Now, Fugaku Uchiha couldn't help but feel suspicious. This kid—Aoba Kawaki—seemed to be using his innocent curiosity as a cover to gather information. All that talk about making friends and his fearless, naïve demeanor felt like an act.
As he watched Aoba carefully tuck the final scroll into his ninja tool pouch, Fugaku felt a complex mix of emotions. Despite himself, he was impressed, if slightly embarrassed by how easily the boy had slipped past his defenses.
At first, Aoba really had just wanted to make a name for himself and maybe gain a powerful friend. But once the gambit started, there was no turning back. Fugaku's mastery of Fire Release was too enticing to pass up.
Still, Aoba had paid a price. He had expended nearly all his special tools—chili powder smoke bombs, serial explosion tags, and more.
Suddenly, a masked Anbu operative stepped forward, presenting a document.
"This is the Hokage's order. I'm here to take Aoba Kawaki into custody. Also, please do not interfere when the Hyuga Clan arrives to retrieve their member later."
After the official handover, the Anbu successfully escorted Aoba away from the Uchiha Police Force Headquarters.
Fugaku stood there, stunned, the wind rustling through his cloak. He mulled over the Anbu's parting words.
It's over?
Apparently, the conflict was resolved. Just like that.
What was that? A stormy show, but barely any rain?
The kid was fine? The Hyuga clan had backed off?
Something didn't add up. Fugaku tried to wrap his head around it. The boy had looked strangely relaxed even while locked in the detention cells. Had he predicted this outcome?
But why would the Hyuga just give up like that? Isn't their pride legendary?
No matter how he tried, Fugaku Uchiha couldn't make sense of it.
As for Aoba Kawaki, though he had hoped things would work out, he hadn't expected the process to be so… smooth. It seemed he had underestimated the influence Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, still held over the major clans.
Inside the Hokage's office, all four of Konoha's high-ranking officials were present—Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane. Even Kurenai-sensei was there.
As he entered, Aoba immediately lowered his head and spoke respectfully:
"Forgive me, Lord Hokage. I acted impulsively and caused trouble for the village."
But Hiruzen simply shook his head.
"Defending your comrades—how can that be wrong? No, this situation is not your fault. If anyone is to blame, it's me, for failing to keep these powerful clans in check."
At that moment, Danzo Shimura slammed his cane into the floor with a sharp thud.
"Hiruzen, you're too soft on them. If the Hyuga Clan dares to behave this way now, what about the Uchiha?"
Aoba felt a chill in his chest. So much bias… If his Hyuga bloodline had instead been Uchiha, would the elders be reacting this way?
If only I had the Sharingan, he mused. I'd join the Uchiha in an instant. Maybe I could even surpass Fugaku one day and restore their greatness…
If that had been the case, maybe I wouldn't have had to give up my eyes.
Danzo spoke again:
"You're an interesting one. I've heard you developed a hybrid Taijutsu-Ninjutsu move—claiming it's S-rank? That's quite the claim for someone your age."
Here it is, Aoba thought. The real reason they called me in.
He scratched his head and offered a modest smile.
"I may have created a new move, but I don't know if it qualifies as S-rank. My knowledge is still limited, and I'm not sure what an S-rank technique truly entails."
His modesty was calculated, and it didn't go unnoticed.
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes slightly, as if trying to discern something. Then, Aoba rummaged through his ninja pouch and pulled out a worn, folded notebook.
Hiruzen's eyes flickered. That book… Could it be?
Aoba confirmed his suspicions.
"Lord Hokage, I found this hidden in a compartment under my bed after my last mission. Without the insights written in here, I wouldn't have been able to develop my technique. I'm not sure whose it is, but I don't think it belongs to me. Since neither Kurenai-sensei nor I are the right people to return it, I ask that you do so on our behalf."
He paused, sighing.
"It's a shame. If I knew more, I could probably refine the Flowing Rock Crushing Fist. Maybe even push it to true S-rank."
"Oh?" Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "So it's not perfected yet?"
"Of course not," Aoba answered seriously. "My dream is to develop a style that rivals the Lightning Release armor Taijutsu of Kumogakure. But I know I still have a long way to go."
A moment of silence passed before he continued, eyes alight with youthful passion:
"But I'll keep refining it. I'll create a technique that can stand toe-to-toe with the best. Konoha is the number one village in the ninja world—we should surpass the others in every field. That's my ninja way!"
Hiruzen chuckled, heartened by the boy's conviction.
Though childish, Aoba's words struck a chord—especially the praise for Konoha.
What's more, Hiruzen had already verified that Aoba's technique existed. It put a heavy strain on the body, something Asuma Sarutobi had mentioned to his wife Biwako after witnessing it firsthand.
Still, he hadn't expected this level of ambition. Competing with Cloud Village's secret Taijutsu, refined over generations?
That's bold—but perhaps not impossible.
He leaned forward slightly.
"Aoba, I admire your ambition. But you shouldn't bear the village's future alone. I'll help however I can."
He paused, then added:
"There is a technique—the Eight Inner Gates. It's rarely taught, and dangerous, but its principles may complement your style. It was originally developed by my teacher, the Second Hokage himself. Perhaps studying it will give you the inspiration you need to evolve your technique further."
