"Approved. Homura has good foresight."
"I was going to promote you as soon as you got back anyway. Good thing I prepared other rewards as well."
Sarutobi Hiruzen chuckled, signed the order on the scroll, and stamped it.
"Thank you for your favor, Lord Hokage," Kageyama Kokugetsu said, bowing with gratitude.
"It's what you deserve," Hiruzen replied kindly.
Heh—if you say so, I'll take it that way.
"Attend me."
"Lord Hokage."
An ANBU in a fox mask and black coat appeared in the office, dropped to one knee, and spoke respectfully.
"Fetch the Scroll of Seals. And bring a high-grade chakra blade suited to Kokugetsu's build."
Hiruzen tossed him a token—"Fire" carved on the front, green leaves around a flame on the back.
Tsk. Hiruzen was really spending.
Forget the Scroll of Seals—just the high-grade chakra blade was priceless, and in shortages you couldn't buy one at any price.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Shocked but unwavering, the ANBU departed. He had no idea what Kageyama had done to warrant such a reward.
When he was gone, Kageyama let his eyes rim red and choked up. "Lord Hokage, this… this is too precious. I'm not worthy."
Pressure makes you grow. Years in the shinobi world had sharpened his acting fast—helped by a base of experience as a bit-part extra back in Hengdian, with a few speaking roles.
"There's no 'worthy' or not. Jutsu and good blades are for using. Serve Konoha well—that's enough," Hiruzen said, all warmth.
No wonder he could fall and rise again to rule Konoha for decades. Other skills might be lacking, but winning hearts—he had a knack.
Good thing Kageyama's mind was already settled. Someone else his age might have poured his heart out. Even he owed Hiruzen for this—by the book, the reward was already above spec.
"I will give everything. Loyalty!" Kageyama said solemnly.
Hiruzen was pleased. A fine pledge.
In high spirits, he used the spare time to lecture Kageyama on the Will of Fire—digging deeper than the textbook, and beyond it.
Kageyama's head rang, but he had to listen. Luckily his past-life schooling and solid test scores meant his grasp of the Will of Fire was decent; bluffing through wasn't hard.
When the ANBU returned, Kageyama was freed—and felt his whole body relax.
"Here's the Scroll of Seals index and brief notes. Pick one jutsu you most want to learn."
Kageyama didn't take the scroll. "Lord Hokage, does the Scroll of Seals contain the Eight Gates?"
"It does. You want to learn that?" Hiruzen asked, surprised.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because when I got back to camp, I heard of Senior Might Duy's deeds," Kageyama said gravely. "If one day my comrades or the village is in danger, I want the power to protect them."
His theory scores really were top-tier—and in his past life he'd never scored under ninety in politics.
Aota: WTF!
Hiruzen's heart warmed. His gaze grew even kinder. A child full of the Will of Fire—he must be cultivated, especially.
Right—if Danzo heard, he'd covet the boy. He needed protection.
"I must warn you: it's a forbidden art that's easy to learn and hard to master. Without the right taijutsu talent you might train a lifetime and gain nothing."
"Even so, do you still want it?"
"I have to try. Even if it comes to nothing, I'll have no regrets."
"Good!" Hiruzen exclaimed.
"Then learn it. If you can't make it yours, I'll allow you to choose another jutsu from the Scroll of Seals."
"Lord Hokage, this…"
Kageyama was "so moved" he couldn't speak.
No need—silence said it better.
"Decided," Hiruzen said, hand lifting in finality.
"I—I'll heed Lord Hokage," Kageyama shouted, bowing deep.
Heh, Homura—your methods are still a bit green.
But the boy truly was pillar material for Konoha. Hiruzen had doubted a little; now he approved.
"By the way—would you join ANBU?"
Why now?
Oh… got it. I performed too well—time to invest more.
And to protect me. As a direct Hokage ANBU, Danzo and the Hyuga would face higher costs and difficulty to touch me.
Hiruzen could be generous to those he liked. If he'd steeled himself, Orochimaru might never have escaped Konoha—he might have been killed.
"Gladly," Kageyama answered without a pause—then put on a touch of worry. "But… can I still go to the front? I promised Elder Homura I'd return once my Byakugan was transplanted and I'd mastered the basics."
Repaying kindness—good.
"Of course. After you return, you'll answer to Homura. Fugaku and Hiashi will have no authority to move you."
Oh, that's strong.
No one dislikes gratitude—least of all those at the top.
"Then I have no concerns."
"Good. In a bit you'll go with ANBU to the base and handle the paperwork. When the war ends, you'll join ANBU formally."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!" Kageyama said, voice ringing as he bowed.
"Relax—no need to be so stiff."
Smiling, Hiruzen bent to write the transfer orders, then called another ANBU to escort him through the process.
With a copied Eight Gates scroll and a high-grade chakra blade, Kageyama left with ANBU.
He finished the formalities at the ANBU base and came out loaded with gear.
He'd left the village with nothing; he was going home laden with spoils.
From ANBU he drew standard kit: two black bodysuits; two white harness vests; two black coats; two masks; a decent blade; and assorted odds and ends.
His home sat on the outer edge of Konoha's bustling core, not far from the Academy—a small villa with a little garden. His grandfather's and parents' generations hadn't struggled for nothing. Not a clan compound, not even a minor one, but upper-middle by Konoha standards.
Back home, he stowed everything in Daikokuten, then pulled a cold drink from the fridge, dropped onto the sofa, and chugged.
"Ah… that hits the spot," he sighed, flopping back and puffing a stream of chilled air from his mouth.
"No cooking tonight. I haven't even celebrated my transformation—or today's haul."
"Eat out. Hit a hot spring."
"Shame Konoha has no such places, or I could take in a courtesan house and a song."
Huh? Underage?
What's the Transformation Technique for?
He drained the bottle, tossed it into the trash, changed into loose, comfortable clothes, and headed out.