The Third Kazekage…
Lost?
Kazekage Retto's eyes widened, words caught in his throat.
He thought Iron Sand Wings would easily defeat Kazuku.
He never expected such a dramatic reversal!
His prized disciple lost!
To a seven-year-old Konohagakure genin!
Impossible!
Retto rubbed his eyes, rejecting reality.
But Kazuku won the first round.
Examiner Sarutobi Hiruzen announced it loudly for all to hear!
Seeing the Third Kazekage carried off on a stretcher…
Retto's heart sank like a stone in a lake, ripples unending.
Crucially…
The Third Kazekage neither underestimated nor held back.
He used his trump card, Iron Sand Wings!
Yet he lost.
Proof their raw strength had a gap!
"Hashirama's grandson."
Retto's fists clenched, envy and jealousy toward Hashirama surging.
"What a spectacular match," Tsuchikage Ishigawa said slowly.
Their tactics and power far surpassed their peers.
In some ways, they outshone chunin, even jonin.
Without witnessing it, Ishigawa wouldn't believe this was genin versus genin.
And…
Kazuku…
The Third Kazekage…
As their villages' elite genin, they were vital stones.
Polished, they'd shine!
Future Kages!
"Especially the Hokage's grandson. He'll leave a bold mark in ninja history."
Ishigawa declared.
A hero who founded Iwagakure, he wasn't petty.
Though envious of Hashirama's grandson, he genuinely praised Kazuku.
His only regret…
Not bringing Onoki to see this fight.
"It'd help Onoki's growth!"
"Hahaha." Hashirama laughed heartily. Betting only 10,000 ryo stung, but he brushed it off.
His grandson won the first round!
With seven more rounds…
Starting with a win meant good luck.
He'd bet more later, right?
"Tsuchikage-sama flatters. Kazuku's only seven, still far off," Hashirama laughed.
He beamed saying "only seven."
Retto and Ishigawa turned, faces dark, staring at Hashirama.
Their hearts trampled by a hundred elephants!
What a "only"!
What a "only seven"!
But Kazuku being seven was undeniable.
His talent was monstrous!
Thinking of their own seven-year-old selves, these famed Kages felt inferior.
Crucially…
They were born in the Warring States era.
That ninja world was far crueler.
Average ninja lifespan was thirty.
Due to children dying young on battlefields!
Survivors had keen instincts, sharp minds, and skilled hands.
Wartime ninja should outclass peacetime ones!
Yet no Warring States genius matched Kazuku!
"If Kazuku were thrown into that slaughter…"
Retto and Ishigawa's hearts skipped.
The thought was terrifying.
"Kazuku."
Tobirama silently repeated the name. Restraining his emotions for appearances, he was ecstatic!
When the Third Kazekage soared, even he thought Kazuku would lose!
He couldn't imagine how seven-year-old Kazuku could counter that jutsu!
Yet…
Kazuku slapped his second-grandfather's face with his strength!
Honestly…
It felt great!
So great!
Tobirama wished Kazuku would rub his face in the dirt and slap it with a shoe!
Metaphorically, of course.
A metaphor for his thrill!
He decided Konohagakure's leaders would promote Kazuku to chunin!
Leading a team on missions.
"Kumogakure has been active at the border…"
Tobirama shook it off.
The exam wasn't over.
Seven more rounds awaited.
"My grandson Kazuku has Hokage potential!"
Hashirama, thrilled, grew surer.
But he never dreamed…
The next matches began his nightmare.
A gambling enthusiast, he wouldn't miss a bet.
Meanwhile…
In the stands…
The Uchiha clan was dumbfounded. The elder activated his three-tomoe Sharingan in shock.
Good grief.
He was floored!
In the Warring States, the Senju were tough, but the Uchiha held their own.
Since Hashirama, the Uchiha faltered!
Genius Uchiha Izuna, one-shot by Tobirama!
Genius Uchiha Madara, repeatedly beaten by Hashirama!
Now Kazuku…
One-shot their genius, Uchiha Setsuna!
"Kagami."
The elder gasped, turning to Uchiha Kagami beside him. "Compared to Kazuku…"
He wanted to ask if Kagami could beat Kazuku.
Age advantage or not.
But he stopped, finding it absurd.
"Forget it, shut up."
Uchiha Kagami: "???"
I didn't say anything, Elder!
But knowing the elder compared him to that monster Kazuku, he pretended to hear nothing.
The elder racked his brain for names.
And realized…
No Uchiha could match Kazuku!
"Wait, the Uchiha Koto family has a daughter Kazuku's age…"
Suddenly, his eyes lit up, recalling Hashirama's policy encouraging Senju intermarriage.
(End of Chapter)