Chapter 78: Bloodlines

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat behind his desk, his weathered hands folded neatly before him two figures stood before the Third Hokage. His eyes, though creased with age, held a sharp, penetrating gaze that seemed to pierce through the very souls of those before him.

"Report," he commanded, his voice carrying the weight of years of leadership. "Tell me everything about Ryu. Leave nothing out."

The proctor, a tall man with a scar running down his left cheek, stepped forward. His voice was steady, but there was an undercurrent of awe as he spoke. "Lord Hokage, the boy's physical abilities are... extraordinary, to say the least. In all my years as a proctor, I've never seen anything quite like it."

The examiner, a shorter woman with piercing green eyes, nodded in agreement. Her fingers twitched slightly, as if itching to write down her observations. "Indeed. In the race, he would have ranked first if he hadn't deliberately held back to let others pass him on the final lap. It was... peculiar, to say the least."

Hiruzen's eyebrows rose slightly, a flicker of interest passing across his face. "Ah, yes. I observed that as well. It was quite... intriguing. But tell me, what were your professional impressions?"

The proctor and examiner exchanged a surprised glance. The proctor cleared his throat, a faint blush colouring his cheeks. "Of course, Lord Hokage. We... I forgot that you had witnessed it personally and came to same conclusion."

Hiruzen waved a hand dismissively, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "No need for apologies, Please continue.. I'm interested in your professional assessment. Sometimes, a fresh pair of eyes can see what even the most experienced might miss."

The proctor continued, his voice gaining confidence. "Even while holding back, he didn't even break a sweat during the entire race. Everyone else, both in front and behind him, was gasping for air. His stamina is... well, it's unheard of for his age."

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed imperceptibly at the comparison. 'Interesting,' he thought. Senju-like stamina made be it is his Senju blood he inherited from his grandfather. But not every Senju is able to awaken such potential in their younger days.'

"His Shurikenjutsu is on par with the Uchiha clan's standards," the examiner added, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "And they're renowned for their proficiency in that area. The precision, the speed... it was truly remarkable."

A moment of silence fell over the room as Hiruzen processed this information. Then, the examiner's voice dropped to an almost reverent whisper. "But Lord Hokage, his main strength... it's his chakra. I've never encountered a six-year-old with such potent chakra. It's... it's almost overwhelming. The sheer density and volume of it... it's like nothing I've ever seen before in a academy student."

Hiruzen's mind raced with the implications. 'So my guess was correct; those red hair. There is no doubt that he is of Uzumaki lineage as well.'

Aloud, he simply nodded. "Anything else? Any notable interactions or incidents before i came to the exam?"

The proctor cleared his throat, his posture straightening. "There were two incidents of note, sir. The first involved a boy who ranked 30th in the race. Ryu defended him when he was berated by a Hyuga genius for participating against them. It was... unexpected."

"And the second incident?" Hiruzen prompted, leaning forward slightly.

The proctor's face darkened slightly. "There was a situation with a Uchiha girl. She was... well, being bullied by her fellow clansmen. While other children ignored it, Ryu stepped in to defend her."

"He showed remarkable emotional intelligence," the examiner added, her voice softening. "He didn't resort to violence or even raise his voice."

Hiruzen stood up, the chair scraping softly against the wooden floor. He walked to the window, his reflection staring back at him, eyes filled with a mixture of concern and curiosity. "And what of his overall demeanour? Did you notice anything... unusual?"

The examiner hesitated before responding. "He seems... distant, Lord Hokage. Not unfriendly, but... guarded. As if he's carrying a great weight on his shoulders. There's a maturity in his eyes that's... unsettling for a child his age."

Hiruzen nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. He turned back to face the proctor and examiner, his face once again a mask of neutrality. "I appreciate your thorough report. However, I must ask that you keep this information about Ryu a secret. He is under my protection, and there are reasons for his... restraint. Treat him as you would any other civilian child."

