Noa POV
I never doubted my victory. The three-tomoe Sharingan is a massive advantage, but it couldn't match my Stormdrive. My speed, strength, and reflexes were simply on another level. Giving Kaen any room to breathe or dictate the tempo would have been a mistake.
I went all out from the start. Since this wasn't a war zone, I didn't need to hold back. I had no other enemies to fight and no need to conserve chakra for a long trek through hostile territory. I just let loose. The results were exceptional.
I haven't used Stormdrive in a very long time. Feeling that rush once more awakened something in me. I was proud to know that I created this. I reached this level through my own efforts. That satisfaction made me feel like I earned the smug smile people say is always blasted on my face.
This time, I tried something I knew I could probably do long ago. Stormdrive already overflows my body with chakra. Since my reserves are always increasing, I finally had enough to oversaturate and project that energy. I created a lightning chakra armor. Just like the Raikage, I could now walk through ninjutsu. It would neutralize most of the damage.
The issue is the ridiculous chakra consumption. My technique is internal. Unlike the Raikage, my lightning is inwardly focused. Projecting that much chakra in such a shape feels foreign to me. I'm sure a more efficient way exists, but seeking that intel would start a war with Kumogakure.
To me, Stormdrive is superior anyway. I gained my incredible strength and reflexes because of it. The technique is passive and always active. It is constantly improving my body. Who knows what multiple years of continued growth will do. Maybe I will eventually develop a passive version of the lightning armor once my chakra reaches a certain level.
I shook my head, escaping my thoughts as I looked at Kaen's broken body and wondered why no one had intervened yet. He was badly injured with a broken arm and multiple broken ribs, not to mention the internal injuries he must have. I looked to the side and saw Fugaku eyeing me with so much interest that I felt violated and involuntarily covered my chest with both arms.
Itachi laughed at my reaction while curiosity was eating at his core, I could feel it. His desire to fight me then and there was only held back by the stern presence of his father. Shisui shook his head at my reaction as Fugaku raised a finger and multiple ANBU agents appeared. He instructed them, "Take Kaen to an ANBU healer. Do your best to heal him as soon as possible and to the best of our abilities. Use a seal master to aid if needed."
The ANBU bowed, "As you wish, Lord Hokage," before they carried Kaen carefully and flickered away within a few seconds, clearing the area completely.
Fugaku's eyes finally focused as he snapped out of his train of thought. He pinned me with a powerful look.
"How did you develop that technique?" he asked.
I got tense. The Third Hokage was understanding when I refused to reveal the secrets of the Stormdrive training method. However, Fugaku's stern face gave me the impression that he wouldn't be as tolerant.
I looked at Shisui and, to my surprise, he was relaxed. I became less tense as I replied, "It is a training method that is both painful and deadly. I was extremely lucky to survive, and I am sure that no one else would. Even Master Shuzo told me so when I revealed this state to him." My throat tightened a bit at the mention of Master Shuzo, but I stabilized my shaking eyes as I looked at Fugaku, who narrowed his eyes before asking, "So it is something highly specialized, or requires extremely harsh conditions like the Eight Inner Gates?"
I nodded in confirmation. "It requires complicated conditions that are nearly impossible to replicate. I don't want any child to experience what I went through. If anyone else tried this, they would likely die. It only works if you start at a very young age, and the risks are simply too high."
I hesitated for a moment, but the words came out on their own. "Someone like Danzo would have forced the issue anyway. That is why I kept it a secret. I didn't want the blood of Konoha's children on my hands."
Fugaku nodded, convinced by my explanation, as he spoke with a nostalgic tone. "Every Hokage had their own exclusive jutsu. What I saw today makes me think of you as someone who is most promising." Itachi and Shisui nodded in agreement, however, a very thoughtful look appeared on Fugaku's face. He stayed silent for a very long time, conflict showing on his face, before he finally reached some sort of decision and his resolve took over. "Just know that if we can duplicate what you did, we would end up saving so many lives in future wars."
I replied, "I understand, but in my humble opinion, it would not be worth the suffering and death we would have to pay for something that isn't even guaranteed."
Fugaku, to my surprise, was very understanding as he nodded. "As you wish. Just know that in the future, if you ever change your mind, you can let me know and I will work with you personally to ensure that we do it the right way." I wanted to decline even that offer, however, it looked like he wasn't waiting for my answer as he continued. "However, since the village hasn't earned your trust yet, how about this?"
He stayed silent for a moment before continuing, a small smile appearing on his face. "Your late Master Shuzo noted that you have a mind untethered by the constraints of the usual seal masters and even grandmasters. He said that you have an incredible understanding of concepts that relate to space. Like you understand more about it than even the experts."
A bead of sweat appeared on my forehead. While yes, I am very talented when it comes to Fuinjutsu, it is originally related to my knowledge from Earth and from my visualization of seals in three dimensions, not to mention knowing about dimensions and understanding complex physics concepts. If I added my latest breakthrough from working on the One-Tail seal, I was most likely one of the strongest seal users in Konoha, minus the raw knowledge of seals which I was still studying from Master Shuzo's life-work scrolls. With enough time to memorize and learn how to apply advanced seals, I will reach an unparalleled level.
Fugaku noticed the tension in my body language as he continued. "I will entrust you with something the village considers one of its most important secrets. I will share the Flying Thunder God technique steps and notes from its creator, the Second Hokage, and from the one who improved on it, the Fourth Hokage."
The entire world went silent. Shisui especially was stunned since he had seen it during the Third Shinobi War and knew how broken of an ability it is, but a skeptical look appeared on his face. It looked like he doubted that anyone was able to both learn and execute that jutsu.
I, on the other hand, was flabbergasted. I had no interest in learning it, and even if I did, I doubted that the village would have simply shared it with me if I asked. Plus, if great shinobi like the Sannin never got to learn it, it meant that the requirements must be astronomical. I did not have the time for that. I had too many things to focus on already.
Fugaku noticed my hesitation and said, "I am sure you read about it at the academy and understand its applications. It is one of the most difficult secret jutsu in the village. Since you cannot share the Stormdrive training method, why not learn this technique and save lives in a different way?"
He paused, his gaze steady. "In exchange for the trust we extend by giving you that jutsu, if you succeed in mastering it, I want you to teach Itachi, Shisui, and Kakashi. Try to teach them to use it individually. If that proves impossible, then teach them to use it as a team, just as the Fourth's bodyguards do. Even if you fail, there is no pressure. At least we will have tried, rather than letting such a technique gather dust in the village's secret archive."
Now my mouth was also open as I eyed the Fifth Hokage with disbelieving eyes.