"I saw you training here alone, so I came over to chat with you."
Looking kindly at Yagyu, the Third Hokage spoke.
He did not act superior at all. Instead, he casually pulled Yagyu to sit with him on a wooden stump nearby.
"Chat with me?"
Yagyu was slightly surprised inside, but with his mature mind he instantly understood the meaning of the Third Hokage's visit, "This is probably an investment in me, placing the Hokage faction's mark on me so that Danzo doesn't take me away later and turn me into someone from Root."
That was good.
After all, he had absolutely no interest in joining Root or being controlled by Danzo's Ninjutsu.
So he was very willing to accept the Third Hokage's investment.
"There's no helping it."
Naturally following the Third Hokage's words, Yagyu spoke, "If I don't train hard and become stronger, then when danger appears in the future I won't have the ability to protect my companions, and it might even cause losses to the village. That kind of future is something I absolutely cannot allow to happen."
It was a very mature sentence.
At the same time, it perfectly embodied the Will of Fire.
And because Yagyu usually behaved differently from other children his age and possessed a natural sense of maturity, when he said these words it did not feel abrupt at all. Instead, it felt natural and enlightening.
After all, Yagyu's previous efforts had always seemed somewhat strange to the adults around him.
At this point, as if to make the Third Hokage understand why he held such thoughts, Yagyu's eyes carried a trace of sadness.
"Just like my father… because he lacked strength, he died during a mission. He couldn't even protect his companions properly, and the village suffered losses as well."
The conversation suddenly became heavy because Yagyu mentioned his father.
But this was exactly the result Yagyu wanted.
With those two sentences, Yagyu believed he had already given the Third Hokage a perfect explanation and answer.
The reason he was so eager to become stronger was because his father's death had stimulated him, giving him the determination to protect his companions and protect the village.
Both the reason and motivation were flawless.
Just as Yagyu had predicted.
After hearing Yagyu's seemingly casual words, the Third Hokage was stunned.
Such thinking was the perfect embodiment of the Will of Fire.
"This child was stimulated by his father's sacrifice and realized the meaning of the Will of Fire at such a young age."
Feeling both gratified and moved, the Third Hokage thought to himself, "So that's why he trains so hard to become stronger. It seems my visit today was absolutely the right decision."
With an even kinder smile on his face, the Third Hokage gently pressed a hand on Yagyu's shoulder.
"Sosuke, you're right. But don't put too much pressure on yourself. If you have problems with training in the future, you can ask your teachers more often, or if this old man has time I can come and give you some guidance."
While speaking, the Third Hokage took out two scrolls from his sleeve.
"These two Ninjutsu scrolls are a gift from me. Remember the reason you wanted to become stronger, work hard within your limits, and keep moving forward. Your future is long and limitless."
Looking at the two Ninjutsu scrolls handed to him by the Third Hokage, Yagyu accepted them with a stunned expression.
Then he looked at the Third Hokage.
"I understand. I won't disappoint you, Lord Hokage."
Only a fool would refuse good things.
As for Ninjutsu, who would ever think they had too many?
Although he didn't know what Ninjutsu the Third Hokage had given him, for Yagyu they would definitely be useful.
After all, Yagyu currently knew very few Ninjutsu.
The system would probably start rewarding more Ninjutsu after his strength reached the Chunin level.
For now, if he had Ninjutsu scrolls he didn't mind learning them.
"Work hard."
Looking at Yagyu with satisfaction, the Third Hokage spoke.
"Sosuke, I look forward to your future."
After encouraging Yagyu for a few more sentences, the Third Hokage left.
Recently Konoha was far from peaceful behind the scenes, and he still had many matters to handle.
"Two Ninjutsu scrolls."
After the Third Hokage left, Yagyu immediately opened the two scrolls.
"C-rank Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu, and B-rank Earth Release: Earth Style Wall. One offense and one defense, that's pretty good."
The only downside was that he had not yet mastered Fire nature or Earth nature chakra transformation, so using these two Ninjutsu would consume more chakra than normal.
After examining the scrolls, Yagyu stored them away.
"Tonight I'll buy some chakra test paper to check my chakra nature, then add chakra control and nature transformation training to my training plan."
With his current chakra level, he could already begin many advanced forms of training.
For example, water walking and tree climbing.
Also chakra nature transformation, something usually mastered by Jonin.
Yagyu could even teach himself a high-level Ninjutsu, the Rasengan.
He already knew the principle and training method of that Jutsu.
If he seriously practiced it, it wouldn't take very long.
Thinking about the six-year development period he had planned.
Yagyu sighed inwardly.
His time was truly too limited.
…
Winter in the Land of Fire did not last very long.
Soon the short winter break ended.
The snow covering Konoha melted away. Although the weather was still cold, spring had already returned, and the Ninja Academy reopened.
Inside the classroom.
While listening carefully to the lesson, Yagyu occasionally glanced at Uchiha Sasuke.
"If I remember correctly…"
Looking at the still innocent young Sasuke, a sharp light flashed in Yagyu's eyes.
"It should be around this time that the Uchiha Clan will be wiped out. Innocent little Sasuke will fall into darkness, then wait for Uzumaki Naruto to save him later… beginning their lifelong rivalry."
The destruction of the Uchiha Clan was the biggest event in Konoha before Orochimaru's invasion.
Although it had nothing to do with him, Yagyu still paid attention to it.
After all, it was a major turning point in the life of one of the two main protagonists.
However, even though he knew the event would happen.
Yagyu would not do anything to interfere.
There was no way to explain it.
And he also had no qualification to interfere in such a massive event.
…
Several days later.
After finishing the Ninja Academy's lessons as usual.
Unexpectedly, Iruka suddenly decided to check everyone's progress.
Not only did he arrange various tests, he even organized combat sparring.
The class continued until late evening before finally ending.