Inside the meeting room.
The high-ranking officials of Konoha were locked in a heated debate, revolving around the true identity of the blue-haired woman.
Who was this enigmatic woman who possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan and could use [Wood Release] techniques from the First Hokage?
Unfortunately, hours passed with no progress made. Instead, her identity became even more mysterious.
Heiyan kept silent.
He knew this discussion would lead to nothing. After all, no one could possibly connect the blue-haired woman to Madara Uchiha, a man believed to have died years ago.
And Heiyan couldn't just step forward and claim she was Madara.
Without any evidence or logical explanation to back his suspicion, he wouldn't only fail to convince others—he might even draw unwanted attention to himself.
Better to say nothing than risk speaking out of turn.
So, Heiyan chose to remain quiet and unnoticed.
During this time,
he observed those present in the room. Out of boredom, he started rating them all in his mind based on sheer power.
Among those here, the weakest were undoubtedly Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
They had once fought alongside Hiruzen Sarutobi as teammates, but now served solely as political advisors to Konoha. Over the years, their physical abilities had clearly declined.
Next came Hiashi Hyuga. Though only eleven years old, his strength alone was enough to qualify him as a jonin.
Then came the clan heads, all considered "elite jonin." Fugaku Uchiha stood among them at the same level.
Even stronger was the legendary trio—Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru—who had reached the "quasi-Kage" tier. Danzo, head of Root, was also at this level.
Finally, there were those at Kage-level power.
In this vast meeting hall, including Heiyan himself, only three people stood at that peak.
First was Mito Uzumaki.
As the wife of the First Hokage and Konoha's original jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, despite her advanced age, no one dared underestimate her strength.
Second was Heiyan.
With Sage Transformation and mastery over multiple powerful techniques—[Storm Release], [Adamantine Sealing Chains], [Water Release], [Lightning Release]—his power unquestionably ranked at Kage-level.
Lastly, was Hiruzen Sarutobi, hailed as "History's Strongest Hokage."
Of course, the title was exaggerated. But it wasn't entirely his fault. It had become a quiet understanding shared by every hidden village that whoever holds the title is considered the strongest.
At this point, Hiruzen was still in his prime. Having learned over a thousand ninjutsu techniques, his experience far outweighed Heiyan's, who had only recently joined the Kage ranks.
In fact, he may have even surpassed normal Kage limits altogether.
In the current ninja world, the Third Hokage wasn't quite the strongest—but he stood shoulder to shoulder with legends like Hanzo, Onoki, and the Third Raikage. Among the most formidable warriors alive.
However, starting from this moment, Sarutobi's power would begin its slow decline from its peak.
Meanwhile, Heiyan hadn't yet turned fifteen, and his strength continued to grow rapidly.
One was fading, the other rising fast.
In just a few more years, Heiyan would surpass Hiruzen Sarutobi and become the "Strongest in Konoha," fulfilling his title as the "Number One Prodigy."
Of course, that was on the condition he wasn't killed by Madara first.
"Heiyan."
Just then, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly spoke, calling out Heiyan's name.
"That Nagare seemed to have great hostility toward you. Do you have any clues?" he asked.
All eyes turned to Heiyan, waiting for his answer.
"I'm not sure myself, either," Heiyan replied with a puzzled expression, speculating, "From her words and actions, that woman appears to hold great hatred toward Second Hokage Tobirama Senju. Perhaps I was mistaken for him due to my nickname 'Little Tobirama,' resulting in her attacking me."
Is that so?
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen frowned slightly.
Tobirama Senju was not only the Second Hokage but also his late master who had passed the title of Hokage to him before dying.
Come to think of it, his teacher actually had quite a few enemies.
After all, during his lifetime, the Second had created countless Kinjutsu and frequently conducted human experiments while performing postmortem analysis of fallen ninja.
Could she possibly have some connection to the forbidden research of the Second Hokage?
With this thought, Hiruzen immediately decided to secretly investigate in this direction.
