"Alright... Third, Danzou's concerns aren't entirely unfounded. As for hiring an assassin, that's just words without proof. I think this matter shouldn't be pursued further."
"Yes, Danzou acted with good intentions too. Hope we don't raise another Uchiha Madara."
The speakers were Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura. They naturally spoke up for Danzou. The Third Hokage thought a moment and said:
"Danzou, leave. I think Satoru won't take this to heart either."
"Sarutobi! Watch yourself! And you, brat—remember this!" Danzou sneered coldly, shot Satoru a venomous glare, turned, and left.
"He's always like that—don't blame him," said Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, then left immediately too.
Satoru looked at the Third Hokage somewhat puzzled. He said:
"Satoru, I believe you. Danzou wants you gone—nothing but eliminating a rival. You're too outstanding, so he wants to remove you before you fully mature."
"You and Minato are the only candidates for Hokage. Hope you understand."
"Orochimaru's been on the front lines almost constantly since the Shinobi World War, protecting Konoha. But he's very cold and enigmatic—no one knows what he really wants."
"So you and Minato will likely compete for Hokage. If something happens to both of you, Orochimaru and Danzou become the top candidates."
"Danzou's a hardliner, pushing aggressive offense against other shinobi villages. But Konoha needs stable development most. Orochimaru's not great at village management either."
"So you and Minato are the best for Fourth Hokage. And I lean toward you. Though very young, you're level-headed and experienced, your power and potential astounding. I hope you can spend a few years consolidating. Understand what I mean?"
The Third looked at Satoru very seriously, and he instantly got it.
The Third Hokage didn't want him pursuing Danzou strictly by law. Clinging to it would seem petty. He was a next Hokage candidate! He needed such magnanimity.
"Alright, Teacher Sarutobi, I get your point," Satoru smiled faintly and let it go.
If he really became Hokage, killing Danzou would be easy. For now, Satoru needed to focus on boosting power and influence. After all, Root was a whole organization. Removing Danzou was simple; destroying Root, hard.
This time, the Third Hokage directly assigned A-rank missions. Thus, Satoru completed one A-rank mission.
All these days, Satoru sparred with Hiruzen, raising his power. The C- and D-rank quests from the System remained undone. The Third told him to "consolidate," so Satoru naturally started.
Besides daily training, Satoru kept doing C- and D-rank missions.
Half a year flew by quickly.
One figure sped through the forest.
"Fall!" a voice rang out, and a huge wild boar crashed to the ground.
Satoru quickly completed the mission and finally got the completion notice!
Satoru was going mad. All this time, quests had been his daily duty, no days off. He had to do at least two per day. His frenzy for missions had other genin complaining.
"Finally done! In a year, 500 D-rank missions and 100 C-rank!" Satoru nearly jumped with excitement.
And the System said:
[Sistema congratulates Host on completing the quest! You received one-time chakra purification! Start now?]
Satoru immediately asked:
"How long?"
[Half a day,] the System replied.
Satoru went home and used the chakra purification right away. After, he noticed unprecedented changes.
After the tree-climbing quest, Satoru absorbed a jonin's chakra. Physical limits prevented full assimilation. He couldn't purify directly then, but though not full jonin chakra absorption, his own chakra quality rose greatly.
This time, completing the quest, Satoru purified immediately.
Purification went very successfully. His near-Kage-level chakra became much purer.
If before a technique took two units of chakra, now one. Quantity unchanged, but quality nearly doubled.
"Using any ninjutsu's much easier now," Satoru could apply techniques effortlessly.
Once fully accustomed to his new chakra, the System issued another quest.
[Sistema congratulates Host! New quest activated! This time—complete ten B-rank missions... Reward: surprise ten-roll lottery.]
Seeing the quest, Satoru naturally found his team and dove into missions actively.
Satoru had done B-rank missions before, so the Hokage made an exception, allowing him that level.
But Konoha didn't have many B-rank missions, prioritized for jonin. So three months passed before Satoru completed one B-rank.
Satoru didn't complain at all, since no time limit. He used free time to learn from the Third.
That day, the Third Hokage directly told Satoru to train under the White Fang. So Satoru found the Hatake clan residence and his mentor's home.
"Satoru? You here for a mission?" Hatake Sakumo asked.
"No, Teacher White Fang, I'm here to learn from you," Satoru answered honestly.
"Learn from me?" Konoha's White Fang smiled.
"Yes. Your previous lecture on chakra theory was unfinished. My chakra natures are Wind, Fire, and Lightning. I want to integrate elemental chakra properties into combat like you," Satoru stated his goal.
Shape and nature transformation was a key step to becoming a strong ninja. Even Naruto endured grueling training for Rasenshuriken.
Hatake Sakumo said:
"Before we start, I want to analyze your fighting style."
"At mid-range, you use ninjutsu to attack foes; close-range, your Monstrous Strength. So you're a mid-to-close-range ninja."
"Your close combat lacks elemental chakra properties, so right now, most important is mastering one signature technique using them."
"Only mastering elemental property attacks can you use ninjutsu with nature and shape transformation," the White Fang said honestly.
***
Read the story months ahead of the public release — early chapters are available on my Patreon: Granulan