Upon hearing Hiruzen's question, Tatsuma decisively fell silent because he knew that it wasn't the leader asking a question, but rather the leader intending to speak about himself.
Interpreting the question in this way, it meant Sarutobi Hiruzen's perception of himself as a ninja, rather than what a ninja was as stated in the question.
Tatsuma understood this principle, but Minato did not. He immediately began pondering. Then, as Hiruzen took a breath, preparing to embark on a lengthy discourse, Minato interjected:
"Jiraiya sensei once said, a ninja is someone who endures what ordinary people cannot. When I trained with Brother Duy before, he also said that a ninja is someone who understands self-restraint.
So I believe a ninja is someone who, even when wielding great power, knows where to apply that power, rather than acting recklessly.
The power of ninjas should be used for protection, rather than being brave and ruthless, and judging heroes based on their strength. The power of the latter will only make people fear it, and the power of the former will be recognized by others. "
Tatsuma noticed that Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression had turned somewhat resentful. He promptly pulled on Minato's sleeve and then spoke, "Our understanding of the essence of being a ninja is still shallow. If possible, Hokage-sama, could you enlighten us on what truly defines a ninja?"
Minato, being pulled, felt puzzled at first, but upon hearing the latter part of Tatsuma's statement, he realized what was being implied. Feeling somewhat ashamed, he said, "I apologize, Hokage-sama. It was my narrow definition of a ninja. Being inexperienced, I am unable to answer this question."
Minato thought it was because of his incomplete and inaccurate explanation.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression softened at this point. He was beginning to worry that if Minato continued speaking, he would truly have no words left to say. Fortunately, Tatsuma intervened in time.
'This Sakamoto Tatsuma, he looks like a true inheritor of the Will of Fire!'
After sorting through his thoughts, Hiruzen removed many points that Minato had already mentioned and then spoke up, "Do not underestimate yourselves. Both of you have a profound understanding of what it means to be a ninja."
"However, there are things that you who have just set foot on this path cannot see, and I, having walked further along the path of the ninja, can only share some insights from a retrospective perspective."
After a modest preamble, Hiruzen turned around and said, "Ninjas and the way of the shinobi are inseparable. Or rather, only those who understand their own path of shinobi and walk upon it are worthy of being called ninjas.
Among these ninjas, the meaning varies in different eras. Before Konoha became the leading village and established the ninja village system, the duty of ninjas was to defend and develop their own clans.
Ninjas from different clans, sharing the same beliefs, would often find themselves trapped in the cycle of conflict in their pursuit of their own paths of shinobi. It is truly regrettable that many outstanding ninjas perished due to the clash of these paths.
Later, the appearance of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama-sama, added a new meaning to being a ninja. It meant uniting people with similar aspirations. He set aside past grievances and led the Senju Clan to form an alliance with their former enemies, the Uchiha Clan."
"Afterward, the First Hokage-sama enabled many individuals with similar aspirations to cease internal conflicts. He also established a ninja village, where ninjas from different clans could practice their own paths of shinobi while aiding others."
As he spoke, Hiruzen's face reflected nostalgia and reverence, and Tatsuma appropriately mirrored the same expression. After a moment of reminiscence, Hiruzen continued:
"During the reign of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama-sama, he further broke down the barriers among ninja clans, allowing ninja to lead civilians in practicing the path of shinobi together. Konoha ceased to be a collection of clan alliances and instead became a common homeland for individual ninjas.
Under his guidance, individuals such as Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and me were discovered and nurtured as ninjas under Tobirama-sensei's new definition of ninjas.
With him leading the village, it flourished, evolving from a mere experimental seedling into the towering tree it is today."
Although Minato had studied this history before, he still displayed an excited expression. Every time he heard this story, his admiration for the departed Second Hokage grew stronger.
"After recounting the two previous generations of Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally shifted the conversation to himself and continued, 'I inherited the shinobi way of my sensei, the Second Hokage, Tobirama-sama.
Under his guidance, I had the privilege of becoming the Third Hokage. In my eyes, a ninja, as you mentioned, Minato, is someone who protects everyone and earns their recognition. This is the most important lesson my sensei taught me.
Where leaves dance, fire thrives endlessly. The flame will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout. Guiding future generations, safeguarding their growth - this is what a ninja means to me!'
After finishing his speech, Hiruzen breathed a sigh of relief. He looked at the two children, whose enthusiasm had been fully ignited. He reached out to pat their heads, intending to speak, but then noticed an itchiness in his right hand.
Upon closer inspection, he realized that his hand had gathered some silver hair and debris. Without alarming them, he mimicked the same action as Sakumo Hatake did earlier, patting their shoulders, then continued
"As the future of the village, what you need to do is not only to become the ninjas envisioned by the previous generations but also to inspire those who come after you, to provide a newer and more significant definition to being a ninja."
