NARUTO: GOD LEVEL FORGING SYSTEM

Sarutobi Hiruzen flipped through the mission report on his desk.

His brow furrowed slightly, his expression growing somber.

Knock, knock!

There was a firm rapping at the office door.

Might Guy stepped in, his green jumpsuit and orange leg warmers as vibrant as ever.

"Lord Hokage, did you summon me?" Guy asked, his tone full of energy.

"Oh, it's you, Might Guy." The Third Hokage offered a warm but measured smile. "I called you here for something important. You may not have heard yet, but that student, Kazuki, has taken the top position in this year's Academy class."

"Huh? Really? That's amazing!" Guy's face lit up with excitement, giving a gleeful thumbs-up. "That's the power of youth in action!"

"He used your Leaf Whirlwind during the final combat assessment. Care to explain?" Hiruzen inquired, his voice calm but probing.

"Reporting, Lord Hokage! Kazuki has a natural talent for taijutsu and trains with unwavering determination. I had long considered taking him under my wing, so I taught him a few techniques."

"I see." Hiruzen nodded, as if brushing the matter aside.

But the topic he truly wished to discuss was far more serious. His fingers tapped lightly on the report.

"How much do you know about the kunai that Kazuki developed—one that enables seamless Three-Body Technique activation?" His voice grew firm, his eyes scrutinizing Guy's reaction.

"Well… I do know a little." Guy nodded. "Kazuki has a rare talent for crafting ninja tools. He experiments constantly, viewing it as an extension of his training."

"Then tell me, do you believe his creations could be mass-produced?" Hiruzen's gaze sharpened, his strategic mind already contemplating the implications.

The very moment he had read the report, the possibility struck him—if Kazuki's specialized kunai could be mass-produced and issued to Konoha's shinobi, it would be a game-changer for the village's combat prowess.

But Guy's answer was not what he had hoped for.

The taijutsu master shook his head and spoke solemnly.

"I'm afraid that's impossible, Lord Hokage."

"I considered this myself when I first saw his work, so I asked him directly. It takes him a full week to forge just one Three-Body Kunai. If he were to craft something more complex, like a specialized sword with additional abilities, it would take him a whole month."

Of course, Kazuki had deliberately misled Guy about his forging speed.

He had foreseen the possibility that others would covet his ninja tools. Thus, he concealed the full truth.

Until he had the strength to stand on his own, he had to keep his secrets safe—lest he become a pawn in another's ambitions.

"A long forging time, huh…"

Hiruzen's eyes darkened slightly at the revelation.

Still, he wasn't ready to abandon the idea just yet.

"Kazuki is young. As he matures, his efficiency might improve…"

"Lord Hokage."

Guy's tone grew unusually serious as he interrupted. He shook his head again.

"If it were only about the time required, I wouldn't dismiss the idea outright. But Kazuki's ninja tools have another, far more critical limitation."

"What limitation?"

"The weapons he creates—other than kunai—can only be used by him. If someone else wields them, they become nothing more than ordinary metal. I have personally tested this."

Guy's voice carried undeniable conviction.

Once, he had seen Kazuki unsheathe a strikingly crafted Kusanagi-style sword. Curious, Guy had asked to try it himself, eager to test its weight and balance.

But the moment it left Kazuki's hands, it lost all of its brilliance.

It was as if the blade had turned into a simple training weapon. No chakra flow, no unique properties—just lifeless steel.

"I see…"

A long sigh escaped the Third Hokage's lips.

In his eyes, disappointment was clear.

He knew Guy's unwavering honesty—there was no chance he was being deceived.

"I understand. Continue monitoring Kazuki's progress. After his graduation, I will assign him to your squad." Hiruzen's expression settled into its usual composed state. "If there's nothing else, you may go."

"Actually, Lord Hokage, I have one more request." Guy's tone became resolute.

"Oh? What is it?"

"I know the village currently prohibits early graduation…"

Guy lifted his chin, his eyes burning with conviction.

"But you've seen Kazuki's abilities firsthand. He has already surpassed the level of a genin. Keeping him confined to the Academy would be a waste of his potential."

Guy inhaled deeply before making his case.

