The Nonexistent Bell Snatch

The two of them left the Detention Center and went straight to the riverbank. By the riverside, the youth who had been stared at by Tianqi the whole way finally spoke up.

"Are you wondering why it was me who let you out?"

Tianqi shook his head and said, "Whether you let me out or not, I don't really care. I'm used to it. I just want to know who you are. You look very familiar—have we met somewhere before?"

Hearing Tianqi's words, the youth laughed outright.

"Haha, I didn't expect you to be so open-minded. Your identity really is a problem for you, but that's not your fault—after all, no one can control their birth."

"As for looking familiar, maybe I just have a common face."

Tianqi looked at the youth with some surprise. "You really are different from the others in the village. No one else wants to talk to me, let alone give me a kind look. Now I'm even more curious about who you are."

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Sarutobi Hiruzen. I'm twenty years old, a Jonin, and your future squad leader. This is my first time leading new members. I look forward to working with you."

After hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's introduction, Tianqi stood frozen in place.

So it was him. The Hero of Shinobi, also known as the Professor of Ninjutsu, Sarutobi Hiruzen—the future Third Hokage. No wonder he looked familiar. Tianqi's impression of Sarutobi Hiruzen was still stuck on that old man with white hair from the future.

He never expected the Third to be so young now. Though his strength hadn't reached its peak, the current Third was still on par with the elderly Third when Orochimaru attacked Konoha in the future.

"So it's you, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the disciple of the Second Hokage. As for you saying you're my future squad leader, what's that about?" Tianqi asked Sarutobi Hiruzen with a puzzled look.

"I didn't expect you to know I'm the Second's disciple. Alright, let me explain," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, elaborating for Tianqi.

"Here's the thing: starting now, the Hokage has decided to fully lift all restrictions on you."

"You can now choose to learn ninjutsu, and you're free to leave the village. As for taking missions, I learned earlier that you defeated the veteran Genin Uchiha Yang in battle, which proves your strength has reached Genin level. I'll give you your Forehead Protector later, and from now on, you can freely take missions."

Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen say he was now free, Tianqi didn't feel happy—instead, he frowned slightly. He knew Tobirama Senju's personality too well. Given his prejudice against Madara, letting him off this easily meant he was definitely plotting something.

Failing a Genin mission was one thing, but if he became a Chunin or Jonin and failed a mission, Tobirama would surely execute him on the spot. If he was killed during a mission, no one could save him. And if he died in the line of duty, Tobirama would probably laugh in his sleep.

Thinking this over, Tianqi cursed inwardly: That old schemer definitely has no good intentions. In the end, he just wants to off me early.

Then he looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with suspicion. "Is that so?"

"Of course. Go home and rest today. Tomorrow morning, we'll meet here and focus on improving your strength. Once you're strong enough, I'll take you on missions."

With that, Sarutobi Hiruzen left without waiting for Tianqi's response.

Tianqi then headed home.

"Sigh, finally back," Tianqi said as he lay down on the bed. Looking at the house his mother had left him, he touched the dust on the bed and sighed. "I've only been gone a few days, and the house is already gathering dust. After Mother passed away, being alone really is a bit troublesome."

Thinking of his mother, he gradually thought of Madara. At the thought of Madara, he started cursing: "Damn Uchiha Madara, I'm your son, at least you could have taken me with you when you left Konoha! You've left me living so miserably, bastard."

"Don't think I don't know you're still alive. You're probably hiding in some corner right now, biding your time. Just wait—if I ever run into you, I'll make you realize that even a small pot is made of iron."

After cursing Madara, Tianqi looked forward to meeting Sarutobi Hiruzen tomorrow. From their conversation, he could tell that Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't yet taken the Sannin as his disciples.

Speaking of the Sannin, Tianqi launched another round of loving abuse at Madara: "Bastard Madara, Hashirama Senju already has grandchildren, and you only have one son—and you don't even take care of him. No wonder Hashirama beat you. Serves you right!"

After venting at Madara, Tianqi brushed off the dust, leaned against the bed, and slowly fell asleep.

The next day, when sunlight fell on Tianqi's face, he slowly opened his closed eyes and looked out the window. "No matter where I am, I can't shake this habit of sleeping in."

With that thought, Tianqi washed up, changed his clothes, left the house, and arrived at the riverbank where he had agreed to meet Sarutobi Hiruzen yesterday.

Seeing the empty riverbank, Tianqi thought, It's already eight o'clock, the sun is getting hot, and it seems I still arrived earlier than Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Two hours later, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had agreed to meet yesterday, finally showed up.

"Oh, Tianqi, have you been here long?"

Tianqi looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen's leisurely face and said helplessly, "It seems the sun is high enough to tan your butt now."

Sarutobi laughed awkwardly. "Haha, sorry, sorry. I've just had too much to deal with lately, so I overslept a bit. Anyway, I'm here now."

Tianqi's face showed a look of contempt. I don't believe you. You probably stayed up late peeping again last night and made up an excuse.

"Alright, alright, let's get down to business," Sarutobi said, seeing Tianqi's mocking expression, and began the real matter.

"First, since you haven't been trained at the Ninja Academy, I don't know your actual strength. Today, we'll follow shinobi tradition and do a round of Bell Snatch."

"Since you're alone, I won't require you to actually grab the bells. If you can even touch them, you win. How about that?" Sarutobi Hiruzen shook the bells.

"Fine. Then let's begin."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Tianqi leaped and hid in the forest.

In the clearing, watching Tianqi hide, Sarutobi silently praised him. He knows he can't beat me head-on, so he's hiding to look for an opportunity. From this perspective, he's not bad.

"Not bad, your hiding skills are impressive. Alright, since you won't come out, I'll come find you." Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was about to make a move, he heard a noise behind him. Reacting quickly, he dodged to the side.

Whoosh. A Kunai embedded itself in the ground where Sarutobi had just been standing.

Tianqi stepped out of the forest and said, "The gap in strength between us is too big. Hiding is pointless—just a waste of time. But I can't give up on snatching the bells, so I might as well be direct and face you head-on." Tianqi pulled out a Kunai.

Just as Tianqi had hidden in the forest, the system issued a mission.

[Ding! System mission issued: Face Sarutobi Hiruzen in direct combat for five minutes. Mission completion reward: 1,000 Points. If you successfully last ten minutes, you will receive an additional free upgrade for the Sharingan. Mission failure: choose between elimination or losing your manhood.]

Hearing that lasting ten minutes would net him 1,000 Points and a free Sharingan upgrade, Tianqi didn't hesitate to step out.

Hearing Tianqi's words, Sarutobi praised him. "Good. Clearly recognizing the gap between yourself and your enemy is commendable. But the mission is to snatch the bells. Aren't you just walking to your death like this?"

With that, Sarutobi reached into his ninja tool pouch, pulled out eight shuriken, and threw them at Tianqi. As he threw, he began forming hand seals. "Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!" The original eight shuriken multiplied into twenty-four, flying straight at Tianqi.