Chapter 14: Investment From the ThirdHiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help smiling when he heard the last sentence.Fang Xu also smiled slightly."Hokage-sama, I'm not saying everything in Konoha is perfect. There are definitely troubles and unfairness in the Village. But for an orphan to grow up safely here until now, and even think about becoming stronger in the future, that in itself shows the Village has given me a lot.""So, I'm living quite happily here."This wasn't an act.Fang Xu was indeed cautious, and he truly had his own secrets.But he couldn't deny that Konoha's orphan welfare system had played a role in allowing the original owner to survive until now.Compared to many places in the Ninja World plagued by wars between small countries, swarming with refugees, and where children couldn't even get enough to eat, Konoha could already be considered safe.He could be on guard against the upper echelons and hide his golden finger, but there was no need to speak of the Village as utterly worthless.Hiruzen Sarutobi was silent for a few seconds.Only the steam from the tea slowly rose in the living room. Afterward, he gently nodded."It's very good that you can think this way."His voice was softer than just now."The will of fire has never been an empty phrase. It needs people to understand it, and it needs people to pass it down. Fang Xu, you haven't failed your father."Fang Xu said in a low voice, "I'm still far from it.""It doesn't matter if you're far from it."Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "The most important thing for a young person is to have a direction."After finishing, he reached his hand into his bosom.Fang Xu's attention instantly concentrated.The next moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi took out a scroll, placed it on the table, and pushed it in front of Fang Xu.The outer skin of the scroll was dark, with worn edges, and Konoha's sealing paper was pasted at the closure.Fang Xu only glanced at it, and his heartbeat quickened by half a beat.A scroll that the Third could carry with him was definitely not an ordinary item.Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "This is an incomplete version of the Kumogakure Lightning Body-Refining Technique collected by the Village."Fang Xu's pupils contracted slightly.Kumogakure Lightning Body-Refining Technique!The Rumble-Rumble Fruit gave him an upper limit, and Lightning Release: Lightning Sphere could also be practiced.The Kumogakure Lightning Body-Refining Technique was a systematic body-refining method.Enel's experience had the train of thought of stimulating the body with lightning, but that was more like a usage figured out by a fruit user themselves—brutal, direct, and reliant on physical constitution.Fang Xu's current physical foundation was too weak, and what he feared most was overtraining and shocking himself.Kumogakure's Lightning Body-Refining Technique was different.That was the basic direction of the Ninja World's top-tier Lightning Release Nintaijutsu.Even if incomplete, even without the core secret techniques, it was a treasure to him right now.Hiruzen Sarutobi saw his reaction and explained, "This is not Kumogakure's true core secret transmission; it lacks the highest-grade Lightning Release protective secret technique, nor does it contain the key cultivation content of the Raikage lineage.""However, it contains methods for basic Lightning Release Chakra to stimulate the body, stage-by-stage exercise of muscles and bones, and short-term activation of the body during combat.""Given your current situation, it's enough."Fang Xu stared at the scroll, his heart already starting to heat up.He wanted it too much; with this scroll, his exploratory Lightning Body Tempering from last night could avoid a lot of detours.But the more he wanted it, the less he could show too much eagerness.Fang Xu moved his gaze away from the scroll and shook his head."Hokage-sama, this is too precious."Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled."You don't want it?"Fang Xu was very candid."I want it."He wasn't faking it."I just awakened Lightning attribute Chakra, and I'm also trying to use lightning to strengthen my body. If I have this scroll, it will definitely help me a lot."Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him, waiting for what he would say next.Fang Xu took a deep breath,"But I haven't made any contributions.""The condolence money is the Village's care for the orphans of sacrificed Ninjas, and there's no problem with me accepting it. But this kind of jutsu, even an incomplete version, is not something an ordinary student can just casually get."He spoke very slowly."Unearned rewards cause unease. If I accept it now, my heart won't feel at ease."Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't answer immediately; he looked at Fang Xu, and his evaluation in his heart rose by another fraction.Having desires was normal.Being able to remain completely unmoved in front of a Ninjutsu scroll suitable for oneself wouldn't look like a teenager at all.Yet, clearly wanting it, he could suppress his impulse and think of the rules and costs first—this restraint was very rare.Hiruzen Sarutobi pushed the scroll forward a little more."You're right, unearned rewards should not be accepted."Fang Xu didn't reach out his hand.Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "However, the Village's cultivation of Ninjas doesn't just look at past merits, but also future potential.""If everything has to wait until after making contributions to be given, then many children with potential might die on the battlefield before they even grow up."Fang Xu was silent.Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone became a bit heavier."Fang Xu, this is not a reward.""This is an investment."He looked at Fang Xu and said word by word, "I see your potential and your character. Therefore, I am willing to give you a little help in advance.""You don't need to repay me now.""Growing up well and becoming a Ninja who can protect comrades and the Village in the future is the best repayment."Fang Xu knew very well in his heart that these words contained both recruitment and expectations.But he had to admit that this investment from the Third came at just the right time.Continuing to refuse wouldn't be called restraint; it would be called unappreciative and tactless.Fang Xu stood up and bowed solemnly toward Hiruzen Sarutobi."Since Hokage-sama says so, then I accept it."He picked up the scroll with both hands, his tone earnest."I will work hard to become stronger, not letting down your expectations nor the Village's cultivation."Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with satisfaction."Remember, practicing the Lightning Body Forging Technique must be done step by step. When Lightning Release Chakra stimulates the body, excessively high intensity will harm the meridians and internal organs."Fang Xu nodded."I understand."Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up and put his bamboo hat back on properly."It's getting late, I should go back too."Fang Xu saw him off to the door.Hiruzen Sarutobi walked to the courtyard gate and looked back once more."Fang Xu, if your father saw you like this today, he would be very gratified."Fang Xu's hand holding the scroll tightened slightly."I will continue to work hard."Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, and his figure quickly disappeared into the night.The courtyard quieted down.Fang Xu stood at the doorway and didn't close the door immediately; he could sense that there were still gazes around.They weren't very obvious, nor were they malicious.It was more like someone hiding in the dark, confirming the reaction after the Third left.Fang Xu understood in his heart that since the Third had come in person, it was impossible for him not to have left any backup plans.Especially after just giving him a Lightning Body Forging Technique scroll, someone would definitely observe his attitude after accepting it.Fang Xu didn't show the slightest abnormality.He lowered his head to look at the scroll in his hand, his face carrying an irrepressible excitement and gratitude, looking just like the way an ordinary teenager should look after suddenly being valued by the Hokage.After quite a while, he muttered softly to himself."Hokage-sama is willing to trust me, I must not let him down."Finishing his words, he carefully hugged the scroll to his chest and bowed earnestly toward the direction where Hiruzen Sarutobi had left.This action wasn't exaggerated, fitting precisely a Ninja Academy student who had been encouraged by the Hokage.
