The door opened with a quiet creak, and in stepped the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, followed closely by Might Guy. Rock Lee immediately stood up and offered his chair to the elderly leader.
"Thank you," Hiruzen said kindly, settling into the chair beside Akuma's hospital bed. Now face-to-face with the boy, he gave him a warm smile. "How are you feeling, Akuma? Is your health improving?"
Akuma didn't return the smile. He simply stared ahead and replied curtly, "I'm fine."
Hiruzen's smile didn't waver. He nodded, as if expecting that kind of response. "I heard you had an encounter with Itachi Uchiha. Can you tell me what led to that fight?"
Akuma glanced at him, expression unreadable. "I assume it's because I had a fight with his brother," he said plainly. "Other than that, I have no idea. I'd never met him before—never even spoken to him."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow slightly but nodded again. "So… you can't think of any other reason this confrontation might have happened?"
Akuma acted as if he were pondering the question, then shook his head. "No. Nothing comes to mind."
"Well, that's alright," Hiruzen said, his tone still patient.
Then, after a brief pause, his expression turned more serious.
"You know, Akuma… your body is unique."
Akuma feigned ignorance and replied, "Yeah. I know. I don't have chakra."
Hiruzen chuckled softly and shook his head. "No, no. I'm not talking about that. When a shinobi breaks his arm, it usually takes six to eight weeks to fully heal without chakra-enhanced treatment. But you… you had thirty-four broken bones, torn ligaments, ruptured muscles—injuries that would have killed a regular ninja or taken years to recover from. Yet… everything healed in just three days."
Might Guy stiffened behind him, fists clenched, his eyes filled with anger upon hearing the extent of Akuma's injuries. Hiruzen glanced back at him, and Guy quickly bowed his head in apology.
Seeing the tension ease, the Third Hokage continued.
"Akuma… can you tell me more about your body? Is there anything else that sets you apart from others in the village?"
There was a subtle hint of anticipation in his voice—his curiosity sharpening. He suspected a Kekkei Genkai… and wanted confirmation.
Akuma paused, pretending to think. He knew this was a delicate moment. Itachi would eventually return and report what truly happened—and if Akuma lied too much now, it could cause trouble later. Killing Itachi would've made things simpler. But now, all he could do was raise his own value—and offer half-truths that couldn't be easily disproven.
"Well…" Akuma began slowly, "Whenever I get angry or really emotional… something inside me changes. My hair used to be black—now it's red. My eyes too. When I get mad, my strength increases. Every time I train, I feel myself getting stronger, like my body's adapting. I almost never get tired. And if I get too angry… I blackout. I don't know what happens after that."
Hiruzen nodded slowly, his suspicions growing stronger. "From the sound of it, Akuma… you may possess a Kekkei Genkai."
Akuma widened his eyes slightly, pretending to be surprised. But what truly caught his attention was Might Guy's lack of a reaction. Either the old man had already told him… or Guy had suspected it all along.
"Kekkei Genkai? What's that?" Akuma asked.
Hiruzen smiled and explained, "Kekkei Genkai are special abilities passed down through bloodlines. They can't be learned or copied—only inherited. There are three types: Dōjutsu, like the Sharingan or Byakugan… Elemental Fusions, where two nature elements combine… and finally, Unique Traits. These are special physical abilities tied to the body—like controlling your bones, your blood, or regenerating rapidly. Judging from what you've described, yours falls under the Unique Trait category."
Akuma nodded slowly, as if just now understanding. It was a misunderstanding—but one that benefitted him. So he didn't correct it.
"That means…" he began, a smile forming on his lips, "I can become a ninja?"
Hiruzen chuckled and stood up. "Yes. You have the potential to become a strong shinobi. But only if you work hard."
"I will," Akuma said firmly. "I'll train harder than anyone."
The Third Hokage placed a hand on his shoulder with a grandfatherly smile, then turned to Guy. "Take good care of him, Guy."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" Guy said with his usual passionate salute.
After the Hokage left, the door closing softly behind him, Rock Lee turned toward Akuma with wide eyes and pure excitement.
"Akuma! Did you hear that?! You can become stronger now!" he shouted, practically bouncing in place.
Akuma gave a rare, genuine smile. "Yeah… I heard."
They talked for a while longer—about dreams, training, the future. After a while, they left, and the room grew still. Akuma was left alone with his thoughts once more.
His body might be resting…
But his mind was already preparing for what came next.
A few days had passed since the Hokage's visit. Akuma had been discharged from the hospital. He remembered the note Rock Lee had handed him—the one from Hanabi Hyūga. Since he didn't have school today, he figured he might as well go to the Hyūga compound to work on the school project.
"Come to my house once you've recovered."
The Hyūga compound was quiet when he arrived. The massive wooden gates, lined with intricate carvings of the clan's history, stood tall and dignified. Two branch family guards stood watch, their eyes narrowing as Akuma approached, but they said nothing.
"I'm here to see Hanabi Hyūga," Akuma said bluntly.
One of them nodded, already briefed. "Follow me."
Akuma walked silently behind the guard. He could feel the stares from behind paper walls—Byakugan eyes likely watching his every move. But none dared speak. None approached.
Eventually, the path opened to a quiet garden courtyard, where Hanabi waited.
She stood under a blooming sakura tree, dressed in a light training kimono. Her arms were crossed, her eyes calm but piercing. Younger than Hinata, but already showing the strength of a future heiress. She looked up as he arrived.