The first sensation was pain—a dull, throbbing ache that seemed to come from every muscle in his body, accompanied by the familiar hollow feeling that followed complete chakra depletion. Consciousness returned gradually, like surfacing from deep water.
Aww, my head hurts, Hikaru thought, attempting to move his fingers only to discover his body felt impossibly weak.
Slowly opening his eyes revealed a white ceiling above his head and the sterile environment of a hospital room. Medical equipment surrounded his bed, their quiet beeping creating a mechanical symphony that confirmed his location within Konoha Hospital.
He had overdone it by exhausting his chakra reserves beyond safe limits—a dangerous mistake that could have resulted in permanent damage if not for immediate medical intervention.
Hikaru sighed internally, contemplating the implications of injuring himself for what seemed like a foolish reason in retrospect. He could have yielded during the fight, could have found a way to demonstrate competence without pushing himself to collapse.
But in the heat of battle, with his friend's honor at stake and his own pride engaged, strategic thinking had been overwhelmed by the simple desire to prove himself worthy.
The experience had been oddly addictive—the pure focus required for tactical combat, the satisfaction of successful technique execution, the thrill of matching skills against a worthy opponent. For someone who had spent months carefully concealing his abilities, the freedom to fight at full capacity had been intoxicating.
Observing his surroundings more carefully, Hikaru noticed his sister lying in a nearby chair, her eyes closed as she dozed while maintaining her vigil. The sight of her patient presence created a pang of guilt.
"Onee-chan," Hikaru said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Ayako immediately awakened at the sound, rubbing her eyes as she processed his conscious state. "Hikaru-kun, how are you feeling? Are you in pain?"
The rapid succession of questions created a slight headache, but Hikaru appreciated the concern. He mustered what strength he had and spoke carefully: "Can I get some water?"
"Of course," Ayako replied, immediately reaching for the pitcher beside his bed, her movements quick and precise. "The medical-nin said you might be dehydrated when you woke up. They've been monitoring your condition since yesterday."
"Yesterday?" Hikaru asked, accepting the cup with hands that trembled slightly from weakness. "How long have I been unconscious?"
"About eighteen hours," Ayako replied, settling back into her chair with obvious relief. "They said complete chakra exhaustion can cause extended unconsciousness, especially in someone your age."
The timeline was concerning but not unexpected. Chakra depletion at his level required substantial recovery time.
"What about the other boy?" Hikaru asked, remembering that Takeshi had also collapsed.
"He woke up about six hours ago," Ayako replied. "The medical-nin said his recovery was faster, probably due to his clan training and larger chakra reserves. He asked about your condition before his family took him home."
The information was both reassuring and slightly embarrassing. Takeshi's superior recovery time reflected the advantages of systematic clan training.
"Has anyone else visited?" Hikaru asked, settling back against his pillows.
"Several people have stopped by," Ayako replied, consulting notes she had been keeping, tapping them against her knee. "Ryōta-kun came by this morning with his grandparents—they were very worried about you. Even some of your other classmates asked about your condition."
The mention of his friend's concern created warmth that competed with his physical discomfort.
"The competition results have been quite the topic of conversation," Ayako continued, smoothing down his blanket with gentle movements. "According to everyone who witnessed the match, you performed exceptionally well. The fight was declared a draw, but people are saying the tactical thinking exceeded academy standards."
The assessment was gratifying but ominous, confirming that his performance had been more revealing than intended.
"I'm proud of you," Ayako continued, reaching over to squeeze his hand gently. "Your willingness to protect Ryōta-kun, even at personal cost, showed exactly the kind of character our parents would have approved of."
The reminder of his parents' values provided both comfort and guidance.
"Thank you, Onee-chan," Hikaru replied, meaning the words despite his concerns. "I just wanted to make sure he was safe."
"And you succeeded," Ayako assured him. "But you also demonstrated abilities that will likely change your educational path."
The conversation was interrupted by footsteps in the hallway, followed by voices that indicated official visitors approaching. Both siblings turned their attention toward the door.
Instead of medical-nin, a gentle knock preceded the appearance of a figure that immediately transformed the atmosphere—the Third Hokage himself, dressed in his formal robes and carrying unmistakable authority.
"I hope I'm not intruding," Hiruzen said, his tone carrying courtesy that made his presence simultaneously respectful and commanding. "I wanted to speak with young Hikaru about his remarkable performance yesterday."
