Rasengan

After soaking in the bath, the two of them set off back to Konoha.

At the Konoha Gate, the two guards saw Sarutobi Hiruzen returning and greeted him. Hiruzen was the Second Hokage's student and was very likely to become the Third Hokage someday, so it was important to build a good relationship with him.

"Lord Sarutobi, you're back."

"Mm, we got back today. The mission was so easy that we came back as soon as we finished, rather than waste time."

"Is that so? As expected of Lord Sarutobi. You're amazing."

"Hahaha, I'm just average." Hearing the guards' flattery, Sarutobi was delighted. Everyone liked being praised.

Just then, a grating voice rang out.

"It was only a B-Rank Mission. How long did you think it would take, Sarutobi? And you have the nerve to be so pleased with yourself."

Recognizing the familiar voice, Sarutobi knew without guessing that it belonged to his friend, Shimura Danzō.

"Well, Danzō, you're back too. Let me see what rank your mission was." Sarutobi snatched the mission scroll from Danzō. "An A-Rank Mission, huh? Nicely done, Danzō."

Danzō said smugly, "Of course. I'm Shimura Danzō, after all—the man who'll become Hokage someday." Then he looked at Tianqi, standing behind Sarutobi.

"I'm not as carefree as you, wandering all over the place doing low-ranking missions with your little teammate."

Tianqi took a close look at Danzō. This was the future Leader of Root, and one of the main culprits behind the Uchiha clan's downfall. Danzō looked younger and livelier than he would in the future, and he wasn't wrapped in bandages. He was practically bursting with energy. It was hard to imagine he'd turn into such a sorry sight someday.

But, just like his teacher Tobirama Senju, his eyes were full of disdain for the Uchiha. You could say his temperament was just like Tobirama's. If Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't been around, the position of Third Hokage would almost certainly have gone to Danzō.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were far behind Danzō and the Third Hokage. As for Kagami Uchiha, simply being an Uchiha meant he had no chance of becoming Hokage.

Seeing Danzō steer the conversation toward Tianqi, Sarutobi changed the subject. He knew Danzō didn't care much for the Uchiha.

"Danzō, since you're finally back, let's get into the village. I'll treat you to barbecue tonight."

Hearing this, Danzō walked into the village without looking back. The guards at the gate didn't dare say anything. Both men were candidates for Hokage, and they couldn't afford to offend either one.

After Danzō left, Sarutobi explained to Tianqi, "Danzō's usually a pretty good guy. Maybe he's just in a bad mood today. Don't take it personally, Tianqi."

Tianqi nodded. He knew exactly what kind of person Danzō was. Danzō was loyal to Konoha, but as for everything else, well, that was another matter.

"All right, Tianqi, head home first. I'll go turn in the mission. I'll give you your share of the reward at our usual spot tomorrow. See you."

After Sarutobi left, Tianqi returned to his home. He pushed open the door, but, as always, there was no one inside. Looking at his parents' portraits hanging on the wall, he sighed.

Madara, I wonder where you are now. Are you alone, too?

Damn it! Why was I thinking about that old bastard? Bah! The old bastard ran off on his own. I don't feel sorry for you one bit. You deserved to spend your whole life being overshadowed by Hashirama Senju.

After his daily rant about Madara, Tianqi started cleaning the house. It had been so long since he'd cleaned that the place was covered in dust.

Once he'd finished cleaning, Tianqi sat in the courtyard and checked the system. Completing this mission had earned him 5,000 Points. That was enough to exchange for an A-Rank Ninjutsu.

He opened the Shop and looked at the dazzling array of A-Rank Ninjutsu. Tianqi was practically drooling as he looked from one to another. This one was good, and so was that one.

After half an hour of deliberation, Tianqi narrowed it down to two jutsu that required no hand signs: Rasengan and Chidori. He knew how they worked and could develop them himself, but that would undoubtedly waste a lot of time.

