The Terrifying Will of Fire

[System successfully bound]

[Currently bound world: One Piece]

[Host has successfully bound to this system. You may choose one of the following templates to bind:]

[Tremor-Tremor Fruit (Undeveloped)]

[Dracule Mihawk (Swordsmanship)]

[Beast Kaido Template (Ultra-Rare)]

Looking at the options that appeared, Zi Xu chose the third one without hesitation.

"Bind Beast Kaido!" Zi Xu didn't need to think twice. While the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit was immensely strong, the physical toll it took was equally massive, and he didn't possess a physique as formidable as Whitebeard's. As for Dracule Mihawk's swordsmanship, even if he mastered it, he would still be a "glass cannon" with high attack but low health, prone to dying at any moment. The Kaido template was different; Beast Kaido was known as the "Strongest Creature in the World."

Even when hanged, the chains would snap; even when sent to the guillotine, the blade would shatter; even when pierced by spears, the weapons would break against him. He had sunk nine massive prison ships, and no one had ever been able to kill him. With the Kaido template, Zi Xu finally had a glimmer of a chance to escape this terrifying pyramid scheme of an organization.

[Beast Kaido template binding selected]

[Merging...]

[Merge complete]

[Note: As the Kaido template is an advanced template, subsequent abilities must be unlocked by the host. Currently, only a portion of Kaido's physique has been merged.]

[Current Kaido physique merged: 5%]

"Unlock? What content can be unlocked? How do I unlock it?"

[Subsequent unlockable content: Fruit abilities, Haki, Advanced Haki Techniques, Chakra Fusion Techniques, etc. The host can earn unlock points by changing the state of the Ninja world...]

Seeing the answer provided by the system, Zi Xu understood his path to getting stronger. As for changing the state of the world, although he hadn't watched much Naruto, he figured that as long as he brought peace to the world, kept children off the battlefield, and allowed the common people to live in prosperity, that should suffice.

"Hmm, it's good that the merge is done, but why don't I feel any change in my physique..." Although Zi Xu felt strange, he didn't show it. He maintained a serious expression while listening to Hiruzen Sarutobi's speech, planning to study his physique once he returned to his room.

Although he felt that Hiruzen Sarutobi's words were just the typical rhetoric common among capitalists before he transmigrated—like saying your life is bad because you don't work hard enough, or that you should realize your self-worth through overtime—

Zi Xu took careful notes on everything. Who knew? Hiruzen Sarutobi might quiz him on the content later to weed out any traitors disloyal to Konoha.

Just like a high-ranking official giving a speech, Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke for a full three hours before finishing. The teachers had to hold a meeting, the students left according to the classes listed on their admission letters, and Hiruzen Sarutobi went off to tour the school grounds with the parents, chatting and laughing.

The class Zi Xu was assigned to was Grade 1, Class B.

The overall structure of the classroom was very similar to the classrooms from Zi Xu's university days, arranged in a tiered, semi-enclosed layout. However, the desks weren't connected; they were divided into small tables that could only accommodate three people. In the center of the classroom was a huge blackboard, and at that moment, a few large characters were written on it in chalk:

"Students, please read the textbooks on your own."

Zi Xu followed the markings on his admission letter to find his seat: the very last row by the window.

He arrived very early. At the very least, he was the only person currently at the table that could seat three. He sat down and, following the instructions on the blackboard, began to look through the textbooks in his hands. In his heart, he felt this was highly likely a test of their obedience.

There were many types of textbooks, but after flipping through a few, Zi Xu discovered that most were academic subjects. There was only one textbook regarding ninjutsu, and it looked extremely basic, containing things like the "Chakra Extraction Technique," "Clone Technique," "Transformation Technique," and "Substitution Technique." There wasn't a single technique with any offensive capability!

He looked at the academic books: Inheritance of the Will of Fire, The Importance of the Village, Loyalty—Basic Qualities of a Ninja, Hiruzen Sarutobi—The Strongest Hokage in History...

Zi Xu picked up Hiruzen Sarutobi—The Strongest Hokage in History. To defeat an enemy, one must first understand the enemy.

Opening the pages, Zi Xu began to read seriously. The further he read, the more alarmed he became, and cold sweat began to bead on his palms.

"The Professor of Ninjutsu, master of five elemental chakra natures, and proficient in a multitude of ninjutsu variations. His strength is unfathomable."

"Because Konohagakure has Hiruzen Sarutobi at the helm, its formidable military might deters other villages from daring to invade."

"Hiruzen Sarutobi possesses a crystal ball that can protect the village at any time, allowing him to root out spies..."

This guy is incredibly difficult to deal with. I cannot confront him directly... I would definitely die... Zi Xu raised his assessment of Hiruzen Sarutobi to an infinite degree in his heart.

Zi Xu then picked up Inheritance of the Will of Fire. The first page read: Where the leaves of Konoha dance, fire shall ignite.

The decaying old leaves will transform into firelight to illuminate the village, allowing new leaves to sprout. The new leaves will burn continuously, an infinite cycle.

It sounded somewhat reasonable, but according to the history Zi Xu had recently learned, it seemed that the previous Ninja World Wars were all started by these old geezers. Yet, these old geezers were still living well, while the new generation that participated in the wars were...

