Qingyu: I'm going to fight Sarutobi Hiruzen? Seriously?

One week later.

Qingyu and Kakashi walked into the Hokage Building side by side. The two had already discussed it the night before and decided to submit their applications for early graduation together.

The Chunin in charge of receiving the applicants paused for a moment Chunin he saw the two young faces before taking the application forms and hurriedly running upstairs to inform them.

The exam was held in a spacious training room inside the Ninja Academy.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in the main seat, surrounded by several supervising teachers, including Umino Shika. Looking at his two star students, he couldn't hide his pride.

It's safe now, everything's safe!

He's a shoo-in for outstanding teacher this year!

Both Qingyu and Kakashi passed the tests on "Transformation Technique" and "Clone Technique" flawlessly.

Kakashi's clones were solid and stable, with such realistic details that even his instructors couldn't distinguish between them.

Qingyu's Transformation Technique was so precise that it even affected the folds of his clothes. Umino Shika mentally gave him a perfect score for his control.

After the basic assessment was over, Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up from his seat.

He took off his Hokage robe, casually draped it over the back of the chair, and stretched his wrists.

"It's been a long time since I've had students applying for early graduation this early. I happen to have some free time today, so I'll give you guys a try myself."

The instructors in the examination room looked at each other in bewilderment.

The Third Hokage personally examined the students, something that hadn't happened in many years.

Kakashi glanced at Qingyu subconsciously, and Qingyu was also somewhat surprised.

I'm fighting Sarutobi Hiruzen?

Is it true or false?

"Of course, Lord Hokage."

Despite inwardly complaining, Qingyu still responded to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Sarutobi Hiruzen certainly wouldn't bully a junior like him; he'd just be testing his strength.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze swept back and forth between the two, finally settling on Qingyu.

"Qingyu, you go first."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was more familiar with Qingyu, so he decided to try Qingyu first.

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Qingyu nodded and walked directly towards Sarutobi Hiruzen. He didn't draw his sword, didn't Hand Seals, and didn't even adopt a basic defensive stance. He simply walked straight towards the Strongest Hokage in the Shinobi World. Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned slightly as he watched the unsuspecting child approaching him.

"Qingyu, a ninja should think twice before acting, especially when facing a stronger opponent. You rushed in without any preparation..."

"Lord Hokage, I was prepared long ago."

Before he could finish speaking, Qingyu's Chakra exploded beneath his feet, and he leaped into the air.

He raised his right fist high and slammed it down heavily in the direction of Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Sarutobi Hiruzen his hand to block.

The two fists collided with a dull thud, and the shockwave ripped several pages of paper off the wall of the training room.

Sarutobi Hiruzen raised an eyebrow slightly; this kid's strength was far greater than he had anticipated.

The two were locked in a stalemate for a moment, locked in a struggle.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's lower body was as stable as a rock. He lowered his center of gravity, preparing to use the momentum to throw Qingyu into the air.

"Qingyu!"

Kakashi was somewhat worried.

He soon discovered that the situation on the field had changed again.

Just Setsuna Sarutobi Hiruzen unleashed his power, a completely different force suddenly erupted from Qingyu's fist.

Qingyu unleashed his "Strength of a Hundred" Chakra, and at the same time, his fist was covered in white Chakra Flames, shaped like a sword tip.

Knowing that this was the [Strongest Hokage], Qingyu also added the power of [Sword Bone] to it.

Boom!

Sarutobi Hiruzen's body began to shatter.

But the next moment, his body turned a dull yellow.

"It's soil..."

Kakashi was stunned.

He didn't even see when Sarutobi Hiruzen released the Ninjutsu.

The soil fell and scattered on the floor.

The real Sarutobi Hiruzen had retreated several steps away at some point. He looked down at the back of his hand, where a faint bloodstain was visible on his skin.

Although it was just a minor scrape, it was still an injury.

Earth Release: Earth Substitute.

Just before being hit, Sarutobi Hiruzen covered his body with a layer of Earth Release Chakra to disguise it as his own form, while his real body shed its shell and emerged backward.

This was a technique he rarely used; he couldn't even remember the last time he was forced to use it to escape.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was also impressed by Qingyu's unexpected move.

Who would have thought that Qingyu would possess such Strength of a Hundred at such a young age?

Keep in mind, Tsunade at her age doesn't possess Strength of a Hundred.

Moreover, Qingyu seems to possess a special secret technique that enhances its power.

The current results are the result of combining both approaches.

"So sharp."

Sarutobi Hiruzen wiped the blood from the back of his hand.

[Collectible Trait Detected: The Will of the Third Hokage]

[C-Rank Trait: The Will of the Third Hokage]

[Effect: When practicing Earth Release Ninjutsu, you will receive a boost to your comprehension from Sarutobi Hiruzen Sarutobi's childhood.]

Qingyu withdrew his fist, and the white Chakra wrapped around it slowly dissipated.

His breathing only quickened slightly before returning to normal.

C-Rank Trait, just like last time, it's a bonus to comprehension from his youth. Sarutobi Hiruzen should have even more good things on him.

Qingyu suddenly realized that [The Strongest Hokage] was indeed powerful, with a drop rate much higher than others.

"You flatter me, Lord Hokage. You were careless this time. Next time, it won't be so easy for me."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at him, his eyes filled with both admiration and regret.

Qingyu's ability to seize opportunities is too strong. From the moment he underestimated his opponent, to the moment he used "Strength of a Hundred" and [Sword Bone] to unleash a fatal blow.

Such a fighting instinct cannot be taught.

It's a pity that Qingyu is still a hothouse flower, lacking real combat experience.

He was, after all, someone who had experienced the Shinobi World War; this level of experience wasn't enough to make him truly take it seriously.

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and loosened his wrists again.

Ask Qingyu what secret technique she had just used.

"Lord Hokage, this is... a secret technique I created myself."

Qingyu said.

Neither the Senju Clan Uchiha Clan possessed a similar technique, so Qingyu was referring to it as self-created.

"Original creation?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen surprised, his eyes filled with delight.

As a ninja proficient in all Five Basic Nature Transformations and knowledgeable of most of Konoha's secret and Forbidden Jutsu, he was well aware of the difficulty involved.

Konoha has never lacked geniuses.

However, most people simply use the Ninjutsu of their predecessors, and very few people develop new Ninjutsu.

Each additional Ninjutsu would give Konoha a greater foundation.

Qingyu is now capable of creating her own Ninjutsu.

If Qingyu could create many techniques like Teacher Tobirama, then Konoha's strength would be further enhanced.

This child not only resembles me, but also seems to be my teacher.

Thinking of this, Sarutobi Hiruzen also began to look forward to it.

"You truly are a genius to have such abilities."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed.

"Lord Hokage, Kakashi is actually creating his own Ninjutsu."

Qingyu spoke.