Chapter 9

As I lingered outside the Third Hokage's office, a feeling of unease crept over me. Was this truly the right path? I swallowed and stared at the door to the Hokage's door. It had not taken much to request an appointment with the Third as my status as the last loyal Uchiha opened doors that would have otherwise been closed to me. Still, this was taking a chance. I would be lucky if the man did not laugh me out of his office.

I could hear my heart pounding away, thudding in rhythm with the sinister shadows of grief and anguish that clung to me. The past few days had been fraught with nightmares of the past, of grief over Sasuke's family and my lost life. It truly felt as if I was approaching a fork in the road from which there would be no return. Yet, despite the dark miasma that surrounded me, a spark of determination burned brighter with every moment. This village of Konoha, once filled with strangers, had transformed into an extension of my fractured family. Their faces, etched with hope and resilience, drove me onward to protect them at any cost.

Kiba.

Shikamaru.

Chouji.

I had precious people to protect. I paused. What an absolutely cliche and shounen protagonist way of thinking. And yet, it felt right.

Gathering the courage to face the God of the Shinobi, I knocked hesitantly on the door. The Third Hokage's voice, laced with a hidden steel beneath its warm exterior, beckoned me inside. I stepped into the lightly lit office and found myself standing before one of the most powerful shinobi our village had ever known. Summoning the strength from deep within, I forced myself to meet his piercing gaze. He looked much the same as he had when last I saw him over a year ago in that hospital. I still felt a measure of bitterness towards the man for his weakness, but I would not let that deter me from my goal.

The Hokage gave me a smile and tilted his head toward me, "It has been some time since we last spoke, Sasuke. Are you well? Is Master Yeltori seeing to your needs?"

I gave a nod and smiled, "Master Yeltori is a skilled Estate Manager and I'm honored to have his services. I am indeed well. I thank you for taking the time to see me today, Lord Hokage."

Sarutobi nodded and chuckled, "You are most welcome. It is not often that I have time to spend with the youth of our village, but I am glad to do so when able. How may I assist you, Sasuke?"

This was it. I felt my throat go a bit dry. I had thought long and hard on the matter, but still I doubted my request would be granted. Still, I needed to make the request regardless. There was no harm in asking.

"Lord Hokage," I spoke in as clear a tone as I could manage, but still my voice cracked, "I would humbly request that you take me as your student and guide me along the path of the shinobi."

I noticed what seemed to be a flicker of surprise cross his face. Whatever he had expected of our meeting, I do not think he had expected that. The man stared at me for several long moments before speaking, his raspy voice tinged with empathy, "Sasuke, I am well aware of the horror that has befallen your family. Their tragic fate is a burden that no child should bear, and I know you desire vengeance, but there is a reason students start in the Academy."

I paused at his words. I understood his hesitancy even as I felt a measure of disappointment. Still...vengeance? No, my path was that of justice. I needed the Hokage to see that. Taking a shaky breath, I exposed the fire that burned within my heart, stoked by my loss and newfound purpose. "Hokage-sama, I won't deny that my family's demise has dragged me to the edge of a precipice, where vengeance whispers seductively from the darkness. Yet, amidst the shadows, I have found a beacon of light."

I paused once again, taking in his face. Was I laying it on too thick? My former colleagues in academia always did say I had too flowery a rhetoric. Still, the Hokage had not stopped me yet, so I continued, "My family's memory now fuels a yearning to protect, to shield all of Konoha from the unspeakable evils that exist in our world. Under your guidance, I believe I can become a formidable shinobi, capable of safeguarding this village and preserving the peace my family once cherished. Lord Hokage, my goal is not vengeance, but protection. I will be Hokage!"

If my previous words had caused a flicker of surprise to cross his face, these words seemed to cause his eyes to widen further. He quickly recovered however and silence began to fill the air as he studied me, as if seeing me with new eyes. The Third Hokage's eyes bore into me, searching for the truth that lay buried beneath layers of pain and sorrow. "Your resolve is clear, Sasuke. But you must ask yourself, are you truly prepared for the harrowing journey that lies ahead? Every Hokage who lived has also died defending this village. Are you willing to bear that cost?"

