Chapter 3: Civilian Ninja Have So Much to Consider

Besides a significant increase in his internal chakra, Rojie also sensed another entirely different change.

He stood still, closed his eyes, and felt everything around him.

A faint, elusive special energy flowed slowly through heaven and earth.

“Could this be natural energy?”

Rojie pondered silently in his mind.

In the Hokage world, one could absorb natural energy, fuse it with one’s own physical and spiritual energy to achieve balance, thereby creating senjutsu chakra and entering Sage Mode to gain immense power.

Normally, to master this power, one had to contact the three great sanctuaries: Ryūchi Cave, Myōboku Mountain, and Shikkotsu Forest.

Only after secretive transactions could one hope to learn Sage Mode and successfully debut.

Yet Rojie now discovered with astonishment that he could sense natural energy without relying on the power of the three sacred sites.

Rojie quickly sorted through possible explanations in his mind.

First, he could confirm this was not an innate ability he was born with.

Second, he outright dismissed the lazy navy brat.

The answer seemed clear now.

This ability to sense natural energy was most likely from the Pokémon world’s power.

No wonder, invincible Torchic.

But sensing natural energy did not mean he could smoothly enter Sage Mode.

Solving inequalities was fast and accurate.

In the Hokage world, Jugo was a classic example.

Jugo was born with the ability to absorb natural energy, but because he could not properly control the absorbed energy, he often fell into berserk states and lost his sanity.

Thus, even though Rojie could now sense natural energy, it did not mean he could control this powerful and dangerous force.

Moreover, cultivating senjutsu chakra required a substantial amount of chakra.

With his current half-kara of chakra, cultivating senjutsu chakra would be extremely difficult.

Half-Naruto’s chakra was about right.

Not a kara insult.

Just cold, hard fact.

Thinking of this, Rojie sighed and decided to set Sage Mode aside for now.

On his way home, Rojie stopped to buy a sheet of chakra paper.

He planned to test his chakra affinity again, to see if Torchic had granted him fire chakra.

Thinking this, Rojie carefully pulled out the chakra paper, took a deep breath, and slowly infused his chakra into it.

The chakra paper instantly changed.

Half of it burst into roaring flames.

It burned.

The other half split cleanly down the middle.

It became two pieces.

Seeing this, Rojie nodded silently.

“As I suspected—I really gained fire chakra.”

But a new problem arose immediately.

Rojie now had fire chakra, yet he had no fire-ninjutsu available.

That’s how civilian ninja are.

Ninja 2.0 only needs to follow the curriculum.

Civilian ninja have far more to consider.

Currently, Rojie knew only a handful of jutsu.

Aside from the three basic transformation techniques taught at ninja academy, he only had Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.

The three basic techniques, as the foundation of foundations, were mandatory for every ninja—fail to learn them and Itachi couldn’t graduate.

Naturally, no need to elaborate.

Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, however, was taught to him personally by the Third after an encounter.

Previously, due to his limited chakra, Rojie could barely manage Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, barely summoning it.

And even then, its scale and power were disappointing.

Every time he used it, he felt completely drained.

Even so, it was still one of his few usable jutsu.

As to why the Third had taught him this jutsu, Rojie privately speculated it was likely because his awkward flattery had pleased him (crossed out).

No, it was because the Third Hokage, while inspecting the village, saw the fire-like burning will within him.

The Third Hokage was nurturing a successor to the Will of Fire!

How moving!

The Third Hokage’s great kindness is impossible to repay!

(The last line must be delivered with deep emotion.)

Yet with the current lack of fire-ninjutsu before him, Rojie fell into thought.

When Rojie thinks, does the Six Paths laugh?

But suddenly his eyes lit up—he had an idea.

The next moment, Rojie recalled the sensation from memory, took a deep breath, and opened his mouth to spit.

“Boom!”

With a thunderous roar, a massive fireball appeared out of nowhere, carrying intense heat and powerful force, slamming into the ground.

The ground instantly exploded into a deep crater, dust flying everywhere, a wave of heat rushing toward him.

This was…

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique?

No—it was Sparkle!

It was Torchic’s skill, Spark.

Rojie’s face lit up with delight.

He had merely tried it out of curiosity, yet he had actually managed to use Torchic’s skill directly.

Although the Spark he just performed differed slightly from his memory.

But that didn’t matter.

Undoubtedly, this was Torchic’s skill.

This skill was perfect.

And judging from its power just now.

Not to be underestimated!

Even more surprising was how little chakra Spark consumed.

Moreover, using this skill required none of the cumbersome hand seals needed for ninjutsu.

Not even the two-hand clap was necessary.

Just open your mouth and spit—the fireball released effortlessly.

It lacked the flavor.

But…

So convenient!

To better understand the skill’s properties, Rojie tried it several more times.

In repeated attempts, he was astonished to discover that Spark’s great power and low cost were likely tied to natural energy.

Rojie faintly sensed that when using this skill, his chakra served merely as a medium.

He himself exerted no effort.

The true force behind the skill’s power was the surrounding natural energy.

And unlike traditional senjutsu, when using Spark, natural energy did not need to be absorbed, condensed into senjutsu chakra, then used to enhance a jutsu.

It acted directly on the fireball, amplifying its power.

Perhaps it should be called…

Senpō Spark!

…

Meanwhile.

Outside the Hokage’s office.

Iruka hurried forward, clutching a stack of documents, about to raise his hand and knock.

At that moment, loud arguing erupted from inside the office, clearly piercing through the thick door and reaching Iruka’s ears.

The voices belonged to the two old men at the pinnacle of Konoha’s power.

“Danzō, I am the Hokage!”

The Third’s unmistakable voice rang from within.

“Hizashi, Itachi’ll regret this!”

Immediately afterward, Danzō’s furious voice rang out as well.

The next moment, the sound of chairs and desks being moved echoed from the office.

The office door was flung open, and Danzō stormed out, face twisted in rage, shooting a venomous glance at Iruka standing outside.

He slammed the door and left.

The loud crash reverberated down the hallway, lingering for a long time.

Iruka stood frozen, a look of awkwardness crossing his face.

How do Itachi leave politely after stumbling upon your superior’s humiliation?

There was nothing for it but to press on.

Iruka took a deep breath, composed his expression, and gently knocked on the door before stepping slowly into the office.

Smoke curled through the room; the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, slumped in his chair, his pipe puffing out thick clouds.

His eyes were hollow, his face heavy with exhaustion.

This Hokage job was truly draining.

But for the village, for everyone…

He’d have to sacrifice himself and endure another ten years!

Hearing Iruka’s footsteps, Hiruzen Sarutobi lifted his head and forced out a kind smile.

“It’s Iruka.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand lightly, signaling Iruka to sit.

(End of Chapter)