"You..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's pupils trembled slightly as he stared at Hyūga Kumokawa. He licked his somewhat parched lips. "You... actually learned Chidori?"
"Sorry, Lord Third. I feel it's still far from Kakashi-senpai's Chidori."
Hyūga Kumokawa shook his head, looking at the electrical glow in his hand with frustration. "My mastery of Lightning Release chakra nature and form transformations is nowhere near Kakashi-senpai's level. I feel it currently only reaches the standard and difficulty of an A-rank technique."
"It doesn't yet deserve the name 'Chidori'."
With that, Kumokawa shifted his gaze and looked up at the dumbstruck Hiruzen, his expression humble and ashamed.
[Ding. Your lie has been judged as [Utter Fabrication]. Sarutobi Hiruzen experiences intense emotional fluctuation, reaching the level of [Questioning Reality]. Obtained 800 Realization Points.]
'Only reaches... an A-rank technique... and you feel ashamed about it...'
The corner of Sarutobi Hiruzen's eye twitched uncontrollably. For a moment, he didn't know how to express his feelings and could only force a complicated smile. "That's... already very impressive."
After all, this Third Hokage genuinely held the widely recognized title of "The Professor" across the entire shinobi world.
This wasn't some inflated title like "God of Shinobi" or "Strongest Hokage" that Orochimaru used to flatter his teacher.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, even as a child, could combine ninjutsu of five different natures. Later, he could even use over a thousand techniques. His mastery of chakra nature transformation across all five basic elements was exceptionally refined, and he was no slouch in secret arts, taijutsu, or genjutsu.
The reason he favored Orochimaru among his three disciples was precisely because Orochimaru, like himself, was born with an affinity for all five chakra natures, making him the most suitable heir to his legacy.
...He just went off the rails later.
Therefore, Hiruzen naturally understood what Hyūga Kumokawa's display implied.
"Ahem." He cleared his throat slightly, composing his expression before showing a genuinely warm smile. "Kumokawa, my boy, since when have you mastered Lightning Release chakra to this degree?"
Precisely because he knew what it meant, his earlier loss of composure made sense.
Since Kumokawa could use the seal-less, simplified version of "Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique" during the Jōnin meeting, it proved his mastery of Wind Release chakra nature and form transformation was already extremely advanced.
That's why Hiruzen deliberately left so many B-rank Wind Release techniques here and even hesitated about having Danzō, most skilled in Wind Release, teach the boy.
Mastering nature and form transformation for a single chakra nature to the level of using B-rank techniques was already the benchmark for a standard Jōnin.
That's why Kakashi, who developed the S-rank Lightning Release technique, could become a Jōnin and even join the Anbu as a squad leader at the age of twelve.
It was also why, after Kumokawa displayed that Wind Release technique at the meeting, the others present obediently shut their mouths and even privately mocked Hyūga Higoi.
Even Hiruzen himself was only at about that level for single-element chakra transformation.
Techniques like his most proficient Fire Release: Dragon Flame Bomb, Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet, Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet, Lightning Release: Thunderbolt, and Wind Release: Air Current—all five were B-rank.
Of course, what he truly excelled at were combination techniques.
It's just... Sarutobi Hiruzen never expected that even in Lightning Release chakra nature and form transformation, Hyūga Kumokawa had already mastered to such a degree, far surpassing the level of an ordinary Jōnin...
Hiss...
The solidified electrical arcs in Hyūga Kumokawa's palm dissipated, leaving only a few serpentine trails in the air.
He scratched his head, seemingly made uncomfortable by Hiruzen's intense gaze, and mumbled, "Lord Third, actually, I started trying to use Lightning Release chakra to train my body three or four years ago..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen fell completely silent, but his eyes grew brighter and brighter.
How old was this child again?
Fifteen? Or sixteen?
Looking at the boy's youthful face, Hiruzen felt as if he were gazing at a "rare treasure."
At just fifteen, mastery of Lightning and Wind Release nature and form transformation, both surpassing Jōnin level... and considering his Hyūga upbringing, his first few years were likely wasted...
"Kumokawa!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen used the Body Flicker Technique to appear before Hyūga Kumokawa, gripping his shoulders firmly, his expression serious. "Have you ever had your chakra nature affinity tested?"
Having experienced this emotional rollercoaster, he now felt a powerful impulse.
Orochimaru was beyond hope... but if it were this boy...
However, Hyūga Kumokawa's smile faltered. He hung his head dejectedly. "I only have Wind and Lightning affinities."
Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt as if doused with cold water, instantly sobering. The grip on Kumokawa's shoulders loosened slightly.
"Only Wind and Lightning?" He couldn't help but let out a long, disappointed sigh.
For a moment, Hiruzen truly felt that impulse—a strong urge to pass on his legacy to Hyūga Kumokawa, to take him as his disciple.
But cultivating additional chakra natures from scratch, mastering their nature transformation, was even more difficult than mastering form transformation.
A pity... a real shame...
"It's alright. Having two affinities is already very good."
Noticing the dejection and shame on Kumokawa's face, Hiruzen forced a smile and patted his shoulder. "Most shinobi never manage to master a second chakra nature transformation in their entire lives. I believe with your talent, you can go even further."
He still held expectations for Hyūga Kumokawa.
After all, the boy was only fifteen or sixteen.
Though it was somewhat regrettable... he was a branch family member of the Hyūga clan.
At this thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen instinctively glanced at Hyūga Kumokawa's forehead, though it was hidden behind the forehead protector.
Suddenly seeming to remember something, Hiruzen looked toward the nearby table, seeing the unrolled Strength of a Hundred Seal scroll, and couldn't help but purse his lips.
"Kumokawa..." he turned back, probing. "I noticed you also looked at the Strength of a Hundred Seal. How did it seem?"
Under Hiruzen's gaze, filled with hope and even a trace of wild fancy, Hyūga Kumokawa shook his head decisively, his tone low. "I can sense that technique's effect would suit me very well, but that specific chakra network system seems only applicable to women."
"Modifying it... would be far too extensive a project."
[Ding. Your lie has been judged as [Utter Fabrication]. Sarutobi Hiruzen experiences emotional fluctuation, reaching the level of [Heart Moved by Words]. Obtained 600 Realization Points.]
The emotionless prompt echoed in his mind, seemingly stating that everything Hyūga Kumokawa said was a lie.
Yes, the Strength of a Hundred Seal... he had also mastered it.