My voice, now steady and resolute, rang out, "Yes, Hokage-sama. I will embrace any challenge, any hardship to protect my newfound family. The people of Konoha are the light that guides me through the darkness, and I will not waver in my mission to keep them safe."

After what felt like an eternity, the Third Hokage offered a slow nod of acceptance. "Very well, Sasuke. I shall teach you. You will still attend the Academy but starting tomorrow head here after your classes."

This time it was my eyes that widened. Wait? Really? I almost felt the need to check for an illusion. The Third Hokage. The God of the Shinobi. The Professor. This man was now my master. I swallowed hard. Hell yeah!

A few hours later I gazed out over the village from the roof of my home. The moon had risen, casting a silvery glow over the Hidden Leaf Village. It was late evening, and the day's events replayed in my mind as I stared out into the night. As Sasuke Uchiha, I was no stranger to hardships and pain, but today had brought something unexpected: the Third Hokage's agreement to take me as his student. His acceptance had caught me off-guard even as I had hoped for such, and as I contemplated the implications, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and trepidation. This was an opportunity to learn from one of the most powerful and respected ninja in the village, a chance to grow and hone my skills. But with this new role came greater responsibility and higher expectations, and I found myself wondering if I was prepared for the challenge.

As a professor of philosophy, I'd spent my life pursuing and sharing knowledge. Now, I had the chance to apply my understanding of epistemology to the world of Naruto. Theories about the nature of knowledge and how we acquire it could potentially help me in my quest for power and mastery of the ninja arts. But as I stood there, gazing at the moonlit village, I felt a pang of nostalgia for my old life. I missed the intellectual debates, the camaraderie of fellow academics, and the quiet satisfaction of guiding young minds to think critically.

Still, I couldn't ignore the thrill of possibility that surged through me, the prospect of learning from the Third Hokage and expanding my philosophical horizons in this new world. In a way, my unique background might serve me well in my training. My understanding of human nature, ethics, and metaphysics could potentially influence my approach to the shinobi way and the choices I make as a student of the Third Hokage.

As I continued to grapple with my thoughts, I resolved to embrace this turn of events. As both a philosopher and a ninja, I would push the boundaries of my knowledge and skill, combining the wisdom of both worlds to find new perspectives and insights. I took a deep breath, feeling the cool night air fill my lungs, and allowed the serenity of the moment to wash over me. The path ahead was uncertain, but it was one that I would walk with determination, curiosity, and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.

XXXX

The following day, I returned to the Third Hokage's office, my heart filled with anticipation and excitement for the training that awaited me. Upon entering, however, I was met with a sight I hadn't expected. Instead of the powerful figure I'd anticipated, I found the Hokage buried beneath a mountain of paperwork, his eyes scanning the documents with a weary persistence. The room was abuzz with secretaries rushing about, shuffling papers, and calling out urgent messages.

As I hesitated in the doorway, the Third Hokage looked up from his work and regarded me with a mixture of surprise and amusement. "Ah, Sasuke, you've arrived. You may have thought that our journey together would start with a flurry of action and excitement, but you must remember that being a shinobi also requires discipline and patience."

I frowned, puzzled by his words. "Lord Hokage, what do you mean?"

With a knowing smile, the Third Hokage replied, "Your first task as my student is to assist myself and my secretaries with this paperwork. Being a powerful ninja means taking responsibility for the safety and well-being of our village, and that often begins with ensuring that things run smoothly behind the scenes."

Feeling a mixture of disappointment and curiosity, I nodded and accepted the task at hand. Over the next several hours, I was introduced to the tedious world of Konoha's bureaucracy. I filed countless documents, organized shelves, and delivered urgent messages to other members of the village council in the Hokage building. I was not allowed to see anything particular confidential, but I did gain an understanding of the underlying principles behind the running of Konoha. And to be honest, I was quite impressed with the efficiency of Konoha. It was head and shoulders above any sort of organizational structure I had experienced back in my previous life. Every movement was efficient. Every paper form was designed to be used in the most intuitive way possible. To be honest, I knew many lean process analysts who would look at Konoha's bureaucracy with pure envy.

