A Minor Trouble

A Minor Trouble

Thud~ Thud~ Thud~

Clean and efficient—hardly any time had passed before all five of the originally fierce-looking boys, including the chubby kid who had been knocked down first, were lying on the ground with bruised and swollen faces.

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

Although Xu Yue had not been training for long, the recovery ability of his Sage Body, combined with Might Guy's training efficiency, meant that his total amount of training was not much less than theirs.

Those few certainly did not train with such intensity.

And even in its initial stage, the Sage Body was the most powerful Kekkei Genkai in all of Naruto. It was not something five people who even slacked off during their usual Ninja Academy training could compare to.

He did not even need to activate his Sharingan or use ninjutsu to knock 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, panted weakly through gritted teeth.

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

The other conscious one 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 after their companions, Xu Yue did not have any further thoughts. After all, he was currently in Konoha.

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

As a chief surgeon who had seen life and death countless times and worn a mask for an entire lifetime, Xu Yue did not experience any particular emotional fluctuations over life and death.

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

Since he had chosen to retaliate, especially in a survival-of-the-fittest place like Reincarnation Space, it was naturally best to resolve the trouble completely.

It was just a pity that he lacked that opportunity now. And with Might Guy here, doing this much was already the limit according to Guy's values.

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

Still, there would probably be a little trouble in the next few days.

Heh.

It would be nice to break up the monotony. His previous life had been far too dull. He did want to see what their objective was.

Hopefully, they'll entertain me...

A faint curve rose at the corner of Xu Yue's lips. He clapped his hands, turned around, and pulled up Might Guy, whose teeth had been aching from what he had witnessed.

"They brought this on themselves. They'll wake up soon enough. Ignore them."

Xu Yue still placed considerable importance on his relationship with the future Blue Beast of Konoha. The mission coverage of the Ninja War was extremely broad, and many of his future missions would inevitably bring him back here.

Moreover, Xu Yue had his eye on the secret technique of the Eight Inner Gates. There definitely was not enough time left in this mission, but he could lay the groundwork for next time.

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

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

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

Guy did not know about the recovery speed of Xu Yue's Sage Body. After seeing Xu Yue spar with him, then sweep aside those classmates like fallen leaves in an autumn wind, his fighting spirit seemed to flare up once more.

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

"A bunch of trash! Who told you to create unnecessary trouble? Couldn't you just focus on your own mission?! You worthless idiots!"

A childish roar rang out from within a crude wooden shack that looked as though it leaked air from every side.

It was clearly the voice of a five- or six-year-old child, yet it carried a violent fury.

Inside, several similarly five- or six-year-old "children," their faces bruised and swollen, stood with their heads lowered before a chubby boy seated ahead of them, not daring to say a word.

Only after the chubby boy had vented his anger did one square-faced "brat," who did not look cute in the slightest, speak with a fawning smile.

"Brother Xiong Tao, you don't understand. That kid clearly hasn't joined the Ninja Academy, and we've never seen him train before. Yet he suddenly appeared, started hanging around with that dead last, and gained such strength. He must have some kind of secret."

His words only earned a burst of disdain and contempt from Xiong Tao.

"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. I don't care if you follow the proper steps and complete ordinary missions, but if you make unnecessary trouble again next time, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"

Xiong Tao understood these people's thoughts perfectly and did not follow their lead. These five were undoubtedly the most pathetic wastes, the ones least able to endure hardship. Being beaten by one person after two months of half-hearted training did not mean much. Any upperclassman from the Ninja Academy could have done it.

As for that so-called lucky encounter and opportunity?

How could a lucky encounter stumbled upon by a new 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 succeeds, I guarantee that when we return, the few of you will receive rewards beyond your imagination. Enough. From now on, I will not allow you to farm any other side missions."

After venting his anger, Xiong Tao coldly finished giving his orders.

The stern man wearing a mask beside him had a trace of approval flash through his eyes.

"Not bad. As expected of the vice commander's nephew. You know how to distinguish priorities. Still, while these few are a bit useless, that person managed to injure all five of them alone with ease. He truly has encountered some opportunity of his own. He is worth recruiting."

