Sakuya Chigen practically fled the Hokage Building.
After cutting through several streets and alleys to make sure Minato's team wasn't following him, he slipped into his modest little courtyard, slammed the door shut, and leaned against it, letting out a long, exhausted breath.
The Chunin Exams… and once again alongside that genius Kakashi Hatake.
That old man, the Third Hokage, was definitely doing this on purpose.
He could already imagine the entire village crowding around the exam grounds on that day.
"Look, the super repeat student is taking the exam with Kakashi-sama!"
"Isn't he just asking to be humiliated?"
So annoying.
What was so great about becoming a chunin anyway?
Missions would jump from D-rank and C-rank to B-rank and even A-rank. Opponents would change from wandering samurai and bandits to properly trained ninjas from enemy villages.
And the meager pay raise? Barely enough to buy a few explosive tags.
It was practically trading lifespan for a slightly bigger paycheck.
He just wanted to live peacefully until the Third Shinobi World War ended, then find a way to win Tsunade's heart and enjoy a quiet retirement—drinking sake and counting his savings.
"System."
Sakuya Chigen murmured to himself.
A pale blue screen only he could see unfolded before his eyes.
[Host: Sakuya Chigen]
[Secret Technique: Asura Mode (Self-Created)]
[Evolution Points (EP): 3500]
[Ding! C-rank mission "Investigate the Land of Earth's Border" exceeded expectations. Mission rating: Perfect. Reward: 1000 EP.]
Looking at the points he had painstakingly accumulated, Chigen's anxiety finally eased a little.
This was his real source of confidence.
"System, draw a prize."
[Each draw consumes 1000 EP. Confirm?]
"Confirm."
The screen changed instantly, and a huge roulette wheel began spinning rapidly.
The prizes were all over the place—from a "lifetime unlimited Ichiraku Ramen voucher" to "Kotoamatsukami Mangekyō Sharingan," and even something as terrifying as "Ryūjin Jakka."
Of course, after so many draws, the best thing Chigen had ever gotten was a kunai that could cut through iron like mud.
The pointer gradually slowed, swinging back and forth between "Thank you for your patronage" and a glowing golden skill icon.
Chigen's heart rose to his throat.
Please, anything but "Thank you for your patronage." Give me something useful!
The pointer finally trembled and stopped on the golden light.
[Congratulations, host! You have obtained the rare skill—[Recovery]!]
[Skill Description: By consuming your own chakra, restore the recipient's condition to its peak state before injury.]
[Skill Effect 1: During the healing process, the host will fully experience all the pain and memories the target felt at the moment of injury.]
[Skill Effect 2: Each time you successfully heal a ninja who possesses a special ability or kekkei genkai, there is a chance to copy one of their abilities or talents. (Note: The same target can only be copied once.)]
Chigen was stunned.
His first reaction wasn't joy, but a chill running down his spine.
Experience the other person's pain?
If he healed someone who had been torn apart, would he have to feel the exact same agony?
But then his eyes fell on the second effect.
Copy… abilities?
This was practically a divine skill!
His chronically low chakra reserves had always been his greatest weakness. Although "Asura Mode" offered explosive power, it drained him so heavily that it was like charging for five minutes just to fight for two seconds.
If he could copy someone else's talent—such as the Uzumaki clan's enormous chakra reserves or the Senju clan's Sage Body…
He even let his mind wander further.
If he healed Tsunade, could he copy her monstrous strength?
Healing an Uchiha… cough, that was far too risky.
Used well, this skill was a ladder to the peak of the ninja world. Used poorly, it was a mental torture device that could break him.
Still, with this ability, his chances of surviving the upcoming war had increased significantly.
...
Inside the Hokage's office.
Minato Namikaze had already left with his disciples. Only Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo remained.
The atmosphere in the room was even heavier than before.
"Orochimaru's experiments must stop," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, weariness evident in his voice.
He ultimately couldn't bring himself to kill his own student.
"The transplantation of the First Hokage's cells is far too dangerous. So many children have already been sacrificed with no success. We cannot continue."
Danzo leaned on his cane, his face expressionless.
"Hiruzen, sacrifices are necessary for Konoha's strength. You're still too naive."
"This isn't naivety—it's the bottom line!" Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone hardened.
"In the name of the Hokage, I order you to immediately terminate all cooperation with Orochimaru and destroy every piece of experimental data!"
Danzo's visible eye narrowed beneath the bandages, but he eventually nodded.
"…Understood."
He agreed on the surface, but inwardly he sneered.
Stop?
Impossible.
The power to quell chaos that the First Hokage once wielded was his lifelong obsession.
Hiruzen seemed to see through his thoughts but chose not to call him out.
He changed the subject.
"Kakashi Hatake is a promising talent."
"Indeed," Danzo immediately replied.
"His resilient character makes him excellent material for Root. Hand him over to me, and I will forge him into the sharpest blade."
"No!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi refused without hesitation.
"Kakashi is Konoha's future, not a tool for your shadows! His path should be one he chooses himself, not molded into an emotionless weapon by you."
Rebuked directly, Danzo's expression darkened.
"Such womanly compassion," he scoffed.
"Then what about that boy Sakuya Chigen? His secret technique can unleash tremendous power in an instant. Despite his low chakra reserves, he would make the perfect surprise weapon. Give him to me, and I can help him reach his full potential."
"Absolutely not!"
Hiruzen's attitude grew even firmer.
"Chigen has come this far entirely through his own perseverance. I will not let you ruin him."
Rejected twice in succession, the air in the office seemed to freeze.
Danzo radiated a chilling aura as he stared intently at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Hiruzen, you are weakening Konoha! The four great ninja villages are about to besiege us, yet you still insist on protecting these so-called 'green shoots'!"
"Protecting them is protecting Konoha's future," Hiruzen replied, refusing to yield.
Sakuya Chigen had no idea he had just narrowly escaped a terrible fate.
He lay on his bed, quietly contemplating the future.
This was no joke.
Kannabi Bridge, Mount Kikyo, the battlefields of the Land of Grass… familiar yet deadly names flashed through his mind.
Countless geniuses and powerhouses would perish in that war.
He had to survive.
At the very least, he needed to live until the Nine-Tails' rampage so he could witness the night that would change the entire ninja world.
The newly acquired [Recovery] gave him some confidence, but it wasn't enough.
Before absolute power, any scheme felt insignificant.
He needed to become stronger—strong enough to handle any unexpected situation.
The Chunin Exams… perhaps they were also an opportunity.
A chance to reasonably display some of his strength, obtain more resources, and maybe even "copy" a few useful abilities.
For example… Kakashi's…
...
Meanwhile, after leaving the Hokage Building, Shimura Danzo's face was so gloomy it looked like it could drip water.
Two masked Root ninjas silently appeared behind him.
"Lord Danzo."
Danzo stopped without turning around. His voice sounded like it came from the depths of hell.
"Sakuya Chigen."
"Investigate him thoroughly. Background, connections, abilities—do not miss a single detail."
"Yes, sir."
"Also…"
Danzo's lips curled into a sinister smile.
"Isn't the Chunin Exam the perfect stage to test his strength?"
"Arrange a special 'test' for him. I want to see for myself just how much this so-called genius that Hiruzen values so highly is truly worth."
"Yes, sir!"
The two Root ninjas vanished back into the darkness.
A cold wind blew as Danzo, leaning on his cane, walked step by step deeper into the shadows of Konoha.
If he couldn't have it, he would destroy it.
He would never allow any piece on the board to exist beyond his control.
(End of Chapter 2)