It was a far cry from the training I had envisioned, but as the day wore on, I began to understand the importance of the task I'd been given. Amidst the chaos, I saw the Third Hokage balance his formidable power with a keen sense of responsibility, ensuring that every aspect of the village was taken care of. I watched as his secretaries coordinated efforts, managing the complex web of information and resources necessary to maintain Konoha's stability.

When the day finally drew to a close, late that evening, and the flurry of activity subsided, the Third Hokage called me to his side. His eyes, now filled with warmth and understanding, met mine as he spoke. "Sasuke, today was merely the first lesson on the path you've chosen. You may have expected to begin with more glamorous training, but it's crucial that you understand the importance of the smaller tasks and the weight of responsibility. A true ninja is adaptable, patient, and, above all, dedicated to the welfare of the village."

I looked back at the now-organized room and nodded, grasping the significance of the day's events. "I understand, Lord Hokage."

With a satisfied smile, the Third Hokage patted my shoulder. "Well done, Sasuke Rest well, for the path of the shinobi is a demanding one."

xxxxx

As the school days progressed, I had found myself growing accustomed to the rhythm of the classroom. I focused on my studies, trying to absorb every detail that could help me on my path to becoming a formidable shinobi. As the lunch bell rang, the chatter of my fellow students filled the air, and I gathered my things, preparing to seek a quiet place to eat and reflect. Often, I would grab lunch with Chouji and Shikamaru, but today I was tired and desired to introvert. The work I did after school each day in the Hokage's office was, to be quite frank, mentally exhausting. Today, I just needed rest.

As I exited the classroom, I caught sight of Chouji standing by himself near the school's courtyard. Ah, yeah, Shikamaru was gone for the day, having to tend to his family deer herds. A group of kids had gathered around Chouji, their laughter a cruel cacophony. My curiosity piqued; I approached the scene to find that Chouji was the target of their taunts.

"You're so chubby, Chouji! How can you ever hope to be a ninja if you can't even run a mile?" one of the kids jeered, pointing at Chouji's lunch. The insults were childish and not worth listening to, but I quickly remembered how childhood taunts could be so damaging to one so young.

"Yeah! You'd probably just eat all the enemy's food and call it a victory!" another chimed in, guffawing at his own joke.

Chouji's face was flushed with embarrassment, and I could see the hurt in his eyes as he clenched his fists, struggling to hold back tears. Something inside me snapped. The cruelty reminded me of the pain of one my former students from so long ago. Gregory, a bright kid, but one who was terribly insecure. The years of verbal abuse had torn his confidence to nothing. As I looked at Chouji, I could see his face. Chouji was my friend, and I couldn't stand idly by.

I strode forward and positioned myself between Chouji and the bullies, my voice cold and firm. "That's enough."

The kids blinked in surprise, taken aback by my sudden intervention. One of them sneered, attempting to regain his composure. "What do you want, Sasuke? Are you here to defend the fatty?"

I fixed the boy with an unwavering glare, my words measured and deliberate. "Chouji is our classmate, and we're all part of the same village. Instead of tearing each other down, we should be supporting one another. A strong ninja is defined by more than just their physical abilities. Your words are weak, and they have no place here."

The bullies exchanged uncertain glances, clearly unnerved by my defense of Chouji. After a few tense moments, they muttered excuses and slunk away, their laughter now silenced. I turned to face Chouji, who looked at me with a mix of gratitude and surprise. Surprisingly, there was also a hint of anger, there. In my focus on the boys, I had not realized that Chouji was preparing to pound the life out of them. I felt myself chuckle even as Chouji said, "Thank you, Sasuke. I could have handled it though."

I offered him a small, reassuring smile. "We're all part of the same village, Chouji. We should be there for each other, no matter what."

His eyes lit up, and he returned my smile with a genuine warmth, the anger fading away. "You're right. Thank you again, Sasuke. I'll remember that."

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

As we walked away from the courtyard together, I felt a sense of camaraderie with Chouji that I hadn't expected. It was a small victory in the grand scheme of things, but I knew it was another step on the path I had chosen.

xxxx

The week went by much the same as it had before, I studied hard, practiced even harder, and enjoyed time with Chouji and Shikamaru. My evenings were spent in the Hokage's office, assisting and learning from the old man. As I worked, the old man would often impart little snippets of wisdom, encouraging me to complete a task in a specific manner. My mind flashed back to the old Karate Kid movies and I chuckled under my breath, "Wax on, Wax off."