"So, I ask for permission to take Kazuki outside the village for special training. We will return before he completes the Academy curriculum—I swear it!"

"It seems you have high hopes for that child…" Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled slightly before continuing, "I can approve this request, but not right now."

"Not now?" Might Guy asked, his brows furrowing slightly.

"I still need you in Konoha," Hiruzen said, his voice calm yet heavy with responsibility. "The village is in a delicate situation. Tensions between the Uchiha clan and the leadership have escalated, and conflict could break out at any moment."

Hiruzen sighed, his gaze turning solemn. "I must ensure all elite jōnin remain in the village as a precaution. We can hope for a peaceful resolution, but I have to prepare for the worst."

The Uchiha…

Might Guy nodded slightly, his mind piecing together the situation. No wonder he and Kakashi—both elite jōnin—hadn't been assigned missions outside the village. The Hokage was keeping them close, preserving their combat strength in case things took a turn for the worse.

So the conflict had reached this level…

Despite his energetic and straightforward personality, Might Guy was no fool. He was aware of the power struggles in Konoha, though he usually immersed himself in taijutsu training rather than politics.

"I understand, Hokage-sama. I will await your orders and remain in Konoha."

---

"This should be the place, right?"

Kazuki muttered as he examined the map in his hand. Though he had lived in Konoha his entire life, this was his first time venturing deep into the dense forest behind Hokage Rock.

He had heard this place was home to a wide variety of birds—perfect for gathering high-quality feathers. His family's ninja shop required a fresh supply, as only black and white feathers remained for crafting the Sky Feather Cloak.

Tall trees loomed overhead, their leafy canopies filtering sunlight into shimmering golden fragments. As Kazuki pushed forward, he suddenly halted, eyes widening in surprise.

"Huh?"

Up ahead, hundreds of small wooden birdhouses hung from towering trees, forming a massive sanctuary for birds of all kinds. Their sheer number made it clear—this was no natural phenomenon. Someone had built this.

Just then, Kazuki caught sight of a shinobi wearing a Konoha forehead protector, the iconic Uchiha fan emblem displayed on his back—Uchiha Shisui.

So these birds belonged to him?

Shisui carried a large bucket filled with small pieces of meat, tossing them gently to the birds. They fluttered down eagerly, perching on his shoulders, atop his head, and even rubbing affectionately against him.

A rare, genuine smile spread across Shisui's face as he interacted with them—a stark contrast to the troubled atmosphere surrounding the Uchiha clan.

But suddenly, his expression shifted. His body tensed.

Someone was watching him.

His keen senses immediately picked up on the presence nearby. With a swift, instinctive motion, he turned his head sharply, his eyes locking onto the approaching figure.

Standing not far away was a child—no older than seven.

Shisui's eyes narrowed in momentary disbelief. Just moments ago, he had sensed this individual's chakra, and it was already approaching chūnin level.

A child this young… with that kind of strength?

Even Itachi, the Uchiha clan's prodigy, often praised his younger brother's talent. But this level of ability at age seven? The gap between ordinary shinobi and geniuses was vast, but this…

Even Itachi wasn't this strong at seven.

"Who are you?" Shisui asked cautiously.

Kazuki quickly gathered his thoughts. Since Shisui raised these birds, he would likely need his permission to collect feathers.

With a polite nod, he introduced himself, "You must be Uchiha Shisui, the one known as 'Shisui of the Body Flicker,' correct?"

"My name is Kazuki. My family runs a ninja supply shop in Konoha. I need feathers for crafting materials and was hoping you could help me."

He added earnestly, "Of course, I'm willing to offer payment or assistance in return—anything within my abilities."

Kazuki preferred being direct. No need for deception.

Shisui's expression flickered through several emotions—surprise, contemplation, something unreadable—before he finally spoke.

His question, however, was unexpected.

"You don't mind… that I'm Uchiha?"

A strange thing to ask. But in an instant, Kazuki understood.

The village's relationship with the Uchiha clan had deteriorated to the point of open hostility. Konoha's citizens avoided them, whispered behind their backs, feared them.

To openly interact with an Uchiha? Many wouldn't dare.