I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 115 Don't kiss your boss on the lips!

Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's question, Tatsuma promptly fell silent, knowing that this wasn't a question from his superior, but rather an invitation for him to speak.

If we apply this question to ourselves, then it's about how Hiruzen Sarutobi sees himself as a ninja, not what a ninja is as stated in the question.

But Tatsuma understood this principle, while Minato did not. He immediately began to ponder it, and then, just as Hiruzen Sarutobi took a breath and was about to launch into a long speech, he interjected:

"Jiraiya-sensei once said that a ninja is someone who can endure what ordinary people cannot. When I trained with Might Guy, he also said that a ninja is someone who knows how to discipline himself."

Therefore, I think that a ninja is someone who, even if they possess great power, knows where to use that power, rather than using it recklessly.

A ninja's power should be used for protection, not for brawling and fighting. Heroes are judged by their strength; the latter only inspires fear, while the former earns recognition.

Tatsuma quickly noticed the resentment in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes. He promptly tugged at Minato's sleeve and then said, "We have a very limited understanding of the essence of ninjas. If possible, could the Hokage enlighten us on what a true ninja is?"

Minato, who was being pulled back, was somewhat puzzled, but after hearing the second half of the sentence, he felt he understood. He said with some shame, "I'm sorry, Hokage-sama, it was my narrow definition of a ninja. With my limited knowledge, I am not able to answer this question."

Minato thought that he hadn't explained things comprehensively or accurately enough. He felt like a primary school student showing off his knowledge in front of a PhD, and he was quite ashamed.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze softened. He suspected that if Minato continued, he would really run out of lines. Fortunately, Tatsuma stopped him in time.

This Sakamoto Tatsuma... he's clearly the successor to the Will of Fire!

He organized his thoughts, removing many of the points Minato had already mentioned, and then said, "Don't underestimate yourselves. Both of you have a very good understanding of ninjas."

There are some things that you, who have just embarked on this path, cannot see. I have simply gone further on the path of the ninja, and can now share some insights with you from a retrospective perspective.

After a moment of modesty, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around and said, "A ninja and the way of the ninja are always inseparable. Or rather, only those who understand their own way of the ninja and walk on it deserve to be called ninjas."

The term "ninja" has different meanings in different periods. Before Konoha became the leader and established the ninja village system, the ninja's duty was to protect and develop their own clan.

Ninjas from different clans share the same beliefs, but in order to practice their own ninja way, they fall into a vicious cycle of struggle. One after another, excellent ninjas die because of the same ninja way, which is truly regrettable.

Later, the appearance of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, added a new meaning to the ninja: to unite with those who share the same will. He put aside past grudges and led the Senju clan to form an alliance with their former sworn enemy, the Uchiha clan.

Afterwards, the First Hokage stopped infighting among many people who shared the same will, and established ninja villages, allowing ninjas of various clans to practice their own ninja way while helping others.

As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face showed reminiscence and reverence, and Tatsuma appropriately displayed the same expression. After finishing his reminiscence, Hiruzen Sarutobi continued:

"During the time of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, he further broke down the barriers between ninja clans, allowing ninja clan members to lead civilians in practicing the way of the ninja. Konoha was no longer an alliance between clans, but became a common home for individual ninjas."

Infused with the spirit of Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and the two of you, it was under Tobirama's new definition of ninja that ninjas were discovered and developed.

Under his leadership, the village flourished, growing from a seedling into a towering tree.

He had actually learned this history before, but Minato still showed an excited expression. Every time he heard this history, he felt more and more respect for the deceased second lord.

After recounting the stories of his two predecessors, Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally steered the conversation to himself, saying, "As for me, I inherited the ninja way of my teacher, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju."

Under his guidance, I was fortunate enough to become the Third Hokage. The ninja I see is the one you just mentioned, Minato, who protects everyone and gains their recognition. This is the most important lesson my teacher taught me.

Where leaves dance in the air, the fire burns ever brighter. Its light will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout. Guiding future generations, protecting their growth—this is the ninja I see!

After saying that, Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a long sigh of relief. Looking at the two children whose enthusiasm had been completely aroused, he reached out and touched their foreheads. He was about to speak when he found that his right hand was a little itchy.

Upon closer inspection, he noticed that his hands were covered in silver hair clippings. Without making a sound, he mimicked the action Hatake Sakumo had just performed, patting both of them on the shoulder before saying:

"As the future of the village, what you need to do is not only to become ninjas in the eyes of your predecessors, but also to inspire those who come after you and add a newer and more meaningful definition to the ninja profession."

Minato was so excited that snot bubbles were practically bubbling out of his nose. Even Tatsuma felt inexplicably restless inside. He thought to himself, "As expected of one of the most outstanding genjutsu in the ninja world, the power of the Will of Fire is indeed incredibly strong."