"What was that, Sasuke?" Hiruzen asked from his desk and I gave him a laugh.

"Ah, nothing Lord Hokage. Just thinking of something funny."

The man nodded and turned back to his own work; however, I could still feel his eyes turning towards me occasionally. As I sat at my small desk in the corner of the Third Hokage's office, diligently working on the pile of secretarial paperwork in front of me, I suddenly felt his gaze settle upon me. I glanced over to find him gazing at me with an intrigued expression.

"Sasuke," he began, "I couldn't help but notice your exceptional vocabulary for someone your age. You seem to have the knowledge and language skills of someone much older. How did you come to acquire such a prodigious lexicon?"

Shit. I had overplayed my hand already. This was not good. I needed to think quickly and come up with an appropriate answer. It seemed in order to protect one secret, I would need to reveal another. I looked over at the Hokage, pausing for a moment and gathering my words, before answering. "Lord Third, after that night, I awakened my Sharingan."

Hiruzen's face seemed to darken with a hint of grief as I spoke, but I knew merely sharing that would not be enough. I continued in my defense, "Lord Third, my Sharingan has allowed me to read many tomes and books at an accelerated pace, enabling me to learn far more than I would have been able to without it. By observing the text with my Sharingan, I've been able to quickly absorb the information in various scrolls and texts."

The Third Hokage's brow rose in approval, "Fascinating, Sasuke. Your ability to use the Sharingan in such a unique way is truly remarkable. You have taken a powerful tool meant for battle and applied it to learning and personal growth."

I smiled slightly, attempting to portray a level of pride and gratitude for the praise. While it was true I had been utilizing the Sharingan in such a manner, it was more due to my previous life that my rhetoric was at a higher level. Still, that was a secret I would let no one know, "Thank you, Lord Third. I believe it's important to use the skills and abilities we have been given to their full potential. The more knowledge I have, the better prepared I will be to serve the village and protect my friends and family."

The Hokage smiled warmly at me, his eyes crinkling with approval. We were almost done for the evening, and I was eager to get home to practice more shuriken training and then rest. Hiruzen spoke up as I was finishing, "I will meet you at your family's training ground around 6am tomorrow morning. We will continue your tutelage there."

I raised my brow. I had assumed over the past week that the Hokage was merely going to be teaching more along the lines of the mental disciplines of being a shinobi, which I did not mind, but I felt a burst of excitement at the thought that he would be teaching me more combat related arts. I gave a nod and smiled, "As you say, Lord Hokage!"

He chuckled and for some reason, I felt a sense of foreboding. Perhaps this might not be as fun as I was expecting.

XXX

Later that evening, I made my way to my favorite place in Konoha. After the intensity of the day, I desperately needed some comfort food. As I pushed through the banners of the stand, I was blessed with the savory aroma of broth and noodles wafting out to greet me. I was immediately welcomed by the warm smiles of Teuchi and Ayame. The familiar atmosphere was a welcome respite from the mind numbing tediousness of paperwork. After a long day of bureaucracy,, a steaming bowl of ramen was just what I needed.

"Ah, Sasuke! Welcome back," Teuchi called out, gesturing for me to take a seat at the counter. "The usual?"

I nodded gratefully and settled onto the stool, watching as Ayame began expertly assembling my order. It wasn't long before a piping hot bowl of miso ramen appeared before me, accompanied by a generous helping of succulent char siu.

"Thank you," I said, my mouth watering at the sight

As I dug into my meal, Teuchi struck up a conversation. "So, how's your training at the academy going? Made any new friends?"

I couldn't help but smile as I thought of my friends, "Ah, yes! Shikamaru Nara, Chouji Akimichi and I hang out a good bit together."

Ayame offered a brilliant smile, "That's great! It's important to have good friendships. I don't know what I would do without Tifa and Arabella!"

