Chapter 74: Never Mind Rumors and Slander

[Far Body Water Technique] is a Space–Time Ninjutsu that uses water as a medium to transport targets to distant locations.

Using this technique, the Stealth Frog traveled from Mount Myoboku and instantly arrived in Konoha.

As for Heiyan, he had been carried here inside the frog's pocket dimension—a hidden dimension within its belly.

"Little guy, you've done well."

Heiyan patted the Stealth Frog on the head, signaled it to open its mouth, and tossed all the remaining snacks he had into the alternate dimension inside it.

After experiencing it firsthand, he realized that space was actually quite spacious.

This alternate dimension within the frog not only shielded against Sensor detection—making it useful for infiltration or escape—but could even be used for daily living, seclusion, and training.

As long as one brought sufficient food and water, everything would work fine.

Viewed like this, this seemingly insignificant little fellow was actually quite valuable.

At least to Heiyan, it was far more useful than those clumsy giant summoned beasts.

Thinking about this, he decided to give it a name for easier reference.

"You're always croaking around, so I'll call you Guagua from now on," Heiyan said after some thought.

"Guagua!"

Guagua happily let out a cheerful croak and started hopping around in circles.

Then, after watching Guagua return into the well, Heiyan left the place and headed toward the village.

First things first—he needed to report back at the Hokage office.

Upon returning to the village, Heiyan didn't go straight home. Instead, he set foot onto the familiar Ichiraku Street and walked forward.

However, he quickly sensed something unusual.

All along the road, pedestrians who saw him gave strange looks and kept whispering among themselves while pointing.

Even worse, some people immediately hurried away upon seeing him approach, as if they feared him greatly.

"What an ill omen..."

Heiyan overheard the whispered words and soon understood the whole situation.

So the death prophecy foretold by Gamamaru has already spread through the village.

Frowning slightly, he ignored these passersby and quickened his pace.

A few minutes later, Heiyan reached the Hokage Tower.

Led by an Anbu ninja, he climbed the stairs and entered the Hokage office again.

Before the large floor-to-ceiling window, The Third Hokage stood with his back to Heiyan, puffing on his pipe while swirls of smoke rose from it.

"Cough... cough..."

It seemed Sarutobi had inhaled too deeply; he choked and turned around, coughing.

Putting down his pipe, he slowly said to Heiyan, "I suppose you must have heard quite a few rumors on your way here."

"Rumors and gossip are nothing worth worrying about."

Heiyan replied calmly, showing no sign of emotional disturbance.

Because he not only possessed a Sage's constitution, but also a heart stronger than most.

[Even if the world condemns him, he won't be discouraged.] (a reference to a classical Chinese saying)

What are mere rumors anyway.

"Sorry… This was my fault."

Sarutobi sighed, apologized to Heiyan directly, admitting that he had failed to suppress the information, which allowed Danzo to leak the death prophecy concerning Heiyan.

As for Danzo, he had already been punished — not only was he confined to solitary confinement, but also his authority as the leader of Root had been suspended.

Oh, so it was Danzo who did this.

When Heiyan heard this, he wasn't even a little surprised.

Facing Danzo's actions, there was only one phrase he could respond with:

Just forget the rumors and insults — or as some would say, NMSL.

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't know what Heiyan was thinking, nor did he ask about Heiyan's experience at Mount Myoboku.

After all, from the information Jiraiya brought back, anyone could tell that Mount Myoboku's attitude was cold, and they definitely wouldn't teach Heiyan Sage Art.

Bringing up this matter now would just be stirring up trouble unnecessarily —

Only creating more awkwardness.

Therefore, with a solemn voice and furrowed brows, he said to Heiyan, "I already know about Mount Myoboku… It must've been tough on you up there."

"He isn't suffering," Heiyan replied in response to Hiruzen's comfort. "I hope my situation won't affect the relationship between Mount Myoboku and the Leaf Village."

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen felt his heart tremble.

What a good child! Even after suffering such injustice, he still thinks about the village.

"Heiyan, come with me."

He left those words behind before standing up and walking out of the office.

Walking one behind the other, they made many twists and turns through the building, passing numerous visible and hidden guard posts, until finally arriving before a secret room.

