The next morning, Setsuna finished meditating and got up from his bed.
The practice of "Ki" is divided into two methods: one is "Dynamic Practice" (or Dōgong), which pushes the body to its limit—in his previous life's terminology, "Refining Essence into Ki." The second is "Static Practice" (or Jìnggong), which focuses on spiritual cultivation, drawing closer to nature through meditation. Master Roshi is the prime example of this method.
In terms of pure physique, Setsuna is not inferior to a master like Roshi; after all, youth has its advantages in a fight. However, when it comes to "Ki" practice, the difference is vast. After over 300 years of training, Roshi's Ki is strong enough to destroy the Moon with a Kamehameha, while Setsuna's Ki, at its absolute peak, could maybe take out a small mountain.
In Setsuna's opinion, his minimal Ki is better used for Sky Dancing Technique (or Bukuujutsu, the ability to fly). In regular combat, he just uses his body, but for long-range attacks, he can rely on low-consumption, single-point penetrating skills like the Piercing Flash (or Dodōmpa).
Even so, Setsuna hasn't slackened his Ki training. A martial artist who can't Clash of Waves (the iconic beam struggle) is not a true martial artist.
Setsuna stretched and then went out for his morning run. This routine was practically etched into his very blood.
As Setsuna ran toward a nearby training ground, he ran straight into a boy walking on his hands. The boy was four years younger than him, yet from a ninja standpoint, he was already his senior: the young Might Guy.
"Setsuna-senpai! This is great! I saw you weren't here to train yesterday, and I was worried you'd given up! I knew our Youth wouldn't end!" Guy said with a wide, shining grin, flashing his pure white teeth, while sticking out his right thumb in a thumbs-up—all while still walking upside-down.
"I wasn't feeling well yesterday, so I took a day off. I have to make up for it double today," Setsuna replied with a slight smile. To Might Guy, it was just one day, but for Setsuna, it was an entire year.
When he travels between worlds, one year in the other world equals one day in his home world. When he is in his home world, the time flow ratio returns to normal—though not exactly 1:1, as there are always inherent time flow differences between universes.
As for the exact time flow, Setsuna wasn't clear, perhaps only after he fully mastered the Myriad Worlds Orb would he know.
Hearing Setsuna's explanation, Guy was moved to tears. "With a physique like yours, Setsuna-senpai, it must have been a severe illness to make you stop training for even a day! Is this the burning heat of Youth? It simply won't let us stop moving forward!"
Setsuna was already used to Guy's dramatics and smiled as he asked, "Don't you have a squad to go out and execute missions with?"
Although Guy's experience is similar to Rock Lee's, they are actually quite different.
Guy failed the Ninja Academy entrance exam and only got in after a re-test. However, he graduated from the Academy in just two years. While still not as fast as Kakashi, graduating at seven years old is certainly the mark of a "Genius." This shows he wasn't without talent in Ninjutsu; he just simply preferred Taijutsu.
To borrow a line from Bleach's Uryu Ishida, Guy was disinterested, while Lee was talentless.
Upon hearing Setsuna's question, Guy said sadly, "My squad's leader was ambushed and sacrificed during a mission, and my two teammates were seriously injured. My squad has been disbanded, and I have to wait for the village to reassign me to a new one. So, I have plenty of time for training lately."
Setsuna's expression turned serious. It was uncommon for a Jōnin to be sacrificed during peacetime. Between the Cloud Village invasion last night and Guy's sensei being sacrificed, it all seemed to hint that war was drawing near.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's Office.
"Minato, thanks to your 'personal' protection of Kushina, the Cloud Village's scheme has been thwarted yet again," the Third Hokage said, smiling faintly—a kind smile with a hint of a sneaky grin.
"It was just a coincidence," Minato replied, slightly embarrassed. He did visit Kushina's house more often than he let on, but it certainly wasn't "personal" protection; he still had ninja missions to perform.
"Haha, I know, I know," the Third Hokage laughed heartily. He already admired Minato, and he was even happier to see Minato and Kushina together, hoping to start a beautiful legacy like the First Hokage and Lady Mito's.
"However, you were a bit heavy-handed. It's going to look a bit ugly when we return the corpses—they're scattered all over the place," the Third Hokage shook his head with emotion. "While the Cloud Village isn't in the right here, the Raikage has never been a reasonable man. You must be careful of any targeting from the Cloud Village for a while."
Minato smiled and shook his head. "Lord Hokage, I actually didn't kill those three Cloud ninja."
"You didn't? Did Tsunade return?" The Third Hokage perked up. "I was wondering why you suddenly started using Taijutsu."
"It wasn't Lady Tsunade either," Minato clarified, organizing his thoughts. "Perhaps you've heard of him. The oldest student currently in the Ninja Academy, Setsuna Chiaki."
"Setsuna Chiaki?" The Third Hokage was stunned. Of course, he knew who he was.
Despite his lack of Ninjutsu talent, Setsuna's diligence put many active ninja to shame. Setsuna and Guy's morning runs were, in a way, a landmark sight in the village.
He greatly admired Setsuna's effort, believing that such dedication was the embodiment of the Will of Fire. Therefore, when Academy teachers suggested expelling the student, the Hokage had always intervened.
But no matter what he thought, it was impossible to link Setsuna to the strong warrior who defeated Cloud Village ninja.
After all, the three dead Cloud ninja consisted of one Jōnin and two Chūnin—a high-level force for any Hidden Village. How could they have been defeated by an Academy student with no Ninjutsu talent?
Seeing the Third Hokage's confusion, Minato explained, "He defeated the enemies with pure Taijutsu."
The Third Hokage couldn't help but be skeptical. "Really, only Taijutsu?"
"His Taijutsu is incredibly strong. Truly powerful!" Minato nodded emphatically. "In a one-on-one fight, I would likely be no match for him either."
The Third Hokage gasped. He knew Minato's strength well, and for Minato to say something like that spoke volumes about Setsuna's power.
"Are you telling me this because you want me to bend the rules and allow him to graduate?" the Third Hokage asked.
"Yes, it would be a waste to keep such an excellent ninja in the Academy," Minato nodded, and then added, "However, I hope, Lord Hokage, that you can conceal the fact that he killed the Cloud ninja. Even though his strength is great, the Cloud Village's underhanded methods are impossible to guard against."
"Then you'll be the one the Cloud Village targets," the Third Hokage reminded him.
"I have the Flying Thunder God Technique (Hiraishin no Jutsu). It won't be easy for them to target me," Minato said with a smile.
"Still, be careful. The Flying Thunder God Technique isn't foolproof." The Third Hokage sank into memory. His own sensei, the Second Hokage and creator of the Flying Thunder God Technique, sacrificed himself to cover their escape and died at the hands of the pursuing Cloud Village ninja.
"However, if there isn't enough convincing evidence, bypassing the rules for his graduation might not be good for him," the Third Hokage mused, then suddenly tapped his desk with his pipe and chuckled. "I'll just have my disappointing little son fight him. Not only will it prove Setsuna's strength, but it will also force Asuma to be a little less arrogant and overconfident."
Minato's eyes widened. Thinking of the Cloud ninja who met a gruesome end at Setsuna's hands, a thought couldn't help but surface: Is the Third Hokage trying to Level Up a New Character (or 'Grind a secondary account')?