Hashirama Senju was dead, and the First Great Ninja War would soon break out. He had to get stronger fast, or he might not survive the war.

He still had Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Madara, and Kaguya to see. He couldn't die here.

But as he looked at the two jutsu before him, Tianqi hesitated again. Chidori was undoubtedly the best fit for an Uchiha. Combined with the Sharingan's precise tracking, it could let him challenge Jonin who were a level above him.

But its drawback was obvious, too. The name Chidori said it all: when released, it sounded like a thousand birds chirping. On the battlefield, it was only good for dealing with Chunin and Genin. A Jonin wouldn't be stupid enough to meet your ultimate attack head-on—unless they had rocks for brains, or unless I reached Jonin level myself. Then I'd be invincible against anyone below Jonin, and trade one-for-one with anyone above.

So Chidori was out. That left Rasengan, an A-Rank Ninjutsu developed by the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. It was no weaker than Chidori, and perhaps even a little stronger. It didn't make Chidori's noisy chirping sound, and unlike Chidori's single-target piercing attack, Rasengan delivered a small-area blast.

Naruto had made it all the way to the end with nothing but his trusty Rasengan. There was no reason I couldn't do the same. As for Chidori, I'd exchange for it next time I had enough Points.

With that, Tianqi exchanged for Rasengan, and his 5,000 Points instantly dropped to zero.

He couldn't wait to try it out in the courtyard. Gathering Chakra in one hand, he formed a small sphere in his palm. It slowly grew until it was about the size of his palm. Unlike Naruto and Konohamaru, he didn't deliberately make a Shadow Clone. There was no need, and besides, he didn't know how. He'd ask Sarutobi to teach him Shadow Clone next time.

Then he struck a tree in the courtyard with it. The moment Rasengan hit the tree, it was torn to pieces.

Boom! A huge crater appeared where the tree had stood. Fortunately, no one lived nearby; otherwise, they might have thought Tianqi was trying to bomb the village.

Looking at the crater, Tianqi was thrilled. So this was Rasengan! With his Chunin-level Chakra reserves, it was enough to let him go toe-to-toe with an ordinary Jonin. At last, his strength had made a major leap.

Unlike Tianqi, who was thrilled, Tobirama Senju was deep in thought as he listened to Sarutobi's report in the Hokage's Office. As expected of Madara's son, the boy's talent was every bit as strong as Madara's. Even without anyone to guide him early on, he'd still managed to awaken the Two-Tomoe Sharingan, and his Chakra reserves had reached Chunin level.

With a little more training, he'd probably have the strength of a Chunin. I really don't know whether my decision was the right one.

"Monkey, what's that brat's temperament like? Has he shown any resentment toward Konoha?"

"Teacher, the kid's easygoing and gentle. We even joke around from time to time. As for whether he resents Konoha, I can't tell yet."

Hearing this, Tobirama grew uneasy instead of reassured. He knew the Uchiha all too well.

The love in an Uchiha's heart surpassed that of any other clan. But precisely because their love was stronger than anyone else's, they were more prone to losing control. Once an Uchiha who knew love lost it, their heart would gradually fill with hatred.

Just like Madara had. Tobirama was afraid Tianqi would become another Madara. His older brother was gone, and if another Madara appeared, the village would truly be doomed.

Seeing Tobirama's unease, Sarutobi said, "Teacher, you don't need to worry too much. Given Tianqi's temperament, I believe he'll become another Kagami Uchiha, not another Madara."

At the mention of Kagami Uchiha, Tobirama slowly relaxed. That was right—Kagami was a success story. If Tianqi could be like him, full of compassion and willing to rise above clan loyalties to wholeheartedly protect the village's interests—

Tobirama would be glad to see him become the right hand of the next Hokage. Sarutobi was clearly a good choice.

Tianqi had no idea that, because of him, Sarutobi Hiruzen's chances of becoming Hokage had quietly improved. If Danzō found out, he'd probably jump out and start cursing.