"The Hokage recently instructed you to be more honest," the Anbu captain relayed the Third Hokage's words faithfully.
"You've said that before, and I've already ordered the roots to stand down!" Danzo roared in anger.
"Then retract all the roots. Also, all I know is that Master Jiraiya has returned," the Anbu captain replied, leaving with the Third's message.
Danzo glared coldly at the ousted Root members, gritted his teeth, and finally issued his order: "There's no need to 'look after' that Nine-Tails kid for now."
Danzo naturally understood the Third's concern. Was he not worried that Jiraiya might harbor resentment if he learned of Naruto's treatment?
Those lying on the ground breathed a sigh of relief. Had Danzo insisted on continuing, the consequences would have been disastrous.
Moreover, even the Third Hokage would have struggled to survive if Jiraiya had been spying on the beast.
Danzo pondered why Jiraiya had returned at this time.
Most likely, Hiruzen Sarutobi had summoned him back. But what could have happened in Konoha to warrant Jiraiya's return? The Uchiha clan's annihilation?
No. That incident had long passed. If he wanted to call again, it should have been done earlier.
At that moment, a message arrived from a Root member who had been monitoring the Hokage gates from afar.
Upon seeing Sharly's name, Danzo immediately understood. This was a notice that Jiraiya had returned to recruit a disciple!
"Hiruzen Sarutobi!!"
Danzo clenched his teeth. How could he be worse than Jiraiya? Why risk summoning Jiraiya from so far away yet refuse to entrust Sharly to him?
Still, this was not the worst news. Jiraiya had not returned to assume the Hokage position. Upon learning this, Danzo finally relaxed. Jiraiya's return wasn't simply to take the throne.
Sarutobi possessed Hashirama cells and could afford to wait, but Jiraiya could not. As for Sharly, he was still too young to pose a real threat.
Yet the lingering dissatisfaction remained etched deeply in Danzo's heart.
Chapter 58 – Demonstration
The back hills of Konoha were a place Sharly rarely visited, vast and empty.
Here, the small-framed Sharly faced the towering Jiraiya.
"Sharly, I want you to use all your abilities on me," Jiraiya said. Having accepted Sharly as a student, he had learned a bit about him. Bringing him here was clearly meant to test his strength.
"Yes, Master. I'll be careful," Sharly nodded. Though confident in Jiraiya's abilities, he still offered the caution.
"Don't worry about me. Come on—I'm your teacher and I'm immortal!" Jiraiya said confidently.
Without hesitation, Sharly launched a direct attack. He wanted to showcase his fundamentals, no flashy techniques, simply testing his taijutsu against Jiraiya.
Of course, it was a one-sided affair: Sharly attacking, Jiraiya defending.
Soon, Sharly realized his strikes were ineffective. Jiraiya had already read all his moves, effortlessly blocking everything.
Yet Sharly was undeterred. After all, the opponent was Jiraiya. If he succeeded, he might even question whether becoming Jiraiya's student had been the right choice.
Jiraiya was somewhat surprised by Sharly. His body and agility were impressive—clearly someone had guided him; he hadn't developed these skills entirely on his own. Jiraiya wondered: who had trained him? No one at the academy could have taught him this. Perhaps he'd ask after the tests.
Sharly's basic physical abilities manifested: arcs of electricity appeared on his body, his strength increased, and his speed greatly improved.
Yet, even so, against Jiraiya, his attacks remained powerless. Even a thunderous punch could not break Jiraiya's hand, much less push him back.
Despite facing one of the legendary Sannin, Sharly was eager to test himself.
Next, he focused all attention on his legs. His Lightning Release enhancement had reached the limit of his current abilities.
But that wasn't all—Sharly continued the seal formation.
Wind Escape – Gale Palm!
A violent wind surged from his body, condensing around him, focused most intensely on his legs.
"Master, be careful," Sharly warned once more, then disappeared.
Though the technique seemed familiar, it had changed. His foundational skills had improved, and his Lightning Release was now enhanced, making this strike more powerful than any before.
Jiraiya could barely express his astonishment. He felt the increased speed of Sharly's Lightning Release—he had grasped the essence of acceleration. That should have been a Wind Release Gale Palm… and Sharly had already mastered it to this level?
Could such speed really allow for greater breakthroughs? Even as a mid-level ninja, it would be nearly impossible to achieve this velocity. No—Jiraiya quickly realized that even speed-type ninja would struggle to match this.
At such speed, even normal punches carried tremendous force. Coupled with his combination of Lightning and Wind Release in his legs, the attack was a Raging Wind Palm!
"Ninja Technique – Needle Kṣitigarbha!"
Jiraiya finally formed seals. Even so, sheer physicality alone could not withstand such an assault.
Upon completing the seals, his long, messy white hair rapidly grew, enveloping his body.
The next moment, Sharly appeared before Jiraiya and kicked his white hair with full force.
"Prosperity!!"
The impact cracked the ground beneath Jiraiya, forcing him back several steps, leaving a depression where he stood.
For a seven-year-old, this strike's power was astonishing.
