"You..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils trembled slightly as he stared at Ryuji Hyuga. He pressed his dry lips together before speaking. "You actually learned Lightning Cutter?"
"I am sorry, Third Hokage. It still feels far from Kakashi Hatake's version of Lightning Cutter."
Ryuji Hyuga shook his head and looked at the crackling light in his hand with a troubled expression. "My control over the nature and shape transformation of Lightning Release Chakra is still far below Senior Kakashi Hatake. Right now, it only reaches the level and difficulty of an A-rank Ninjutsu."
"It does not really deserve the name Lightning Cutter. Maybe it should just be called Chidori."
After saying that, Ryuji Hyuga lifted his head and looked at the stunned Hiruzen Sarutobi. His expression was modest, with a hint of shame.
[ Ding. Your lie has been judged as 'nonsense'. Hiruzen Sarutobi experienced intense emotional fluctuation and reached the level of 'questioning life'. You obtained 800 Reality Points. ]
Only A-rank Ninjutsu, and you still feel ashamed…
The corner of Hiruzen Sarutobi's eye twitched. He did not know how to express his feelings, so he forced out a complicated smile. "That is already very good."
After all, this Third Hokage was truly recognized across the entire Ninja World as a "Ninjutsu professor."
This was not some title like "god of the Ninja World" or "strongest Hokage" that Orochimaru used to flatter his teacher.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had been able to combine five different elemental Ninjutsu even as a child. Later, he could use thousands of techniques, with extreme mastery over the five major Chakra nature transformations. Secret arts, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu were all areas where he was strong.
That was why, among his three disciples, he favored Orochimaru the most. Like him, Orochimaru was born with all five elemental Chakra, making him the most suitable successor. It was just that he later went down the wrong path.
Because of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi could clearly understand what Ryuji Hyuga's performance meant.
"Cough, cough." He cleared his throat and restrained his expression, then showed a sincere smile. "Ryuji, when did you master Lightning Release Chakra to this level?"
It was precisely because he understood the meaning that he had reacted soloss of composure earlier.
Since Ryuji Hyuga could use a simplified, seal-less version of "Wind Release·Wind Cutter Technique" at the Jonin Council, it meant his mastery of Wind Release Chakra nature and shape transformation was already extremely high.
That was why Hiruzen Sarutobi had deliberately left so many B-rank Wind Release Ninjutsu here. He had even hesitated over whether to let Danzo Shimura, who was best at Wind Release, teach this child.
One had to know that reaching the level of using B-rank Ninjutsu with a single element's Chakra transformations already counted as standard Jonin level.
That was why Kakashi Hatake, who developed an S-rank Lightning Release Ninjutsu, could become a Jonin at the age of twelve and even join ANBU as a squad leader.
This was also why, at the Jonin Council, after Ryuji Hyuga revealed that Wind Release Ninjutsu, the others present obediently shut their mouths. Some even mocked Hizashi Hyuga in their hearts.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi himself was only at this level when it came to single-element Chakra transformations.
His most practiced techniques, Fire Release Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, Water Release Water Dragon Bullet, Earth Release Earth Dragon Bullet, Lightning Release Thunder Crash, and Wind Release Cyclone, were all B-rank Ninjutsu.
Of course, what he truly excelled at were combined Ninjutsu.
Still, Hiruzen Sarutobi had not expected that even the nature and shape transformation of Lightning Release Chakra had been mastered by Ryuji Hyuga to this extent. It completely surpassed the level of an ordinary Jonin.
Buzz.
The condensed lightning arc in Ryuji Hyuga's hand dispersed, leaving only a few twisting, snake-like traces in the air.
He scratched his head, looking a little uneasy under Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze, and spoke softly. "Third Hokage, I have actually been trying to use Lightning Release Chakra to temper my body since three or four years ago."
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell completely silent, yet his eyes grew brighter and brighter.
How old was this child again?
Fifteen? Or sixteen?
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the young face of Ryuji Hyuga, still carrying some immaturity, as if he were looking at a rare treasure.
Only fifteen years old, yet both Lightning Release and Wind Release transformations had reached a level beyond Jonin. And because he came from the Hyuga Clan, several years of his early time had been delayed.
"Ryuji!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi used Shunshin to appear in front of Ryuji Hyuga. He grabbed the boy's shoulder firmly and asked in a serious tone, "Have you ever tested your Chakra attributes?"
After such emotional ups and downs, a strong impulse rose within him.
Orochimaru could no longer be relied on, but if it was this child…
However, Ryuji Hyuga's smile froze. He lowered his head in frustration and said, "I only have wind and lightning attributes."
Hearing this, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over Hiruzen Sarutobi. He calmed down instantly, and the strength in his hand loosened slightly.
"Only wind and lightning?" He could not help but let out a disappointed sigh.
Hiruzen Sarutobi truly felt a strong urge to pass on his legacy to Ryuji Hyuga. He even felt the urge to take him in as a disciple.
But cultivating other attributes from nothing and mastering their Chakra transformations was even harder than becoming proficient in shape transformation.
What a pity. Such a pity.
"It is fine. Two attributes are already very good."
Noticing the disappointment and shame on Ryuji Hyuga's face, Hiruzen Sarutobi forced a smile and patted his shoulder. "Most ninja cannot master a second Chakra transformation in their entire lives. I believe someone with your talent can go even further."
He still had expectations for Ryuji Hyuga.
After all, this child was only fifteen or sixteen years old.
It was just a pity that he came from the Hyuga Clan as a member of the Branch Family.
Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi subconsciously glanced at Ryuji Hyuga's forehead, but it was blocked by the Forehead Protector.
As if he suddenly remembered something, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked toward the table nearby. When he saw the opened Yin Seal Scroll, he could not help pressing his lips together.
"Ryuji…" He turned back and asked tentatively, "I saw that you also looked through Yin Seal. What do you think of it?"
Under Hiruzen Sarutobi's expectant, almost wishful gaze, Ryuji Hyuga shook his head without hesitation. His tone was low. "I can tell that the effect of that technique suits me very well, but that meridian system seems to only apply to women."
"If I wanted to modify it, the workload would be far too large."
[ Ding. Your lie has been judged as 'nonsense'. Hiruzen Sarutobi experienced emotional fluctuation and reached the level of 'mind moved by words'. You obtained 600 Reality Points. ]
A cold, emotionless prompt sounded in his mind, as if declaring that everything Ryuji Hyuga had said was a lie.
Yes, Yin Seal was also something he had already mastered.