Enji's eyes opened before dawn, his body already attuned to the strict regimen. The winter air bit at his skin as he slipped on the weighted bands and vest Yasu had given him, sleek, dark fabric stitched with fine tadpole like seals. They were deceptively light until he poured chakra into them; immediately, his legs felt heavier, his movements slower. The more chakra he poured, the more heavy it became, making even walking a herculean effort. He reduced the chakra poured into the seal,so that he could walk properly, albeit with some effort. Enji was careful, as Yasu had warned him not to overestimate himself and get injured.
' I have only poured chakra into 10 % of these seals, and I am struggling. I guess these will be with me for a long time.'
He did not know how much the equipments had cost, but he was sure Yasu had spent a hefty amount on them. He was deeply moved and grateful.
He ran through his morning routine,shuriken drills in the small yard, basic taijutsu katas until his breath misted thick in the cold, and finishing up with sprints along the streets, until his body screamed of exhaustion. By the time he returned home, sweat clung to him despite the chill, and his breaths were deep and ragged.
When he turned the corner, a familiar silhouette stood by his doorway.
The Third Hokage.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was wrapped in his thick winter robes, the red and white crest of the Hokage's hat catching the morning light. He was not flanked by ANBU,a sign this was a personal visit, not official business. His dark eyes softened the moment they landed on Enji.
"You're up early," Hiruzen said, the faint curl of a smile on his lips.
"I train early, Hokage sama" Enji replied, straightening his posture. "Yasu-sensei says mornings make the difference."
"Wise advice," Hiruzen murmured, stepping forward. "May I come in?"
Inside, Enji quickly cleared the low table. Invited the Hokage to be seated and hurried into the kitchen to prepare tea.The Hokage lowered himself with a slow exhale, watching the boy with a mixture of curiosity and quiet approval. From his sleeve, he withdrew a thin sheet of paper.
"You've been progressing quickly… faster than expected. Yasu has informed me of your training results. Since you have awakened chakra and have ample chakra control next is testing your chakra affinities" He placed the paper on the table and gestured for Enji to touch it and pour some chakra.
Enji placed the prepared tea on the table and poured a cup for the Hokage and took the paper in his hands.
Hiruzen while sipping the tea observed the young kid as his chakra flowed through, steady and controlled into the paper. One half darkened and crumbled into dust; the other softened, as if soaked.
"Earth," Hiruzen said, brushing the crumbled half away. "And water. A solid combination , adaptable, resilient." His eyes seemed to weigh the boy anew. "Few in the Sarutobi line manifest this pairing. It can serve you well, "
Young Enji, do you know, my teacher had the same affinities."
Enji knew this was the Hokage's habit of motivating the younger ones. He had no other intentions or reasons for bringing up the Second Hokage.
He leaned back, tone lighter. "The clan library holds scrolls on hand signs,chakra moulding and kneading and other fundamentals. You can also check on some Jutsus, but you are only allowed into E and D rank sections. I suggest you visit the library.Just don't neglect the fundamentals.Once you copy the jutsu scrolls, you can try practicing the jutsus, but only in the presence of your teacher. Once you get the hang of it, you can start practicing by yourself."
Enji was overjoyed. He had tried searching his home for any jutsu his mother had stored, but he couldn't find any. He knew that someone had removed them while he was in hospital,as leaving jutsu scrolls with an unsupervised kid was unwise.
Enji nodded, though inside his mind was already racing, planning on devising combinations and variations of jutsus and how he could incorporate it into a system suitable for him.
Water for adaptability, earth for stability.
Earth release was very powerful and versatile. Anywhere on land, earth release could be used with ease. A shinobi with earth release could dictate movement, cut off escape routes, fortify positions,and lay traps and ambushes. Against faster opponents, it could slow and bind them. Against stronger ones, it could be a shield and impede them for an easier escape.