Minato was so excited that he was almost producing bubbles of snot. Even Tatsuma, inexplicably, felt a stir within, marveling at the power of the Will of Fire, one of the most outstanding Genjutsu in the ninja world.
At this moment, Hiruzen, having completed his duties as Hokage, returned to the main point of this meeting, saying, "Teaching you ninjutsu is also about passing on the will of the previous generations.
I will impart to you the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu that I developed, as well as the First Hokage-sama's Bringer of Darkness Jutsu. This is not only to help you gain the power to protect Konoha but also in the hope that in the future, you will find young people who inherit the will of the previous generations and pass on this skill along with their will."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" x2
Minato shouted loudly, while Tatsuma appeared more composed. Both of their responses were enough to satisfy Hiruzen. He turned away from them once again, and at the same time, held two shuriken in his right hand.
"First, let's talk about the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu. The challenge with this jutsu isn't creating thousands of shuriken clones, but rather how to use these clones effectively.
Even if you have many shuriken, if they collide and deviate from their path before hitting the target, it's useless, like this."
With that, Sarutobi Hiruzen flicked the two shuriken in his hand. They flew in an arc, one to the left and one to the right, resembling a pair of parentheses, heading towards a wooden stake twenty meters away.
Clang~
But just half a meter before reaching the target, the two shuriken suddenly collided, changing direction and flying past the wooden stake on either side. Sarutobi Hiruzen then said, "Each shuriken needs to be understood for its purpose, and its trajectory needs to be planned."
"And it's essential to ensure that it doesn't interfere with other shuriken to be effective. The advantage of the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu lies not in the quantity but in instantly targeting and locking down all possible actions of the opponent.
Being able to create ten thousand Shuriken Shadow Clones doesn't mean mastering the technique. Being able to create only two but making them each perform their role effectively can also be considered mastering the technique. Do you understand?"
Tatsuma and Minato nodded. Although Sarutobi Hiruzen had his back to them, he wore a satisfied smile. He then took out another shuriken and said, "Next, I'll demonstrate this technique for you.
The Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu consists of eight hand seals: Ox-Dog-Dragon-Rat-Dog-Boar-Snake-Tiger. However, the two Dog seals are not necessary; they're just to maintain the rhythm. So, try to minimize the chakra used in these two seals.
The technique is divided into three layers: Sensory Shuriken, Replication Shuriken, and Attraction Shuriken. The two Dog seals are there to better connect the rhythm and facilitate changes in hand seals, like this."
With that, Sarutobi Hiruzen flicked the shuriken and quickly formed hand seals. As he completed the seals, dozens of small smoke clouds appeared in the air. Shuriken Shadow Clones burst out of each smoke cloud, rushing towards the target.
Tack, tack, tack~
On the tree stump, dozens of shuriken were nailed, forming the character "忍" (nin) (meaning "ninja"). Hiruzen smiled proudly, then dispersed his chakra, causing the Shuriken Shadow Clones to instantly vanish into smoke.
"Amazing!"
Minato exclaimed sincerely, while Tatsuma was also astonished by Hiruzen's precise control over chakra and ninjutsu. 'It seems like he's a true Ninjutsu Professor'
If it were them, let alone controlling ninjutsu, they might not even be able to flick shuriken as finely as Hiruzen does.
Hiruzen's smile grew even more pronounced. He spoke with a smile, "Today, you will practice this ninjutsu. Remember, don't pursue quantity but focus on improving your control over your ninjutsu."
"Even if you can only control one shuriken at the beginning, that's still remarkable progress. If you have any questions later on, you can ask Sakumo. I won't be able to accompany you in training anymore; there are many matters I need to attend to."
"Thank you for your hard work, Hokage-sama." x2
Tatsuma and Minato nodded in unison, respectfully saluting as they watched Hiruzen leave. Once he was a bit farther away, Sakumo suddenly appeared behind them and said, "You can arrange the positions of the Shuriken Shadow Clones through the sensory of the first shuriken. Now, practice well. I'll come to check your progress at noon!"
After giving this small tip, Sakumo Hatake disappeared hastily before the two could thank him. Tatsuma scratched his head, feeling like Sakumo Hatake was skipping work rather than handling something important.
While Tatsuma pondered, Minato had already secretly unrolled the scroll. He threw a shuriken, completed the hand seals, and a smoke cloud appeared in the air, but the Shuriken Shadow Clone failed to form.
"It seems it's not as simple as we thought," Minato murmured, bringing Tatsuma's thoughts back. He looked at Minato, who had rolled up the scroll, and rolled up his own sleeves, saying, "Impressive, Minato. You've already mastered such a difficult ninjutsu so well."
Upon hearing Tatsuma's words, Minato, who had been lost in thought, suddenly jolted. Both his body and mind instinctively became active. Tatsuma continued, "Let's have a competition to see who can master this ninjutsu faster!"
"Alright! This time, I won't lose!"
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