"Grading?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, as did the other two elders present.
He understood what jingyi was suggesting.
Not all forbidden techniques were created equal. Some like the Reanimation Jutsu (Edo Tensei) were absolute taboos. Playing with the dead, manipulating the souls of fallen shinobi… Such techniques invited condemnation from across the ninja world.
But others?
Take the Shadow Clone Jutsu. Technically forbidden due to its chakra strain, yet hardly world-ending if used properly.
The Eight Gates technique was similar. Dangerous, yes. Deadly if pushed to the final gate. But controlled use opening one or two gates was manageable and could dramatically shift battlefield outcomes.
And so, Sarutobi hesitated.
He knew the risk, but jungy's argument had weight. Konoha's ninja reserves had taken a hit in recent years due to conflicts with other villages. If they could reduce casualties among elite jonin and special forces using carefully graded forbidden techniques…
It might be worth it.
Hiruzen finally exhaled deeply. "Lately, I've been thinking... Maybe I really am getting old. Since the war… since Sensei passed and I took the hat, the village hasn't changed much."
"…"
Jingyi released a silent breath.
That was as good as a yes.
Hiruzen continued, "Very well. I'll approve your proposal in part. Besides you, the one who's most obsessed with forbidden jutsu is Orochimaru. I'll call for a meeting with him, Minato, and Might Duy . Let's define the levels and restrictions."
"Yes, Lord Hokage," jingyi bowed respectfully.
He stepped out, satisfied.
Inside, Hiruzen remained seated, his thoughts drifting.
Shisui… That boy was once hailed as a prodigy.
Asuma, Kurenai… They'd changed, grown. It was hard to believe sometimes.
Maybe it really was time for the new generation.
---
[Training Complete: "Actual Combat Training"]
[Evaluation: Excellent]
**[Rewards:
1. Chakra Scalpel
2. Konoha-Style Kenjutsu: Dance of the Three Suns and Moons
3. Vacuum Sword]**
Select two of the three.
Jingyi examined the options.
The Chakra Scalpel… tempting. He'd wanted it for some time.
But Tsunade had already given him her notes. With his chakra control, he could learn it manually. No need to spend a reward here.
That leftp
Vacuum Sword. Dance of the Three Suns and Moons.
Confirmed.
A knock. He turned, opened the door, and strode back to the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen, caught mid-drag on his pipe, coughed awkwardly and straightened up. "Something else?"
"Yes. You promised if I handled the Chunin Exams planning, you'd have a chakra blade made for me."
"Ah…"
The old man fell silent. He'd forgotten.
Chakra blades weren't cheap, nor easy to craft. They required chakra metal rare, expensive, and difficult to shape.
"Any special request?" Hiruzen asked.
"Something basic. Compatible with iai-style. The Thunder God Sword is… clunky."
"Hm. What about Asuma's weapons?"
"He can decide for himself," jingyi replied flatly. "You can't dictate everything for him."
Hiruzen grimaced slightly.
It was true.
He meant well, but he had a habit of trying to mold Asuma into a certain image—a shinobi in his own style.
But Asuma resisted.
Always the mule.
"…Fair enough," Hiruzen muttered.
Jingyi left again.
Two blades. That would do.
But the Thunder God Sword was just flash,fancy but impractical. Now he understood why Second Hokage Tobirama had shelved it. It looked impressive, but it didn't suit his style.
He needed something practical for assassinations and sudden strikes.
Maybe one of the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist… like the Executioner's Blade or Blunt Sword.
Not because they were famous but because they were big.
Melt one down, and there'd be enough chakra metal to forge several custom blades.
Later, he sat and reviewed his new techniques.
Vacuum Sword — Wind-style kenjutsu. Sharp, fast, excellent for long-range cuts.
Dance of the Three Suns and Moons Rough, but useful. The technique wasn't elegant, but it came with advanced assassination theory: feinting, hiding intent, exploiting openings.
That knowledge alone was worth the reward.
With his system-enhanced shadow clones to read and practice medical texts, learning the Chakra Scalpel was only a matter of time.
As for the Vacuum Sword… it wasn't just for him.
It was a good match for Shisui or Asuma. Still, he intended to evolve it further integrate it into his own iai-style slashes.
Fast. Fatal. Unseen.
He wasn't aiming to be a pure swordsman. He was versatile genjutsu, ninjutsu, and now assassination arts. Well-rounded.
The clone studying at home could cover the gaps.
Madara hadn't moved yet. His focus was still on Nagato.
That suited jingyi fine.
So long as Madara didn't interfere, he could keep growing.
---
He was on his way to refresh the study clone when a shadow clone materialized nearby.
"Tsunade asked me to give you this," it said.
"Thanks."
He opened the letter as he walked.
Praise fast mastery of the slug contract, his growing medical knowledge.
But buried beneath the compliments, she mentioned something more intriguing:
A new forbidden technique she was developing…