Of course, that line of thought was only a fleeting one. Konosuke still planned to rely on Hiruzen for a few more comfortable years.
Just earlier, Hiruzen had combed through extensive records of the Sarutobi clan.
There was no mention of Light Release.
Not even records of any other bloodline limits.
Unable to find answers in clan history, Hiruzen dug deeper into Konosuke's lineage.
Konosuke's father had been a direct descendant of the Sarutobi clan.
His mother had belonged to the Senju clan, though after Tobirama Senju dissolved the clan structure into civilian status, she married into the Sarutobi.
There were no anomalies in either lineage.
If anything had awakened from his mother's side, it should have been Wood Release.
Instead, he awakened a never-before-seen Light Release—one with terrifying destructive power.
After considering everything, Hiruzen concluded that perhaps the Sarutobi once possessed such a bloodline, but its awakening conditions were so harsh that it had been lost to time—like Wood Release.
Shisui glanced nervously at Konosuke.
He had a bad feeling about being present for this discussion.
Overhearing potential Sarutobi clan secrets was dangerous—especially for an Uchiha.
Meanwhile, Konosuke's mind was racing.
He needed an explanation convincing enough to satisfy Hiruzen—without encouraging further scrutiny.
He lit a cigarette before speaking.
"I honestly don't know how it awakened. I was training the Body Flicker Technique when I noticed light gathering beneath my feet. From there, I slowly developed the laser technique."
"Actually, I brought Shisui here to spar. I wanted to compare our Body Flicker approaches. Maybe we could learn from each other."
Hiruzen didn't press further.
For a clan, even one bloodline awakening per generation was fortunate.
He shouldn't be greedy.
Turning to Shisui with a smile, he said,
"Since Konosuke wishes to spar, indulge him. I'd like to see how far the geniuses of two clans have progressed."
Shisui straightened.
"Understood, Hokage-sama. I will do my best."
He glanced at Konosuke thoughtfully.
"I always felt something was different about you. You're too calm about everything—like none of it truly concerns you."
"Now I see. You must have absolute confidence in your strength."
Konosuke resisted the urge to laugh.
Absolute confidence?
He just wanted to slack off until he reached overwhelming power—then maybe consider marriage.
He handed Shisui a kunai.
"I know you didn't bring your short blade. Use this. Let's keep it controlled."
Shisui's tone sharpened.
"Konosuke, use your full strength. I want to see where you stand."
"Fine. But with my chakra reserves, I can only sustain combat for about three minutes. If you last that long, I lose."
The moment he finished speaking, both vanished in blinding flashes of speed.
Hiruzen nodded approvingly.
From that first exchange alone, Konosuke seemed faster.
Shisui held his kunai defensively, forming a single-handed seal with his left hand.
In the next instant, he surged forward at breathtaking speed, leaving afterimages in his wake.
Konosuke couldn't help but admire it.
So this was why Shisui earned the title "Shisui of the Body Flicker."
He seamlessly alternated between instantaneous movement and a wind-attribute dash technique.
He would initiate Body Flicker while forming the next seal mid-motion.
It was brilliant.
Even if someone copied the method, few could execute it.
It required the Sharingan's visual tracking and exquisite chakra control.
And then—
Shisui was already there.
Twenty meters closed in under two seconds.
As Shisui lunged with his kunai—
A lazy voice echoed behind him.
"Shisui… have you ever been kicked at the speed of light?"
Not in front.
Behind.
The Konosuke ahead dissolved—it was an afterimage.
Shisui spun just in time to see a polished shoe hurtling toward his face.
Instinctively, he chained another Body Flicker and wind dash—appearing directly before Hiruzen.
Relief flashed across his face—
Until he saw the same foot descending again.
He vanished once more.
Unfortunately, Konosuke didn't pull back in time.
His kick connected squarely with Hiruzen's face.
BOOM!
The Hokage was launched backward, crashing into a distant tree.
Shisui froze before rushing over.
"Hokage-sama! Are you alright?!"
Konosuke scratched his head awkwardly.
He hadn't expected the Old Man to fail to dodge.
He had even held back a bit.
But from Hiruzen's perspective, Shisui's afterimage had suddenly transformed into a flying foot.
He had assumed Konosuke would stop short.
He did not.
Several ANBU appeared instantly, shoving Shisui aside protectively.
After a moment of dizzy silence, Hiruzen stood up, rubbing his ringing head.
The first thing he did was roar:
"You brat! This month's stipend is revoked!"
Then he turned and left with the ANBU.
But as he walked away, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
Konoha had gained its second Yellow Flash.