Seeing Jiraiya use a ninjutsu, Sharly's eyes lit up. He hadn't injured Jiraiya yet, but he had forced him to act.
And it wasn't over.
Physical combat was done—now it was ninjutsu. Sharly's options were limited: only C-rank Wind Release—but it was perfectly suited for slashing.
"Wind Release – Wind Cutting Technique!"
Though simple, the C-rank Wind Release technique maximized cutting potential. Its essence required high speed and pressure, and Wind Cutting exploited both.
Sharly needed only to maximize the technique's attributes, achieving a leap in effectiveness.
It might lack the raw force of his previous strike, but in precision, it surpassed it.
Invisible wind blades sliced through Jiraiya's long white hair.
The Wind Cutting Technique still did not harm Jiraiya, but observing the hair he had cut and the halting of Sharly's attack, Jiraiya knew the child had fully demonstrated his abilities.
Jiraiya had time to carefully analyze.
A seven-year-old with exceptional agility and technique, solid ninjutsu fundamentals, rapid seal formation—even able to form multiple simple seals quickly—plus mastery of shape and elemental transformation, and previously shown sensory and Flying Thunder God talent…
How was this possible? Had no one truly taught Sharly?
Though Jiraiya questioned it, he knew the Third's character well. If anyone had instructed Sharly, the Third would have discovered it. If Sharly had been arranged by someone, his identity would be fully known.
In other words, Sharly had reached this point entirely on his own.
Jiraiya clicked his tongue in admiration. What a genius disciple he had acquired.
He felt lucky he had returned. Otherwise, this student might have become someone else's subordinate…
"Master, I've finished my report," Sharly said, walking over.
As for the Rasengan he had learned previously, he would not show it to Jiraiya. That technique had taken the Fourth Hokage three years to develop. If Kushina were present, she could alert the Fourth at any time. The Bijuu Orb had also taken three years. Mastering the principles was one thing, creating it another—nearly impossible for Sharly at this stage.
"Ah, good, good!" Jiraiya finally shook off his shock, returning a few exclamations before putting his needles away and fixing a piercing gaze on Sharly.
Not only was the Flying Thunder God talent astonishing, but Sharly's innate skills far exceeded expectations.
Chapter 59 – The Flying Thunder God Question
"Sharly, you didn't have a teacher before, right?" Jiraiya asked. Sharly's ability puzzled him.
"Of course I did, but if you don't count the academy teachers, then none," Sharly replied honestly. He understood Jiraiya's meaning and didn't pretend ignorance.
"Academy teachers are fine for instruction, but frankly, someone like you can't really be taught," Jiraiya mused. "The techniques you just displayed—did academy teachers teach those?"
Though he suspected otherwise, Jiraiya wanted to confirm. If Sharly said yes, he would want to meet this teacher.
"For taijutsu, Master McKay occasionally gave guidance; the rest I learned myself," Sharly answered, briefly explaining his encounters with McKay.
"Whoosh…" Jiraiya had guessed, yet hearing the truth, he drew a sharp breath.
McKay? He should be the descendant of a legendary Genin. He'd heard of his deeds. It was a pity—if this descendant guided Sharly, it explained the taijutsu.
But ninjutsu? Shape transformation? Elemental change?
Jiraiya fell into thought again. He had taught many disciples with great talent, but never one who could independently learn so much.
"Master?" Sharly prompted when Jiraiya remained silent.
"Ah… Sharly, you're truly exceptional," Jiraiya said, now speaking openly.
"Yes, but I must still work hard," Sharly admitted. Talent alone wasn't enough; he needed to grow stronger quickly.
"Ha, indeed. Many geniuses give up halfway," Jiraiya laughed. He had intended to advise Sharly against pride, but the boy had already demonstrated initiative. His response reflected confidence and diligence—more than any lesson could teach.
As a teacher, what more could he impart?
Jiraiya sighed. Teaching talent wasn't hard, but guiding someone like Sharly was tricky.
Indeed, ninjutsu was the focus. Jiraiya had not intended to teach advanced techniques on the first day, only life experience. But Sharly clearly needed more.
"From the test just now, I've gauged your level. Quite impressive. Among your peers, only a few could compare, most of them with family training. You surpass all of them," Jiraiya said.
Though he often missed his former student Minato, he knew Minato, while excellent, was no match for Sharly. Jiraiya's gaze lingered on Sharly, subtly nodding.
Sharly spoke with sincerity, and Jiraiya continued:
"I thought today was just a simple test, but we clearly need to nurture true geniuses. Sharly, do you know what talent is needed to learn the Fourth Hokage's technique—the Flying Thunder God?"
He directed the question to Sharly.
Without hesitation, Sharly replied: "Spatial talent and perception talent."
Jiraiya nodded, then shook his head: "Correct, but that's not enough. You also need mastery of sealing techniques."
"Sealing techniques?" Sharly thought. The kunai in Konoha tested my perception… sealing techniques…
Since Jiraiya mentioned it, it would be a challenge—but he didn't mind.
Jiraiya watched, smiling patiently.
"'Sword of Tolerance'!" Sharly guessed, recalling the time he had manipulated the kunai, eyes lighting up.
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