Just as Zi Xu was criticizing this flowery, superficial ideology in his heart, a timid female voice sounded from beside him.

"Um... classmate, are you alright..."

Zi Xu was startled. He turned his head toward the source of the voice and saw a girl with extremely fair skin and light red glasses. At that moment, she was wringing her hands together, looking like someone who was easy to talk to.

"Ah, it's nothing. I'm just a little hot." Zi Xu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Hello, my name is Uzumaki Zi Xu. We should be classmates from now on. Please take care of me." Zi Xu introduced himself first; this made him seem psychologically healthy, lacking the reclusiveness of someone from an orphanage, and would make those around him feel more at ease.

"...Hello... I... I'm Aburame Hatsumi. Please take care of me..." The girl sighed in relief, sat down next to Zi Xu, and began reading the books according to the instructions on the blackboard.

Zi Xu also continued to look at the books in front of him, though he skipped the "chicken soup" and went straight to the ninjutsu lessons.

"Chakra Extraction Technique: Extract the two powers of body and spirit. According to the technique one wishes to perform, draw upon the required energy, and finally, use hand seals to execute the ninjutsu..."

Zi Xu read it over and over again. He understood the words, but when they were strung together, he didn't understand them at all.

Aburame Hatsumi, who was sitting to the side, saw the look of distress on Zi Xu's face and spoke softly.

"The Chakra Extraction Technique? Usually, the elders of a clan would teach it to their descendants..."

"Ah... I'm an orphan."

"Ah, sor... sorry! I am so sorry!" Realizing she had said the wrong thing, Aburame Hatsumi quickly apologized.

"I... I'll teach you, consider it an apology..." She offered to teach Zi Xu the Chakra Extraction Technique. Upon hearing such a stroke of luck, Zi Xu immediately prepared to accept...

Clack. The chair next to Hatsumi was pulled away, and a girl who looked quite cold and aloof sat down.

The girl had short, sharp, blue-black hair and an excellent appearance, though her eyes looked strange—a pure, solid white that seemed ethereal yet laced with a hint of chill.

Zi Xu and Hatsumi's conversation came to an end, and he took the initiative to greet the girl.

"Hello, my name is Uzumaki Zi Xu, and this is Aburame Hatsumi. Please take care of us in the future..."

"Hyuga Chino." The girl replied indifferently. She didn't intend to say more; she sat there without looking at the books on the table, instead clasping her hands together and staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.

Seeing that he wouldn't be learning the Chakra Extraction Technique ahead of schedule, Zi Xu didn't feel discouraged. He skimmed through the ninjutsu book and then continued reading the academic textbooks. He needed to memorize the contents as much as possible, as he estimated that future exams would cover this material.

He picked up a book titled The Establishment of Konohagakure and began to read, but the more he read, the more wrong it felt.

The book stated that the First and Second Hokage established the village to prevent children from going to the battlefield. But by the Third Hokage's era, how did it turn into children volunteering to sacrifice their lives for the village?

He also read articles about the Ninja World War. The book claimed that the reason for war between villages was a lack of resources. However, there were so many convenient ninjutsu here; if they honestly developed agriculture, Water Release and Earth Release ninjutsu could easily provide massive amounts of food.

Yet, these people insisted on launching wars that swept across the world, founding ninja academies, teaching children how to kill, and then throwing generation after generation into the battlefield to obtain resources through plunder.

Zi Xu felt that this place was more than just a pyramid scheme; even the terrorist organizations from before he transmigrated wouldn't dare to play like this. The more he read, the more alarmed he became. The Will of Fire left behind by the First Hokage might have had good intentions, but by the Third's time, it had perhaps already deviated from its original purpose.

Zi Xu had always believed that everything was in a state of constant development and progress. Perhaps the Will of Fire needed some fresh blood injected into it.

Hyuga Chino looked at Zi Xu beside her with curiosity. Through her Byakugan, she could clearly see that Zi Xu's internal state was fluctuating wildly; he looked very nervous.

She glanced at the book Zi Xu was reading, found nothing wrong with it, and stopped paying attention.

It's too terrifying. This era is sick... Zi Xu thought to himself, subconsciously tapping the table lightly with his left hand.

"Huh? It's itchy..." Zi Xu felt an itchy, tingling sensation in his palm. He lifted his hand to see what he had touched.

Perhaps the table was old and in disrepair, or perhaps it was a prank by some mischievous child; there were several sharp nails protruding from the gaps in the wooden table.

But at that moment, those nails, which looked sharp enough to easily pierce skin, had been completely flattened into tiny iron discs by his light tap. He finally understood why he had felt that itch.

The physique of Beast Kaido was truly terrifying! And this was only the result of an initial fusion. If he were to fully fuse with Kaido's physique and master all of his abilities... hiss...

Zi Xu calmly gathered the flattened iron discs. Even so, he didn't dare to let his guard down. After all, there were many things in this ninja world that could take his life; being cautious was never a bad thing.

And so, Uzumaki Zi Xu, Aburame Hatsumi, and Hyuga Chino sat quietly, each with their own thoughts, waiting for the teacher to arrive.

------Author's Note------

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