After several days of training, Kisame Kisaki and Zabuza Momochi—already very talented—had successfully mastered the art of water walking. They spent several more days repeatedly training while also completing their fish-catching assignments.
Once they completed their water-walking task, Zenkichi guided them in learning how to climb trees and taught them the basic control of chakra.
Later, he took them into the mountains and forests near Kirigakure to suppress bandits, allowing them to experience real combat, see bloodshed, and harden their resolve.
It had to be said—these three were exceptionally gifted.
Moreover, coming from Kirigakure, a village known for its cold and brutal methods, they were naturally tough-minded and not the least bit shaken by bloodshed.
"To have such outstanding performance at such a young age… you're monsters in the making," Zenkichi said lazily, glancing at the three of them with a hint of pride.
"I'm satisfied with your progress. Next, I'll teach you a set of ninjutsu."
"This set consists of six techniques: single-point attack, area-of-effect attack, teleportation, full defense, agile evasion, and mid-air mobility."
"If you can master, integrate, and coordinate all six, there's almost nothing in this world you won't be able to handle."
Zenkichi said this with a rare glint of passion in his voice. This Six-Style Ninjutsu had been developed through his collaboration with Tsunade.
Mizunashi Yukine lit up. "Really?! Zenkichi-sensei, are you finally going to teach us that Nintaijutsu you've been talking about?"
Zabuza licked his lips and grinned. "So it's finally time to learn the good stuff. I've been waiting for this."
Kisame didn't say anything, but his excitement was clear on his face.
"The Water Clone Jutsu," Zenkichi said, forming hand seals. Three identical clones appeared beside him.
"My clones will train each of you individually. They hold all of my knowledge and experience, so they're perfectly capable of teaching you everything you need."
Zenkichi flopped back into his rocking chair and lazily sipped a cup of tea.
The three of them—Zabuza, Kisame, and Yukine—were momentarily speechless.
This old man really knew how to enjoy himself.
Still, seeing the clones, they couldn't complain. Individual instruction would definitely be more efficient than the three of them crowding around one teacher.
Just then, an ANBU ninja in a mask appeared beside Zenkichi and knelt slightly. "Captain, the Mizukage has summoned you."
Zenkichi groaned as he left the comfort of his chair and set his book and teacup aside. "Alright, let's go."
He walked alongside the masked ANBU toward the Mizukage's office.
As they made their way through the village, Zenkichi glanced at the ANBU and asked, "So, how's life in ANBU treating you?"
"It's alright," came the resigned voice of a woman beneath the mask. "We've only recently joined, so we're still undergoing training. Nothing too intense yet."
Zenkichi arched an eyebrow. "Huh. I figured they'd be throwing you into the fire already. I mean, you're not exactly average."
The woman removed her mask slightly, revealing her face—it was Terumi Mei.
She gave him a look of mild annoyance. "Speaking of which, Captain, you've barely shown up for our training. You've been slacking off."
Zenkichi yawned. "Well, I don't really need ANBU training."
Terumi Mei rolled her eyes. "You're just lazy. Like a salted fish with no dreams. If you weren't so absurdly strong, the Mizukage never would've picked you as his successor."
Zenkichi grinned. "That's nonsense. You're still too young to understand my ultimate secret—my unique bloodline ability: 'The more I slack, the stronger I become!'"
"When I fully awaken this power, I'll surpass everyone. There's wisdom in conserving energy. Don't be so hasty."
Terumi Mei sighed. "Fine. Whatever makes you happy. But seriously, when will our ANBU training end? There's a war going on, and we're still stuck here."
Zenkichi looked at her curiously. "You want to go to the battlefield that badly?"
She nodded. "It's not just me. Everyone under your command is itching to move. This is war. Who isn't eager to prove themselves?"
Zenkichi nodded thoughtfully. "I see. But it's not really up to you. None of you are strong enough to be decisive factors yet."
Even Momochi Zabuza and Kisame had expressed the same desire—to fight. They'd shouted multiple times about wanting to head to the front lines.
When Zabuza and Kisame graduated early, it was largely because the village believed they were urgently needed.
But in truth, Kirigakure hadn't made any large-scale war moves yet. The desire to fight was real, but the orders hadn't come.
Before long, Zenkichi arrived at the Mizukage's office.
The Third Mizukage handed him a classified document. "Read this."
Zenkichi scanned it. The intel came from Konoha.
"Akimichi Torifu has become the Fourth Hokage? So it ended up being Akimichi Torifu, huh?"
He smirked slightly, amusement in his eyes.
Akimichi Torifu had been a disciple of the Second Hokage. He had inherited the Will of Fire and was technically qualified to be Hokage.
Otherwise, how could someone like him—once a disciple of the Second—fail to even become part of the Konoha Council?
But Akimichi Torifu lacked power—not just in battle, but also in leadership and political acumen.
He now sat at the Hokage's desk, overwhelmed by paperwork, scratching his head in frustration.
In Konoha, within the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi had stepped down but retained the position of Hokage's assistant, continuing to influence the village.
With limited power and zero ambition, Akimichi Torifu was easy to control. That's why the Third Hokage had chosen him.
His weak presence in the original events wasn't just due to lack of strength, but also his lack of ambition.
Torifu's rise to Hokage was a political compromise by the village elders.
"Let me help you with that," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, walking over with a kind smile.
"Hiruzen, you're just in time!" Akimichi Torifu smiled in relief and immediately passed him the workload.
Though Sarutobi Hiruzen had resigned, Torifu didn't blame him for the past and fully trusted his capability and character.
Which was exactly what Hiruzen wanted.
Even without the Hokage title, his influence remained. Had the Fourth Hokage been Danzo, Homura, Koharu, or even Orochimaru, he wouldn't have had any presence left.
But Akimichi Torifu? He was never one to fight for power.
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