Grandpa Third Generation is So "Good"
Yuichi glanced at the character panel of the system and noticed that the Water Style: Mist Shinobi Technique he had just learned was not listed.
It seemed that ninjutsu learned directly, outside the system, would not appear on the character panel.
In other words, he couldn't enjoy the special effects of the system's blessings.
For example, the system could normally skip the hand seal sequences or make the technique instantaneous once perfected.
But self-learned ninjutsu didn't have these shortcuts.
Still, that wasn't the main concern.
Third Generation Hokage seemed satisfied with Yuichi, but something felt off.
"Master Third Generation!" Yuichi called, his eyes wide with anticipation.
"I want to become your disciple!"
"Become my disciple?" Sarutobi froze briefly before smiling.
"Haha! Why would you want that, Yuichi?"
"Because Third Generation-sama is Hokage, and your ninjutsu is amazing. I want to learn directly from you."
"You are talented, Yuichi, but I don't have much time to teach you."
A clear refusal.
No hesitation at all. Yuichi hadn't expected this.
Still, Third Generation squatted down and patted him on the shoulder.
"Yuichi, you want to grow stronger, right?"
"Yes!"
"Then would you like to go to a special place where your power will surpass what you have now, and you can become much stronger quickly?"
A "special place."
That sounded… dangerous.
Yuichi pretended not to understand.
"Is this some special mission, Third Generation-sama?"
"No. Not a mission. If you want to become stronger, I can let you join ANBU's special unit, directly under the Hokage. There, your growth will be much faster."
ANBU!?
The perfect persona Third Generation had crafted for him… suddenly included ANBU.
Yuichi understood something crucial: his "perfect setup" might actually backfire.
Sarutobi looked kind and composed, but in reality, he was calculating.
Even outstanding talents needed proper guidance—and a little restriction—so they didn't become uncontrollable.
But ANBU? In peacetime?
Joining would remove him from public view entirely.
And knowing Sarutobi, the timing probably related to Konoha's future leadership.
Twelve years since regaining power, Third Generation was already considering the next Hokage.
Jiraiya and Tsunade had left the village.
Hatake Kakashi seemed the most promising, but he was now the mentor for Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura—hardly a perfect reputation in the village.
In other words, if Yuichi joined ANBU now, he'd grow strong, but under Third Generation's careful eye.
Too strong too soon could even become dangerous.
"Lord Third Generation, I don't want to join ANBU," Yuichi said bluntly.
"Very well. I won't force you. But joining ANBU would allow your strength to grow faster."
The Hokage's tone carried a hint of regret, as if he were showing Yuichi a missed opportunity.
Then he took out a blank scroll.
"Yuichi, about the Water Style ninjutsu you developed—though it is powerful, it still has flaws. If you aren't careful, it could endanger your life.
"If you tell me the hand seal sequence, I will help you perfect the technique and increase its power."
Yuichi inwardly groaned.
A self-developed Water Style Mist Shinobi Technique… and he wanted to turn it into an S-rank ninjutsu?
Still, even knowing Third Generation was exaggerating a little, Yuichi had no choice but to cooperate.
It would be dangerous to refuse now.
The Hokage's hands rested on his shoulders—not intimate, but controlling.
From this position, he could subdue Yuichi in an instant.
Yuichi couldn't afford to leave Konoha just yet.
He had hoped to integrate himself into the Hokage system, connect with original story characters, and earn system rewards.
But now… that plan seemed naive.
He quietly noted the sequence of hand seals for his Water Style Hard Vortex Water Blade technique.
Third Generation took the scroll, examined it carefully, and nodded in satisfaction.
Once he confirmed there were no errors, he left.
Watching the Hokage walk away, Yuichi smiled faintly.
"Finally… I can breathe a little."
Yuichi wouldn't stop there.
He had yet to fully gauge the true nature of Third Generation Sarutobi.
He had underestimated the harshness behind the Hokage's kind mask.
Ultimately, it came down to one thing: strength.
Yuichi knew he needed to grow quickly.
He needed to surpass Third Generation's strength before the Chūnin Exams began.
Though a faint anger burned in his heart, Yuichi smiled.
But he knew he had to remain cautious.
In Konoha, ANBU could be watching… even now.