Both the proctor and examiner bowed deeply, their voices echoing in unison. "Yes, Lord Hokage. We understand the importance of discretion in such matters."

"You're dismissed," Hiruzen said, waving them away. As they turned to leave, he added, "And thank you for your diligence. Your observations may prove more valuable than you know."

As the door closed behind them with a soft click, Hiruzen turned back to the window, his reflection staring back at him from the glass. His mind whirled with thoughts and possibilities, each more intriguing than the last.

'They're both wrong,' he mused, his breath fogging the glass slightly. 'Ryu's true strength isn't his chakra, formidable as it may be. It's that brilliant mind of his, coupled with his creativity. But the Uzumaki lineage... I hadn't considered that possibility.'

He stroked his beard thoughtfully, the coarse hairs rough against his fingers. 'I had assumed he dyed his hair, perhaps to distance himself from earlier appearances or simply as a fashion statement. But if he truly is of Uzumaki descent... and potentially Senju as well? The implications are staggering.'

Hiruzen's gaze drifted to Hokage Rock, the stern faces of his predecessors staring back at him. "So both those lineages are still alive in him, huh.? i need to hide this fact. But why did it appear now? Is it because of that medicine? Does that medicine have unintended effects?" he murmured, his voice barely audible even in the quiet room. "But where did he inherit his red hairs from? was it his father? Which Uzumaki has managed to stay hidden all these years?"

His mind drifted to the mysterious circumstances surrounding Ryu's arrival in the village. The boy's knowledge, his skills, his very presence... it all hinted at something larger at play. "What are you hiding, Ryu?" he whispered to the empty room. "And why do I feel like the fate of our village might hinge on those secrets?"

He turned from the window, his decision made. The floors creaked softly under his feet as he moved. "Deer," he called out, seemingly to empty air.

A figure materialised from the shadows, kneeling before the Hokage. The ANBU mask gleamed in the morning light, its blank expression a stark contrast to the tension in Tenzo's shoulders. "Yes, Lord Hokage?"

"I need you to discreetly gather information on Ryu's father. Also, conduct a thorough background check on all the academic teachers. Transfer anyone associated with Root Division or known to be their informants. We can't afford to have Danzo's influence spreading among the next generation."

Deer's mask betrayed no emotion, but there was a hint of surprise and concern in his voice. "Lord Hokage, Lord Danzo will—"

Hiruzen cut him off with a sharp gesture, his voice hardening. "I'm well aware that Danzo will resist and try to uncover my motives. Let him. I've allowed him too much freedom in the past and permitted him to spy on innocent children. No more. It's time we reined him in, for the good of the village."

"But sir," Deer hesitated, his voice barely above a whisper, "if Danzo-sama discovers Ryu's potential... He might try to recruit him for Root. The boy's abilities would be too tempting for him to ignore."

Hiruzen's eyes hardened, the weight of his years and responsibilities evident in his gaze. "Then we'll deal with that when the time comes. For now, our priority is protecting these children and nurturing their growth. Ryu, in particular, must be shielded from Danzo's manipulations. We can't allow such potential to be twisted by Root's methods. Understood?"

"Understood, Lord Hokage," Deer replied, bowing his head.

As Deer disappeared back into the shadows, Hiruzen turned once more to the window, a small smile playing on his lips. The village sprawled before him, a tapestry of rooftops and bustling streets.

"Show me, Ryu," Hiruzen whispered. "Show me what kind of shinobi you will become. And may the Will of Fire guide your path."

In the quiet of the office, Hiruzen's words hung in the air, a promise and a challenge. The future of Konoha was shifting, and at its centre stood a red-haired boy with secrets that could change everything. The game had begun, and Hiruzen was determined to see it through, no matter the cost.

He thought with a wry smile, "Retirement can wait a little longer. It seems the village still needs this old monkey to keep watch over its future."

With a chuckle, Hiruzen returned to his desk, his mind already racing with plans and contingencies. As he settled into his chair, he couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement. The coming days promised to be interesting indeed.

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