"Yeah," I nodded, guessing the names were those of her girlfriends, "we've formed a strong bond. They're both talented in their own ways. Chouji's got an incredible strength and a kind heart, while Shikamaru's strategic mind is unmatched. We complement each other well, and they've been a great support throughout my training."

Teuchi and Ayame exchanged glances, clearly pleased to hear about my camaraderie. "It's important to have friends who have your back, especially in the world of shinobi," Teuchi mused. "Speaking of unique paths, did we ever tell you how we started Ichiraku Ramen?”

I shook my head, eager to hear their story as I continued to enjoy my meal.

Teuchi's eyes seemed to drift back in time as he began to recount their history. "Years ago, before Ayame was born, I was a traveling chef. I wandered from village to village, honing my culinary skills and learning new techniques. Eventually, I discovered my true passion: ramen."

He gestured around the cozy establishment, a note of pride in his voice. "When I arrived in the Hidden Leaf Village, I knew this was where I wanted to set down roots. I wanted to create a place where both shinobi and civilians could come together, sharing their stories and hardships over a comforting bowl of ramen. And so, Ichiraku Ramen was born."

Ayame chimed in, her eyes shining with admiration for her father. "I grew up watching my dad pour his heart into every bowl he served, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that. I've been helping him here since I was a teenager, and I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Noticeably, there was no mention of Ayame’s mother and though I felt a deep curiosity, I would not pry.

As I finished the last slurp of my noodles, I thanked Teuchi and Ayame for the meal and their company, promising to return soon. They gave me warm smiles and I began to head home.

Xxxx

The cool morning air nipped at my cheeks as I stood in the center of the training ground, my breath visible as I exhaled. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, casting long shadows across the field. Today was the day I'd been eagerly anticipating: a one-on-one training session with the Third Hokage himself. I couldn't help but feel a mixture of nerves and excitement, knowing that this was a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of the greatest shinobi in history. I still was somewhat shocked he had agreed to teach me.

As the Hokage approached, I bowed respectfully, doing my best to hide my anxiety, "Good morning, Lord Third."

"Good morning, Sasuke," he said, his voice warm and gentle, like a grandfather addressing a beloved grandchild, a tone that almost seemed to hide the power his old form possessed, "Today, we'll focus on assessing your knowledge of the basics of being a ninja. I'll have a better understanding of what to teach you going forward. I will be blunt, these sessions will be more about perfecting what you learn in the academy and training your mind than anything excessively new. Remember, even the most advanced techniques are built upon a strong foundation."

I nodded. As a professor myself, albeit from another world, I had had the opportunity to witness the importance of scaffolding as a pedagogical tool in teaching and learning. In my previous life, I had utilized scaffolding to help my students grasp complex philosophical concepts by building on their existing knowledge and providing support as they tackled new ideas. This approach allowed them to develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter and fostered critical thinking skills.

The Third Hokage it seemed would be using a similar approach here. Hopefully, I would be able to demonstrate my aptitude quickly and he would have me advance more readily.

"I understand, Lord Hokage."

"Excellent," he smiled, "Let us begin."

We began with stretching to warm up the body and, as we did so, the Hokage asked, "I do not want to assume, so I will ask, how familiar are you with the basics of the Sharingan?"

I thought back for a moment to the library in the clan compound and decided to go with a more clinical definition, "The Sharingan is a powerful dojutsu, or eye technique, exclusive to the Uchiha clan. It appears as a red eye with black, comma-shaped markings called tomoe, which increase in number as the user's proficiency grows. The Sharingan develops in stages, starting with one tomoe and progressing up to three tomoe. With one tomoe, the user gains heightened visual perception, allowing them to better anticipate an opponent's movements and react more quickly. Upon reaching two tomoe, the user gains the ability to see chakra flow, which helps them understand and analyze the chakra-based techniques of others. At the final stage, with three tomoe, the user attains an even greater level of visual acuity, enabling them to predict and counter enemy attacks with ease. Additionally, we can learn and copy techniques, provided they possess the necessary chakra affinity and physical capabilities to execute them. Overall, the Sharingan is a formidable tool that grants its wielder significant advantages in combat and strategy."

"And it grants eidetic memory obviously," Sarutobi chuckled as I had finished my rote recitation, "As part of our training, I am going to request that you utilize your Sharingan at all times. It will increase your proficiency as well as your chakra capacity."

