Little Trouble

Thud~ Thud~ Thud~

Clean and efficient, it barely took any time at all. Including the little fatty who had been knocked down first, all five of the originally vicious boys were now lying on the ground, bruised and battered.

Other than two who were still twitching and groaning, the other three had already passed out.

Although Xu Yue had only truly been training for a short time, the Sage Body's recovery ability, combined with Might Guy's training efficiency, meant his overall training volume was not much lower.

Those few certainly did not train at that level.

And even if it was only in its initial stage, the Sage Body was still the strongest Kekkei Genkai in all of Naruto. It was not something five people who usually slacked off during Ninja Academy training could compare to.

He did not even need to activate the Sharingan or use ninjutsu to take them down with ease.

"Cough, cough... You... you'll regret this."

One of the square-faced boys who was still groaning and twitching, but had not passed out, gasped out weakly in a strained voice.

"We're just the weakest ones. Boss won't let you off."

The other one who was still awake also threatened him after recovering somewhat.

"Hand over your secret, and we can still..."

Thud~ Thud~

After adding two more punches and sending the two of them to join their companions, Xu Yue had no further intentions. After all, this was Konoha.

Children fighting was one thing. Killing someone would be troublesome.

As a surgeon who had seen life and death countless times and worn a mask for most of his life, Xu Yue had no particular emotional fluctuations toward life or death.

He did not enjoy harming others proactively. In fact, when it was within his abilities, he did not mind helping others out of habit. But that did not mean he would not strike back.

Since he had chosen to retaliate, especially in a Reincarnation Space where the weak were prey to the strong, it was naturally best to eliminate trouble completely.

Unfortunately, he lacked that opportunity now. And with Might Guy here, given Guy's values, this was already the limit of what Xu Yue could do.

Those trash were not worth wasting the goodwill he had built up with Guy.

Still, the next few days would probably bring a little trouble.

Heh.

It would be nice to spice things up a little. His previous life had been far too monotonous. He wanted to see what their objective was.

Hopefully, they could entertain him...

A faint curve appeared at the corner of Xu Yue's lips. He clapped his hands, turned around, and pulled up Might Guy, whose teeth ached from watching.

"They brought this on themselves. They'll wake up soon. Just ignore them."

Xu Yue still valued this relationship with the future Guy Emperor. After all, the Ninja War mission covered an extremely broad area, and he would definitely have many more missions here in the future.

Besides, Xu Yue had some designs on the secret technique known as the Eight Inner Gates. The remaining time in this mission would certainly not be enough, but he could lay the groundwork for the next time.

Xu Yue had specifically explained himself because he was worried about affecting Guy's impression of him, but Guy's reaction left him somewhat speechless.

"Ah! Lord Yue, weren't you even using your full strength before? My youth is surging again!"

(The protagonist had not concealed his name from Guy.)

Guy did not know about the Sage Body's recovery speed. After seeing Xu Yue spar with him, then sweep aside several boys their age like fallen leaves in the autumn wind, Guy seemed to have had his fighting spirit rekindled.

Xu Yue simply could not keep up with his train of thought...

"You bunch of trash! Who told you to create unnecessary complications? Couldn't you just focus on your own mission?! You bastards!"

A childish roar rang out from within a crude wooden hut that looked like it let in the wind.

It was clearly the voice of a five- or six-year-old child, yet it carried an air of brutality and Wrath.

Inside the hut, several equally five- or six-year-old "children," all bruised and battered, stood with their heads lowered as they looked at the little fatty seated in front of them. None of them dared to speak.

Only after the little fatty had finished venting did one square-faced "brat," who had none of a child's cuteness, speak up with a fawning smile.

"Brother Xiong Tao, you don't understand. That kid clearly hasn't joined the academy, and we'd never seen him training before. Then he suddenly appeared, started hanging around with that dead last, and gained such great strength. He must have some secret."

However, his words only earned a burst of disdain and contempt from Xiong Tao.

"Don't think I don't know what you're all thinking. I don't care if you follow the usual steps and complete ordinary missions, but if you create unnecessary complications again next time, don't blame me for not showing mercy!"

Xiong Tao understood these few boys' thoughts perfectly and did not follow their lead. These five were undoubtedly the most unwilling to endure hardship. Being beaten by one person after two months of lazy training did not mean much; any upperclassman from the Ninja Academy could do the same.

As for some supposed fortunate encounter or opportunity?

How could a lucky encounter found by a newbie Reincarnator compare to his current objective?

They were not even on the same level!

There was no comparison at all!

"Our plan has reached its most critical stage. Once it is complete, I guarantee that when we return, all of you will receive rewards beyond your imagination. All right, from now on, I will not allow you to grind any other side missions."

After venting, Xiong Tao coldly finished giving his orders.

At that moment, a stern man wearing a mask beside him flashed a trace of approval in his eyes.

"Not bad. As expected of the vice captain's nephew. You know how to distinguish priorities. Still, even if these few are somewhat useless, the fact that person could easily injure all five of them alone means he truly has his own fortunate encounter. He is worth recruiting."

"If he refuses, we'll find a way to remove this uncertain factor. This plan cannot tolerate the slightest flaw."

Judging from his tone, this man was actually a veteran who had gone through several missions! He was also a member of Xiong Tao's uncle's team.

It seemed that although this was merely a newbie mission, other Reincarnators of different levels were participating on the Second Shinobi World War front, which had yet to end. Only these few newcomers had originally been in peaceful Konoha.