Hiruzen pulled out the key and slowly pushed open the heavy door.

As soon as Heiyan entered the secret room, he saw rows of shelves filled with a dazzling array of scrolls, while the air carried a faint scent of ink.

"This is Konoha's Kinjutsu archive, containing thousands of Ninjutsu techniques, including many Kinjutsu."

As he spoke, Hiruzen continued deeper into the hidden chamber, passing rows upon rows of dusty shelves.

Heiyan remained silent, his eyes scanning curiously around.

Konoha's Kinjutsu Archive. Rumor has it that every ninja who has ever entered has eventually acquired Kage-level or even power surpassing that level.

[Edo Tensei], [Flying Thunder God Technique], [Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags], [Eight Branches Technique], [Multi-Shadow Clone], [Spirit Transformation Technique], [Dead Demon Consuming Seal], [Reverse Four Symbols Sealing]...

These S-rank Ninjutsu or Kinjutsu should be lying somewhere in this very archive.

At this moment, Hiruzen stopped walking.

He came to an otherwise empty shelf and retrieved the only scroll resting upon it.

It was a small scroll, no larger than a person's palm, colored in red and black — seemingly unremarkable at first glance. However, Hiruzen held it carefully in his hands, wearing an extremely serious expression.

"Heiyan, I suppose you've heard of Second Hokage Tobirama Senju's title?"

Hiruzen turned to Heiyan and asked.

"The Second Hokage was revered as the fastest, most blitz-fast ninja in the world of shinobi," Heiyan nodded slightly in agreement.

"Then do you know what specific Ninjutsu technique he used during his life that earned him this reputation?"

"The Flying Thunder God Technique."

"Precisely."

"Up to this point, Sarutobi Hiruzen stopped beating around the bush and directly handed the scroll in his hand to Heiyan, saying, 'Contained within this scroll is the Flying Thunder God Technique developed by the Second Hokage. Today, I'm entrusting it to you.'

'Hokage-sama...'

'Don't say anything. Just accept it. Actually, after the battle at the Valley of the End, I had already intended to bestow this upon you as a reward. Now isn't too late either.'

Hiruzen Sarutobi explained.

In his eyes, Heiyan had gone to Mount Myoboku but returned empty-handed while mysteriously receiving the curse of the death prophecy.

Such an event would be a tremendous blow for anyone involved.

Under these circumstances, as the village's Hokage, he naturally felt the need to step forward first and offer sincere support and reassurance to Heiyan.

No matter what, he couldn't allow this young genius to feel disillusioned and fall into despair.

'Thank you, Hokage-sama,' Heiyan accepted the scroll without putting up a show of false humility.

'Oh, right. Don't get too excited yet,' Sarutobi added, seeing Heiyan put away the scroll. 'Although the Flying Thunder God Technique isn't classified as Kinjutsu, its difficulty level surpasses that of most forbidden techniques. Ever since the passing of the Second Hokage, no one has managed to inherit this legacy left behind by him...'

At this point, he let out a heavy sigh.

Regardless of how valuable a forbidden technique might be, if there's nobody able to master it, then it holds absolutely no worth.

'I will definitely learn it,' Heiyan declared solemnly and firmly.

'Good. Ambitious spirit.'

Sarutobi smiled with satisfaction, encouragingly adding with boldness, 'Then I wish you complete success—may you soon grasp the power to traverse space and time and overcome this so-called death prophecy.'

Then, he remained there in silence as Heiyan walked away.

However, no sooner had Heiyan just walked out than the smile on Sarutobi's face vanished instantaneously, like a sudden Sichuan opera-style face change (a traditional Chinese theatrical technique where actors instantly switch facial masks).

In its place was deep concern.

Whether or not Heiyan could truly master the Flying Thunder God Technique—even if he did—remained uncertain, and it might not even be of much help.

After all, even the legendary Second Hokage hadn't been able to preserve his own life using the Flying Thunder God.

'Could it be...there really is something called fate? Is everything about the future predetermined?'

Within the Kinjutsu archive, Sarutobi muttered quietly.

Despite being the supreme leader of Konoha—the most prestigious of the Five Great Ninja Villages—and simultaneously one of the strongest individuals in the shinobi world, standing before the gates of fate still made him feel powerless.

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