Naruto : Konoha Light

The Next Day, at the Hokage's Office

While handling governmental affairs, the Third Hokage suddenly paused his hand and, without looking up, asked,

"What is it?"

A shadow ninja stepped forward from the dimly lit room.

"Hokage-sama, a student from the Ninja Academy, Shimizu, requests an audience with you."

To uphold Konoha's inclusive policies, the Hokage never outright rejected such requests. Understanding this, the shadow ninja had not turned the student away.

"Shimizu?" The Third Hokage raised an eyebrow in curiosity but soon smiled. "Very well, let me see the young talent of Konoha."

"Yes." The shadow ninja bowed and stepped aside.

Before long, Shimizu stepped into the Hokage's office.

"Shimizu, what brings you here?" The Third Hokage asked kindly.

"Hiruzen Uncle, I'd like to exchange for a new jutsu," Shimizu said politely.

Hearing the way Shimizu addressed him, the Hokage's smile deepened. But he was also slightly puzzled.

"Hasn't Orochimaru already given you jutsu before?"

Shimizu shook his head.

"The last time, Orochimaru-sama already provided us with jutsu."

"The last time?" The Third Hokage quickly understood Shimizu's meaning. He chuckled, pulling out his pipe.

"You've developed a new jutsu already? As expected of Konoha's young genius! Even Asuma is doing well, but he is still far behind you."

"No, Asuma is working very hard too!"

"Well, that's true."

The Third Hokage nodded in satisfaction. Asuma still had his flaws, but compared to before, he had indeed improved.

"This just proves how important good friends are," the Third Hokage mused. He adjusted his hat and leaned forward slightly.

"Shimizu, what level of jutsu are you hoping to exchange for?"

"Will it be a D-rank or a C-rank jutsu?" he pondered, smiling inwardly.

"No matter how mature he seems, he's still just a child trying to show off."

In his mind, jutsu of this level could be exchanged at the academy. He assumed that Shimizu was eager to impress and had rushed here for recognition.

However, he didn't mind.

Children like to show off. It would be wrong to discourage their enthusiasm…

Just as the Hokage was thinking this, Shimizu's next words made his pipe nearly slip from his fingers.

"I want to exchange for an A-rank jutsu—Eight Gates Technique!"

"…The Eight Gates Technique?" The Third Hokage nodded slightly at first, then his eyes suddenly widened as he exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Eight…!"

The Hokage immediately put down his pipe, staring at Shimizu with an intense gaze. After organizing his thoughts, he said,

"Shimizu, you can only exchange for jutsu of the same rank as the one you developed."

Shimizu blinked innocently.

"But Minato-nii said this jutsu should be considered A-rank."

"…Minato?"

Hearing the name, the Third Hokage sat up straight.

If not for the peaceful years following the war, which limited opportunities for promotion, Minato would have long since become a jōnin.

"If even he says so, then it must be true."

The Third Hokage's normally calm heart felt a ripple of excitement.

A-rank jutsu had immense strategic value, but what he valued even more was the young talent standing before him.

Even Orochimaru and Minato were not as naturally gifted as this child!

"Minato is nine years older than Shimizu. If they grow together… perhaps Konoha's golden age will be built by their hands!"

Suppressing his excitement, the Third Hokage's smile grew even kinder.

"Shimizu, why don't you demonstrate the jutsu you developed for me?"

"Sure, sure! But… this jutsu was developed together with Minato-nii," Shimizu explained.

As he spoke, a glowing blue sphere of chakra formed in his palm.

The sphere spun at high speed, creating a swirling breeze around his hand.

The technique had reached the pinnacle of shape transformation, demonstrating Shimizu's incredible chakra control. In some ways, it was even easier for him than jutsu involving elemental transformations.

More importantly, he had participated in the entire development process of the Rasengan. Understanding its mechanics wasn't a challenge—it would be an insult to his intelligence if he couldn't grasp it.

The Third Hokage's gaze shifted from Shimizu to the spinning chakra sphere in his hand.

With his experience, he could immediately see the technique's potential.

"A high-speed rotation… compressed chakra of extreme density… capable of unleashing massive power in an instant… The irregular chakra flow could also disrupt an enemy's chakra control…"

But the most crucial aspect was its potential.

"If it's already at this level with just shape transformation, then if elemental transformation were added, it would undoubtedly become an S-rank jutsu…"

Seeing the Hokage momentarily lost in thought, Shimizu became "anxious" and asked,

"Hiruzen Uncle, does this jutsu qualify as A-rank?"

Called several times, the Third Hokage finally snapped out of his thoughts. He looked at Shimizu with admiration before smiling.

"This jutsu is undoubtedly A-rank. But… are you sure you want to contribute it to the village?"

The Third narrowed his eyes slightly, trying to tempt Shimizu.

"If you keep it to yourself, it could become your exclusive secret technique."

Shimizu tilted his head in confusion.

"And then?"

The Hokage was momentarily speechless, then explained,

"Don't you want to be known as the sole master of this jutsu? Also, if fewer people use it, your enemies will have less information about it."

Shimizu was silent for a moment before replying firmly,

"Compared to something as vague as reputation, I'd rather help the village grow stronger. As for secrecy, that's not an issue either. Medical-nin are always protected in battle. The stronger my allies are, the safer I'll be."

Hearing this, the Third Hokage's smile deepened, full of warmth.

"What a wonderful child…!"

However, the village would never treat those who contributed unfairly.

He reassured Shimizu,

"The village won't overlook your generosity. After submitting your jutsu, you'll be allowed to exchange for one of the same rank. Additionally, every time someone else exchanges for your jutsu, you'll receive a portion of their contribution points."

Shimizu wasn't surprised by this.

Providing sufficient benefits would encourage clans to share their jutsu with the village. But from the village's perspective, contribution points were merely shifting from one hand to another.

"Shimizu, after this, go to the records office and document the principles, training methods, and chakra flow pattern of your jutsu onto a scroll—"

Halfway through his sentence, the Third Hokage suddenly froze.

Wait…

Did Shimizu just perform that jutsu without any hand seals?

"Shimizu, does your technique not require hand seals?"

Seeing the Hokage's shocked expression, Shimizu innocently replied,

"Does it need hand seals? Should we symbolically clap our hands together or something?"

The Third Hokage nearly choked on his own breath.

Looking at Shimizu, he suddenly recalled his own troublesome son, Asuma.

Just moments ago, he had been feeling satisfied with Asuma's progress.

But now, compared to Shimizu…

That satisfaction instantly faded.

In his mind, he began calculating,

"It's time for Asuma to experience some tough love from his father."