Ayako immediately stood and bowed deeply, her respect evident in every gesture. "Hokage-sama, it's an honor to have you visit. Please, come in."
"Thank you," Hiruzen replied kindly, his gaze taking in the hospital room before settling on Hikaru with focused attention. "I trust you're recovering well from your ordeal?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Hikaru replied, attempting to sit up straighter despite his weakness, wincing slightly from the effort. "The medical-nin have been very thorough."
"Excellent," Hiruzen said, settling into the chair that Ayako had vacated, placing his hands on his knees. "Your match yesterday was quite impressive. The tactical thinking and determination you displayed were exactly what we hope to see from our young ninja."
The praise carried weight that extended beyond simple encouragement.
"However," Hiruzen continued, his tone becoming more formal, "I believe there are matters we should discuss privately. If you would excuse us, Ayako-san?"
The request was politely phrased but carried unmistakable authority. Ayako's expression showed understanding mixed with protective concern.
"Of course, Hokage-sama," Ayako replied, gathering her belongings with graceful compliance. "I'll be just outside if you need anything, Hikaru-kun."
As the door closed behind his sister, Hikaru found himself alone with the most powerful person in the village. The Third Hokage's presence transformed the modest hospital room into something approaching an official meeting space.
"Now then," Hiruzen began, leaning forward slightly, "let's discuss your future, young Hikaru. Your performance yesterday demonstrated capabilities that suggest you've outgrown your current educational environment."
The statement carried the weight of official assessment. Hikaru felt his pulse quicken despite efforts to maintain calm.
"Thank you for believing in me, Hokage-sama," Hikaru replied carefully, fidgeting with his bedsheet. "But... I'm not sure I'm ready for big ninja missions yet. I'm still learning a lot."
"A reasonable concern," Hiruzen acknowledged, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "The transition from academy student to active ninja carries significant challenges."
The validation was both reassuring and suspicious.
The Third Hokage rose from his chair with deliberate slowness, his movements carrying the weight of someone deep in thought. He walked to the hospital room's window, hands clasped behind his back as he gazed out at the village below. The late afternoon light cast his silhouette against the glass, making him appear larger and more imposing.
Hikaru watched as Hiruzen reached into his robes to retrieve his familiar pipe. The older man packed it with deliberate, measured movements, never turning away from the window. The process seemed almost ritualistic—lighting the tobacco with practiced ease, taking a slow, thoughtful draw.
When Hiruzen exhaled, the smoke drifted out through the slightly open window, carried away by the evening breeze. The silence stretched longer than comfortable, filled only by the distant sounds of the village settling into evening routines. There was something calculating in the Hokage's posture, like a chess master considering his next move while surveying his domain.
Finally, Hiruzen turned back to face him, his expression contemplative and his eyes carrying a weight that made Hikaru feel as if he was being measured. The pause had been deliberate, designed to create exactly this kind of tension.
When the Third Hokage finally spoke again, his tone carried the weight of someone who had chosen his words very carefully.
"Which is precisely why," Hiruzen said, turning fully to face Hikaru with measured deliberation, "I'm prepared to offer you something unprecedented to address those concerns directly."
"Graduate now," Hiruzen said, "and I will personally ensure that you receive instruction in any technique within my power to teach—regardless of its classification level."
The offer was staggering in its implications. Any technique, regardless of classification, represented possibilities that extended far beyond normal genin instruction.
"Any technique?" Hikaru asked carefully, his analytical mind immediately moving to test the offer's boundaries.
"Within my capabilities, yes," Hiruzen confirmed. "Consider it an investment in exceptional potential."
This is too good to be true, Hikaru thought. His mind immediately moved to testing the boundaries by requesting something so advanced that even the Hokage would be forced to reveal the actual parameters.
"Hiraishin no Jutsu (The Flying Thunder God Technique)," Hikaru said quietly, naming the technique that had made the Fourth Hokage legendary while expecting immediate rejection.
Hiruzen's eyebrows rose, but not in the dismissive way Hikaru had anticipated. Instead, his expression carried genuine consideration, and he took another thoughtful draw from his pipe.
"Hiraishin no Jutsu," Hiruzen repeated thoughtfully. "That is... ambitious of you."
"I know it's probably impossible," Hikaru began, preparing to negotiate toward something more reasonable.
"Not impossible," Hiruzen interrupted. "Difficult, certainly. Dangerous, absolutely. But not impossible for someone with sufficient dedication and proper guidance."
