This was no longer advice; it was a promise—a gamble!
The Third Hokage was ready to stake every scrap of political capital and lifelong credibility to pave the way for him.
Tejima Shinichi fell silent.
He could feel the weight and sincerity in Hiruzen Sarutobi's words.
The old man seemed to see in him a world-shaking hope, and was willing to bet everything on it.
Become Hokage? Hold the highest power? Shape Konoha according to his own will?
The notion circled in Tejima Shinichi's mind like a devil's whisper.
Power was indeed one of the most effective tools for attaining "freedom."
Yet… it also meant endless paperwork, compromises, and being chained to the Hokage Tower desk, a target in everyone's sights.
Was that truly what he wanted?
Before Shinichi could think further, Hiruzen Sarutobi's next words shattered the air:
"Therefore…"
Hiruzen drew a deep breath, eyes locking onto Shinichi as he staked everything and said in a low voice,
"Become my disciple, Shinichi!"
"…!"
Caught off guard, Tejima Shinichi's pupils shrank, struck anew by the sudden proposal.
The Hokage's disciple?!
That title signified formal succession; it would brand him with the deepest mark of the "Hokage faction"!
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting shifting spots of light between them.
Hiruzen waited, his gaze full of expectation and resolve.
Shinichi stood in place, silent for several breaths.
Power? Responsibility? Freedom? Shackles?
Countless thoughts clashed like lightning in his mind.
At last, Shinichi lifted his eyes to meet Hiruzen's anxious, hopeful stare, and spoke a single word:
"Alright."
Hiruzen's body jolted as if he couldn't believe his ears.
Before he could react—
Shinichi looked at him, bowed slightly, and addressed him with a title that now carried new meaning:
"Sensei."
"Good! Good! Good!"
Hiruzen froze, then joy erupted from his heart like a volcano!
He threw back his head and laughed, a hearty laugh he hadn't enjoyed in ages!
"Hahahahaha—!!!"
The laughter rang out, scattering the gloom that had weighed on his brow; even the surrounding sunlight seemed to brighten.
He laughed so freely he bent over coughing, yet his smile only grew brighter.
Since the great tragedy twelve years ago when Biwa-ko and Asuma's elder brother died, Hiruzen had not felt such genuine ease and joy for a long, long time.
It was the ecstatic relief of finally setting down a thousand-pound burden, of seeing a clear and hopeful future —of having a successor.
This youth, possessed of terrifying talent, a clear mind, and a unique, profound understanding of the Will of Fire, had accepted the olive branch he offered!
Hiruzen was certain: betting Konoha's future on Tejima Shinichi could not be wrong!
Watching the nearly seventy-year-old man laugh like a child, Shinichi felt the pure emotion ripple across his own heart, and the corners of his mouth curved into a faint, unconscious smile.
He could sense the unfeigned joy.
When Hiruzen's laughter finally ebbed, though excitement and relief still shone in his eyes, Shinichi spoke again:
"Since you are now my teacher…" He met Hiruzen's gaze calmly. "There are things I should no longer keep from you."
Hearing this, Hiruzen's smile softened, curiosity piqued: "Oh? What is it that makes you so solemn?"
Shinichi did not answer at once.
Under Hiruzen's watchful eyes, he slowly raised both hands, palms up, between them.
The gesture puzzled the Hokage, but he waited patiently for his student's explanation.
Then—
A wisp of Chakra brimming with vibrant life force seeped from his palms.
Next, in the reflection of Hiruzen's suddenly contracted pupils, a scene he would never forget unfolded—
Two tender, emerald saplings, as though alive, slowly sprouted from Shinichi's left and right palms!
They grew at visible speed, extending tiny branches and unfurling delicate green leaves, finally halting at finger length —distinct and lifelike, swaying gently in his palms.
"T-this is…?!"
The smile on Hiruzen's face froze; indescribable shock seized him!
His eyes bulged as if they might pop from their sockets; his mouth gaped wide enough to fit an egg.
Blood surged wildly to his brain, waves of dizziness assaulting him, the roar of rushing blood thundering in his ears!
What had he just seen?!
Wood… Wood Release?!
The legendary Kekkei Genkai that Lord First Hashirama used to quell chaos and found Konoha —Wood Release?!
Impossible!
Yamato's Wood Release came from transplanted cells of the First —a fluke after countless failed experiments!
Yet Tejima Shinichi… had never undergone any experiment!
His mother, Mori Chie, possessed only faint traces of the Senju bloodline —she could never naturally pass on such complete and potent Wood Release!
What he now witnessed overturned decades of his understanding!
Besides Yamato, who barely wielded the element through cells, how could anyone —let alone one born with it —possess true Wood Release?!
The tender shoots in Shinichi's palms swayed silently, proclaiming the advent of a new era.
Watching the utterly stunned Hiruzen, Shinichi slowly closed his fingers; the two vibrant saplings vanished like illusions, as though they had never existed.
Meeting the Hokage's horrified gaze, he calmly said,
"As you can see, sensei."
"This… is my power."
Shinichi's calm words detonated like thunder in Hiruzen's tumultuous mind.
Though his palms were now empty, the shocking scene was seared into the Hokage's very soul!