Chapter 101 - Decisions Made

Kensei's Home.

A week had passed since Jiraiya's visit. Hiruzen and Kensei were sipping tea as they discussed how to move forward. The Hokage also expressed his desire to have Daichi leave the village and train under Tsunade Senju.

"So you want Daichi to travel with her for the next three years?"

The Hokage nodded. "Yes. To the public, Daichi will be going with you to the capital so he could learn about your business and its operations. But privately he'll be training in Medical ninjutsu under Tsunade."

Kensei thought about it for a minute and found a problem. "Your plan has a flaw. You know full well that Danzo has spies all over the country. It won't be long before he gets wind that Daichi isn't with me. And if he suspects something then things will become much more difficult and dangerous."

"I've taken that into account." Hiruzen's face remained unchanged. "I've already thought of that and I've figured a way around it. Daichi will stay with you at the capital for a couple months and at that time Tsunade will visit the capital and meet Daichi. A pure coincidence. Daichi will impress her with his talents and due to his eagerness to learn medical ninjutsu and her unwillingness to let go of such a talented child she will take him with her and teach him till he becomes ready to graduate… And you being the good grandfather lets Daichi go with her for training…"

Hiruzen took a sip of the herbal tea and continued with a small smirk. "Or at least that's the story I'll tell Koharu and Homura. And it won't be long before this information reaches Danzo. He must be aware of Daichi's talents. So he will believe the story." Hiruzen stopped and took another sip of his tea.

Kensei went through the plan in his mind. 'This could work. Even if Danzo suspects something, he wouldn't be able to tell what it is… Unless he learns of the investigation…' Kensei sighed and stared at the Hokage.

Seeing the still unconvinced face of Kensei, the Hokage spoke. "Daichi will learn much more under Tsunade's tutelage. It will be beneficial for him." Hiruzen said as he looked at his former Anbu captain.

Kensei was a bit apprehensive about the whole thing. But he knew that Daichi would be relatively safe under the Slug Sanin's protection.

"Do you really think she'll agree to teach him?"

"She will. Once she sees the boy's talents I'm sure she'll take him in."

Kensei leaned back, crossed his arms and looked at his kage. "And what about the academy?"

Hiruzen already had an answer for that. "I'll have an instructor at the academy conduct a private test for Daichi at the end of each year. I'll also have them prepare a special curriculum for Daichi at the beginning of each year."

Kensei narrowed his eyes as he listened. "You're going through a lot for a single student in the academy! Why?"

Hiruzen was silent as he heard the question. 'Daichi's inborn talent is far beyond normal. And his strength is growing at an exponential rate. I need to make sure he forms some strong ties to the village… And… There is also that…'

He then looked at his friend and replied. "I don't want Daichi to waste his time and potential. If I hadn't implemented the age restriction, then Daichi would have graduated from the academy in his first or second year… For someone with his talents I believe this much is appropriate."

Kensei looked at Hiruzen for a few seconds and then nodded his head.

"And what about Isen?" Kensei asked.

"I have a plan. But it will require Tsunade's help." Hiruzen freshened his cup and spoke.

Kensei patiently waited for the Hokage to elaborate.

Hiruzen instead of explaining took a scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Kensei. The man took it and examined it.

"You'll understand once you open it."

Kensei was about to open and send chakra through the scroll but Hiruzen stopped him.

"Not now. The contents of that scroll are delicate. You need to meet with Tsunade and hand her the scroll. She'll know what to do."

Kensei looked at the scroll and nodded. "When?"

"Around three weeks from now! She'll meet you at the Silverstone safe house in the capital."

Kensei's eyes slightly widened. "Isn't that…?"

Hiruzen nodded in affirmation. "Yes. It was Lord Second's safe house. Only myself and Tsunade have access to it… Until now." Hiruzen then handed a small square paper seal to Kensei.

"That seal will get you inside."

Kensei nodded and both of them sat down in a comfortable silence for a minute. Hiruzen then finished his tea and got up.

"I better head back…" Hiruzen was about to leave but suddenly stopped. He looked at Kensei and had a serious expression.

"Kensei, when Daichi gets back, I know you'll tell him about the trip to the capital, but under no circumstances can you tell him about your investigations… The less people know the better." There was a sharp edge to the Hokage's tone.

Kensei narrowed his eyes. He stared silently for a while and then slowly nodded. Hiruzen looked at the man for a few more seconds and seemed satisfied. He left the place and headed to his office.

Kensei slowly paced around the house thinking about the meeting that just took place. It would be a few more hours before Daichi returned home from the academy.

He sat down on the porch and thought about what he would say to his adopted grandson. 'Hiruzen is right. I'll keep everything about Danzo to myself for now. But Daichi will need information to make informed decisions. If I feel the need arises then I'll tell him…'

Kensei then thought about how Daichi would react when told that he will be training under a Sanin. A smirk formed on his face.

'He'll be absolutely floored… No! I'll tell him that he'll have someone teach him medic techniques but I'll keep Tsunade's name a secret. It'll be a surprise.'