Hikaru felt his stomach drop as he realized the magnitude of his tactical miscalculation, his eyes widening in shock. The Hokage had accepted what should have been an impossible request.
"However," Hiruzen continued, leaning forward with crucial conditions, "such a technique requires not just instruction, but the wisdom and experience to use it properly. I would require you to achieve the rank of Jōnin within ten years as demonstration of that necessary wisdom."
The additional requirement was both reasonable and cunningly designed, creating a long-term commitment while providing a timeline that seemed achievable but would require sustained exceptional performance.
"That's..." Hikaru struggled to find words that wouldn't sound like complaints, his hands fidgeting with the hospital blanket.
"A generous offer?" Hiruzen suggested, his eyes twinkling with barely concealed amusement. "Hiraishin no Jutsu has been mastered by only a handful of shinobi in history. Your father would have been proud to know his son possessed such ambition."
Hikaru's throat tightened at the mention of his father, and he swallowed hard before responding. The reference to his father transformed the conversation from tactical negotiation into something more personal.
The trap was elegant—Hikaru had been given everything he'd asked for, with conditions that seemed reasonable but effectively eliminated his choice about graduation and future advancement. He clenched his jaw, recognizing he had been outmaneuvered.
"I understand the significance of what you're offering," Hikaru said finally, his fingers gripping the bedsheet tightly. "I accept."
"Excellent," Hiruzen replied, his satisfaction evident. "The graduation will be formalized shortly, and you'll be assigned to a genin team under an experienced Jōnin instructor. Your training in the Hiraishin no Jutsu will begin once you've demonstrated the foundational skills necessary."
The formal acceptance sealed the agreement, transforming his carefully planned academic trajectory into a series of commitments that would define his entire ninja career.
"There is one more matter," Hiruzen continued. "Your Jōnin instructor assignment is still being finalized. The village leadership wants to ensure you're paired with someone whose teaching style will properly support your development."
"You'll be given time to recover fully and prepare for the transition," Hiruzen explained, lowering his pipe from his mouth. "The specific timeline and instructor assignment will be communicated once all arrangements are complete. This may take a week or more."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama," Hikaru replied. "I'll use the time to ensure I'm ready for whatever responsibilities lie ahead."
"Excellent approach," Hiruzen assured him, straightening his robes. "Rest well and recover fully—your new path will demand everything you have to give."
Hikaru watched him go, his shoulders sagging slightly as the weight of his new commitments settled over him.
As the Third Hokage departed, leaving behind only the lingering scent of pipe tobacco, Hikaru found himself alone with the weight of what had just occurred. The hospital room felt strangely quiet after hosting such an important conversation.
The negotiation had been masterfully executed by both parties, though the Hokage's superior experience had ultimately proven decisive. Hikaru rubbed his forehead, still feeling overwhelmed by how quickly everything had changed. He had been given everything he'd asked for, but at the cost of commitments that would reshape his entire future.
The irony wasn't lost on him—months of careful concealment had been designed to avoid exactly this kind of attention, yet a single afternoon of protecting his friend had resulted in the most significant opportunity of his life. He clenched and unclenched his fists under the bedsheet.
He stared at the ceiling, processing the magnitude of what he had just agreed to. The Flying Thunder God Technique. The same jutsu that had made the Fourth Hokage legendary. And all he had to do was reach Jōnin rank within ten years.
It sounded simple enough, but Hikaru knew better. He ran his hand through his hair nervously. Most shinobi never reached Jōnin rank at all, let alone within such a specific timeframe. The Hokage had essentially challenged him to become one of the village's elite within a decade.
But the alternative—refusing the offer—would have been even more problematic. How could he explain turning down such an unprecedented opportunity without raising suspicions about his motivations?
A soft knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. "Hikaru-kun? May I come in?"
"Of course, Onee-chan," he replied, grateful for the distraction from his racing thoughts.
Ayako entered with her usual gentle smile, though her eyes carried obvious curiosity about the important visitor who had just left. She settled back into her chair beside his bed, her movements careful and deliberate.
"The Third Hokage himself," she said with a mixture of awe and concern. "I never imagined someone of his stature would visit you personally."
"Neither did I," Hikaru admitted, shifting uncomfortably under her knowing gaze.
"So," Ayako said, leaning forward slightly, "what did the Hokage want to discuss?"
Hikaru shifted uncomfortably against his pillows, avoiding her eyes for a moment before meeting her gaze.