Though Hibari had set up a novel trap, from Sasuke's perspective, it was still a bit green.
As for Tobirama falling for Hibari's trap, it was likely because he was caught off guard at home. After all, Hibari hadn't truly experienced 'real combat,' so some shortcomings were quite normal.
Thus, after Hibari finished setting up his things, Sasuke began to adjust the trap for him. At the same time, he couldn't rely solely on Hibari's one trap, so he also started setting up his own arrangements.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen, standing by, remained curious and continued to chat with Hibari about the 'S-rank collaboration ninjutsu' that Hibari had mentioned earlier.
Leaning against a tree, Hiruzen asked curiously, "Hibari, were you just bragging or were you serious about what you said? An S-rank collaboration ninjutsu isn't something just anyone can casually develop."
Hibari was currently observing the details of Sasuke setting traps. Interrupted by Hiruzen, he said somewhat impatiently, "I'm a grown man, do you think I'd lie to you? It's real, I've envisioned it, but I just haven't been able to experiment with it. If I truly master Water Release chakra and can use Water Release jutsu, then after a few more experiments and research, I should be able to pull it off."
Hiruzen chuckled at Hibari's words, saying, "You're a 'grown man'? How old do you think you are, brat? Developing ninjutsu, theory is theory, reality is reality. Just because it's theoretically possible doesn't mean it's feasible in reality. Of course, I have to doubt you when you make such a claim without proof, especially since you haven't proven yourself in this area. Of course, if you were to show me a ninjutsu you developed right now, I might have some confidence in you."
Hibari was getting a bit annoyed by Hiruzen's nagging. He hadn't expected the future calm Third Hokage to be so lively in his youth... But then again, even when Hiruzen became the Third Hokage, he'd occasionally use his crystal ball for 'naughty' things, and his Hashirama-ojii even called him 'Saru (little monkey).' So, his current personality wasn't entirely incomprehensible.
"Oh, I'm observing and learning here, and you just have to interrupt me! It's just developing ninjutsu, what's the big deal? Watch closely, I'll show you now what an 'inventive shinobi' is!" Hibari said, somewhat irritated.
Then, without waiting for Hiruzen to speak again, he extended one hand and, to Hiruzen's utterly surprised expression, condensed a Rasengan.
"This is the first new ninjutsu I painstakingly researched not long ago, a relatively high-level ninjutsu without hand seals, called the Rasengan. It has already been recorded in our Senju clan's ninjutsu scrolls. Verified by Tobirama-jiisan's authority, this jutsu is recognized as an A-rank ninjutsu. Furthermore, it has deeper potential for development, with different transformations occurring when chakra natures are added. I estimate it could at least evolve into an S-rank ninjutsu, but I haven't had time to research those later stages yet. Anyway, I'm showing you this so you know that I, Senju Hibari, am not just talking nonsense!" Hibari said smugly, holding the Rasengan in his hand.
It was as if he had truly researched the Rasengan from scratch, bit by bit... completely disregarding the future Fourth Hokage.
However, Hiruzen didn't have the foresight to see the full implications of the Rasengan. At this moment, suddenly being shown such a display by Hibari, he was extremely surprised. He stared at the Rasengan for a long time before finally saying, "I understand now why Tobirama-sensei suddenly started training you. It seems you really do have some talent, brat..."
"Good that you know. Don't disturb my observation and learning anymore..." Hibari said, slowly dispelling the chakra in his hand.
With this demonstration, Hiruzen became even more convinced that the 'S-rank collaboration ninjutsu' theory Hibari had just mentioned was very likely to be realized. Thus, his curiosity became even more uncontrollable.
"Hey, Hibari, stop watching. Those are just minor tricks. Tomorrow, if I have time, I'll teach you them myself. First, tell me what your theoretical S-rank collaboration ninjutsu is. You can't use Water Release, but I have all five chakra natures. Tell me the theory, and I'll develop this jutsu. Wouldn't it be great to surprise Tobirama-sensei when we get back?" Hiruzen put his arm around Hibari's shoulder with a pleased expression.
"You're dreaming! This isn't some C-rank or B-rank ninjutsu that I can just give you. This is S-rank, and it's a collaboration ninjutsu. You know its significance, right?" Hibari shot a glance at Hiruzen, speaking quite bluntly.
Hiruzen, preoccupied with these thoughts, didn't mind Hibari's casual tone. Instead, he said with a grin, "I know, I won't usurp any credit. Let's just say you taught it to me. If that jutsu you spoke of truly comes to fruition, I won't claim anything. It'll be considered your research, recorded in your Senju clan's ninjutsu scrolls, alright?"
Hibari looked at Hiruzen's eager expression to learn about the ninjutsu and couldn't help but smile. Perhaps this is why Tobirama favored and valued Hiruzen Sarutobi the most among his disciples? Just this eagerness to delve into new ninjutsu and his willingness to ask questions already sufficiently proved Hiruzen's excellence.