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi, having completed his duties as Hokage, returned to the main topic of their meeting, saying, "And the reason I teach you ninjutsu is precisely to pass on the will of our predecessors."

I will teach you the Shuraken Shadow Clone Technique that I developed, as well as the First Hokage's Dark Travel Technique, not only to help you gain the power to protect Konoha.

I also hope that in the future, you will be able to find young people who will inherit the will of your ancestors and pass on this skill, along with the spirit of your forefathers.

"Yes, Lord Hokage!" *2

Minato shouted loudly, while Tatsuma appeared more composed. Both of their reactions were enough to satisfy Hiruzen Sarutobi. He turned around again, his back to the two of them, with two shuriken tucked between his right hands.

"The first technique is the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique. The difficulty of this technique lies not in creating thousands upon thousands of Shuriken Shadow Clone Techniques, but in how to use these Shuriken Shadow Clone Techniques."

Even if you have many shuriken, if they collide and veer off course before hitting their target, it's all for naught, just like this.

With that, Hiruzen Sarutobi flicked his two shuriken, which flew in an arc, one to the left and one to the right, towards the wooden stake twenty meters away, forming a bracket shape.

"Ding~"

Just half a meter in front of the target, the two shuriken suddenly collided, changed direction, and flew past the wooden stake on both sides. Only then did Hiruzen Sarutobi say, "For each shuriken, you need to understand its purpose and plan its route."

Furthermore, it must ensure that it does not affect other shuriken in order to be effective. The advantage of the shuriken shadow clone technique is no longer in its quantity, but in its ability to target and lock onto all possible actions of the opponent in an instant.

Being able to create ten thousand sword shadow clones doesn't count as mastering the technique; but being able to create only two, yet each with its own specific function, can also be considered mastering the technique. Do you understand?

Tatsuma and Minato nodded. Although Hiruzen Sarutobi had his back to the two of them, he also showed a satisfied smile. He took out another shuriken and said, "Next, I will demonstrate this technique for you."

The Shadow Clone Technique of the Sword in Hand consists of eight seals: Chou, Xu, Chen, Zi, Xu, Hai, Si, and Yin. However, the two Xu seals are not necessary; they are only used to maintain the rhythm. Therefore, these two seals should be used as little as possible without drawing chakra.

The overall rhythm of the technique is divided into three layers: perceiving the shuriken, replicating the shuriken, and guiding the shuriken. The two Xu seals are for better connecting the rhythm and facilitating changes in the hand seals, like this.

As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi swung his shuriken, simultaneously forming hand seals. As he completed the seals, dozens of small smoke clouds appeared in the air, and shuriken shadow clones burst out of the smoke clouds, rushing towards their target.

"Knock knock knock~"

Dozens of shuriken were nailed to the tree stump, forming the character "忍" (ninja). Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled smugly, then dissipated his chakra, and the shuriken shadow clones instantly turned into smoke and disappeared.

"That's amazing!"

Minato gave a genuine exclamation of admiration, and Tatsuma was also amazed by Hiruzen Sarutobi's subtle control over chakra and ninjutsu. He truly deserved to be called the "Professor of Ninjutsu."

If it were the two of them, let alone controlling ninjutsu, they might not even be able to control their shuriken with the same precision as Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's smile deepened as he said, "Today you will practice this ninjutsu. Remember, don't just focus on quantity, but on improving your control over your ninjutsu."

Even if you can only control one at first, that's still a significant improvement. If you have any questions later, you can ask Sakumo. I can't train with you anymore; I have many other things to take care of.

"Thank you for your hard work, Hokage-sama." *2

Tatsuma and Minato bowed in unison, watching Hiruzen Sarutobi leave with reverence. After he had gone a short distance, Sakumo Hatake suddenly appeared behind them and said:

"By sensing the position of the first shuriken, you can arrange the positions of the shuriken shadow clones. Now, practice diligently, and I'll check your progress at noon!"

After Hatake Sakumo finished sharing his tip, before the two could even thank him, he hurriedly disappeared. Tatsuma scratched his head, feeling that Hatake Sakumo was skipping work rather than having something important to do.

Just as Tatsuma was pondering, Minato had already secretly rolled up his sleeves. He threw out a shuriken, completed the hand seals, and a cloud of smoke appeared in the air, but the shuriken shadow clone could not take shape.

"It seems it's not that simple after all."

Minato murmured, pulling Tatsuma back to reality. He looked at Minato, who had rolled up his sleeves, and said, "As expected of you, Minato. You've mastered such a difficult ninjutsu quite well."

Upon hearing Tatsuma's words, Minato, who had been pondering, suddenly trembled, his body and mind instinctively becoming active. Tatsuma continued, "Then let's have a competition to see who can master this ninjutsu faster!"

"Alright! This time, I won't lose!"

(End of this chapter)