"Will that not make me excessively reliant on my dojutsu?" I frowned. Perhaps it was one too many fanfics I had read back in the day but it seemed logical to me; however the Hokage had an amused grin on his face at my question.

"I will answer that question with another question, under what circumstances would you not have access to your dojutsu?"

I frowned and began to ponder the question. The most immediate answer that came to mind is if I had been blinded, but if I was blinded, I would be relying on senses other than sight; so really what the Hokage was pointing out was that it was the same struggle every ninja faced, an over reliance on sight. I shared my insights and he nodded.

"Good. It is important to not be over reliant on any sense regardless of how powerful that sense might be, but to avoid its use or think you need to not overly rely on it when you're not already training your other senses, is foolish. It's similar to the Inuzuka's sense of smell or the Aburame's use of bugs. To avoid using your Kekkei Genkai for fear of overreliance deprives you of your greatest weapon. Now, can you think of another situation in which you would not have access?"

Hmm. I thought for a moment before offering somewhat tentatively, "When I run out of chakra?”

The Hokage nodded, "And when you run out of chakra in battle what happens?"

I could see where the Hokage was going with this.

"You're dead."

The Third Hokage nodded, his gaze serious as he emphasized the importance of strategic chakra use in battle. "Sasuke," he began, "one of the most crucial skills a ninja must master is the ability to manage their chakra efficiently. Chakra is the energy that powers our techniques, and it is a limited resource. Overexerting yourself and running out of chakra during a fight can leave you vulnerable and unable to defend yourself." He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. "Depleting your chakra reserves can have dire consequences, and in some cases, can even lead to death. In battle, it's essential to know your limits and be mindful of your chakra consumption, so you can strike a balance between offense and defense, ensuring your survival and success."

I swallowed, taking the words to heart, "I understand, Lord Hokage."

The man nodded and the looked at me seriously, "As my student, going forward, you may refer to me as Sarutobi-Sensei or Hiruzen-Sensei. It is only appropriate."

I nodded, the weight of that honor resting heavy on my shoulders, "As you say, Hiruzen-Sensei."

He gave a small smile and patted my head as we transitioned to the basics of taijutsu, the physical combat techniques that form the core of a ninja's abilities. I concentrated on my stance and the precision of my movements, my muscles straining with each punch and kick.

"Sasuke, keep your center of gravity low and stable," the Third Hokage advised as I performed a sweeping kick. I adjusted my stance and tried again, feeling more balanced this time.

"Better," he said, nodding. "A strong foundation will make it more difficult for your opponent to unbalance you."

As we continued our taijutsu training, it felt unnatural, utilizing the Academy's style. It just felt wrong, too wide sweeping in its movements. Too rigid in its stances. I hesitated for a moment before voicing my frustration. "Hiruzen-sensei, the academy style just doesn't feel right. I know it's dumb, but I just don't like the way it feels."

The Hokage nodded after a moment and said, "I see. Your discomfort is one that is understandable considering your heritage. Your body and lineage have been bred for speed and agility rather than the more strength based academy style."

He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. " I'll look into whether there's anyone in the village with proficiency in the Uchiha Taijutsu style who might be able to help you. And if not, there are other more speed based taijutsu styles in the village you could potentially learn that might be more fitting."

"Ah, thank you, Sensei."

We then moved on to ninjutsu, focusing on chakra control as the foundation for all techniques. I was tired from the physical exhaustion, but it seemed my teacher had determined to keep pushing me further.

"We have spoken of the importance of strategic chakra use. One of the key ways to use your chakra efficiently is through chakra control. By strengthening your control, you waste less chakra and your jutsu increases in strength. Tell me do you know the leaf exercise?"

I nodded, "Yes, Sensei."

"Show me."

I nodded and walked over the training ground before finding a good leaf. I immediately turned and stuck it to my forehead, holding it in place with my chakra. The Hokage nodded.

"Good, now can you cause it to travel over your body?"

I raised my brow. This was not something we had studied or even thought to try in class. I shook my head, "Ah, no, Sensei."

"Then that is where we shall begin. Let me know when you can cause the leaf to travel the length of your arm."

