longye's practical combat experience began to increase at an astonishing rate.
At the same time, his main body was able to spare time to take care of other matters.
After being transferred out of Team 31, Ryuya's official affiliation was still with the Sealing Team. However, because he had previously gone on missions with Shisui and the others, he had not reported to the Sealing Team for more than half a year.
He did not want to give up this identity.
There was still much he needed to learn and research in fūinjutsu.
This was a path of growth with no upper limit.
"Ryuya-kun, long time no see!"
"Ryuya-kun, I heard you've been promoted to chūnin. Congratulations!"
…
Walking through the Sealing Team's office area, many of its members greeted Longye warmly.
Longye smiled and responded to each greeting in turn.
Compared to when he used to be a complete nobody, Ryuya's reputation had clearly risen a great deal.
There were even a few sweet-looking girls who tried to get close to him.
He politely declined all of them without exception.
The idea of building a harem had always crossed Ryuya's mind—but without sufficient strength to support it, such thoughts would only invite disaster.
At his current stage, Longye had only one goal: to become stronger, continuously.
After reporting in to the supervising chūnin, Sakamoto An, Longye's life returned to the familiar rhythm of studying within the Sealing Team.
However, compared to before, he now appeared much more relaxed.
When he had first joined the Sealing Team, Ryuya had been a complete novice, utterly ignorant of fūinjutsu.
Now, his level of proficiency in sealing techniques already surpassed that of the vast majority of Konoha's ninja.
After assessing Ryuya's fūinjutsu abilities, Sakamoto An more or less left him to his own devices.
It wasn't that Ryuya lacked ambition—given his current status and seniority, he simply didn't yet have access to more advanced sealing techniques.
Of course, this apparent leisure was only an illusion.
After completing his daily assigned tasks on time, Ryuya's main body continued to engage in various forms of research and training without pause.
Hokage Tower – Rooftop
On the rooftop of the Hokage Tower, the diminutive figure of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood at the edge. The hem of his Hokage robes fluttered gently in the wind.
Whoosh—
"Hokage-sama."
A sharp sound cut through the air as Shisui appeared on the rooftop, dropping to one knee and bowing respectfully toward the Third Hokage.
"Shisui, you're here,"
Hiruzen turned around with a kindly expression on his face.
"I summoned you because there's something I'd like to discuss with you."
His gaze slowly swept over Shisui before he continued.
Shisui raised his head. "Please give your orders, Hokage-sama!"
Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction. "Shisui, the village is currently short on manpower. I would like to invite you to join the ANBU."
After careful consideration, Shisui was the candidate Hiruzen deemed most suitable to ease the tension between the village's leadership and the Uchiha clan.
Hiruzen had always paid close attention to Shisui's growth.
Shisui's grandfather, Uchiha Kagami, had once been Hiruzen's teammate. Their branch of the Uchiha clan was among the few that leaned toward the Hokage faction and the village itself.
Within the Uchiha clan, Shisui was also a rare genius. At only twelve years old, he already possessed the strength of an elite jōnin and held a certain degree of influence within the clan.
He was the most suitable intermediary.
By transferring Shisui into the Hokage's直属 ANBU, it would convey goodwill from Hiruzen and the village leadership to the Uchiha clan.
With Shisui—a figure trusted by both sides—acting as a bridge, the village leadership and the Uchiha clan could rebuild a degree of communication, easing the current tension and preventing unspeakable tragedies born of misunderstanding.
Of course, deep down, Hiruzen also harbored the intention of drawing this youngest genius of the Uchiha clan over to his own side.
"Joining the ANBU?"
Shisui froze for a moment, looking at Hiruzen in disbelief.
Since the death of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, there had not been a single member of the Uchiha clan in the ANBU for over ten years.
What that represented—wariness and distrust—went without saying.
Hiruzen continued to look at Shisui with a gentle expression and nodded firmly.
"That's right. Your strength is sufficient, and you are worthy of trust."
"Hokage-sama, I'm willing!"
After a brief moment of shock, Shisui immediately nodded in agreement.
Mature beyond his years, Shisui had long sensed the subtle and strained relationship between his clan and the village leadership. He was anxious, yet powerless to change it.
Now that Hiruzen had placed such an opportunity—one that could ease the conflict between the clan and the village—right in front of him, Shisui naturally accepted without hesitation.
"Good. Then go inform Fugaku and report for duty as soon as possible,"
Hiruzen said with a satisfied nod.
"The village still has many matters that require young people like you to handle."
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