Hiruzen Sarutobi had always believed that a man was a student until his dying breath, a guiding principle that shaped his long life as both a shinobi and a scholar. It was this belief that had earned him the title of "The Professor" in the village of Konoha. And now, with the arrival of Izuna Ōtsutsuki, Hiruzen felt a familiar spark—an intellectual curiosity that transcended his responsibilities as Hokage.

When he had learned about Izuna's claims of being from a celestial clan that traveled between planets, collecting chakra fruits, Hiruzen's intrigue only deepened. Knowledge of other worlds? The existence of other planets with their own forms of chakra? It was unlike anything he'd ever heard before, even in the ancient texts that spoke of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki and the Sage of Six Paths. The mere idea that there was more beyond the world they knew opened a realm of possibilities, and Hiruzen wanted to explore it, not for power or leverage, but for the sake of understanding.

He sat back in his chair, contemplating the revelation. As a leader, he had to be cautious; as a shinobi, he had to consider the risks. But as a scholar, Hiruzen couldn't deny the thrill of having someone with such a wealth of knowledge within reach. Izuna was a man of mystery, yes, but he was also a potential key to unlocking secrets that had been lost to time—or perhaps never known at all.

Hiruzen had always prided himself on his ability to learn from those around him, be it his students or his enemies. Now, faced with Izuna, he realized that there was an opportunity to learn in a way he hadn't in decades. Izuna spoke of the Ōtsutsuki Clan's celestial origins, their ability to traverse planets, and the ancient wars they fought. He spoke of chakra in ways that were foreign, yet fascinating—an energy that existed not only on Earth but throughout the universe.

"Izuna," Hiruzen muttered to himself as he gazed out of his office window, the village bustling with activity below. "What else do you know? What else could you teach us about the world beyond our own?"

Hiruzen wasn't naive; he knew that such knowledge, if misused, could easily bring about destruction. There were those in the village—and outside it—who would do anything to harness such power for their own gain. But for Hiruzen, it wasn't about power. He had lived long enough to see the cycles of war and peace, the rise and fall of nations. He understood that power was fleeting, but knowledge, true understanding, could outlast even the strongest jutsu.

And that was what he sought. Not to wield Izuna's knowledge as a weapon, but to enrich his own understanding of the world and perhaps prepare Konoha for the future. A future where the very existence of otherworldly threats, or allies, might be possible.

With that in mind, Hiruzen decided that his approach to Izuna would be one of patience and respect. He would not force information from the man, nor would he treat him like a tool to be used. Instead, he would engage him as an equal, someone with wisdom to share. If there was one thing Hiruzen had learned over the years, it was that people were far more willing to reveal their secrets when treated with kindness and respect.

The Hokage summoned an aide and instructed them to prepare for a private meeting with Izuna. Not an interrogation, but a conversation—one where Hiruzen hoped to understand more about the man who had arrived in their village under such mysterious circumstances. If Izuna was willing to share more of his knowledge about the Ōtsutsuki, the chakra fruits, and the universe beyond, Hiruzen would listen carefully and with great interest.

Later that evening, as the village began to quiet down, Hiruzen sat by the fireplace in his office, his pipe in hand, the smoke curling lazily toward the ceiling. The thought of Izuna's revelations filled his mind, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement that he hadn't felt in years. The idea that there was more to learn, more to understand, even at his age, made him feel young again, if only for a moment.

"A man is a student until his dying breath," Hiruzen whispered to himself, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. And with someone like Izuna in the village, he knew that his learning was far from over.

The days passed, and soon it became routine for Hiruzen Sarutobi to visit Izuna regularly. Their conversations spanned across vast topics—about the Celestial Clans, the mysterious Otsutsuki, and the countless worlds beyond their own. Hiruzen, a lifelong student of the ninja arts and the world around him, was utterly fascinated by the knowledge Izuna possessed. It wasn't just about the chakra fruits and ancient powers, but about the very nature of the universe itself, something that no ninja from their world had ever been able to explore.

In return for sharing this information, Izuna introduced Hiruzen to his secret training ground, the one where he had been helping Naruto train in secret. Izuna had kept this training from public view, wary of how people might react to a young boy like Naruto developing such strength. However, when Hiruzen saw Naruto in action during one of their training sessions, his eyes widened in surprise.

Naruto, who had always acted like a goofball, constantly causing trouble and playing pranks, was completely different here. As Izuna sparred with him, Naruto moved with surprising speed and precision, landing blows and countering Izuna's attacks with skill beyond his years. He was focused, disciplined, and determined in a way that even Hiruzen hadn't expected.

Naruto's raw strength and unrefined but powerful chakra control marked him as more than just a potential fighter—he was already on the level of a Chunin, maybe even beyond. His growth pleased the Hokage immensely, knowing that Naruto had the potential to become one of Konoha's greatest shinobi. The training with Izuna was paying off in ways Hiruzen had never imagined.