Who knew what method they had used to establish contact, allowing him to find an opening and return to the village.

Judging from the ninja forehead protector hanging from his arm, he was probably at least a Genin who had passed the graduation examination. According to the commentator's earlier explanation, possessing Genin-level strength likely meant he was an official Reincarnator who had completed four missions and undergone his first advancement...

"Kakashi, accept my challenge! Youth will never stop moving forward!"

Looking at the young Kakashi before him, who wore a bewildered expression and had silver hair and a mask, Xu Yue could not help feeling a sense of shared suffering. Over the past few days, he had experienced firsthand the trouble of being pestered by Guy.

This time, however, it was Guy's first official challenge to Kakashi. Thinking about it, Xu Yue's involvement had probably helped Guy gather the courage.

Judging by the timing, White Fang did not have much time left. Even someone as inconspicuous as Xu Yue had recently heard some unfavorable rumors about White Fang in the village.

Aside from wanting to observe the early combat strength of a genius like Kakashi and assess the strength of Genin, Xu Yue had accompanied Guy here because he also wanted to make contact early with this important plot character...

Without any surprise, at this stage, the gap between Guy and Kakashi was still as vast as heaven and earth. Guy, who could completely suppress Xu Yue in taijutsu, failed to last even ten moves after officially clashing with Kakashi!

Perhaps Guy had gained the advantage in physical fitness through arduous training, but ninja combat, even purely taijutsu combat, was not something one could win simply by being stronger.

If Xu Yue had taken his place, it would probably have gone even worse.

No wonder the "commentator" had said that obtaining power through Space missions was also extremely difficult.

Although he had not trained for long, with the doubled physical attribute boost, his strength was already fairly decent among newcomers on their first mission. Yet that level of decency was still enough to be instantly defeated by a five-year-old kid.

At this stage, Kakashi was simply too well-rounded. He truly deserved his reputation as a genius.

"Not... not bad for my lifelong rival..."

Guy lay on the ground, looking as though even his tongue was sore.

"I'll come find you again next time! Youth will never admit defeat!"

Guy struggled to his feet. There was not the slightest hint of dejection on him. Those thick eyebrows, combined with his dirt-covered face, made him look even more comical.

Perhaps because Kakashi had also heard the recent rumors in the village, he did not seem to be in a good mood either. After casually dealing with this strange challenger, he merely snorted and prepared to leave.

However, just as he turned around, a voice reached his ears.

"Kakashi, I heard that Lord White Fang is your father."

It was Xu Yue, who had been dragged over by Guy to cheer him on and had been watching the entire time, taking the initiative to speak.

Kakashi had already been quite irritated by this matter lately. He turned back and swept Xu Yue with a sharp gaze before saying coldly,

"What, do you want to challenge me too? I'm in a good mood today, so I'll accept your challenge."

Having said that, he seemed ready to make a move. Fortunately, Xu Yue raised his hands before Kakashi could act and revealed his trademark gentle smile.

"I think you've misunderstood me. I only wanted to remind you that your father needs comfort and care from his family right now. Family means facing and bearing difficulties together. Don't be deceived by the strength he deliberately shows in front of you."

Kakashi could not help freezing upon hearing Xu Yue's words. He had apparently not expected him to say such a thing. As a Ninja Academy student, Kakashi had always seen his father display a strong side before him, shielding him from every storm. He did not know the pressure his father was currently facing.

This was also the first time someone had said such things to him. Looking at that bright, heartwarming smile, Kakashi paused for a moment before merely snorting and turning away, leaving behind only his retreating figure.

Watching that departing figure, Xu Yue still wore that radiant smile.

That was all he could do. Perhaps he could not leave a deep impression on Kakashi now, but when it happened, when Kakashi's heart was filled with endless regret, those few words would certainly be magnified infinitely.

The FLAG had already been planted...

After parting with Kakashi and completing another day's self-torturous training with Guy, Xu Yue was once again blocked by several familiar people on his way back to his dilapidated residence.

Looking at the bruises still on their faces, Xu Yue's eyes flickered with something strange. No matter how foolish someone was, they would not fall in the same place twice in such a short time.

"Brother Xiong Tao wants to see you."

"Since you've already gained your current achievements, I assume you won't keep using that hopeless act to fool us anymore, will you?"

The one speaking, whose nose had nearly been crushed flat, seemed to be forcibly holding back his anger.

If he had been invited just after leaving Orochimaru, when he had almost no ability to protect himself, Xu Yue might have hesitated.

But now, when he was making obvious progress every day and the remaining time was nearly over, Xu Yue was somewhat interested if they were meeting within Konoha.

They had used some method to send the information to the World of the Living in advance and guide people into Reincarnation Space. Taking advantage of the absurd "plausibility" bonus during a first newbie mission, their scheme was certainly no small one.

Even if they did not know the direction of the plot, veterans who had survived multiple missions could not be underestimated.

Most importantly...

Xu Yue would not allow them to affect his objective!

"Fine. Lead the way."

Xu Yue put on a slightly arrogant expression, as though he had torn away the humble disguise on the surface. Carrying the conceit and inflated confidence of an ordinary person who had obtained a fortunate encounter, he followed them directly.

Without question, although such an image was unlikeable, the more he acted this way, the more reasonable it would seem—and the easier it would be for them to lower their guard...

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