Chapter 26: Sword of The Thunder God
In the three months before graduation, Kazuki's strength improved significantly. Not only did he integrate his monstrous strength into his combat, but he also gained some good things through the combat arena.
Defeating the young Minato, he acquired Minato's spatial talent.
Defeating Lee during the Chunin Exams, he gained Lee's combat experience, which significantly improved his combat skills. Unfortunately, he didn't get the Eight Inner Gates.
Defeating Kamizuki Izumo, Kazuki had a relatively tough fight. Izumo was, after all, a decent Chunin and would become a Special Jonin in the future. It took some effort to defeat Izumo and then he obtained his sword techniques, which was better than nothing.
Defeating Tenten during the Fourth Great Ninja War, he gained Tenten's Ninja tool throwing ability.
Of course, this wasn't very useful for Kazuki, as when it came to throwing technique, who could surpass the Uchiha clan?
Defeating the Tiger-masked Anbu ninja, he gained his stealth techniques.
Defeating Yurika, he gained her cipher decoding ability.
Defeating Uzumaki Fuso, he gained her Uzumaki Clan physique, which further enhanced his physical constitution.
Defeating the young Fugaku, he gained Fugaku's two-tomoe Sharingan ocular power. With the support of this power, combined with Kazuki's increasingly excellent physique, his Sharingan awakened to three tomoe in one go.
It could be said that before graduating from the Ninja Academy, Kazuki was already stronger than most Chunin. After accumulating enough mission experience, it wouldn't be impossible for him to take the Special Jonin examination.
Of course, Kazuki didn't plan to reveal his full strength yet. At six years old, having Chunin-level strength was already astonishing.
If he had Special Jonin-level strength, it would be too shocking. If other villages found out, he would likely be placed on their kill list.
At Tsunade's request, the early graduation applications for Kazuki, Mikoto, and Nawaki were simultaneously submitted to the Hokage Office.
"How is it, Sarutobi-sensei? Hurry up and form our team."
"Orochimaru and I still need to lead a team then."
Tsunade said, sprawling casually on the office sofa, urging Hiruzen.
Hiruzen took two deep puffs from his pipe before saying with a helpless expression, "I can approve these three's early graduation applications. I also have no objection to Kushina temporarily leaving the Ninja Academy for you to train."
"But there's a problem with Hiashi's side."
"What? They don't agree?" Tsunade frowned, a hint of displeasure flashing across her face.
She was, after all, Konoha's elite Jonin, the First Hokage's granddaughter, and the true princess of the Land of Fire.
What? Is your Hyuga Clan so impressive that you're better than me?
"The international situation has been too chaotic recently. Everyone can see that war could occur at any moment. Hiashi is, after all, the heir to the Hyuga clan, and they don't plan to let him go out on missions."
"However, to express their apologies, they are willing to send a girl from the Hyuga Clan to join your team and have Hizashi join Orochimaru's team." Hiruzen sighed.
He wanted Tsunade to take the future Hyuga clan head as her disciple, which would further stabilize the Hyuga clan and facilitate better communication on many matters in the future.
Unfortunately, they were unwilling to let Hiashi go on missions, but offering a girl from the Hyuga clan and Hizashi already showed great sincerity.
"Does the Hyuga Clan currently have anyone of suitable age?" Tsunade's expression improved slightly.
The Hyuga clan was a very exclusive group, with an extremely limited number of members. Even Hizashi was relegated to the branch house.
She hadn't expected there to be a suitable-aged member of the main family.
"Here is her informationm" Hiruzen handed a document to Tsunade.
"This child has always been trained by the family and hasn't attended the Ninja Academy. Her talent is quite good, so there's no need to worry about that."
"They wouldn't possibly send a child with insufficient talent to appease you."
"Moreover, based on my observations, Hizashi's talent might even subtly surpass Hiashi's. It's a pity he became a branch house member."
He wasn't the only one who noticed this, Danzo also noticed it. Danzo even thought about using this to sow discord between Hizashi and Hiashi, and even incite conflict between the branch and main families.
At first glance, this plan seemed very feasible. They didn't ask for much, only for the main family to lose control over the branch house, and to not be able to punish the branch house arbitrarily. For the branch house, this would definitely be a good thing.
However, for the Hyuga branch house to contend with the main family was almost impossible.
Unless the main family made a mistake, they had no way to deal with the Hyuga clan.
"Rinka, eight years old this year, possesses excellent Chakra control and has already mastered the Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams: Thirty-Two Palms. It really seems she's a good genius. She might even be able to learn some Medical Ninjutsu from me." Tsunade remarked with a strange sense of emotion.
"Hmm, I also think this child might be suitable for you. Perhaps they also believe your team is relatively safe." Hiruzen sighed.
Many people regarded Tsunade as a Medical Ninja, but forgot her terrifying combat power.
Of course, being with Tsunade was indeed relatively safer.
"How is your Ninjutsu research coming along?" Hiruzen then asked Tsunade.
"It's still a bit short, it needs some more refinement. It will be completed in half a year at most."
Tsunade said confidently, "By then, I will change the landscape of Medical Ninjutsu."
Hiruzen opened his mouth. He really wanted to say that it was her, not Medical Ninjutsu, and that not every Medical Ninja was her. But seeing his disciple like this, Hiruzen ultimately didn't speak the truth.
"Hmm, I'll give you another half a year. Konoha is doing its best to avoid war now, but all the countries are restless."
"Even the Land of Rain is frantically stockpiling war materials. According to the intelligence Danzo gathered, Hanzō wants to make the Land of Rain the sixth great nation. War is imminent, and we don't have much time left."
Hiruzen earnestly warned Tsunade. "If you need any help, tell me anytime."
"I understand."
Tsunade seemed to recall something and said to Hiruzen, "Oh, by the way, my grand-uncle's sword, it seems to be with you, right?"
"We didn't take it as a memento back then."
"You mean the Sword of the Thunder God?"
Hiruzen's expression was subtle. He hadn't expected Tsunade to bring up that sword.
"Do you want to give the Sword of the Thunder God to Kazuki?"