A few days later, the Konoha group returned to the village without incident.
After a simple debriefing upon their return, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, gave a brief summary to the shinobi who had participated in the examination, offered some words of encouragement, and then dismissed everyone to rest—except for Higashino Shinichi, who had been about to leave.
"Shinichi, stay a moment."
Inside the Hokage's office, only the old man and the young one remained. Seated behind his broad desk, the Third Hokage wore a smile gentler than usual.
"This trip to Sunagakure—you performed exceptionally well," the Third Hokage said slowly. "Not only did you bring home the honor of the championship for Konoha, but before many shinobi from other villages—and even before the Kazekage—you demonstrated the bearing and strength of Konoha's younger generation."
He paused, took a draw from his pipe, and continued, "By convention, in every Chūnin Exam, those who perform with particular distinction—especially those who take first place—receive additional rewards from the village as encouragement. Tell me, Shinichi, having rendered such service this time, is there any special reward you would like? As long as it is within a reasonable scope, I can strive for it on your behalf."
Standing before the desk, Shinichi did not answer immediately. He lowered his gaze slightly, as if in careful thought. After a moment, he raised his head and spoke: "Third-sama, actually, on the way back to the village, over these past few days, I have been thinking… about the path I should take next."
"Oh?" The Third Hokage showed interest and leaned forward slightly. "Go on. What are your thoughts?"
"Yes." Shinichi nodded, his tone exceedingly earnest. "Through this examination, I have come to understand my strengths and weaknesses more clearly. I excel in taijutsu. My chakra nature is Fire, and I have gained some insight into shape transformation. But I have realized that when facing certain specific opponents or complex situations, pure taijutsu—or ninjutsu that cannot instantly alter the situation—both have their limitations."
He paused briefly, as if organizing his words with greater precision. "I have been wondering whether there is a way to more deeply integrate the taijutsu I excel at with Fire Release. Not the kind of tactical coordination where I finish with taijutsu and then follow up with a Fire Release, or use Fire Release to create an opening for taijutsu—but rather, at a more fundamental level, to truly merge the nature and power of flame into every punch, every step, even into my body's defense and evasion—forming a truly seamless combat system that belongs to me alone."
Shinichi continued, "Then I thought of a possible direction—nintaijutsu."
"Nintaijutsu?" The Third Hokage repeated the term softly, rubbing his fingers along his pipe. The surprise on his face deepened a little as he said slowly, "That idea… is truly ambitious. But Shinichi, to fuse Fire Release ninjutsu into the body's functions for combat is extremely difficult. The demands it places on the body and on chakra control could be called harsh. In Konoha—indeed, in the entire shinobi world—true nintaijutsu that has formed a complete system and possesses powerful practical combat effectiveness…"
He paused, then continued, "Strictly speaking, perhaps only Kumogakure's Lightning Release Chakra Mode—passed down generation after generation and used as the foundation on which their village stands—can be counted as a successful and powerful example. That is a legacy they refined with countless efforts and time. At present… Konoha has no such system to inherit."
The Third Hokage looked at Shinichi and reminded him, "That also means it is almost equivalent to requiring you to create it alone from the ground up. Do you understand the dangers and uncertainties within that?"
Meeting the Third Hokage's gaze, Shinichi did not retreat in the slightest. On the contrary, because the other party took him seriously, his eyes grew even brighter. "I understand, Third-sama. I think Lightning Release can activate cells to bring power, speed, and defense—so why can't that scorching, burning, explosive fire be explored into a path of its own, forming a Fire Release Chakra Mode that belongs to me?"
"Look—Kirigakure excels at Water Release, Iwagakure is adept at Earth Release, Sunagakure controls wind and sand, and Kumogakure established itself with Lightning Release. Their styles are all extremely distinct. But our Konoha…" When Shinichi reached this point, he fell silent for a moment, as if choosing his words, and then simply said, "Omnipotent!"
"Our Konoha is filled with a foundation that embraces all rivers. The First-sama pacified the chaotic era with vast Wood Release. The Second-sama laid the village's cornerstone with space-time ninjutsu and exquisite Water Release. And you are proficient in all five natures, honored as the Professor of Ninjutsu. Each one's fighting style reaches the peak, worthy of admiration."
"But I have been thinking: within this omnipotence and diversity, is there also something missing—something exclusive to fire, matching the country's name—some iconic fire-based combat system such that when people mention it, they immediately associate it with the Land of Fire and the Will of Fire?"
"So, though I am unworthy, I also want to try along this direction. I do not dare to hope to stand shoulder to shoulder with my predecessors—only to explore a path, to attempt to pioneer a combat system with fire at its core, with a style distinct and intense enough. Even if I can only lay down one brick for those who come after, perhaps it can also let the name 'Hokage,' in the inheritance of fire, leave behind a slightly different mark."
Although Shinichi did not directly say the words "I want to become Hokage," between the lines, the thought—I want to improve; I want to become the first Hokage famed for Fire Release—was already plain for all to see.
To aspire to become Hokage was a good thing.
Not only did the Third Hokage feel no displeasure whatsoever, a trace of gratification even appeared in his eyes. For a young person to have lofty ideals and a goal worth striving for—this was precisely the hope of the village's future.
The smile on his face grew even gentler as he encouraged him, "To have ideas, boldness, and ambition—this is a good thing. What the village needs are young people like you who dare to blaze new trails."
Then he returned to practical matters and reminded him, "However, Shinichi, you must understand that Fire-nature chakra, like Lightning-nature chakra, is known for being violent, dangerous, and difficult to stabilize and control. To safely integrate power of that nature into the body—its difficulty and risks may be even greater than those of Lightning Release."
Shinichi had clearly considered this long ago. He replied steadily, "Yes, Third-sama. That is why I will not attempt from the outset to directly develop a Fire Release Chakra Mode—that would be unrealistic. I plan to proceed step by step. The first step is to complete the Fire-nature transformation of the Rasengan, combining this shape-transformation ninjutsu, with which I am most familiar, with the nature of fire, and to develop a hand-seal-less Fire Release ninjutsu as the starting point and testing ground for exploring the fusion of the two."
He paused slightly, then added, "In addition, I have also noticed that successive Raikage have all been famed for their extraordinarily powerful physiques, with astonishing defensive strength. I believe this may not be solely due to Lightning Release's activation effect—an inherently powerful body itself is also the foundation for bearing and controlling that kind of dangerous chakra. Since Fire-nature chakra is equally dangerous and violent, then strengthening my own constitution and tempering my physique must be an indispensable prerequisite."
At this point, Shinichi smoothly presented his request. "Therefore, Third-sama, the reward I seek is not a specific ninjutsu or material item. I would like to ask whether the village possesses some unique method of training to strengthen one's constitution and temper the physique. Or, whether there is any senior in the village whose physique is exceptionally powerful, whose bodily resilience far surpasses that of ordinary people. I hope to have the opportunity to seek guidance and exchange insights, to draw experience from them and lay the most solid foundation for my future exploration."
A method of training to strengthen one's constitution and temper the physique?
The Third Hokage pondered this. If one spoke of a systematic, secret training method specifically designed to forge an extreme physique, then Konoha's Strong Fist taijutsu was itself an excellent path for tempering the body and honing the will.
But if the goal was to reach the terrifying level of the successive Raikage of Kumogakure—tempering mortal flesh to the point of being able to directly withstand a Tailed Beast—then Konoha's Strong Fist truly could not achieve that.
As for a senior with an exceptionally powerful physique, with a body of extraordinary resilience?
The Third Hokage considered it for a moment. That… actually did exist.
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