One shock followed another.
Hiruzen, Danzo, and the others hadn't yet recovered from Kazuku effortlessly defeating the beasts.
Now Tobirama dropped another bombshell!
Kazuku's mastery of monstrous strength…
Took Lord Tobirama five years.
Lord Hashirama three years.
And they all knew Hashirama's legend!
The man who ended the Warring States era!
Founded the first ninja village!
Stood at the pinnacle of the ninja world, hailed as the God of Shinobi!
Undoubtedly…
Lord Hashirama was a legend!
Yet Kazuku had mastered monstrous strength in less time than both Hashirama and Tobirama.
Without any guidance.
How astonishing was that?
How terrifying?
Compared to themselves…
Forget seven years old—even now, they couldn't control chakra so precisely.
At best, they could channel chakra to a specific part for ninjutsu.
Covering their entire body with chakra?
They hadn't a clue how.
If they hadn't seen it, none of them would believe…
A seven-year-old Kazuku could wield monstrous strength so freely.
Yes.
He was only seven!
Seven years old!
It was utterly astounding!
"Both Lord Hashirama and Lord Tobirama are genius ninjas, wielding power above tens of thousands of others," Hiruzen thought, his heart roiling. "And Kazuku surpasses them. He's not just a genius among geniuses, no…"
Hiruzen shook his head, a bitter smile forming as he voiced his thoughts.
"Young Master Kazuku is practically a monster…"
Though Kazuku was younger, his status as the First Hokage's grandson forced even Hiruzen to call him "Young Master."
Danzo and the others shared Hiruzen's sentiments.
Before meeting Kazuku, they didn't believe in talent or bloodlines determining much.
Even the greatest genius, without hard work, would fade into obscurity.
But Kazuku was a living example, slapping them in the face.
Forcing them to acknowledge…
The world did have people who could crush all your efforts with sheer talent!
Kazuku had no training.
Monstrous strength was something he discovered and mastered unconsciously.
Lord Tobirama had confirmed it.
With his status and personality, he had no need to lie.
Nor would he lie about such a thing.
Hiruzen could even sense that Tobirama was both shocked and thrilled.
All eyes focused on Kazuku, making him the center of attention.
Envy, jealousy, even resentment.
A mix of emotions swirled among Hiruzen and the others.
Tobirama didn't think Hiruzen's "monster" label was inappropriate.
Forget these kids—even he thought Kazuku was monstrously strong.
At seven—no, even at seventeen—Tobirama couldn't hold a candle to Kazuku.
But he quickly sensed something amiss.
"I'm the Hokage. Why am I comparing myself to my grandson?"
Tobirama consoled himself inwardly.
Of course, that wasn't his only emotion.
He was also deeply pleased.
Look at the way Hiruzen and the others gazed at Kazuku.
It was like when your kid passes the Chunin Exam, becoming the only one promoted.
While other parents' kids could only look on with envy and jealousy.
That was Tobirama's mood right now.
His grandson Kazuku was the proverbial "other people's kid"!
Sarutobi clan.
Shimura clan.
Utatane clan.
Hyuga clan.
Akimichi clan.
Mito, Utatane.
And especially the Uchiha clan!
None matched his Senju clan!
Though Hiruzen and the others were beloved and valued disciples…
Tobirama couldn't resist this thrill, comparing Kazuku to them.
Everyone has some bias.
Your own kid versus your disciples—how could there not be a distinction?
"Madara Uchiha, I wonder what expression you'd have if you were alive to see my grandson Kazuku," Tobirama murmured to himself.
As for Kazuku…
Though his body was seven, he was a transmigrator.
Before coming to this world, he lived nearly twenty years as an ordinary person in another.
Suddenly being the center of attention made him uncomfortable.
It felt awkward.
"I'm just an ordinary seven-year-old kid."
Unsure how to handle the situation, Kazuku figured humility was the best approach.
But his words made Hiruzen and the others feel even more humiliated!
Ordinary?
You call that ordinary?
Young Master Kazuku, do you have some misunderstanding of "ordinary"?
If you're ordinary…
What are we?
Dead last?
Holding you back?
That simple sentence was like a critical-hit kunai, piercing their hearts.
It hurt!
What made them despair even more…
They couldn't ignore the fact…
Young Master Kazuku…
Was only seven!
A seven-year-old with terrifying talent!
And them?
Mastering or excelling at a ninjutsu made them cocky, eager to show off to Lord Tobirama and their peers.
Craving praise and approval.
In contrast…
Kazuku's humble demeanor made them deeply ashamed.
Kazuku hadn't expected that a mere chakra outburst would lead to this.
After all, wasn't monstrous strength just about precise chakra control?
Even Sakura Haruno and Sarada Uchiha could learn it.
Surely no one thought monstrous strength was that hard?
But Kazuku kept that thought to himself.
Looking at Hiruzen and the future big shots, he didn't want to crush their spirits further.
Yet their gazes still made him uneasy.
The feeling of being watched, as if everyone was waiting for him to speak…
It wasn't easy to get used to.
So he changed the subject to break the mood. "Can we continue the wilderness survival exercise?"
They'd entered the Forest of Death to train and grow.
Not to picnic and chat.
And Kazuku had fully adapted to the training.
He hoped Tobirama would leave, letting him continue.
Shifting everyone's focus back to handling the forest's dangers.
So he wouldn't be so scrutinized.
But who could've guessed…
Tobirama paused, then chuckled. "Kid, do you think this exercise can still help you improve?"
"With your strength, you could walk through this forest sideways."
Kazuku: "???"
(End of Chapter)