After returning home, Veigar Koshima immediately retrieved the training notebook from beneath his pillow.
Then, he grabbed his long-unused fishing tools and headed out.
The holiday wasn't particularly long, but it wasn't short either. However, with Veigar needing to work to earn money, the time left for training was rather limited.
Before long, he arrived at the riverbank where he had previously set up his fishing traps.
He carefully placed the bait, set up the fishing gear in the water, and then leaped onto a nearby tree branch. Sitting comfortably, he pulled out his notebook and began reading.
Training required steady, gradual progress—just like eating a meal, one bite at a time.
At the moment, Veigar had no plans to train in body enhancement techniques. Instead, he decided to practice the Teleportation Jutsu, as recorded in his notebook.
The Teleportation Jutsu was a high-speed movement jutsu and one of the Three Basic Jutsu, though it wasn't categorized alongside the Substitution Jutsu, Transformation Jutsu, and Clone Jutsu. Instead, it was grouped with the Paralysis Jutsu and Invisibility Jutsu as part of the Advanced Three Techniques.
Furthermore, the Teleportation Jutsu had two variants: Taijutsu: Teleportation and Ninjutsu: Teleportation. The former was a body-focused technique primarily used by taijutsu specialists.
Veigar, however, was training in the Ninjutsu: Teleportation, which primarily utilized chakra—considered the fundamental application of the technique, allowing the user to enhance their movement speed through chakra bursts.
After reading about the principles and usage of the technique, Veigar immediately attempted to put it into practice.
Forming the necessary hand seals, he channeled chakra into his legs before suddenly releasing a powerful burst of propulsion.
"Teleportation Jutsu—Boom!"
Failure.
His chakra discharged with a sound reminiscent of an embarrassing fart.
"Again!"
Veigar hadn't expected to succeed on the first try, so he wasn't discouraged in the slightest.
While he diligently practiced his technique under the warm sunlight, that very same sunlight streamed through the windows of the Hokage's office, casting a glow over Hiruzen Sarutobi.
As the Third Hokage, Hiruzen was intently focused on a report in his hands.
He took a slow puff from his pipe, the tobacco crackling softly as he exhaled. He tried to recall information about the student mentioned in the report but could only remember reviewing Veigar Koshima's enrollment file.
Yes, the document in his hands was none other than Veigar's perfect test scores.
"A genius from the civilian population?"
"Could he be the next Minato?"
Though his prime had long passed, Hiruzen's ambitions had not yet faded. Seeing such a promising talent appear in the village, he suddenly felt that the sunlight in Konoha seemed a little warmer today.
"Bring Tomohisa Ishikawa to me."
"Also, locate Veigar Koshima's current position."
No verbal confirmation came, but the subtle disappearance of two presences from the shadows confirmed the orders had been received. The ANBU, directly under the Hokage's command, had moved out.
Even though the Academy was on break, teachers like Tomohisa Ishikawa still had administrative work to complete. When he received the summons from the ANBU, he immediately hurried toward the Hokage's office.
With Hiruzen's direct orders, Ishikawa was granted unrestricted passage through the Hokage Residence.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Enter."
Hiruzen, already aware of Ishikawa's arrival, responded as soon as the knocking sounded.
Straightening his attire, Ishikawa pushed open the door and stepped inside.
"Hokage-sama, you summoned me?"
Ishikawa spoke respectfully, lowering his head in deference to the village leader.
"No need to be nervous, Tomohisa."
"The village's shinobi only grow thanks to the silent dedication of teachers like you."
"You've done well."
Being personally praised by the Hokage sent a wave of excitement through Ishikawa's heart. Recognition from Hiruzen himself was the highest form of encouragement for teachers like him.
"Hokage-sama, this is my duty."
Standing tall, Ishikawa's excitement was palpable, yet he maintained a composed and serious demeanor.
"Relax a little. Think of this place as your own home."
"I called you here because I wanted to ask you about something."
Hiruzen's voice was warm, yet firm.
Ishikawa had already guessed what this was about. Without hesitation, he answered, "Of course, please ask."
Tch… tch… exhale…
Hiruzen took another slow drag from his pipe before speaking.
"What is your assessment of Veigar Koshima as a student?"
"Based on his test results, he appears to be a prodigy in the village. Your evaluations of him are also quite positive."
Ever since Veigar's test scores were released, Ishikawa had expected Hiruzen's attention. He just hadn't expected it to come so soon.
"Hokage-sama, Veigar's scores are completely legitimate."
"At the Academy, he is a diligent and well-behaved student. He has never been late, never left early, and never skipped a single class."
Ishikawa's tone was resolute.
Ambition was a natural part of life. Just as water flowed downward, people sought to rise.
Veigar's sudden emergence was an opportunity for Ishikawa.
If Hiruzen recognized Veigar's potential, then as his homeroom teacher, Ishikawa stood to benefit immensely.
For an Academy teacher, career advancement wasn't just about seniority or connections—the most effective way was through the success of their students.
And right now, Veigar's flawless scores were Ishikawa's best ticket forward.
Hiruzen nodded thoughtfully, weighing his thoughts carefully as he continued chatting with Ishikawa about Veigar.
Ishikawa, in turn, answered every question in full detail—from Veigar's academic performance and training efforts to his part-time job at the slaughterhouse to sustain himself.
More than ten minutes passed before Ishikawa finally left the Hokage's office.
At that moment, he was certain: Veigar's future would soon be under intense scrutiny, and in turn, his own career prospects would rise along with it.
As Ishikawa departed in high spirits, the ANBU reported Veigar's current location to Hiruzen.
After dismissing the ANBU from his presence, Hiruzen reached under his desk and pulled out a crystal ball—his trusted tool for, ahem… monitoring village affairs.
"Ninjutsu: Telescope Jutsu."
As Veigar's figure appeared within the crystal ball's reflection, a spark of interest lit up in Hiruzen's eyes.
What had started as mere curiosity was now turning into something far more intriguing.
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