Chapter 17: Facing Hiruzen Sarutobi
Chinatsu's "Chidori training" continued. This technique was far more difficult than she had expected, but relying on her three-tomoe Sharingan and her ability to replicate movements, she painstakingly reconstructed it from memory, gradually approaching a usable state.
Lightning chakra crackled violently around Chinatsu's palm, emitting the sharp, piercing sound of a thousand birds chirping. Her Sharingan spun slowly, locking onto her target. With a single step forward—
With a whoosh! Chinatsu shot across the open ground at high speed, her body almost turning into a streak of lightning.
Left, left, right, right, left… thrust!
Her eyes narrowed. The lightning blade in her hand pierced forward with precision, instantly punching a hole straight through the trunk of a thick training tree. The impact shattered its core, and with a loud crack, the tree collapsed to the ground.
"This… the noise is still too loud, and the chakra consumption is insane. Even with my current reserves and control, I can only use it six or seven times at most," Chinatsu muttered, shaking her slightly numb hand.
Chidori was originally created by Hatake Kakashi after he failed to apply Lightning Release to the Rasengan. Due to its extreme speed and linear attack pattern, it required the Sharingan to compensate for the user's tunnel vision, otherwise it would be too dangerous to use in real combat.
As for Raikiri… it wasn't a separate technique, but rather Kakashi's perfected version of Chidori, named after the feat of cutting lightning itself. The core remained the same, only refined to a higher level of lethality and control.
Chinatsu fell into deep thought, one hand resting under her chin.
If she had put this level of focus into her studies in her previous life, she might have become a top academic genius.
Unfortunately, she didn't consider herself some kind of "chosen one" or overpowered protagonist. Aside from her abnormal recovery ability and the Sharingan she now possessed as a member of the Uchiha clan, everything she had came from relentless effort.
Since that was the case, she could only train harder.
Ahead of her stood figures she could not ignore—
Might Guy, who would one day open the Eight Gates and nearly kill Uchiha Madara with the Night Guy, becoming the embodiment of taijutsu.
And Kakashi, who had already mastered Chidori and served in ANBU at a young age.
Compared to monsters like them, Chinatsu's current level was far from enough.
Time passed quickly. From midnight until around three in the morning, Chinatsu pushed herself through continuous high-intensity training before finally stopping.
She returned to her room, slept briefly for two to three hours, and then forced herself awake again.
As usual, she prepared breakfast for Sasuke before sending him off to the Ninja Academy. Sitting on a small stool, she dozed off for a moment before abruptly inhaling and slapping her cheeks.
"I can't keep going like this. If I stay home every day, I'll really turn into a housewife…"
She stood up decisively.
Today, she was going out.
Not for groceries this time—but to the Hokage Building.
Chinatsu intended to reapply for active ninja duty.
No matter how much she trained alone, without real missions and combat experience, she wouldn't be able to fully utilize the strengths of the Sharingan—the so-called "Copy Eye" that truly shined in battle.
She needed to step back into the shinobi system.
That said, Chinatsu wasn't exactly eager to face Hiruzen Sarutobi directly. More importantly, there was always the risk of encountering Shimura Danzō and his Root operatives.
But avoiding everything wasn't a solution. If she wanted to survive—and eventually grow stronger—she had to take initiative.
Having made up her mind, Chinatsu finished tidying herself and stepped out of the Uchiha compound—
Then suddenly stopped.
"Hmm? Again…"
Her gaze shifted slightly. Even though the opponents were concealed well, her Sharingan-enhanced perception allowed her to detect multiple presences nearby.
Root?
…No. These chakra signatures were cleaner, more disciplined.
ANBU.
As if realizing they had already been detected, the hidden operatives stopped concealing themselves completely and transmitted their message through a low-level communication technique.
"The Hokage requests your presence."
"Oh? Perfect timing. I was just heading there anyway."
Chinatsu agreed without hesitation, even urging them to move quickly. This unexpected cooperation left the ANBU momentarily stunned.
"This is too cooperative…"
"Being summoned by the Hokage through ANBU rarely ends well. Is she fearless, or just unaware?"
Exchanging silent thoughts, the ANBU operatives melted back into the shadows, guiding Chinatsu swiftly toward the Hokage Building.
Upon entering, Chinatsu immediately sensed the difference in atmosphere.
The people inside were at minimum Chūnin-level shinobi, with a considerable number of Jōnin present. Hidden among them were also members of ANBU—and possibly Root.
This place… was dangerous.
Chinatsu's expression tightened slightly. Not out of fear, but awareness.
If one day she truly stood against Konoha, then this building—this entire system—would become her enemy.
With that thought lingering in her mind, she arrived at the Hokage's office door.
"We're here."
The moment those words were spoken, the ANBU vanished once more, completely disappearing from her perception.
Chinatsu took a slow breath, raised her hand to knock—
"Come in."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice came from inside.
After a brief pause, Chinatsu pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The Third Hokage sat behind his desk, wearing the Hokage hat, his aged face framed by a white beard. His presence was calm yet heavy, carrying the authority of someone who had ruled the village for decades.
But what caught Chinatsu's attention more than the man himself… was the crystal ball resting on the table.
The Telescope Technique—Hiruzen's long-range surveillance ninjutsu.
A perfect spying tool.
If things ever went bad between her and Konoha… that would definitely be one of her first targets.
A faint smile flickered across her lips.
Hiruzen noticed it, a trace of doubt flashing in his eyes, but he quickly masked it with a warm, grandfatherly smile.
"It's been a while. The last time we met was when you requested to step down from active duty. You've grown quite a bit since then."
Chinatsu maintained a polite smile, but internally, she was already certain—
This old man had absolutely been watching her through that crystal ball.
Facing him, Chinatsu immediately switched strategies.
Innocent. Harmless. Clueless.
"I know nothing."
"I can't do anything."
"I need help."
A weak, pitiful girl.
No matter what Hiruzen said, she stuck firmly to this persona.
Hiruzen Sarutobi: …
Chinatsu: Smile (◍•ᴗ•◍)
Hiruzen Sarutobi: ...
Chinatsu: Smile (◍•ᴗ•◍)
Hiruzen Sarutobi: ......…
Chinatsu: Hmm (◍•ᴗ•◍)
Even with decades of experience, Hiruzen found himself unable to extract anything useful from her.
If not for the ANBU reports describing her abnormal behavior and hidden strength, he might have truly believed she was just an ordinary girl.
"Very well," Hiruzen finally said, folding his hands as his expression turned serious. "I called you here to discuss something important."
Outwardly, Chinatsu remained calm.
But inside—
Here it comes! Finally!
All the possible questions—about her strength, her behavior, her connection to Sasuke and Naruto—flashed through her mind, along with perfectly prepared answers.
She was ready.
"Chinatsu…"
Hiruzen looked directly at her.
"Join the ANBU."