NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 77: Chapter 77
[T/N: Starting this Monday(today) I will release 7 chaps every 1st day of the week instead of releasing daily(like I did today). The main reason is lack of readers and overload of books. You can join Discord to get notice if this changes.]
On the way back to the village, Shin and Tetsuya Fujiwara had rehearsed their approach countless times. By now, Tetsuya's tone and even his facial expressions were perfectly calibrated for this moment.
"Of course," Tetsuya added with a feigned casualness, "this is just a passing thought of mine. If it's a bother, Hokage-sama, please don't take it to heart."
He glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression, catching a hint of amusement. Tetsuya's face held just the right amount of uncertainty—a blend of nerves and subtle anticipation.
"A sturdy, sharp blade, you say?" Hiruzen chuckled, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "This is no difficult matter. There are plenty of quality kunai and short swords crafted by master smiths from the Land of Crafts. I'll have one chosen for you."
As Hiruzen's gaze met those of the entire Squad Thirteen, his eyes lingered briefly on Shin. Tetsuya could barely contain his relief, not just out of respect for the Hokage's authority, but because he'd just saved himself a fortune—quite possibly in the hundreds of thousands.
"There's no need for thanks," Hiruzen said with a wave of his hand. "After all, I promised you a reward back during the Chunin Exams. Speaking of which, Tetsuya, since that exam, I've yet to witness your progress in battle. I'm genuinely curious about your current level."
Hiruzen continued, a hint of intrigue in his voice, "And there's news you might find interesting. Recently, I received intelligence from both the Land of Lightning and the Land of Wind. It seems that Ay and Rasa—those two prodigies from the last Chunin Exams—have each recently defeated Jonin-level opponents in combat."
At these words, Hiruzen stood from his seat, his gaze turning to Tetsuya with a weight that could almost be felt. His aura, calm yet intense, seemed to fill the room, casting an imposing shadow.
"Defeating Jonin-level enemies, huh?" Tetsuya's expression didn't waver. A quiet confidence lingered in his eyes. "For Ay and Rasa, who are destined for greatness, this is hardly surprising. They have the makings of future Kage."
A slight murmur rippled through the room as everyone processed his words. Hiruzen's curiosity turned to fascination, as did that of Shin, Uchiha Mikoto, Aburame Muto, and the others.
"Tetsuya, are you... not the least bit surprised?" Hiruzen asked, his brow lifting slightly.
"Hokage-sama," Tetsuya replied, a conviction ringing in his voice, "for those two, such victories are simply natural. If they can't reach that level, how can they even think about leading one of the Five Great Nations?"
Hiruzen's lips curled into a smile, a mix of admiration and intrigue as he studied Tetsuya's calm demeanor. This young man was looking far beyond the ambitions of most shinobi his age, already setting his sights on the level of a Kage.
Hearing Tetsuya's words, even Shin felt a pang of awe. The boy standing beside him had aspirations and a vision so vast it almost made Shin feel... old. He released a soft sigh, caught between admiration and wistfulness.
"Tetsuya," Hiruzen spoke up, "today, I have some free time. Why don't we have a sparring match? I'd like to see for myself just how much you've grown."
To most shinobi, achieving the rank of Jonin, or even Elite Jonin, was an impressive goal. Tetsuya's lofty ambitions clearly had rekindled Hiruzen's enthusiasm. He spoke while removing his Hokage robe, hanging it carefully on a nearby hook to reveal a fitted combat uniform beneath. His movement was as fluid and natural as if he were simply greeting an old friend.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama," Tetsuya replied, respectfully lowering his head. He knew he still had a long way to go, especially when compared to someone of Hiruzen's caliber. But this sparring match might just provide him with invaluable insights that could help him grow.
As they made their way to the training grounds, it was impossible not to notice the heads turning, the whispers that seemed to spread like wildfire. Some were simply intrigued, while others seemed genuinely alarmed by the notion of a spar between Hiruzen Sarutobi, one of the strongest Hokage in history, and a mere Chunin.
"It seems the Hokage's in high spirits today," came a low, resonant voice. Shin and Tetsuya glanced around to see figures gathering on all sides, shinobi and villagers alike drawn by the unfolding spectacle.
As the crowd grew, three imposing figures appeared on the periphery, all of whom bore an undeniable aura of authority. The path cleared quickly as they approached, with even the most seasoned shinobi stepping aside. The trio, made up of Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru, drew curious and wary glances from everyone present.
"Interesting," Tsunade remarked, a wry smile on her face. "Our usually stubborn sensei seems to be putting on quite the show for this kid. Didn't expect this much fanfare."
Jiraiya let out a hearty laugh, his normally jovial tone taking on an uncharacteristic edge. "Tsunade, this isn't just any kid. Tetsuya here has potential—real potential. Don't let his rank fool you."
Orochimaru's gaze lingered on Tetsuya, a calculating gleam in his eyes. "Indeed. Jiraiya's right. Tetsuya isn't an ordinary shinobi. The ambitions within him might well surpass those of even the most dedicated among us."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued. Her own memories of Tetsuya were limited to his exceptional performance during the Chunin Exams, where he'd demonstrated a level of talent and focus that had set him apart from his peers.
"Didn't think even you'd be impressed, Orochimaru," Tsunade mused. "So, you're saying this kid might one day stand shoulder to shoulder with us?"
As if in response, Tetsuya walked onto the field with a quiet confidence, his gaze unwavering as he met the Hokage's eyes. The crowd fell silent, all eyes on the two figures standing across from each other on the training grounds. The anticipation was thick, each person holding their breath, sensing that they were about to witness something extraordinary.
The quiet air seemed to electrify as Hiruzen finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. "Now, Tetsuya, let's see if your determination matches the skill you've been honing. Show me what it means to have your eyes set on the heights."
Tetsuya gave a nod, steady and composed. "With pleasure, Hokage-sama."
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