Challenging the White Fang

After returning to Konoha, Beichen Haotian took a stroll through the streets and bought some snacks. One hand held a bunch of dango skewers, the other a bunch of grilled meat skewers, and he ate as he headed toward the Hokage Building.

The Hokage Building was crowded with people, with all kinds of ninja constantly coming and going. Upon arriving in Konoha, Beichen Haotian had put on Konoha's Jonin Vest beneath his trench coat, allowing him to pass through unimpeded.

When he reached the Third Hokage's office, he knocked on the door. After hearing a response from within, Beichen Haotian pushed it open and entered.

"Oh? When did you get back?" The Third Hokage set down a document and asked in surprise.

Beichen Haotian was not surprised that the Third Hokage knew he had left the village. As the leader of a village, he had extensive sources of information. It was perfectly normal for him to know the whereabouts of someone under special watch.

"I only got back a little while ago. I just bought some snacks on the street. Here, Lord Hokage, would you like a few skewers?" Beichen Haotian separated several grilled meat skewers from the ones in his hand and offered them to the Third Hokage.

"Forget it, Haotian. You eat them; I've already had my meal. With your personality, you wouldn't come looking for me without a reason. Just tell me, what is it? Are you trying to bribe me with dango and grilled meat?" Hiruzen Sarutobi made a rare joke. He had always had a rather good impression of Beichen Haotian.

Lord Hokage, your discerning eyes see through everything. Nothing can be hidden from you. I've recently been gathering materials to forge a new Ninja Sword, and there is one material I hope Lord Hokage can provide.

Oh? What material do you want? Anything I can provide, Root can more or less provide as well. What could be worth you making a special trip back?

The Thunder God Sword! The Thunder God Sword left behind by the Second Hokage. That sword contains a large amount of Lightning Chakra, and since I also possess Lightning Release, it would be highly suitable as one of the materials for my new Ninja Sword.

"The Thunder God Sword? So that was what you were after. That sword is indeed quite good and suits you perfectly, but it is also my teacher's relic..." At that point, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly fell silent, as if considering what to say.

Fine, I knew it wouldn't be so easy to obtain. Lord Hokage, if you have any instructions, just say so. As long as I can do it, I certainly won't refuse.

You said that yourself; I'm not forcing you. But for the time being, there really isn't anything I need your help with. Sakumo, Orochimaru, and the others have all been handling matters in perfect order.

Then let's put it on the record for now. Ever since you joined Root, it hasn't been easy even to see you, much less order you around. I can tell that you've become very strong.

Fine, put it on the record. Just notify me whenever something comes up. Then...

"Someone, take my authorization and retrieve the Thunder God Sword." Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a low shout. An Anbu cloaked in black and wearing an animal mask appeared in the office and dropped to one knee.

Yes, Lord Hokage.

The Thunder God Sword had not yet been stolen at this point, nor could it possibly be stolen. After setting his sights on the Thunder God Sword, Beichen Haotian had long since secretly dispatched Root members to lie in wait. The Konoha rogue ninja from the original story had no chance to steal it.

By the way, Lord Hokage, how has Minato been lately?

He has been carrying out missions all over the place and isn't in the village. Minato possesses outstanding talent and has already initially mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique left behind by the Second Hokage. His speed is unmatched in the world. Once he returns, he should be able to advance to Jonin.

He had already learned the Flying Thunder God Technique? As expected of Minato. I wanted to choose that technique back then too, but after thinking rationally about it, the Eight Gates Formation suited me better.

By the way, Lord Hokage, is there anyone else who knows the Eight Inner Gates? If so, I'd like to discuss it with him.

Hmm... there is. While my teacher was still alive, he taught it to someone named Might Duy. He has cultivated it for many years, so his progress should not be lacking. If you have time, you can seek his guidance.

Beichen Haotian nodded in understanding. At that moment, the Anbu member returned with a scroll in his hand.

The Third Hokage waved his hand. After the Anbu member withdrew, he tossed the scroll to Beichen Haotian.

Thank you, Lord Hokage. I'll be going now to find this Might Duy.

Mm.

After Beichen Haotian left, Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered to himself, "That boy Haotian's strength has improved so quickly that he even gives me a faint sense of danger. He truly is a monster. Still, his temperament is not bad. Once the older generation passes away, with Tsunade and Minato by his side, he should continue serving Konoha wholeheartedly."

Beichen Haotian did not know what Hiruzen Sarutobi was thinking, and even if he did, he would not have taken it to heart. Betraying Konoha? He had no such plans for now. Leaving aside everything else, it was the most prosperous place in the Ninja World, with a good environment and abundant resources.

Simply put, it had plenty of good food, plenty of fun things to do, and plenty of beautiful women. For those reasons alone, unless absolutely necessary, Beichen Haotian would not betray Konoha. Besides, there were many other reasons why he could not bring himself to entertain thoughts of betrayal. So far, he had been living quite comfortably in Konoha.

To be honest, Beichen Haotian had no ambition to conquer the world. His first goal was to fight powerful enemies, temper himself, and climb the peak of the Sword Dao; his second goal was to enjoy life. Of course, if an opportunity to unify the Ninja World arose during that process, Beichen Haotian would not hesitate.

What Heaven bestowed should not be refused, lest one suffer for it! When it was time to act, he would act.

After leaving the Hokage Building, Beichen Haotian headed to the Ninja Academy. If he remembered correctly, Might Guy should still have been studying at the Ninja Academy at this time. Going there should allow him to run into Guy's father, Might Duy.

Arriving outside the Ninja Academy gates, he sat on a bench and quietly waited for school to end at noon. An hour later, the gates finally opened, and quite a few parents outside came to pick up their children.