"Izuna," Hiruzen said one day, as Naruto finished his training and ran off to cool down. "I have to admit, you've done something remarkable with that boy. I never realized Naruto had this kind of strength in him."

Izuna smirked slightly. "Naruto is special, Hokage. He has something in him that most people don't recognize. His strength comes not just from his chakra, but from his heart. But you already knew that, didn't you?"

Hiruzen nodded, still marveling at Naruto's progress. But then his gaze shifted back to Izuna, his curiosity piqued. "And what about you, Izuna? You've shown us that Naruto is strong, but I still wonder—just how strong are you?"

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the landscape as Izuna led Hiruzen Sarutobi and the gathered ANBU members to his secret training ground. Tucked away deep within the forest, it was a secluded space where he could train without interruption, a place steeped in his own history and struggles. He had chosen this spot not just for its privacy but for the opportunity to showcase his abilities without fully revealing the extent of his powers.

As they arrived, the tension in the air was palpable. Hiruzen, ever the seasoned leader, sensed the anticipation among the ANBU. These elite shinobi had faced countless challenges, but the prospect of sparring with someone like Izuna brought a unique kind of nervous excitement. They knew little about him aside from the claims of his origins and the hints of unimaginable power he possessed.

"Let's see what you can do, Izuna," Hiruzen said, his tone a mix of curiosity and challenge. The Hokage had faced powerful adversaries throughout his long career, but he had an inkling that this spar would be unlike any other.

Izuna nodded, his expression calm and composed. He positioned himself at the center of the training ground, allowing the ANBU to surround him. "I will hold back, but I want you to give it your all. Show me what you've got."

With a swift hand gesture, the ANBU scattered, taking their positions around him. They were masters of stealth and strategy, each one capable of employing a variety of jutsu and techniques. As they launched their initial attacks, Izuna's reflexes kicked in. He danced through their strikes, his movements fluid and precise, a testament to his training in the Land of Iron.

One by one, the ANBU charged him, but Izuna evaded their kunai and shuriken with effortless grace. He countered their attacks with strikes of his own, using only his physical prowess and swordsmanship, careful to avoid any signature Uchiha techniques. Each opponent he faced fell before him, either disarmed or thrown to the ground, their faces painted with surprise and frustration.

"Is this all you've got?" Izuna taunted lightly, though there was an underlying seriousness in his tone. The ANBU's unity was admirable, but it was no match for his sheer skill.

As the spar continued, Hiruzen observed closely. He noted how easily Izuna maneuvered through the fray, how his keen instincts seemed to read the ANBU's movements before they even struck. Each time a shinobi lunged at him, it was as if Izuna was a step ahead, anticipating their moves with a clarity that was unsettling.

Eventually, the Hokage stepped in, determined to demonstrate the strength he had honed over decades of experience. He activated his own jutsu, launching a series of powerful attacks, but even Hiruzen, in all his glory, found himself struggling against Izuna's prowess. The clash of their techniques reverberated through the training ground, but it was clear that Izuna was holding back.

With a flick of his wrist, Izuna disarmed Hiruzen, sending the Hokage's weapon flying through the air. The Third Hokage stumbled slightly but caught himself, his eyes wide with realization. This wasn't just a display of skill; it was a warning.

Then, as if sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Izuna decided it was time to unleash his full killing intent. A dark aura enveloped him, pressing down on everyone present like a heavy fog. It felt as if a tailed beast had materialized in their midst, an overwhelming presence that sent chills down the spines of even the most hardened shinobi. The ANBU froze, their hearts racing as they felt the sheer weight of Izuna's intent.

"Now you see," Izuna said, his voice steady and calm despite the palpable fear in the air. "This is the extent of my ability. I could wipe out a battalion if I chose to."

Hiruzen, standing before him, felt the weight of Izuna's power and the truth of his words. He had faced many formidable foes in his time, but Izuna was different. He was a force of nature, a reminder of the untapped potential that lay within the world—and perhaps within themselves.

After a moment, the pressure subsided, and the ANBU began to regain their composure, albeit shakily. They exchanged glances, each one processing the encounter they had just experienced.

"Enough sparring for now," Hiruzen finally spoke, his voice steadier than he felt. "You've proven your strength, Izuna. But tell me, what do you truly seek here in Konoha?"

Izuna lowered his stance, the tension in his body easing. "Knowledge, Hokage. And perhaps a chance to protect those who can't protect themselves. I want to ensure that the past doesn't repeat itself."

The words hung in the air, resonating deeply with Hiruzen. In that moment, he understood that Izuna was not merely a threat; he could be an ally—a source of wisdom that Konoha could benefit from in ways beyond combat.

As they began to walk back toward the village, Hiruzen contemplated how to utilize Izuna's unique insights into the universe and its chakra while also safeguarding the village from any potential threats. After all, knowledge was power, and sometimes the most dangerous weapons were not made of steel or chakra, but of understanding and wisdom.

Author's Note:

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