A sharp blade sliced through Veigar Koshima's skin, leaving a shallow wound that trickled warm blood. Captured and restrained, he dared not move an inch, fearing that even the slightest motion would cost him his life.
"Is this... the end for me?"
Veigar felt a deep sense of frustration. He hadn't even seen his assailant's face, yet there seemed to be no escape. The moment he made a wrong move, he had no doubt that his captor's kunai would slit his throat.
However, just moments later, he noticed something—seven or eight Konoha ANBU operatives had suddenly appeared around them. Among them was a familiar face, someone he had encountered before. That very same person was carrying a lifeless body, its Life Essence still fading away—the remains of the enemy he had just been fighting.
Recognizing the familiar figure, Veigar felt some relief. It didn't take long for him to realize that the person holding him captive was likely another Konoha ANBU member.
"Veigar Koshima, what are you doing here?"
The ANBU operative wearing a monkey-faced mask spoke first, his tone interrogative. He was still carrying the corpse on his shoulder as he addressed Veigar.
"I—I came here to train," Veigar hurriedly responded.
"Captain, you know him?"
This time, the Konoha ANBU who had captured Veigar directed his question toward the monkey-masked operative.
"He's a student at the Ninja Academy. I was the one who informed him about the entrance exam back then."
After explaining, the monkey-masked ANBU continued, "The mission is complete. The target has been confirmed dead."
Then, turning to Veigar, he added, "Because you got involved in our mission, and since we cannot yet determine whether you were working with the enemy, we'll be handing you over to the Hokage for further judgment."
Hearing that he would be taken to Hiruzen Sarutobi, Veigar felt his remaining anxiety dissipate.
The next moment, he felt a sharp pain at the back of his neck before everything faded to darkness.
The sound of swift movement through the air—
"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh…"
Veigar's unconscious body was hoisted onto the shoulder of the ANBU operative who had captured him. In the blink of an eye, they disappeared from the riverbank.
...
"Ah!!!"
Veigar suddenly jolted awake, his startled cry echoing through the room. It felt like he had just awakened from a nightmare, and he immediately sprang up from his seat.
It was only then that he realized he was inside the Hokage's office, seated directly across from Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Even more surprising, he had been lying face-down on the Hokage's desk just moments ago.
"Hokage-sama, I…"
Veigar started to speak but quickly realized he didn't know what to say.
Hiruzen, who had been reviewing documents, set them aside upon seeing Veigar wake up. With a calm and reassuring tone, he asked, "Veigar, can you tell me why you were present at the scene of an ANBU pursuit mission?"
Veigar quickly responded, "Hokage-sama, I was only there to train."
Hiruzen offered a kind smile. "I believe you. There's no need to be nervous—I just want to understand what happened."
"After all, you are a bearer of the Will of Fire. I trust that you would never betray Konoha."
"Now, tell me how you got injured."
Veigar immediately complied. "Yes, sir!"
"It all started three days ago…"
He proceeded to recount everything: resigning from the slaughterhouse, his early morning training sessions at the same location, the encounter with the enemy today, the ensuing battle, and how he sustained his injuries. He left nothing out.
Hiruzen listened carefully, nodding in satisfaction. Veigar's account perfectly matched the intelligence report he had received from ANBU.
Moreover, through Veigar's retelling, Hiruzen gained a clearer understanding of the boy's combat abilities. With this in mind, he posed another question: "Veigar, do you know who you fought today?"
Veigar shook his head. "No, sir."
Hiruzen responded, "He was a Chūnin-level spy from Sunagakure. If not for your intervention today, Konoha could have lost a highly confidential piece of information."
"For that, I must thank you for protecting the village."
Hearing this, Veigar immediately straightened up and responded with determination, "It was my duty."
Hiruzen nodded approvingly before posing another question. "Veigar, have you considered graduating early?"
In truth, he had already made up his mind. He wanted to bring Veigar under his command as soon as possible.
After all, from what he had observed, Veigar's strength was already approaching the level of a Chūnin. There was no reason to keep him in the Academy any longer.
Unaware of Hiruzen's intentions, Veigar was visibly surprised. "Graduating early? Am I allowed to?"
Hiruzen nodded once more. "Perhaps you don't fully realize it yourself, but you already possess the strength of a Chūnin."
"To ensure your talent doesn't go to waste, I'd like you to graduate early and become a Genin. That way, you can truly inherit the Will of Fire."
The revelation that he was already at Chūnin-level shocked Veigar. He had always been training diligently, but he never imagined that he had become this 'strong' without realizing it.
After thinking for a moment, Veigar replied, "Hokage-sama, I am willing to graduate early."
"But... could I have a little more time first?"
Seeing Veigar's willingness to graduate, Hiruzen's smile grew even kinder. However, upon hearing the request for additional time, he raised a curious brow. "Why the delay?"
Veigar smiled. "Because I'm about to master a new jutsu. I'd like to complete my training before applying for graduation."
The jutsu he referred to was his Human Body Enhancement Technique, though he had no intention of revealing it to Hiruzen just yet.
Hiruzen, however, did not press further. Given that Veigar's father had been a well-known Chūnin, it wouldn't be surprising if he had left some techniques behind for his son.
Moreover, Veigar's potential was impressive enough that waiting a little longer was worth it.
After a brief moment of thought, Hiruzen agreed. "Very well. I will await your application for early graduation."
"I look forward to the day you officially become a shinobi."
Veigar beamed. "Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
A short while later, Veigar exited the Hokage Residence. Just as he reached the entrance, he spotted a familiar figure hurrying toward him—Kaoru Iwabe.
"Good morning, Sensei!"
The moment he saw Kaoru, Veigar greeted her with a bright smile.
Kaoru stopped in front of him, her expression filled with concern. "Veigar, are you alright?"
"What happened? How did you get injured?"
Veigar maintained his smile. "I'm fine. It's just a minor wound. A little bandaging, and I'll be good as new."
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