"However, there aren't many in the village who practice the Eight Inner Gates," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, thoughtfully sorting through candidates in his mind. Soon, a familiar image surfaced—an eccentric man in a green jumpsuit with thick eyebrows and a radiant smile.
Might Guy. A shinobi of limited natural talent, skilled only in taijutsu, yet wholly devoted to the Eight Gates Technique.
Hiruzen remembered Guy not because of his genius, but because of his effort. Without unwavering dedication, Might Guy could never have opened even one of the Eight Gates.
Though the Eight Gates were only theorized and developed into a functional technique later, their conceptual framework dated back to the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. It was not something just anyone could master.
Hiruzen had once paid close attention to Might Guy's growth, even moved by his willpower and persistence. For a time, he had harbored some hopes for the boy.
Yet, Guy's lack of chakra control and ninjutsu aptitude had always held him back. After years of training, his strength improved little by shinobi standards, and his body bore the price of repeated Eight Gates usage. Hiruzen suspected that as Guy aged, those hidden injuries might leave him bedridden.
Still, Guy's true worth lay in his knowledge of the Eight Gates. Despite the damage to his body, no one in Konoha had a deeper understanding of the technique.
Until now, Hiruzen had never considered him essential. The Eight Gates, while impressive, were just one of many forbidden techniques left behind by Tobirama. But now, there was Kawaki Aoba—a genius worth investing in.
With Aoba's appearance, Guy's value increased dramatically.
Hiruzen summoned Aoba and spoke seriously: "If you're interested in mastering the Eight Gates, Might Guy is the best teacher. But if you're thinking of developing taijutsu based on the Gates, he may offer even more. Still, keep in mind—the burden on the body from opening the Gates is immense. Never take that lightly."
This might sound cold-hearted toward Might Guy, but it was a necessary sacrifice in Hiruzen's eyes. Aoba's potential far outshined Guy's. Even if something happened to the latter, compensation could be arranged. Hiruzen believed Guy himself would accept that.
Aoba didn't know if Might Guy would be willing—but he was thrilled.
The Eight Gates! Before Guy used them to fight the Seven Ninja Swordsmen or ultimately face Madara Uchiha, the technique had not been highly regarded. Now, Aoba felt like he had struck gold.
Even without self-destruction, the Eight Gates combined with proper medicine or sealing techniques could produce miraculous results.
In return, Aoba felt he should give back. He was proud of his Will of Fire. Though Hiruzen may have underestimated the Eight Gates' value, Aoba wouldn't be greedy.
"Thank you for your trust, Lord Hokage. I'll develop a nin-taijutsu technique for the village, one that rivals even the Cloud Village's Lightning Release Armor," Aoba said with sincerity, then added sheepishly, "But I've taken a lot from you lately... so I'll contribute the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist. You don't mind, do you?"
"Hahaha…" Hiruzen laughed heartily, nodding with satisfaction. "To think of the village after creating such a technique—how could I possibly mind?"
"Then I'll organize a manual when I return. The Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist deserves proper documentation."
Yes, it had to be done right. The completed version of the technique could qualify as S-rank. But revealing it outright would attract too much attention. Besides, it wasn't something just any ninja could learn.
Konoha didn't lack S-rank jutsu—several were even sealed away in the Scroll of Seals, created by Tobirama himself.
One more taijutsu technique wouldn't change the balance.
Aoba decided: he would remove core parts like the Water Stream Formation, the modified Body Flicker Technique, and his pinpoint Finger Jab. These would remain secret—his personal ace in the hole.
He didn't see it as dishonest. Many in Konoha kept their abilities hidden. Why shouldn't he?
Let the great clans share their hidden techniques first.
After making his contribution known, Aoba and Yuhi Kurenai prepared to leave. Hiruzen asked a few more routine questions, then sent them on their way.
As they left, Danzo Shimura, silent until now, scoffed.
"Hmph. Young, but already full of little schemes."
"You're too harsh, Danzo," Hiruzen replied calmly. "Aoba understands the Will of Fire. It's normal to have youthful thoughts."
In truth, Hiruzen appreciated Aoba's cleverness. A child without cunning would be the suspicious one.
Danzo also understood this, and though he resented Aoba being Hiruzen's protégé, he couldn't deny the boy's extraordinary potential.
Yes, Danzo admitted inwardly—he had misjudged.
Especially when he remembered Hiruzen once suggesting that Aoba be trained under Root, and how he had rejected the idea outright.
Now, he regretted it deeply.
Clearing his throat, Danzo glanced at his longtime rival. "Hiruzen… do you remember when you wanted to entrust Aoba to me?"
Hiruzen smiled knowingly.
"Yes, I remember. But you refused. And rightly so—Aoba isn't suited for Root. He's the kind of ninja who flourishes under the sun."
Danzo bristled. "That's not what I meant. This old man just thought—"
"I understand, Danzo," Hiruzen cut him off with a smile. "But what's done is done. I gave you the chance. You turned it down. Let's leave it at that—I have work to do."
---
Might Guy: "Is this the world of geniuses…?"
Aoba and Kurenai returned to the Yuhi residence, where a young Kurenai eagerly awaited them. When she saw them return safely, her anxious expression softened with relief.
Though she'd become entangled in Aoba's conflict with the Hyuga clan, she still blamed herself. She had felt like a burden.
But now, seeing her father and Aoba safe, the guilt and worry in her heart finally melted away.
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