The two stood face to face, very close.
"Do you really want to challenge me?"
"Yes."
"Why not challenge Hokage-sama's six disciples instead?"
"I already have."
"Oh?"
"I can fight Hiruzen to a draw, and I've defeated the others."
"Wow..."
Nara Hikari was genuinely surprised.
This Sakumo is interesting.
"How old are you?"
"Fourteen."
Again, Hikari was astonished.
Fourteen years old, and already strong enough to rival the Hokage's disciples… this kid is no ordinary talent.
Even though Tobirama had taken on six disciples largely to balance the influence of Konoha's clans, each of them was quite formidable.
Hiruzen eventually became a top-tier Kage.
Danzo, after seizing a Sharingan, reached the level of an early Kage.
Nara Hikari wasn't certain about Uchiha Kagami's exact level at the time of his death, but anyone trusted to follow Tobirama into battle must have been strong.
Akimichi Tofu was considered the "brains" of Tobirama's disciples—his combat prowess was unknown.
As for Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, their strength wasn't clear either—one was a healer, the other Tobirama's personal guard, so they had to be capable.
"I'll accept your challenge," Hikari finally said. "But on one condition."
"Name it."
He's got a cool attitude... no wonder his son will turn out the same.
"If you lose, you'll follow me from now on. If you win, I'll owe you a favor—anything you ask, as long as it doesn't go against the Will of Fire."
"Deal."
Without hesitation, Sakumo drew his signature weapon—the White Fang short blade.
"We can't fight here. Follow me."
Hikari turned and walked away, Sakumo quickly trailing behind.
They left Konoha and arrived at a vast rocky plateau.
"Let's begin."
Hikari faced Sakumo.
Suddenly, Sakumo's expression turned icy.
The blade in his hand began to glow with blue lightning.
Then—vanished.
In an instant, Sakumo disappeared from view.
But Hikari's sharp five senses caught the movement almost immediately.
Even so, Sakumo's speed impressed him.
With a swift motion, Hikari raised a kunai to block.
Clang!
Steel clashed against steel.
Sakumo stumbled back two steps, nearly losing his grip on the blade.
Such power, Sakumo thought. He's no ordinary opponent.
Deciding not to hold back, Sakumo unleashed one of his signature moves:
"Hatake Sword Style—White Fang!"
The lightning on his blade flared even brighter, illuminating his eyes.
He vanished again—faster this time.
Clang!
Still, Hikari easily blocked him.
Though Hikari lacked formal sword training, his unmatched senses let him clearly perceive and counter Sakumo's moves.
Incredible… Sakumo thought.
The Hatake style, easily blocked?
Determined, Sakumo launched his next technique:
"Hatake Sword Style—Flying Slash!"
He threw the lightning-charged blade through the air.
Simultaneously, drawing a kunai, he sprinted in from another angle:
"Hatake Sword Style—Shadow Slash!"
As he moved, his body split into three—shadow clones—each armed with lightning-infused kunai.
Shadow clones, huh? thought Hikari.
He hadn't expected Sakumo to use them this way.
Still, it was basic technique—something any Genin could pull off.
Besides, Hikari's own clones were very different—formed from actual shadows.
Clang!
Hikari deflected the flying short blade, then kicked away two of the clones.
He raised his kunai just in time to block the real Sakumo's strike.
After effortlessly countering the whole combo, Hikari disappeared in a blink—
and reappeared behind Sakumo, planting a solid kick on his backside.
"Argh!"
Sakumo let out a surprised cry as he was sent flying.
His cold, stoic expression shattered.
But true talent shows in adversity.
In midair, Sakumo twisted 180 degrees with impressive agility.
He raised his hand—his short blade, guided by lightning, flew back into his grasp.
"Hatake Sword Style—Thunder Flash!"
Once more, Sakumo vanished—this time leaving behind a lightning clone that rushed at Hikari.
Meanwhile, Sakumo himself appeared behind him.
"Thousand Years of Death!"
Sakumo pressed his fingers together and aimed a playful strike at a rather... indecent spot.
But instead of the expected soft sensation, there was nothing—startling Sakumo.
"All right, I think that's enough for now," Hikari said calmly.
"Enough…?" Sakumo blinked in confusion.
"Explode."
The shadow clone Hikari had deployed—infused with the explosive fruit's power—detonated.
BOOM!
A fiery blast burst outward, engulfing the area.
As the shockwave hit, Sakumo's heart sank.
It's over…
But just then—dark energy formed a protective barrier, shielding him from the worst of the flames.
When the smoke cleared, Sakumo looked around and was stunned.
Where once there had been massive rocks and boulders, now a vast crater remained.
He glanced beneath his feet—the stone platform he had been standing on had turned into a thin pillar.
"…Still want to keep going?" Hikari asked.
"No need. I lost. From today on, I'll follow you."
With a flash, Sakumo vanished from the crumbling pillar and reappeared beside Hikari.
"Good. Return for now. You'll accompany me to tomorrow's Konoha council meeting."
"Yes."
Sakumo disappeared again.
Hikari clapped his hands.
That's done.
With that, he too vanished—reappearing at home.
That evening, after dinner with his parents, Hikari went to bed to rest.
The next morning, after breakfast, Hikari left the Nara compound.
At the gate, he saw Nishito and Xilabi staring intently at Sakumo.
"Captain!"
Seeing Hikari, they quickly approached.
"What are you doing here?" Hikari asked.
"This guy was banging on my door first thing this morning," Nishito complained. "Said he wanted to wait here for you."
"Enough, you two come with me."
"Yes, Captain."
The three made their way toward the Hokage building.
"Captain, where are we going?"
"To the Konoha council meeting."
"Eh? Captain, maybe you should go alone… we're not suited for something like that."
"No—you're my guards now."
"Wha—?!"
"You don't have to call me 'Captain' anymore."
"Then… what do we call you?"
"Hokage Advisor."
"Damn…" Xilabi blurted out.
They knew very well what that title meant.
The Second Hokage, Tobirama, had once been Hokage Advisor under Hashirama himself—
the role was essentially second-in-command of Konoha.
Nishito and Sakumo exchanged shocked glances.
A 16-year-old Hokage Advisor—
truly incredible.
Hikari's new position clearly meant he was now second only to Tobirama in strength and authority.
"You're here, Hikari. Take a seat—we're still waiting for the others."