The sound of rushing water gradually faded.
More than ten wooden stakes in front of Yuichi had been completely washed away, leaving only puddles of various sizes scattered across the training ground.
A single C-rank ninjutsu — Water Style: Water Turbulence — had nearly flooded the entire field.
A hint of surprise flashed across the eyes of the Third Hokage.
Yuichi turned and asked,
"Master Third Generation, is my ninjutsu qualified?"
Qualified?
The corner of Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes twitched. At Yuichi's age, using a Water Style technique of this scale could hardly be judged by the word "qualified."
"Ahem."
Closing his eyes, the Third Hokage nodded.
"It's excellent, Yuichi. To master Water Style to this extent at your age… I am proud of you."
"Thank you, Third Generation. I'll work even harder."
The Hokage squinted at the boy. His talent was frightening, but even more rare was his character.
While Hiruzen was quietly evaluating him, Yuichi suddenly spoke:
"Master Third Generation… may I challenge you?"
The words fell like a stone into still water.
The kindly eyes of the old Hokage snapped open, their warmth replaced by calm sharpness. A faint pressure filled the air.
Yuichi's body trembled slightly.
"Challenge me?"
"Yes!" Yuichi replied nervously. "It's rare to be summoned by the Hokage himself… so I'm curious. Just how strong is Hokage?"
Such curiosity wasn't strange. Any young ninja, after experiencing real power, would imagine how overwhelming the Five Kage must be.
But to directly challenge Hokage — that was not only courage, but also fearlessness.
Hiruzen chuckled in his heart. Kakashi mentioned this boy might even wield an S-rank technique… I'd like to see it with my own eyes.
Suddenly, he laughed aloud.
"Hahaha! Very well, Yuichi. I'll play along. But remember — Hokage's strength isn't so easily handled!"
Yuichi grinned.
Through this battle, I can gauge exactly where my strength stands.
The Third Hokage removed his hat and hung it on a broken wooden post. His eyes softened again.
"Attack me with everything you've got. I want to see how far a Genin of your age has come. Don't hold back."
"Yes, Lord Third!"
Yuichi inhaled deeply.
"Water Style — Water Turbulence!"
A torrent of violent water burst from his mouth, surging toward the Hokage.
Hiruzen smiled faintly and vanished, reappearing casually atop a nearby stake, hands clasped behind his back.
So fast! That's Hokage speed!
Yuichi quickly redirected the torrent, guiding it toward him like a raging beast snapping its jaws.
The Hokage lightly tapped his toes and disappeared again. An afterimage was all Yuichi saw before Hiruzen closed in.
"At this speed, he doesn't even make a sound!" Yuichi thought, eyes wide.
"Ninjutsu alone," Hiruzen said calmly, "cannot defeat your enemy."
His fist lashed out, aiming for Yuichi's forehead.
But Yuichi had already stopped his jutsu and staggered back. The Hokage's fist was nearly upon him when—
Bang!
The body shattered into a spray of water.
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed.
"A Water Clone…"
Yuichi retreated, forming a one-handed seal with his left hand. A thin wall of water rose between them, not enough to stop the Hokage, but enough to stall him for a heartbeat.
Yuichi used that instant to leap back.
From the scattered water on the field, two more water clones rose up and lunged toward Hiruzen.
So that's why he began with Water Turbulence, the Hokage realized. Not just to attack me, but to create a terrain suited for Water Style. Clever.
The two clones swung their fists.
Bang! Bang!
Hiruzen dodged gracefully, seizing one clone's arm and twisting both into each other. The water bodies exploded in twin splashes.
He lifted his gaze again. Yuichi had already pulled away, his hands forming a seal.
Pulling distance… preparing a large-scale attack.
Yuichi vaulted into the air, fingers locking into the "ram" hand seal. Chakra swirled around him violently.
Water Style: Great Waterfall Technique!
His most advanced offensive Water Style. At this point, Yuichi needed only the simplest seal to trigger it.
The sheer amount of chakra surging from him made the air ripple. Even without Byakugan, Hiruzen could feel the violent energy building.
The Third Hokage's eyes widened slightly.
This chakra… could it be an A-rank technique? At his age…!
He sighed with a wry smile.
Such absurd chakra… just like the First and Second Hokage. Truly monstrous.
As the whirlwind of chakra peaked, Hiruzen slammed his hands into the ground.
"Earth Style — Earth Flow Wall!"
BOOM!!!
The earth rumbled as a massive wall of stone surged upward, meeting Yuichi's roaring torrent of water head-on.