NARUTO: SECOND GOD OF SHINOBI

---

In the training ground beneath Hokage Mountain, Hiruzen sat cross-legged on a stone, wearing the white robe.

His tall, 183 cm frame was relaxed, though his sharp gaze was fixed on the results of his progress from the past year.

**STATUS**

- **NAME**: Sarutobi Hiruzen 

- **AGE**: 25 years 

- **TALENT**: SS Rank

- **TAIJUTSU**: Low Super Shadow

- **NINJUTSU**: Low Super Shadow

- **GENJUTSU**: Peak Kage

- **BUKIJUTSU**: Super Shadow

- **CHAKRA**: Super Shadow

- **CHAKRA CONTROL**: 99.990%

- **FUINJUTSU**: Level 6 (Mastery of Basic Seals, Intermediate Seals)

- **AFFINITY**: Earth (85%), Fire (90%), Wind (85%), Water (80%), Lightning (80%), Yin (75%), Yang (75%)

- **SKILLS**: Creation, Comprehension, Assimilation, Eye of Insight

Hiruzen reviewed his stats, and his thoughts churned. *Practicing Sun and Moon Breathing has considerably increased my strength,* he mused with a satisfied expression.

Over the past year, he had mastered all the breathing arts, except those tied to kekkei genkai like ice and other nature transformations.

In that time, he had also developed numerous kenjutsu forms, all using elemental chakra, save for the elusive yin-yang methods.

His mastery was now at a level that few could challenge.

He had even managed to recreate the infamous Mayfly Technique of Black Zetsu, a jutsu perfect for covert surveillance across vast distances.

As he gazed up at the clear sky, he let out a sigh. "It's been five years since I arrived in this world," he muttered, "and I've achieved a lot, but there's no one around to truly test my strength against. No wars on the horizon either. It's too quiet, and too boring."

Hiruzen's mind wandered, contemplating the next steps in his path to ultimate power.

He then straightened, his decision made. "I'll go meet Enma. I haven't summoned him since I arrived here, and I should also explore the Sage Arts of Monkey Mountain." 

With that, he stood up and bit his finger. A small trickle of blood ran down his hand as he quickly formed seals, the movements a blur to even the most skilled of ninjas.

"Summoning Jutsu: Monkey King Enma!"

*Poof!*

A cloud of smoke burst forth, revealing a towering figure.

Standing before Hiruzen was Enma, the Monkey King, dressed in a black ninja outfit with a Konoha headband. His white hair framed his stern face, and his piercing eyes held a hint of annoyance.

"Hiruzen!" Enma boomed. "Finally found the time to meet me, did you?"

Hiruzen scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Sorry, Enma. Things got hectic after our teacher passed away. The clans were unruly and didn't listen. I got caught up in managing the village."

Enma's expression softened slightly. "How did the Second die? I recall him having mastery over the Flying Raijin technique, yet even that wasn't enough?"

Hiruzen's face darkened. "Yes, despite his abilities, our teacher sacrificed himself. He took down two shadow-level ninjas and seventy jōnin, along with the Second Raikage. They were surrounded by the Kinkaku and Ginkaku squads, but he managed to kill both of them before he fell."

Enma raised his eyebrows in surprise. "That's a heavy blow to Konoha. Losing the Second Hokage at the time…"

Hiruzen nodded solemnly. "It was devastating. But since becoming Hokage, I've made some tough decisions, and now things are in order."

A small chuckle escaped Hiruzen as he turned his gaze toward the village in the distance. "Let's just say I made an example out of someone, and the rest fell into line."

Enma's serious expression returned. "So, what's the real reason you summoned me, Hiruzen? You didn't call me just to reminisce, did you?"

Hiruzen smiled. "I wanted to catch up with you, yes, but also to ask about the Sage Arts of Monkey Mountain."

Enma's eyes narrowed as he assessed Hiruzen's chakra levels. "So, you're interested in learning senjutsu, huh? After seeing your chakra, I suppose you can handle it. Let's go meet the Monkey Sage and begin your training."

With that, Enma placed a hand on Hiruzen's shoulder, and in an instant, they were reverse summoned to Monkey Mountain.

The scenery that unfolded before Hiruzen was breathtaking. Towering trees that rivaled those of the Shikkotsu Forest stretched toward the sky, their leaves shimmering in the sunlight.

A massive waterfall cascaded down a rocky cliff, its sound filling the air with a serene energy.

The entire mountain range was teeming with life, the natural energy in the atmosphere almost palpable.

"You've arrived," came a deep, resonant voice.

Standing at the entrance to the mountain was an old but robust-looking monkey, his body clad in a simple white robe. His hair was white and face slightly wrinkled, but his eyes gleamed with wisdom and power.

"Monkey Sage," Hiruzen greeted, bowing slightly. "It's been a while."

The Monkey Sage nodded. "Yes, it's your second time here, is it not, Hiruzen?"

Hiruzen's bow deepened. "Yes, and it is an honor to be here again. I've come to request training in the sage arts."

The Monkey Sage gave him a knowing look. "You came here for monkey senjutsu, didn't you?"

Hiruzen smiled slightly. "As expected from you, Monkey Sage. If you permit me, I would like to learn the Sage Arts."

The Monkey Sage's eyes twinkled with amusement. "You can learn monkey senjutsu if you possess the affinity for it. Come with me, and we will test whether you are truly capable."

The Monkey Sage, along with Enma, led Hiruzen deeper into the mountain.

The path wound through dense forests and along the edge of steep cliffs.

Hiruzen's eyes widened in awe as he took in the beauty of the mountain. The serenity and harmony of nature here were unlike anything he had seen before, even in the other great Sage Mountains.

They eventually reached a vast temple made entirely of stone.

It was surrounded by a large open ground, with a pond that shimmered with senjutsu chakra in the center.

The air was thick with natural energy, so much so that it was almost visible to the naked eye.

"Sit by the pond, Hiruzen," the Monkey Sage instructed. "You must sense the nature energy around you and attempt to absorb it."

Hiruzen, however, smiled confidently. "I can already sense nature energy, Monkey Sage. I refrained from practicing before because I was unsure if I would turn to stone. I wanted to wait until I could train under your guidance."

The Monkey Sage raised an eyebrow in surprise but quickly hid it. "Is that so? Very well, then. Sit by the pond, take this technique and begin your training. I will oversee your progress."

Hiruzen nodded and settled down into a meditative position by the pond.

His hands rested on his knees, and his breathing slowed as he began to focus.

He activated his comprehension skill, carefully rotating the sage chakra within him, a technique gifted to him by the Monkey Sage.

Soon, he felt the first wisp of nature energy brush against him, entering his body and merging with his own chakra.

A second wisp followed, then a third and a fourth, until a steady stream of natural energy flowed through him.

The process was slow but steady.

Hiruzen's control over his chakra was precise, and with each breath, he pulled more and more nature energy into his body, storing it alongside his chakra reserves.

The sensation of the natural energy blending with his chakra was empowering, making him feel stronger, more attuned to the world around him.

As the Monkey Sage and Enma watched from a distance, the former nodded approvingly. "His control is remarkable. His ability to absorb nature energy without turning to stone speaks volumes of his talent."

Enma crossed his arms, watching his old friend with pride. "Hiruzen has always been exceptional, but this… this is something else."

---