The Third Hokage's sudden appearance and his decision to call Ethan away made one thing clear to the jonin present — they hadn't been mistaken earlier.
"Kakashi…"
"What?"
"If that really was... then I'm afraid Konoha is about to give rise to an incredible genius."
"Yeah."
When Kakashi first met Ethan, he thought this boy might grow into another Fourth Hokage, as Ethan shared many traits with the Fourth.
But now, it seemed Ethan wasn't content with that alone.
Watching the Third Hokage and Ethan leave the arena, Kakashi retracted his gaze, though Naruto's endless questions still rang in his ears.
"Huh? Huh? Why did Grandpa Hokage call Ethan away?"
A group of genin shared this confusion. Only Shikamaru had a vague idea that it might be related to the unknown jutsu Ethan used to defeat Lee. Though he hadn't clearly seen what had happened under the water, he could tell that the reason Lee failed to dodge was that something had momentarily delayed him.
If he didn't know for certain that his clan's secret technique couldn't have been leaked, he would have suspected Ethan had used the Shadow Imitation Technique at that critical moment.
"What kind of jutsu was that? Even the Third Hokage got involved?"
While the others were still guessing, Hayate Gekko continued his duties as referee and let the preliminary matches proceed.
However, he did exchange glances with a few colleagues. They would now need to arrange a few less important matches to buy time.
"Ethan."
Not everyone in Konoha Village had a surname, and many ninja didn't either, so Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't surprised by Ethan's situation.
"That jutsu you used to trap Lee just now. If I'm not mistaken…"
Hiruzen didn't beat around the bush. As soon as they entered a quiet and empty room, he got straight to the point.
Ethan didn't hide anything. After forming a simple hand seal, his palm began to sprout like a plant breaking through the soil, quickly growing into a blade of grass.
"This is… Wood Release, isn't it…"
Hiruzen carefully examined the jutsu Ethan used. It seemed slightly different from the Wood Release he remembered. In particular, there was an Anbu member who currently used Wood Release, and Hiruzen had seen that person's techniques countless times. He felt a noticeable difference between that and Ethan's version.
"Probably…"
Ethan deliberately kept his response vague, as if he wasn't entirely sure himself.
"When I was studying jutsu theory, I learned that two elemental natures can combine to form a new element. So after I mastered Water Release, I started trying to fuse the Water and Earth elements. Eventually, I managed to combine them into this transformation."
According to the ninjutsu knowledge provided by Konoha, combining two chakra natures could create a Kekkei Genkai. Wood Release was a result of fusing Water and Earth Release.
However, despite this theory, aside from the First Hokage, no one had ever truly mastered Wood Release. Even the current ninja codenamed Tenzo, later known as Yamato, along with all other Wood Release users that appeared later, only gained access to it by transplanting the First Hokage's cells. No one had ever awakened Wood Release through elemental fusion alone.
Because of that, many people believed that Wood Release wasn't simply the result of fusing Water and Earth, but required other conditions as well.
In Ethan's past life, many online speculators believed that, since Wood Release contained powerful life force, it might also require Yang Release. That was one reason Ethan deliberately studied medical ninjutsu to verify it.
The facts proved that fusing Water and Earth could indeed produce Wood Release, without the need for Yang Release. However, the process involved countless complex details and even required specific physical conditions from the user — which explained why most people needed the First Hokage's cells to use it.
Ethan, of course, didn't need to bother with all that. He didn't even have to consider the fusion process. He could directly use the Wood Release effects, and no one would notice any difference.
Even so, he still followed the "rules of the game," continuing to improve according to the path he had chosen.
Why choose to develop a Kekkei Genkai? Because a Kekkei Genkai not only gave a ninja access to a new element or dōjutsu, but also gradually strengthened their physique. With a famous ability like Wood Release, no matter how powerful he became, it wouldn't seem suspicious. When he eventually decided to let loose, it would all make sense.
Hiruzen looked at Ethan. This young man's words were truly astonishing, simply by trying to fuse elements, he had developed Wood Release, a technique that no one other than the First Hokage had ever fully mastered.
For a moment, the Third Hokage, known as the Professor of the Ninja World, who had mastered all five elements and learned most existing jutsu, felt like his own talent was being mocked.
