Inside the Hokage Office.
Yagyu looked at the Third Hokage, who had a cheerful smile on his face.
"Old man, what kind of expression is that? Don't look at me like that, it's making me a little scared."
The Third Hokage's smile stiffened after being interrupted by Yagyu.
After giving him an annoyed look, he finally spoke.
"How does it feel?"
Yagyu looked puzzled.
"What do you mean, how does it feel?"
Taking a puff of his pipe, the Third Hokage spoke calmly.
"What else could I mean? I've already spread the story of your battle with Uchiha Itachi and how you retreated safely. In the eyes of the villagers, you're now considered a super genius."
Not exactly a hero.
After all, Yagyu fighting Itachi and escaping safely was not something that saved the entire village.
At most, it could be said that
He had firmly protected his teammate Anko.
Even so, it was enough to bring Yagyu great achievements and, along with that, reputation.
But he still could not be called a hero of Konoha.
"Oh, so you're the one who did it."
After hearing the explanation, Yagyu suddenly understood.
"No wonder everyone in the village has been looking at me differently. Their eyes are full of respect now… so that's why."
As he spoke, Yagyu smiled.
"As for my feelings, I do have some. But they aren't that strong. I only did what I was supposed to do, nothing worth glorifying. Still, it's good that the part about me being strong got spread around."
Hearing Yagyu praising himself so openly,
The Third Hokage felt both speechless and satisfied.
Yagyu's words showed clearly that
He had not been blinded by fame or achievements.
As expected of the perfect disciple who had passed every test over the past six years.
"Maintain this humble attitude, Sōsuke."
The Third Hokage said while smoking.
"The road ahead of you is still very long. It's not time for you to be arrogant yet."
Swish.
While speaking,
The Third Hokage casually tossed two scrolls toward Yagyu.
After catching them, Yagyu looked confused.
"What are these? Another mission?"
The Third Hokage shook his head.
His eyes showed a hint of nostalgia.
"These are two ninjutsu scrolls. One was developed by the late Fourth Hokage. The other is Lightning Release ninja body technique. If you combine it with your swordsmanship, it should produce excellent results."
Yagyu's eyes lit up.
"Good stuff! I didn't expect you to be so generous, old man. I'm almost embarrassed."
While speaking,
Yagyu had already stuffed the two scrolls into his pocket.
Clearly, he had no intention of returning them.
The Third Hokage's eyelids twitched as he watched Yagyu's shameless speed.
He waved his hand impatiently.
"Take the scrolls and get out of here, you little brat."
Yagyu grinned.
With the scrolls safely tucked away, he happily left the Hokage Office.
Just after leaving the office—
Step. Step. Step.
While walking downstairs, Yagyu heard heavy footsteps at the corner of the stairway.
Then he saw a man he had always been wary of.
A man holding a cane.
One arm wrapped in bandages.
Bandages also covered part of his head, concealing one eye.
Konoha's infamous "Shadow Hokage."
Shimura Danzō.
"That old schemer… why is he at the Hokage Tower?"
Yagyu glanced at Danzō with suspicion.
"Could it be because of me?"
Although curious,
Yagyu was not foolish enough to ask.
He merely glanced once before withdrawing his gaze.
He quickly left the Hokage Tower without any intention of speaking with Danzō.
That old schemer
Was always lurking in the shadows.
If Yagyu had the chance and sufficient strength,
He would definitely eliminate him.
…
After returning home,
Yagyu immediately took out the two scrolls and began reading them.
After checking their contents, his expression showed no surprise.
"As expected, the ninjutsu developed by the Fourth Hokage is the Rasengan. This basically gives me legitimate permission to use the Rasengan series in the future."
After finishing the Rasengan scroll,
Yagyu turned his attention to the second scroll.
For him,
The Lightning Release ninja body technique was far more valuable.
After all,
The Wind Release chakra mode he had developed to enhance his speed was also a type of ninja body technique.
Although it greatly increased speed, it focused more on cutting power.
The true technique designed to enhance speed
Was Lightning Release ninja body technique.
Why had Yagyu not developed a Lightning Release chakra mode himself?
Because his Wind Release chakra mode already complemented the Yagyu Style swordsmanship.
Developing and mastering it had already taken a lot of time.
Combined with all his other training,
He simply had not had the opportunity to develop Lightning Release ninja body techniques yet.
Now that the Third Hokage had delivered one directly to him,
It was perfect.
"Extreme speed combined with defensive capability, plus the cutting power of my Wind Release chakra mode."
After finishing the scroll, Yagyu smiled with satisfaction.
"With this, my swordsmanship alone could break into the Kage-level tier and even approach the level just below the Super Kage stage. I could stand at the peak of the ninja world purely with swordsmanship."
And that was not all.
He also had powerful ninjutsu.
A Sharingan that could continue evolving.
And eventually,
The Wood Release he would inevitably awaken.
Reaching the Super Kage level in the future
Would not be excessive at all.
Having obtained two new techniques,
Yagyu had already made his decision.
His vacation was over.
Starting tomorrow,
He would begin training Lightning Release ninja body techniques.
And he would modify and integrate them with his own style.
Making them entirely his own.
…
The next morning.
At the training ground Yagyu often used.
Ino sat beneath a tree, watching Yagyu with a dreamy expression.
She had no mission today.
So she had the rare chance to accompany him during training.
After six years together,
Ino knew that Yagyu was not a particularly romantic person.
He preferred a calm and steady life.
Gradually,
As she became accustomed to Yagyu,
She also grew used to this lifestyle.
She never found it boring.
Instead,
She simply felt that these quiet moments were precious.
Meanwhile,
In the open space nearby,
Yagyu was continuously circulating his massive chakra.
He repeatedly converted it into Lightning Release chakra,
Stimulating every cell in his body.
Ninja body techniques
Were essentially the process of adapting the body to elemental chakra.
When he first developed the Wind Release chakra mode,
Yagyu had endured the tearing force of Wind Release chakra until his body fully adapted.
Because of that,
His body had already become extremely tough.
Therefore,
Training Lightning Release chakra mode now was progressing even faster than he expected.
And at the same time,
Yagyu could clearly feel it.
He was becoming stronger again.
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