Hokage Office – Konoha Village
In the heart of the Hokage Building, the three legendary disciples of the Third Hokage stood in front of their teacher.
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at the group, his eyes settling on Tsunade's stormy expression. He raised an eyebrow.
"Tsunade, what's with that face? You look like you've just lost a bet," he said with mild amusement.
Jiraiya let out a carefree laugh. "Well… she did. Lost to a five-year-old fresh out of the Academy."
"Jiraiya, do you want to die!?"
Tsunade's glare flared, and her fist clenched so tight the knuckles cracked audibly. Jiraiya shrank back instinctively.
Sarutobi's brow furrowed further, now clearly intrigued. "A five-year-old, you say? Now this I have to hear. Who was it?"
Orochimaru, ever the calm one, answered smoothly, "A civilian boy named Guts. Incredibly talented in Taijutsu."
The Hokage's gaze sharpened. He reached to the side, pulling the fresh stack of Academy transcripts off his desk—reports he hadn't yet had time to review due to the war effort.
Flipping through, he found the file.
Name: Guts
Gender: Male
Age: 5
Class: A
Entrance Assessment:
– Ninjutsu: 1/10
– Shuriken: 9/10
– Taijutsu: 10/10
Evaluation: "A rare Taijutsu genius—perhaps the most gifted in a decade. With guidance, his growth may rival that of Senju Tsunade."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly, then softened into a thoughtful look.
"Hmph… serious talent, but clearly one-sided. Still, with the right mentorship…"
Jiraiya chuckled. "Maybe he and Tsunade can spar more often. Seems like they've already 'bonded.' What a shame—"
CRACK
Tsunade's fist landed on the wall beside Jiraiya's head, splintering the wood. Her eyes blazed.
"You've really got a death wish today, huh?"
Jiraiya paled and zipped his mouth shut. Orochimaru watched the scene with faint amusement.
Hiruzen coughed into his hand, hiding a smile. "Enough. We have more pressing matters."
His expression turned grim.
"Hanzō of the Salamander is making moves in Rain Country. Reports say he's directing his attention toward Konoha. I'm sending reinforcements."
He met their eyes, all traces of warmth gone.
"Three days from now, the three of you will lead a 500-strong unit to the front lines."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!" they replied in unison.
If Guts had been there, he would have understood—this was the moment history would come to call them the Legendary Sannin.
Konoha – Outskirts, Early Morning
After nearly two months of merciless training under Yuhi Shinku, Guts had finally enjoyed a proper meal and a full night's rest.
He stretched, bones popping, as the dawn mist curled through the forest trees.
Despite his disdain for the Academy's teaching methods, Guts knew earning an official ninja status would open up more opportunities—and accelerate his growth.
And if nothing else, his Chakra control was abysmal.
He needed the basics, at least enough to reach the level required for the Eight Inner Gates.
Unfortunately, Might Duy wasn't the best at explaining Chakra theory.
That meant school was a necessary detour.
Today, however, was for training.
As Guts prepared to begin, Might Guy came jogging up the forest path, waving.
"Hey Guts! I'm focusing on Chakra training with Dad this month! Gotta close that gap before the next test!"
Guts nodded in understanding. His own entrance test had made it clear: while his Taijutsu was exceptional, his weak Chakra skills had nearly cost him everything.
After Guy left, Guts dove into his usual routine—basic drills, footwork, breathing patterns, and form corrections. The sort of consistent repetition that built a solid foundation.
By noon, his body glistened with sweat, but he wasn't done yet.
Today, he planned to test the new technique he'd unlocked after his unexpected victory against Tsunade last night:
Navy Six Styles – Tekkai.
Using a makeshift shuriken launcher built from wooden slats and tripwire, Guts had rigged a training setup.
The device was crude but functional, mimicking the slowest projectile speed from the entrance exam.
He'd gathered dozens of kunai, more than twice the number used during the test. It was all he could afford as a civilian.
Unlike the Uchiha or Hyūga clans, he had no access to professional-grade facilities or support.
Standing in the clearing, Guts double-checked the tension in the thread controlling the launcher.
Then he positioned himself right in the middle—arms at his sides, feet planted.
A flick of his wrist, and the wire snapped.
Dozens of kunai launched toward him, glinting as they spun through the air.
At that exact moment, a figure stepped out of the woods.
Tsunade.
She caught sight of the scene—Guts standing still, surrounded by a flurry of deadly steel—and her eyes widened in horror.
She didn't think.
She moved, instincts screaming to shield the boy.
But just as she took her first step—
Something shifted.
Guts's body tensed. His muscles locked, skin hardening like tempered steel.
Tekkai.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound echoed through the forest—metal crashing against something unyielding.
One by one, the kunai bounced off his body harmlessly, falling to the ground.
Tsunade froze mid-run, only three meters away. Her mouth opened slightly as she stared, dumbfounded.
Silence hung in the air.
Finally, she bent down and picked up a kunai at her feet.
The tip was bent.
Twisted.
What kind of body... could distort steel with skin alone?
She stared at the boy—still standing tall, calm, eyes closed.
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