Ten minutes later.
During the discussion around the meeting table, the identity of the mysterious Nagare remained a mystery.
Hiruzen could only issue orders for all major ninja clans to strengthen their vigilance and patrols, raising alertness against potential enemy attacks.
Then he declared the meeting at an end.
"Heiyan, you stay behind."
Hiruzen specifically instructed.
"Yes."
Heiyan acknowledged and remained in place, watching as numerous high-ranking elders of Konoha left the meeting room one by one, passing by him.
Fugaku Uchiha walked past Heiyan, and at the moment their eyes met, Heiyan gave him a subtle glance. The latter paused briefly and instantly understood.
Like Heiyan, Fugaku had also deliberately concealed from the meeting the fact that the blue-haired woman had once approached him.
"I'll wait for you outside."
He whispered quickly before hurrying away.
At this moment, Mito Uzumaki slowly passed by Heiyan with support from a female Anbu ninja. She didn't speak to Heiyan, seemingly attending merely to see him in person—nothing more.
"Danzo, you should take your leave as well."
Seeing Danzo's hesitation at the other end of the meeting table, Hiruzen firmly ordered without room for objection.
"..."
Reluctantly, Danzo departed, leaning heavily on his cane.
Eventually, the large meeting room was left with only Hiruzen Sarutobi and Heiyan.
"Heiyan, today we owe you our thanks. Otherwise, I hate to imagine how many lives might've been lost."
Walking up beside Heiyan, Hiruzen smiled warmly, showing clear appreciation.
"It is what every Konoha ninja should do."
Ever humble, Heiyan responded as usual.
"Hmm," Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction. He became ever more convinced that Heiyan had truly inherited the Will of Fire from Kosuke Maruboshi—and proved even more worthy of cultivation than his own three students.
So, he patted Heiyan's shoulder and announced, "From this moment on, you are a Jonin."
"Thank you for your patronage and trust, Lord Hokage."
Upon hearing this, Heiyan took one step back and slightly bowed.
He had risen from Chunin to Jonin in merely eight days, setting the fastest promotion record in Konoha's history. Moreover, at just fourteen years old, he matched the previous record held by Hiruzen Sarutobi's three legendary disciples: Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya.
For Heiyan though, these titles or honors weren't worth celebrating.
After all, he wasn't someone who chased after empty fame. Even the title of Hokage meant little to him personally.
"Is there anything else you'd like as a reward? Speak freely. As long as it's within my capability, I shall grant it."
Hiruzen spoke again, making a promise.
Now we're getting somewhere.
Heiyan knew opportunity had come knocking.
"I... would like to learn [Sage Art]."
He acted like he was thinking for a second before he replied.
"Oh?"
Hiruzen expressed some surprise upon hearing that. He originally thought Heiyan would ask for other [Kinjutsu] techniques from the Second Hokage, just like how he requested the [Multi-Shadow Clone] previously.
Never did he expect Heiyan's target to be [Sage Art].
"You must have already known something about [Sage Art]. Learning it cannot be forced—it requires the right circumstances. Since the First Hokage passed away until now, only Jiraiya among our villagers has successfully learned the Sage Art of Mount Myoboku. Surprisingly, even those with better talent—Tsunade and Orochimaru—failed to connect with [Sage Art]."
Hiruzen gave Heiyan a warning, asking, "Are you truly ready for this?"
"I am fully ready." Heiyan replied without hesitation.
"In that case…"
Seeing Heiyan's determined expression, Hiruzen hesitated for a moment before continuing, "I'll arrange for Jiraiya to accompany you to Mount Myoboku."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage."
Heiyan once again bowed deeply.
That settled the matter.
A few minutes later,
Heiyan exited the Hokage Tower.
Not even several steps away, Fugaku Uchiha stepped out from the shadows of a street corner and walked side by side with him.
"Where should we talk?"
"The Naka Shrine. It's the restricted area of our Uchiha clan—very secret and safe."
"Fine."
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