"If he refuses, we'll find a way to remove that uncertain factor. No flaws can be allowed in this plan."

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 newcomer mission, other Reincarnators of different difficulty levels were participating on the still-unfinished front lines of the Second Shinobi World War. There had merely been these newcomers in peaceful Konoha.

No one knew what method they had used to contact each other, 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 previous commentator's 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 not stop moving forward!"

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

This time, however, it was Guy's first formal challenge to Kakashi. Perhaps Xu Yue's involvement had given Guy the courage to step forward.

By Xu Yue's estimation, White Fang did not have many days left. Even someone as inconspicuous as Xu Yue had recently heard plenty of unfavorable rumors about White Fang in the village.

Besides coming with Guy to assess the combat strength of the genius Kakashi in his early years and evaluate the strength of a genin, Xu Yue also wanted to make early contact with this important character...

There was no surprise at all. At this stage, the gap between Guy and Kakashi was still worlds apart. Guy, who could completely suppress Xu Yue in taijutsu, did not even last ten moves once he formally fought Kakashi!

Perhaps Guy had gained an advantage in physical fitness through his arduous training, but battles between ninja—even purely taijutsu battles—were not won simply by having greater strength.

If Xu Yue had taken Guy's place, he would probably have fared even worse.

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

Although Xu Yue had not trained for long, with the double boost to his physical attributes, his level of strength was already quite good among newcomers on their first mission. Yet that level of "quite good" amounted to being instantly defeated by a five-year-old kid.

At his current stage, Kakashi was simply too well-rounded. He truly deserved the title of genius.

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

Guy lay on the ground, his tongue sounding somewhat stiff.

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

Guy struggled to climb to his feet, with not the slightest hint of dejection visible on him. His thick eyebrows, paired with his dust-covered face, made him look even more comical.

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

But 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 here by Guy to cheer him on and had been watching the entire time, who spoke first.

Already irritated by the matter lately, Kakashi turned back and shot Xu Yue a sharp look, saying coldly, "What? Do you want to challenge me too? I'm in a good mood today, so I'll accept your challenge."

He seemed ready to make a move as he spoke, but 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 concern from his family right now. Family means facing and bearing hardships together. Don't be deceived by the strength he deliberately displays before you."

Kakashi froze upon hearing Xu Yue's words, seemingly not expecting him to say that. As a Ninja Academy student, Kakashi had always seen his father put on a strong front and shield him from every storm. He did not know the pressure his father was currently facing.

This was also the first time anyone had said such things to him. Looking at that bright, warm smile, Kakashi paused for a moment, then merely snorted and turned away, leaving behind only his retreating figure.

Xu Yue continued to wear that brilliant smile as he watched him leave.

This was all he could do. Perhaps he could not leave a deep impression now, but when it happened, when Kakashi's heart was filled with endless regret, these few words would surely be magnified without limit.

The flag has been planted...

After parting with Kakashi and completing another round of self-torturous training with Guy, Xu Yue was once again stopped by several familiar figures on his way back to his run-down residence.

Seeing the bruises still visible on their faces, a strange glint flashed through Xu Yue's eyes. No matter how foolish someone was, they would not fall in the same place twice within 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 fooling us by pretending to be sick of life anymore, right?"

The one speaking had a nose that had nearly been smashed flat. He seemed to be forcibly suppressing his anger.

If Xu Yue had received this invitation right after leaving Orochimaru, when he had almost no ability to protect himself, he might have hesitated.

But now, as he made obvious progress every day and the remaining time was quickly running out, Xu Yue was somewhat interested if they were meeting within Konoha.

They had managed to send information back to the real world in advance, then guide people into Reincarnation Space and take advantage of the outrageous "reasonableness" bonus of a newcomer's first mission. Their scheme was certainly not insignificant.

Even if they did not know the course of events, 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 if he had torn away his humble disguise. Carrying the conceited, inflated air of an ordinary person who had stumbled upon a lucky opportunity, he followed them directly.

Without a doubt, while such an image was not likable, it was precisely the most reasonable state—and the one most likely to make them lower their guard...