Rasengan

After their bath, the two set off back to Konoha.

At the gates of Konoha, the two guards greeted Sarutobi Hiruzen upon his return. Hiruzen was the Second Hokage's apprentice and a likely candidate for the Third, so maintaining a good relationship was essential.

"Lord Hiruzen, you've returned."

"Mhm, we're back today. The mission was simply too easy, so we returned right after to save time."

"Is that so? Lord Hiruzen is indeed Lord Hiruzen, truly formidable."

"Hahaha, it's just average," Hiruzen chuckled, pleased by the flattery from the guards. Everyone enjoyed a bit of praise.

Just then, a sharp voice cut through the air.

"It was only a B-rank mission, Hiruzen. How much time do you think you need? And you have the nerve to be proud."

Hearing the familiar voice, Hiruzen knew without guessing it was his friend Shimura Danzō.

"Yo, Danzō, you're back too. Let me see what kind of mission you took," Hiruzen snatched Danzō's mission scroll. "It's an A-rank mission. Danzō, you did well."

Danzō said smugly, "Of course! I am Shimura Danzō, destined to become Hokage!" He then glanced at Tian Qi behind Hiruzen.

"Unlike you, I'm not so leisurely, bringing your little teammate around doing low-level missions."

Tian Qi, meanwhile, was carefully observing Danzō. The future leader of Root, and one of the culprits behind the Uchiha clan's downfall. At this moment, Danzō looked not only younger and more energetic than in the future, but also free of bandages. The current Danzō was brimming with vitality, making it hard to imagine he would become the withered figure he was in the future.

However, like his master Tobirama Senju, his eyes were filled with disdain for the Uchiha. It could be said his temper was exactly like Tobirama Senju's. If not for Sarutobi Hiruzen, the position of Third Hokage would have almost certainly gone to Danzō.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura were far behind Danzō and the Third in terms of potential. As for Kagami Uchiha, his Uchiha heritage alone destined him to be out of the running for Hokage.

Seeing Danzō shift the topic to Tian Qi, Hiruzen changed the subject. He knew Danzō didn't have a good impression of Uchiha.

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

Hearing Hiruzen, Danzō walked into the village without looking back. The guards at the gate dared not speak rashly; both were candidates for Hokage, and neither could afford to offend them.

Watching Danzō leave, Hiruzen explained to Tian Qi, "Danzō is usually a good person. Maybe he's just in a bad mood today. Tian Qi, don't take it to heart."

Tian Qi nodded. He knew exactly what kind of person Danzō was. He was loyal to Konoha, but beyond that, it was best not to dwell on it.

"Alright, Tian Qi, you go home first. I'll go submit the mission later and give you your share of the money tomorrow at the usual spot. See you."

Watching Hiruzen leave, Tian Qi returned to his own home. He pushed open the door, but there was still no one there. Looking at the photos of his mother and father hanging on the wall, he sighed.

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

Damn it! Why am I thinking of that old bastard? Pfft! The old bastard ran off by himself. I won't pity him, not even a little. Serves him right for being suppressed by Hashirama Senju his whole life.

After his daily rant about Madara, Tian Qi started cleaning his house. It had been too long since he'd cleaned, and there was a lot of dust.

After cleaning, Tian Qi sat in the courtyard and looked at his system. Completing this mission had earned him 5,000 points. Five thousand points could be exchanged for an A-rank ninjutsu.

He opened the system store, gazing at the dazzling array of A-rank ninjutsu, his mouth watering. He looked left and right; this one was good, that one was also acceptable.

After half an hour of internal debate, Tian Qi narrowed his choices down to Rasengan and Chidori, two unhand-sealed ninjutsu. Although he knew the principles and could develop them himself, it would undoubtedly waste a lot of time.

Hashirama Senju was dead, and the First Great Ninja War would soon break out. He had to increase his strength quickly, or he might not survive the war.

He had also seen Naruto, Sasuke, Madara, and Kaguya. He couldn't fall here.

Looking at the two ninjutsu before him, Tian Qi hesitated again. Chidori was undoubtedly the most suitable for an Uchiha. Combined with the precise targeting of the Sharingan, it could even allow him to challenge Jonin beyond his rank.

But the drawback was also obvious. Chidori, as the name suggested, sounded like a thousand birds chirping when released. On the battlefield, it could only deal with Chunin and Genin. Facing a Jonin, they wouldn't be foolish enough to engage in a head-on clash with such a powerful move unless they were brainless. Or, if his own strength reached Jonin level, then he could be invincible below Jonin, and at best, trade one-for-one with a Jonin.

Thus, Chidori was out. Only Rasengan remained. This A-rank ninjutsu developed by the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, was no weaker than Chidori, perhaps even slightly stronger. It lacked the noisy sound of Chidori and, unlike Chidori's single-target piercing, Rasengan was a small-area bombardment.

Naruto managed to survive until the end with just his Rasengan. He might be able to do the same. As for Chidori, he could get it next time when he had enough points.

With that, Tian Qi directly exchanged for Rasengan, his five thousand points instantly depleted.

He couldn't wait to test it out in the courtyard. Condensing it with one hand, a small ball appeared in his palm, slowly growing until it was palm-sized. He didn't deliberately create shadow clones like Naruto or Konohamaru; it was unnecessary, and besides, he didn't know how. He'd ask Hiruzen to teach him shadow clones next time.

Saying that, he aimed it at a tree in the courtyard. When Rasengan touched the tree, it was instantly shredded.

BOOM! A large crater appeared where the tree once stood. Fortunately, there were no residents nearby, or they would have thought Tian Qi was bombing the village.

Looking at the crater, Tian Qi was excited. This was Rasengan! Combined with Chunin-level chakra, it could rival an ordinary Jonin. His strength had finally taken a leap forward.

Unlike Tian Qi's excitement, Tobirama Senju, in the Hokage's office, was contemplating while listening to Hiruzen's report. He truly was Madara's son. His talent was no less than Madara's. Without anyone to guide him in the early stages, he had still managed to awaken the two-tomoe Sharingan, and his chakra reserves had reached Chunin level.

With a bit more training, he might directly possess Chunin-level strength. He truly wondered if his decision this time was a good one or a bad one.

"Monkey, what is that kid's temper and personality like? Has he shown any dissatisfaction with Konoha?"

"Teacher, that kid has a very good temper and a gentle personality. We often joke around when we're together. As for whether he's dissatisfied with Konoha, I can't tell for now."

Tobirama Senju was not satisfied upon hearing this; instead, he became uneasy. He understood the Uchiha too well.

The love in the hearts of the Uchiha surpassed any other clan. However, precisely because the love in the Uchiha's hearts was stronger than anyone else's, they were more prone to going berserk. Uchiha who understood love, once they lost that love, their hearts would gradually be filled with hatred.

Just like Madara in the past. Tobirama feared that Tian Qi would be the next Madara. With his elder brother gone, if another Madara appeared, the village would truly be destroyed.

Seeing Tobirama Senju's unease, Hiruzen spoke, "Teacher, you don't need to worry too much. With Tian Qi's disposition, I believe he will be the next Kagami Uchiha, not Uchiha Madara."

Thinking of Kagami Uchiha, Tobirama slowly relaxed. Yes, there was still Kagami Uchiha, a successful case. If Tian Qi could also possess great love like Kagami, willing to step outside the clan's position and wholeheartedly protect the village's interests.

Becoming the right-hand man of the next Hokage, he would be happy to see it. Hiruzen was clearly a very good choice.

Tian Qi was unaware that, because of him, the odds of Sarutobi Hiruzen becoming Hokage had unknowingly increased. If Danzō knew, he would probably jump out and curse.