Chapter 18: Hiruzen Sarutobi's Astonishment
Chapter 18: Hiruzen Sarutobi's Astonishment
In the Hokage's office, the ANBU escort who had brought Fengye here flashed and disappeared at the entrance without entering. Unfazed, Fengye strode into the room.
Upon entering, he saw an jonin organizing documents beside the desk, with Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, seated behind it. Standing before them was Kakashi Hatake.
Sensing Fengye's arrival, Kakashi kept his head down, feigning disinterest.
"..."
Fengye glanced at Kakashi before walking up to the desk and addressing Hiruzen.
Even though Fengye now possessed the strength of a special jonin and his speed likely surpassed that of most jonin, he still felt a sense of pressure in Hiruzen's presence. After all, Hiruzen, in his prime, was the Hokage!
Whether it was chakra control, taijutsu, ninjutsu, or experience, Hiruzen was at the pinnacle of the kage level, standing at the apex of the ninja world.
Even against monsters like the Third Raikage, who could fight an entire army alone, Hiruzen possessed forbidden techniques like the Dead Demon Consuming Seal to counter them.
"No need to be nervous. I called you here to ask about something." Hiruzen addressed Fengye amicably. "Did you take out a Kirigakure spy near the village last night?"
"Yes." With the truth already uncovered, Fengye saw no point in denying it. His current strength was enough to warrant Hiruzen's attention, and with it, he would gain a measure of safety. After all, Danzo was the only real threat to him in Konoha, and with Hiruzen's protection, Danzo wouldn't dare act so brazenly.
Hearing Fengye's admission, Hiruzen, who had already suspected as much, still couldn't help but show a hint of surprise. That spy was an elite from Kirigakure! For Fengye, at such a young age, to possess the strength to kill one was a testament to his extraordinary talent, perhaps even surpassing Kakashi's! A genius surpassing Kakashi!
"Tell me the details." Hiruzen composed himself and asked Fengye to elaborate.
Fengye gave a simple account of the events, omitting only his time acceleration ability and explaining his training and the battle.
"You surpassed a Kirigakure spy in speed?!" Hiruzen exclaimed, astonished by Fengye's recount.
Spies were either experts in speed or sensory abilities, and even those with exceptional sensory skills didn't lack in speed. Yet, Fengye had outpaced his opponent and swiftly defeated him—a truly remarkable feat.
And to think Fengye was only nine years old!
"Yes," Fengye nodded. "My talent in ninjutsu and chakra control is average, but my physical prowess and reflexes seem to be extraordinary, which makes me well-suited to my father's swordsmanship style."
Hiruzen's gaze shifted between Fengye and Kakashi. It seemed that Fengye, more so than Kakashi, resembled the young White Fang! After a moment of astonishment, Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe and asked, "If your strength has always exceeded Kakashi's, why have you remained at the Ninja Academy? There's not much left for you to learn there."
"I believe that standing out too much is not a good thing," Fengye replied, glancing at Kakashi. "Competitiveness is childish. A ninja constantly faces dangers, and remaining hidden is the safest course of action."
Fengye's response was mostly truthful, reflecting his genuine thoughts. He simply omitted his wariness of Hiruzen, Danzo, and the other Konoha higher-ups.
To be able to rise above the desire to compete and exhibit such a level-headed mindset at such a young age, regardless of strength, meant that Fengye's mental fortitude was superior to Kakashi's.
Hiruzen thought of Fugaku Uchiha and heaved a silent sigh.
He never expected the two sons Fugaku left behind to possess such extraordinary talent, each surpassing the other... Fugaku must be proud of them wherever he was.
"Given your circumstances, you are more than qualified to graduate from the Academy."
Hiruzen snapped back to the present and looked at Fengye.
Fengye pondered for a moment. "I only have half a year left until the regular graduation, and there will be a need for class allocation after that. It would be troublesome to graduate early and join the previous batch."
"Hmm, that is true."
Hiruzen nodded slightly. It would indeed be troublesome to place Fengye with the older students now as they had already been assigned their groups, and the current batch still had half a year before graduation.
However, having learned of Fengye's talent and strength, Hiruzen was inclined to have him graduate early and join the ranks of official ninjas, where he could undergo proper training.
After some hesitation, Hiruzen made a decision.
"Since you don't wish to graduate early, I will respect your decision. You may graduate with your current batch as planned."
Hearing Hiruzen's words, Fengye bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Hokage-sama."
"Fugaku truly raised two fine sons..."
Hiruzen let out another sigh, offering Fengye a kindly smile. "In that case, you may take your leave."
Fengye nodded and departed from the Hokage's office, disappearing from view.
Kakashi remained where he stood.
After Fengye had left, Hiruzen took a sip of tea and turned to Kakashi. "I never expected your older brother to possess the mindset of an adult at just one year your senior. Kakashi, you should learn from him."
If Kakashi had Fengye's maturity, Hiruzen wouldn't have to worry about Kakashi's class allocation and wouldn't have specifically assigned this task to Minato Namikaze.
"My brother can be overly mature at times," Kakashi commented with a hint of exasperation. "...He acts as if he doesn't hear all the ridicule directed at him."
"That is the difference between the two of you," Hiruzen said, shaking his head. He felt an even greater admiration for Fengye, "Although he hasn't graduated yet, he already possesses the qualities of an exceptional ninja. A ninja is..."
As Hiruzen began his 'lecture', Kakashi's lips twitched, and his eyes held a hint of a desire to retort.
He had never heard anyone praise Fengye for his maturity before.
Perhaps strength was the true key!
Kakashi felt that this was the more accurate conclusion.
...
Regarding Fengye's matter, Hiruzen ultimately ordered that the information be kept confidential. He also sealed and concealed the news of Fengye killing a Kirigakure elite spy.
Kakashi's display of genius had already placed him on the enemy village's assassination list, and exposing Fengye's capabilities would only add to the danger. For talented ninjas like Fengye and Kakashi, who were born and bred in Konoha, Hiruzen naturally took a protective stance.
Once Fengye graduated and became an official ninja, it would be time for him to shine as Konoha's genius ninja.
(End of Chapter)
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