If Kekkei Genkai were that easy to create, would he, Hiruzen not have even one?
(From the Third Hokage's reaction, it could be inferred that the fusion of any Kekkei Genkai required specific physical conditions.)
But he couldn't explain to Ethan that Kekkei Genkai were extremely difficult to create and required more than just having two chakra natures. Success also depended on natural talent and luck.
After a long pause, Hiruzen could only take a few puffs on his pipe stem. Since he was in front of a child, he didn't light it, just dry-puffed instead.
"How far have you developed your Wood Release?"
"For now, I can only release very small-scale techniques… probably not even considered full jutsu. For example, that move I used to restrain Lee could only delay him for an instant."
Hiruzen nodded, finally feeling a bit more at ease. If Wood Release were really that easy to master, it wouldn't deserve its legendary reputation.
After thinking for a while, he realized that the emergence of another Wood Release user in the village was a major event. As Hokage, he should be happy about it.
But thinking of that old friend, he couldn't feel completely joyful.
"Ethan."
"Hmm?"
"From now on, unless your life is in danger, do not use Wood Release."
"Huh?"
Ethan understood the reason, but still pretended to be surprised and asked why.
"Because you are not yet strong enough. Only when you are stronger will you be able to freely display the treasure you possess."
"…Got it."
Ethan stopped asking. His reaction satisfied Hiruzen. This was a mature and intelligent child who understood his meaning.
With that, the matter was temporarily settled. Hiruzen didn't immediately return to the arena with Ethan, but instead began chatting casually with him.
He spoke like a kind old neighbor talking to a child, asking about his recent studies and future aspirations.
The content of the conversation was very ordinary, but these ordinary things made the Third Hokage feel particularly happy.
In his view, this conversation revealed Ethan's feelings for Konoha. For example, when Ethan mentioned that the area he lived in might be demolished and redeveloped, and he was considering whether to buy a new house or rent temporarily.
He talked about how kind the neighbors were and how much they had helped him. He said he always remembered their kindness, and so on.
No matter how you looked at it, Ethan seemed like a child with a strong sense of belonging to Konoha. So, after chatting for a while, Hiruzen decided to increase his investment.
Ethan had already shown his potential and revealed part of his talent.
Even this early stage of growth was enough to shock others. If he were to truly mature, he would undoubtedly become one of Konoha's most reliable high-end forces.
From Ethan's earlier conversation, Hiruzen could tell that he wasn't interested in power. He didn't aspire to be Hokage, and he had a good relationship with Naruto, Sasuke, and the others.
He was grateful and appreciated the jonin who had taught him. All of this indicated that Ethan was forming bonds and gradually connecting closely with Konoha.
Could such a talent be left to fade away?
"After the preliminary matches end, come find me… Oh, and don't tell anyone."
Ethan paused for two seconds, then immediately nodded to show he understood.
Hiruzen happily lit his pipe. At this point, he didn't care about anything else. He just wanted to enjoy a few puffs before cheerfully returning to the arena with Ethan.
He didn't know that everything was already within Ethan's expectations.
Revealing Wood Release in a low-key manner was ultimately to attract the Hokage's attention. Based on his consistently excellent performance, he was very likely to receive more benefits.
Suppression? That might happen if the one in charge were Danzō.
But if Danzō were in charge of Konoha, Ethan wouldn't even be here. He would've left long ago. If he thought Konoha was still worth staying in, he would have chosen to kill Danzō.
Actually, Ethan didn't think highly of the Third Hokage either. In his impression, the old man was full of schemes and bore the most direct responsibility for Naruto's miserable childhood.
In terms of village management and governance, the Third Hokage had made too many mistakes — the most obvious being his repeated indulgence of Danzō. (Yes, that guy again.)
Of course, as a god with integrity, morality, and principles, Ethan would make sure to repay the kindness he received.
Since Hiruzen had been so generous in giving him benefits, Ethan would definitely give something in return.
Considering that the next arc would be the third stage of the Chunin Exams and Orochimaru's Konoha Crush, the only major plot point in that battle was the death of the Third Hokage.
To be fair, the old man didn't have much time left anyway. There weren't many ways Ethan could return the favor.
Glancing at the Third Hokage, who was happily puffing away on his pipe, Ethan had already made his decision.
(To be continued.)