"I've been progressing with them, I almost have the seal at 30% capacity; even now the strain feels negligible; it might be time to upgrade soon"
Hiruzen sweats a little; 'This child... He doesn't even ask!, to outwardly imply that i should upgrade his seal....'
Looking at his frame, he grabs his pipe and lights it momentarily 'To think that he'd already be at 30% capacity though, once he enters the shinobi world he'll essentially be able to make his own gravity seals; as long as he doesn't overdo it he'll be quite the capable shinobi'
"Perhaps not at this time... Reiji." looking around Hiruzen resumes
"As I'm sure you know you get one ask within reason due to your early graduation; thanks to the new incentive provided so graciously by Elder Homura"
Homura sweats nervously clearly a little uncomfortable with the current attention
"Well Grandpa if it wouldn't be so troublesome I'd like access to some advanced chakra control exercises; and any information you have about chakra string techniques those chuunin used at the academy"
"Chakra threads?" He leaned back in his chair, intrigued. "That's a specialized skill — used by puppeteers, sensors, and sealing experts. Why do you want it?"
Reiji's tone didn't change. "Because I'll need it."
The advisors didn't speak, but their thoughts were sharp.
Chakra threads? At his level? Ridiculous, Homura thought.
What exactly is this boy planning? Koharu wondered.
But Hiruzen only smiled faintly. "You are full of surprises, Reiji. Very well. I'll prepare scrolls on chakra thread training. But whether you master it… that's on you."
Reiji inclined his head. "Understood."
Hiruzen sighed.
As the door closed, Homura finally broke the silence. "Chakra threads? He's barely out of the academy. That's beyond impractical."
Koharu frowned. "It's overreaching. He doesn't even know what he's asking for."
Hiruzen chuckled quietly.
"On the contrary," he said, watching the door thoughtfully. "He knew exactly what he was asking for."
The advisors blinked.
"That kind of request… it isn't the arrogance of a child." Hiruzen exhaled a puff of smoke, his smile tinged with amusement. "It's the ambition of someone who already understands his limits — and plans to break them anyway."
He leaned back in his chair.
"That boy… may give me more headaches than Danzo ever has."