Water was flexibility and precision, the ability to adapt in the moment. Flow around a defense, seep into cracks, or gather force in a sudden wave. It was deceptive; water could be soft enough to slip through fingers or sharp enough to cut through steel when manipulated correctly. And unlike fire or lightning, water synergized with terrain - rain, rivers, mist, even the humidity in the air could become a weapon.
As Hiruzen rose to leave, he rested a hand briefly on the boy's shoulder. "Young Enji, your journey has just started. There is lot to learn, lot to experience. Do not be complacent and always be humble."
"Thank you Hokage Sama. I will always remember your advice"
Hiruzen, happy to see him taking his advice seriously, ruffled his hair and with a sigh, said " Just call me grandpa. "
'You are a Sarutobi, technically I am your grandpa, just distantly related.' Hiruzen thought as he waited for Enji's response.
"…Alright, grandpa " Enji said, the word sounding strange on his tongue yet oddly fitting.
A small, genuine smile crossed Hiruzen's face, one that seemed to lift the fatigue from him. Waving goodbye, he turned around,humming a tune, he slowly vanished into the streets as Enji watched from his doorstep.
Enji took a bath and changed his clothes, had a quick breakfast and hurried to the Sarutobi compound.
A broad wooden gate, carved with the clan's emblem,stood open, flanked by two chuunin on watch. They nodded at him and let him pass as they had been already informed of his visit.
Inside,stone pathways wound between sturdy timber houses, each with tiled roofs that gleamed faintly under the pale winter sun. Despite the season, the compound was alive: children darted past with wooden ninja tools,older shinobi sparred in open courtyards, and the distant thunk-thunk of training dummies being struck echoed like a heartbeat.
Enji's eyes, however, were fixed on the largest building at the center, the Sarutobi library. Its dark wooden beams and slanted roof and it's architecture gave it the look of something older than the village itself.
Sliding the door open released a wave of warm, dry air scented with old parchment and ink. The light inside was soft, filtered through latticed windows, and rows upon rows of shelves stretched farther than he expected, each neatly labeled. Scrolls and books filled every inch, their spines worn smooth by generations of use.
A lone librarian - an elderly shinobi with a faded clan crest on his sleeve , looked up from behind a desk, his gaze sharp despite his age. "Ah. The young one Hiruzen told me about," he said, his voice rasping. "Enji, is it? The Sarutobi library is open to you. No loud noise, no damage to the scrolls, and remember you are only allowed upto the E and D sections."
Enji bowednhis head respectfully. "Understood Elder"
He moved slowly through the aisles, running his fingers lightly along the wood of the shelves. Scroll titles leapt out at him, Founding of Konoha, History of the Warring States, Alliance of the Clans,Tales of Sage of Six Paths, Legend of Sasuke Sarutobi.....and the list continued.His adult mind itched to devour it all, yet he knew diving in without a plan was wasteful.
Finally he found the section containing books about chakra theory fundamentals, hand signs and chakra moulding.
He started reading and with his near perfect memory had finished these books by noon.
Digesting and reorganising his thoughts, he thanked the elderly librarian and set off to have lunch.
After lunch he returned to the library. The elderly librarian was still seated behind the very same desk, in the same posture as if he was a stone statue. Enji greeted the elderly man and moved to section that housed jutsu scrolls.
Among the E and D sections, he read through the various scrolls and chose 3 D rank techniques-
Earth release:Earth flow spears,
Earth release:Inner decapitation technique
And finally Water release: water bullet technique
Enji copied the scrolls and informed the elderly librarian. The elder checked the scrolls, " Earth flow spears for control, decapitation technique for hiding and ambushing, water bullet for mid to long range combat, good. Once you learn the jutsus, destroy the copied scrolls. Also, you are not allowed to teach it to others without approval. Do you understand kid?"
" Yes ,Elder" After thanking the elder, Enji returned back home eager to review the knowledge he had acquired from the library.
He planned to memorise all the theoretical aspects of the jutsus and forcibly suppressed all the impulses to practice it alone.