Kensei spent his time mediating and exercising. When it was evening, at the usual time he sensed Daichi's presence.

Daichi greeted his grandfather and went to his room to freshen up. He returned a while later and Kensei beckoned him over.

"Daichi… I need to tell you something…" Kensei began his explanation.

He told Daichi that he would be leaving with him to the capital for three years and would learn medical ninjutsu under a special trainer and that he was to keep the whole thing a secret.

Daichi was surprised at the information. "This is a lot to take in."

'That's what she said!' Kensei chucked to himself at that.

He then got serious and agreed with Daichi. "Yes. Take your time to digest the information… I'm sure you'll be ready."

Daichi nodded and got up for a walk. He had a lot to process.

The Next Day.

The academy classes had ended and Daichi took his bag and was about to leave but was stopped by Naruto and Kiba.

"Hey, we're gonna play find the spy? Come on! You wanna be the spy or the ninja?" Naruto asked with a wide smile.

Daichi had been spending time with his friends and they were happy with the change. But today Daichi had other plans.

"Not today guys. Got something to do. Another time."

Naruto and Kiba let out a sigh. "Fine. But next time you better join us."

Daichi left them with an apologetic smile. He walked through the streets of the village with several thoughts running through his mind.

His journey took him to the forest where he first met Ren Uchiha. Before long he reached the spot in the forest with the round wooden targets.

Daichi was thinking about what his grandfather had said yesterday. He had some concerns. Mainly regarding his quests.

'If I leave the village and the academy before I become a Genin, then will my quest become invalid? Will it be considered a failure?... Then again the old man did say someone would conduct special tests at the end of each year. So technically I'll still be training and be part of the academy roster…'

Daichi sat down under a tree and thought about the most likely outcome. 'It's not me quitting. This decision was made by Kensei and the Hokage. I could reject it but… The chance to travel outside the village and learn Medical ninjutsu… It's too good to pass up… The most likely outcome would be that my quest would be modified to suit the situation. At least that's my assumption… But if somehow this quest is marked as a failure because of this decision then the penalty is death…'

Daichi frowned as he thought about the consequences of failing the quest 'Path to the Strongest.' Daichi opened the quest and looked at the description.

[The System will help the Player on his journey to become the world's strongest. Complete a set of tasks to receive System rewards. Failure to complete any task will result in activation of the Penalty Dungeon.]

'Hmm… It doesn't specifically say that I have to stay in the academy. As long as I complete the tasks, it looks like I'll be fine. I think.'

Daichi made his choice. He was going to the capital and train for the next few years.

Daichi became excited. 'I'll finally see what this world has to offer. I wonder what kind of people I'll meet.'

At that moment another thought struck his mind. 'I'm sure I'll meet a lot of people but at the same time I'll miss Naruto and the others. Not to mention… Reo… I'll miss her the most. I won't even be able to make it to her birthdays… Can I really trust Aiko with her safety?'

Daichi went through all the memories he had of the woman. 'Yes. I can trust her... And right now to everyone Reo is just another ordinary kid. The only proof of her Uchiha bloodline is her Sharingan. And that will only awaken in stressful situations. Something that won't happen anytime soon with how careful Aiko is with the children. And by the time she joins the academy, I'll be a chunin at the least… I'm sure I'll be strong enough to handle any problems that arise.'

Daichi let out a breath and relaxed. With his concerns about the quest and Reo faded, Daichi's mind went to his training.

'I've mastered two elements. 3 more remain. I'll train the water chakra nature and increase my genjutsu and ninjutsu arsenal this year. I'll also need to refine and Max out as many skills as I can. I'll train the lightning and wind chakra natures in the coming years. I suspect that completing them will take time since I'm going to be training in medical jutsu as well.'

With a somewhat more solid training plan in mind Daichi sat there and started meditating. He found that meditation always greatly improves his mood.

Even passively his senses were now much more enhanced. Daichi could hear the various life forms scurrying about through the forest. He felt the wind blowing through the forest and the scents of various animals, plants and flowers.

Half an hour went by as he sat there in his meditative trance. At that moment Daichi's senses picked up something. The first thing Daichi noticed was the unique scent. Then he heard footsteps. Daichi was not alone in that forest. The footsteps were getting closer to Daichi's location. Daichi was well accustomed to the person with this scent.

'I wonder what he's doing here?'

—-

A few meters away from the mediating Daichi, Sasuke Uchiha stood behind the cover of the trees. He didn't know why he came to the place where he once used to train with his brother. And it was even more of a surprise to find his classmate here.

It has been over a year since the massacre and Sasuke had been training even harder than before. But he felt like he hadn't made any progress. In fact, fighting Daichi made him feel like he was getting weaker.

Sasuke cursed his weakness in his heart. He walked through the forest near his compound to clear his head and he accidentally found his rival meditating under a tree.

Sasuke stood behind the tree without making a sound. He clenched his fist as he looked at Daichi's peaceful face.

Suddenly he heard Daichi speak. "Are you gonna just stand there or you gonna say something?"

Daichi opened his eyes and looked at the number two in his class.