Naruto: I have Ten Skill Bars

The corner of Hayate's mouth twitched slightly.

Is this what genius looks like? The kid actually used the word "simple" to describe something so extraordinary.

If combining chakra nature transformations with swordsmanship were really so simple, why hadn't anyone in the entire ninja world developed a style like that by now?

Clearly, this boy had no idea just how incredible a thing he'd accomplished.

They soon arrived at the Hokage Building—Shigure's first time setting foot inside.

Inside the Hokage's Office

Shigure eyed the legendary hero of Konoha with open curiosity.

Sarutobi Hiruzen—the Third Hokage. The man who had ruled the village for decades.

As Shigure studied him, the Hokage studied Shigure in return.

Though he'd observed Shigure once before through the crystal ball, this was their first time meeting face-to-face.

And Sarutobi could already tell—this child was different.

Even standing before the Hokage himself, Shigure's expression held no fear, no awe. Not even surprise.

There was a calm confidence in his gaze that no twelve-year-old should possess.

But then again, no ordinary twelve-year-old could create a sword technique like that.

"You're Moonlight (Gekkō) Shigure, correct?" the Third asked.

Shigure stepped forward, bowed slightly at Gekkō Hayate's signal, and replied, "Yes, Sandaime-sama!"

"Your parents were both exceptional shinobi. Konoha has not forgotten their sacrifices."

Trying to build rapport? Shigure's expression dimmed.

His eyes no longer shone as brightly.

Seeing the shift, Hiruzen let out a soft sigh.

"These are matters of the past—I shouldn't have brought them up. Forgive me, child. It's just that... whenever I think of the shinobi who gave their lives for the village, I—"

Watching the old man's sorrowful expression, Shigure wasn't sure whether the sentiment was genuine or an act.

Maybe he really is sad about those sacrifices… but even if he is, what can be done now?

Then came the real question.

"Shigure, that sword technique you used at the training grounds... who taught it to you?"

Shigure looked up and answered, "Brother Hayate taught me."

"…Huh?"

Hayate blinked, utterly confused.

"When did I teach you that?"

"You forgot, Brother Hayate? You taught me the Konoha-ryū kenjutsu."

"Konoha-style swordsmanship?"

Hayate exhaled. "Yes, I did teach you that… but what you used earlier was not Konoha-ryū."

"Of course it was! I just made some adjustments to suit my own style."

Some? Adjustments?

Hayate was left speechless.

Calling that a slight adjustment? You practically rebuilt the entire thing from scratch!

The Third Hokage chuckled. "I see. So you're saying the technique you used was derived from Konoha-style swordsmanship?"

Shigure nodded. "Yes."

"Combining kenjutsu with elemental chakra… that's not just an alteration—that's an invention."

Sarutobi smiled warmly. "And tell me, Shigure—who taught you chakra manipulation?"

"My parents left behind some ninjutsu scrolls. I learned from those while I was at the Academy."

"Ninjutsu scrolls?"

Sarutobi scanned the documents on his desk. Shigure's father, Gekkō Ichikiyo, was a ninja with confirmed chakra nature affinity. His mother had been a skilled medical-nin, though her elemental affinity was unrecorded.

It made sense that Shigure had inherited at least one chakra nature.

"And you mastered chakra manipulation just from those scrolls?"

"Yes," Shigure replied. "And since pure swordsmanship lacked something, I decided to incorporate chakra nature transformations to give it more… movement."

So this terrifying new technique was born out of simple dissatisfaction?

"Incredible…" Hiruzen murmured. "Does your technique have a name?"

"Breathing," Shigure replied.

The Third Hokage raised an eyebrow. "Breathing?"

A moment passed.

"Yes… it's a good name."

Sarutobi studied the boy again. Shigure's parents had died when he was still an infant, yet he seemed entirely unaffected by that tragedy.

Probably thanks to his clan.

The Moonlight Clan was small, but they had always taken care of their own. Especially orphans like Shigure.

Now, having met him in person, the Third Hokage could say with certainty: there was nothing wrong with the boy's growth.

He was a calm, capable child with a rare talent for swordsmanship.

A true product of Konoha's legacy—someone worth nurturing.

"By the way, Shigure… You're graduating soon, aren't you?"

Shigure nodded.

"Then I hope you continue to work hard. Become a great shinobi of Konoha. I'll be watching your progress closely."

With that, Hiruzen gestured to Hayate, who escorted Shigure out.

Outside the Hokage Building

Shigure let out a breath of relief.

Looks like I passed the Third's inspection… for now.

His background was clean, and he hadn't raised any red flags.

But while Sarutobi might have been satisfied, the other side of Konoha's power structure might not be.

At Root Headquarters

Danzo had already been informed of the incident at the training grounds.

In a time of peace, such events were rare—and thus, all the more significant.

"A phoenix from a small, forgotten clan… who would've thought," Danzo muttered.

"To think a mere child could develop a jutsu like that…"

He turned to one of his Root operatives. "What's your assessment of that boy's sword technique?"

The operative adjusted his glasses and reported,

"Based on wound analysis, battlefield traces, and testimonies from the other Genin…"

"It's estimated that his technique has the destructive power of an A-rank ninjutsu. If refined by a taijutsu-specialized shinobi, it could elevate their combat ability to elite jōnin level."

Danzo's brow twitched.

This wasn't about Shigure anymore.

Danzo didn't care for the boy himself—just another gifted child, and likely already marked as Sarutobi's protégé.

But the sword technique… that was something he could pursue.

Later That Evening

Shigure had returned home and was preparing to rest when Hayate showed up again—this time with a large bundle.

"These," Hayate said, "are all the sword techniques Konoha has compiled over the years."

"Konoha doesn't focus as heavily on kenjutsu as Kumogakure or Kirigakure… but the Third said that, given your talent, you might be able to make something of them."

He dropped the stack of scrolls in front of Shigure. There had to be two or three hundred in total.

Shigure's eyes lit up.

[Great Sage: Analyzing various sword styles. Compatibility with Breathing techniques confirmed. Enhanced potential unlocked.]

Looks like meeting the Third Hokage wasn't a waste of time after all…

Even if these aren't ninjutsu scrolls, they're still worth plenty.

...

TN:

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