And with that the Hokage moved to a nearby stump and seemingly pulled from nowhere a scroll and a calligraphy set.

I shook my head and began to focus on the task. Okay, so the goal of this exercise was to manipulate the flow of my chakra to move the leaf from my forehead, along the length of my arm, and finally to rest in my open palm. I knew it would take intense focus and fine chakra control.

With a deep breath, I began to concentrate on my chakra flow, envisioning it like a stream, smoothly and effortlessly redirecting its course. The leaf quivered, and my heart raced in anticipation. I felt a small surge of excitement as it slid down my forehead, inch by inch. However, as it reached the bridge of my nose, the leaf lost its momentum and dropped to the ground.

Frustration bubbled inside me, but I knew I had to remain patient. I carefully picked up the leaf and placed it back on my forehead, taking another deep breath to refocus my efforts.

What felt like hours passed, and the leaf continued to slip from my grasp, time and time again; however, each time the leaf moved forward another centimeter. Sweat poured down my face, my frustration mounting with each failed attempt. As the shadows of the training grounds grew longer, my determination only strengthened. I couldn't allow this challenge to best me.

Just as the sun reached its peak in the sky, I tried again. With unwavering focus, I visualized the path for my chakra, guiding it with precision. The leaf began its descent once more, sliding from my forehead and over my nose. This time, it moved past my chin and down my neck. My heart pounded as I felt the leaf on my shoulder, inching closer to my goal.

The leaf continued to make its way down my arm, my excitement building. I could feel the subtle vibrations of my chakra as it traversed my elbow and forearm. It was working. My chakra control had improved.

My excitement, however, became my undoing as I lost focus as the leaf drifted once more to the ground. I scowled, but I refused to let this simple task beat me. How could I expect to control the forces of nature if I couldn't control a simple leaf.

I tried again.

And again.

And again.

Finally, as the sun began to dip towards the horizon. I watched as the leaf reached my open palm. I couldn't help but smile, a mixture of relief and pride washing over me. It had taken hours of struggle and perseverance, but I had succeeded.

"Yes!"

My yell of success caused the Hokage to give me a pleased smile.

"Excellent work, Sasuke. Come now, I'm sure you're hungry."

On the stump the Hokage had replaced his calligraphy set with two simple meals. Despite the simplicity, I felt my stomach growl and immediately rushed over to partake. As we ate our conversation turned to genjutsu.

"Genjutsu is the art of manipulating your opponent's senses, Sasuke. It requires a delicate touch, and often involves exploiting your target's weaknesses," he explained, drawing diagrams in the dirt to help illustrate his points. He paused, ensuring I was following his explanation. "A well-executed genjutsu can render your enemy vulnerable, providing an opportunity for you to either strike or escape, depending on the situation."

I nodded, absorbing his words. "So, the key is to find the right moment to use genjutsu and catch my opponent off guard?"

"Exactly," the Hokage confirmed. "But remember, Sasuke, genjutsu requires a delicate touch. Too heavy-handed, and your opponent may realize they're under the influence of an illusion. Too subtle, and it may not have the desired effect. The key is to find the right balance."

"That makes sense," I acknowledged. "And what about countering an opponent's genjutsu, Sensei?"

"Ah, that's another important aspect," he said, nodding. "To effectively counter a genjutsu, you must first recognize that you are under its influence. Once you do, you can disrupt your chakra flow, breaking the illusion and freeing yourself. This is known as 'genjutsu kai'."

"Thank you, Sensei. I appreciate your guidance on this matter," I said, my mind racing with ideas on how to apply these principles in my future battles.

We finished up our conversation as the sun began to set. The Third patted me on the head, "Keep practicing the leaf exercise. I'll see you in the office on Monday after your class, but expect Saturdays to be much like today."

I have a deep bow, "I am honored by your time and teaching, "Hiruzen-Sensei."

The man gave a chuckle and a nod and soon disappeared. I turned my gaze to the sunset. I was still unsure of why exactly the Hokage had decided to teach me but, I was determined not to waste the opportunity.

I turned to head back inside and my eyes widened in shock as I watched a barrage of kunai fly towards my body.

End chapter.