After all, for an ordinary person, especially a skilled individual from a prominent family like Hiruzen who wasn't weak in strength, it might indeed be difficult to set aside their pride and 'learn and develop' ninjutsu with a little kid like Hibari.
In truth, given the close relationship between the Senju clan and the Sarutobi clan, it wouldn't be a big deal even if Hibari truly revealed some powerful ninjutsu to Hiruzen.
Consider why Hiruzen was later able to perform a secret jutsu of the Uzumaki clan like the Reaper Death Seal? It might very well have been taught to him by Tobirama.
So, after some thought, Hibari smiled and said, "That works, but you have to give me something in return, right?"
Hearing Hibari's words, Hiruzen also chuckled and said softly, "I knew you'd say that, you never want to lose out on anything. Tell me, what do you have your eye on?"
Just as Hibari had said, the Senju and Sarutobi clans were intimately connected, and sharing some ninjutsu wasn't a problem. If Hibari wanted to learn any of the Sarutobi clan's secret jutsu, as long as it wasn't too excessive, Hiruzen would probably teach it to him without anyone complaining.
"Then I'll speak my mind, Hiruzen-jisan. As you know, Hashirama-jiisan doesn't really have any decent summoning animals. Just a few Rashomon gates and the like, but those are too limited and not flexible enough. Tobirama-jiisan is the same. Rumor has it he signed a summoning contract with the sea, which is why he possesses such powerful Water Release ninjutsu that border on forbidden jutsu... But right now, I can't even produce a splash of water, let alone sign a contract with the sea. As for me, your Sarutobi clan's 'strongest summoning beast,' passed down through generations..." Hibari said, winking at Hiruzen, his meaning clear without needing further explanation.
This made Hiruzen look at Hibari with a hint of amusement.
The summoning animals passed down through the Sarutobi clan for generations were the Enma clan. Hiruzen Sarutobi himself didn't know how long this jutsu had been passed down, but from the family's origins, it seemed to be for a very long time, even related to their family name.
Moreover, in the shinobi world, the Sarutobi clan's summoning animals were very famous, perhaps due to the reputation of powerful shinobi like Sasuke Sarutobi, and later the prestige of Hiruzen Sarutobi becoming the Third Hokage of Konohagakure.
As a result, their summoning animals were referred to by some as the 'strongest summoning animals' in this era.
Actually, this statement wasn't too exaggerated. When it came to the strongest rank of summoning animals, it definitely belonged to the Tailed Beasts. In fact, for a long time, shinobi had sought to use Tailed Beasts as summoning animals, but this was too dangerous. Only individuals with extraordinary strength could achieve this.
Therefore, over time, they gradually settled for less and developed something called 'Jinchuriki.'
Aside from Tailed Beasts, assigning a rank to summoning animals was very vague because summoning animals served different purposes. Generally, the summoning animals from the three legendary summoning locations - Mount Myoboku, Shikkotsu Forest, and Ryuchi Cave - were the most famous, such as Gamabunta, Katsuyu, and Manda.
But that didn't mean they were the only ones in the second tier. In fact, the Enma clan of the Sarutobi family was in no way inferior to those three, especially Hiruzen's summoning animal, the Monkey King: Enma, who was renowned for his indestructible body.
Although he made few appearances, his strength was extremely formidable. Even Orochimaru's 'unsliceable' divine sword, the Kusanagi, had no effect on him. From this, it can be seen that, at least defensively, Enma was an excellent top-tier summoning animal.
Currently, Hibari didn't have any summoning animals, so he was naturally very curious about the Sarutobi clan's ancestral summoning animal. If he could sign a summoning contract with Enma, wouldn't that be a very good choice?
However, Hiruzen shook his head regretfully and said, "Hibari, it's not that we, the Sarutobi clan, are hiding anything. It's simply not possible. The Enma clan isn't a summoning animal enslaved by our Sarutobi clan. They don't just sign contracts with anyone we want them to. To be precise, the Enma clan and our Sarutobi clan have deep ties; it's a friendly symbiotic partnership. Therefore, according to the summoning contract passed down through generations, only descendants of the Sarutobi clan can sign summoning contracts with the Enma clan. As a descendant of the Senju clan, you naturally cannot do this."
Hearing Hiruzen's words, Hibari sighed helplessly. He believed that Hiruzen wouldn't lie to him, so what he said must be true. To think that he, a man of the Senju clan, was still worried about a summoning animal—it felt embarrassing just to say it aloud.
Just as Hibari resigned himself and was about to selflessly offer his 'S-rank collaboration ninjutsu' concept to Hiruzen, Hiruzen spoke again.
"However, Hibari, if you want a powerful summoning animal, I'm not entirely without ideas..." Hiruzen said softly.
-------
Want to read ahead of schedule? Head over to my Patreon ——— patreon(.)com/PrimalDemon [remove the parentheses ( )]