"Haha!"
The Third Hokage laughed heartily. "Well said! But this is just a small investment and expectation from your Hokage grandpa. I hope you can grow better, so that in the future, you can contribute more to the village. So don't refuse—just repay me and the village with your effort and growth."
Shiro Akira nodded excitedly, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi with gratitude. "Thank you, Hokage Grandpa! I definitely won't disappoint your expectations. I'll work hard to grow stronger and repay the village in the future!"
He was telling the truth.
He really would repay the village in the future and make Konoha even stronger.
After all, he was living quite comfortably here.
But the village was the village, and the Third Hokage was the Third Hokage.
"Mm!"
The Third Hokage nodded in satisfaction. After chatting with Shiro Akira for a while longer, he stood up and took his leave.
He had far too many matters to handle daily.
If not for unexpectedly discovering Shiro Akira's outstanding talent today, he wouldn't have personally come to recruit and test him.
After seeing him off, Shiro Akira returned to the living room and excitedly picked up the scroll left behind, opening it to read.
As he read, he muttered gratefully, "The Hokage is really too kind! I must work hard to grow stronger and repay him properly in the future."
Meanwhile, an ANBU member had been secretly observing inside Shiro Akira's home for half an hour. Only after that did he leave and report everything to the Third Hokage.
"He really said that?"
The Third Hokage asked with a faint smile.
"Yes, Lord Hokage. You can tell he's truly grateful to you."
The ANBU member replied firmly.
"Mm. You may go."
The Third Hokage waved him away, then thought to himself with a satisfied smile, "Seems like a child who understands gratitude. In that case, I can nurture him with some confidence. He may become a useful asset in the future."
Of course, that depended on whether Shiro Akira could continue to pass his tests—and whether his growth speed would remain steady.
…
"Phew! Finally gone!"
Back at Shiro Akira's side, ever since the Third Hokage had left, his enhanced mental perception had allowed him to vaguely sense someone watching him nearby.
That was why he had deliberately staged that earlier act.
Only after the feeling of being observed disappeared did he relax inwardly—though he showed nothing on the surface.
Instead, he focused seriously on studying the incomplete Lightning Body Tempering Technique.
The gains were significant.
By combining it with Enel's lightning tempering method, Shiro Akira felt he could further optimize both his lightning body tempering and his combat style.
…
Early the next morning, Shiro Akira went out for his usual training.
And once again, he ran into Might Guy and Might Duy.
"Yo! Shiro Akira! Morning!"
This time, Guy greeted him enthusiastically from afar.
"Morning, Guy! Morning, Uncle Duy!"
Shiro Akira replied with a smile.
"Haha!"
Seeing Shiro Akira, Might Duy suddenly pulled out—seemingly from nowhere—a green, skin-tight jumpsuit identical to the ones he and Guy were wearing. The suit fluttered awkwardly in the wind as he said, "Young man! Your fiery youth has moved me! As a senior, I don't have much to give—so I'll present you with this specially designed training suit!"
"Eh?"
Looking at the bizarre, wind-fluttering jumpsuit in Duy's hands, Shiro Akira felt a strong urge to refuse.
What the hell? Who would want something like that?
Wearing it would completely destroy his dignity.
But outright rejection didn't seem appropriate.
His mind raced, and he quickly came up with an answer. With a serious expression, he said to Duy, "About that… I can't accept it. I don't think I'm worthy of this suit yet."
"This outfit belongs to masters like you and Guy—ultimate practitioners of taijutsu. It represents your level of achievement."
"When people see this attire, they immediately think of true youth and peak taijutsu mastery."
"This is no longer just clothing—it's an honor. A symbol!"
"I've only been training for two days. I'm far from meeting that standard. I absolutely cannot tarnish this honor. So please, allow me to refuse!"
Shiro Akira spoke with utmost righteousness.
So much so that both Duy and Guy were moved to tears.
"Oh! Young man, you are the true embodiment of youthful passion! I see real honor within you!"
Might Duy, eyes brimming with tears, carefully folded the jumpsuit and said solemnly, "I will remember your words. I'll keep this suit safe."
"As a promise, I will wait for the day you deem yourself worthy—and personally hand it to you then!"
Clearly, Duy had taken Shiro Akira's nonsense completely seriously.
"Shiro Akira! Keep it up!"
Might Guy flashed his trademark grin and gave a thumbs-up in encouragement.
"Mm!"
Though Shiro Akira was internally cringing, he still nodded solemnly. "You two should go ahead. I won't disturb your training rhythm."
And inwardly, he added: Don't worry. That day will never come.
If he said he wasn't worthy, then he simply wasn't.
"Osu! See you, young man!"
Duy and Guy both flashed their teeth and dashed off in a blur.
At that moment, on a tree dozens of meters away, Kakashi Hatake—who had come to observe Shiro Akira—witnessed the entire scene.
His expression twisted into something indescribably strange.
"What kind of bizarre people are these? One dares to exaggerate, and the other actually believes it…"
It was just a ridiculously embarrassing green jumpsuit.
Did it really need to be described in such grand terms?
Honor? Symbol?
Kakashi felt like he had just gained a completely new understanding of Shiro Akira.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office—
The Third Hokage also watched the entire exchange through his Telescope Technique.
His expression was equally distorted. "That child… quite the silver tongue. Still, refusing it was the right choice."
Two oddballs like that were already more than enough for the village.
If there were more, he feared Konoha's image—and overall vibe—would suffer greatly.
…