Two people among the parents stood out in particular. One was a tall man with silver-white hair, while the other wore a green jumpsuit. At that moment, each of them was holding a child's hand.

One child had a head of tousled silver-white hair, while the other had a bowl cut. The two children stared at each other. One's lips never stopped moving, while the other was quiet and reserved, appearing mature beyond his age.

"Interesting. I never expected to run into Hatake Sakumo and Might Duy. Such an opportunity is rare. Should I have a fight with Hatake Sakumo?" Rubbing his chin, Beichen Haotian watched the two men approach and fell into thought.

"Heh, I should fight him after all. I'm not entirely sure about Hatake Sakumo's exact date of death. Coming to Naruto without fighting the Konoha White Fang would truly be a regret." Having made up his mind, Beichen Haotian rose from the bench and walked toward them.

"Lord Hatake, long time no see." Beichen Haotian walked over and greeted him with a smile.

"It's Haotian. Why call me lord? Just call me senior. Is something the matter?" Hatake Sakumo smiled warmly and brightly, utterly unlike the man he was on the battlefield. His voice was low and magnetic.

There is something. I originally came today to find Senior Might Duy, but I didn't expect to run into Senior Hatake.

"Looking for me? Young man, why are you looking for me? I don't know you." Might Duy looked completely bewildered.

To be honest, I wanted to discuss our insights into the Eight Gates Formation with you.

"You know the Eight Inner Gates too, young man? That truly is what a man's youth should have! Great, I welcome the discussion." Upon hearing that someone else knew the Eight Inner Gates, Might Duy looked as if he had found a kindred spirit. He beamed, raised a thumbs-up, and his gleaming teeth reflected a dazzling light. His son, the man who would one day be revered as Emperor Guy, copied him with the same enthusiasm.

Thank you, Senior Might Duy. However, before that, I would first like to ask Lord Hatake for a sparring match. Beichen Haotian spoke in a deep voice.

"My father is very strong. You're no match for him." Young Kakashi Hatake, the future Copy Ninja, spoke arrogantly, his tone full of worship for his father.

Kakashi, do not be so rude. Haotian is your senior. You should call him Brother Haotian or Senior Haotian. And do not be arrogant. Haotian is one of Konoha's foremost geniuses, even more talented than you.

Senior Hatake flatters me.

"Then why haven't I heard of him? I only know Senior Minato." Kakashi said unwillingly.

Might Duy and Might Guy were equally bewildered. They had never heard of him either. Ever since Beichen Haotian joined Root, almost every trace of his former life had been erased. His former teammates were either silenced by Root or had died in battle.

"Your ranks are not high enough, so it is normal that you do not know. You only need to know that Haotian is a genius in no way inferior to Minato. Also, do not speak carelessly about Haotian in the future," Hatake Sakumo said with a stern expression.

Seeing Hatake Sakumo's serious expression, the others nodded as well. Though Might Duy was usually carefree, he knew what should and should not be done.

Senior Hatake, it isn't that serious. There is no need to be so stern. So what if the enemy knows of my existence? If one comes, I'll kill one; if two come, I'll kill them both. Senior Hatake, would you honor me with some guidance today? Afterward, I'll treat everyone to grilled meat at Konoha's best barbecue restaurant.

Good. I've often heard that you're a saber genius, Haotian. Today, I'll test your skills.

Then let's go to the back mountain.

Good.

The five of them set off together for the back mountain. Along the way, Might Guy and Kakashi Hatake frequently stole glances at Beichen Haotian, seemingly trying to see what abilities he possessed to earn such praise.

You three stay here. Haotian, let's go a little farther ahead.

All right.

The two arrived at the edge of the forest, while Might Duy stood several hundred meters away with the childhood best-friend duo to watch.

Let's begin, Senior Hatake.

Good.

As soon as the words fell, Beichen Haotian drew the Tang Saber from his back. The blood-red Tang Saber was utterly inconspicuous within its sheath, but the instant it was drawn, it carried an inexplicable pressure and emitted an eerie crimson glow.

The pressure was faint because Beichen Haotian had not stirred his killing intent. If he did, ninja with insufficiently firm wills would be pulled into Genjutsu by the crimson glow it emitted.

Senior Hatake, will this be a pure saber duel, or may we use Chakra?

A saber duel.

"Fine. Facing Senior Hatake, I'll have to go all out as well." Beichen Haotian smiled calmly. An invisible force enveloped the Tang Saber in his hand, and his aura merged with the blade, becoming indistinguishable from it. The invisible force silently sliced the falling leaves from the trees in half.

Hatake Sakumo's face showed shock as he sensed Beichen Haotian's aura. Somewhat disbelieving, he said, "Others called you a Sword Dao genius. I was only half-convinced before, but today I realize they were wrong. Haotian, you are a Sword Dao monster. At such a young age, you have actually reached the realm of Unity of Man and Blade, and achieved such perfect harmony with it!"

"Looks like I'll have to go all out too." As the words fell, Hatake Sakumo's aura changed as well, becoming like the White Fang Short Blade in his hand.

If Beichen Haotian's aura was domineering and razor-sharp, containing the intent of One Slash Breaks All Techniques, then Hatake Sakumo's aura was sharp and swift, containing endless variations.

Thanks to Pitfall Little G, Solitary Reflection, and reader 121 feelscorpio for the recommendation votes. I ask all readers for your support—favorites, subscriptions, recommendation votes, and monthly votes! Ahem, brothers, please support the official release. I was wondering why subscriptions kept dropping; a book written by a newbie like me has already been pirated... It's making my scalp tingle. Readers, this really hurts...