Xiaoyao Wise Heart Body

Konoha Hokage Headquarters.

The hall was brightly lit, the vivid red candlelight flickering and casting long, drawn-out shadows of the Third Hokage's gaunt frame.

Several Anbu members knelt before him.

One of them broke the silence: "Lord Hokage, Konoha has suffered heavy losses this time. Not only was the Hokage Rock completely destroyed, but nearly a hundred people nearby were injured."

"Special Jōnin Gekko Hayate has been blinded in his right eye and is not yet out of danger; Yamashiro Aoba had his left arm severed, and even if it heals, his strength will likely be greatly diminished; Namiashi Raidō sustained minor injuries."

"As for Jōnin Kurenai and Asuma, they only suffered minor injuries and are out of danger. Kakashi is critically injured and remains unconscious. Furthermore, if word of this incident spreads, it will surely damage Konoha's prestige and might even invite other nations to seize the opportunity to attack."

"There is more..."

A look of hesitation flickered across the Anbu member's face, as if he were debating whether to continue, but he finally gritted his teeth.

"There are voices in the village blaming you, and the two advisors have also expressed their dissatisfaction."

A trace of sorrow flashed across the Anbu member's face. The Third Hokage had been fighting on the front lines for the sake of the village, and before his wounds had even healed, he had returned to managing the village's affairs, yet the two advisors and the members of Root were...

"Cough... You may leave for now," the Third Hokage waved his hand wearily.

He then added, "Once the other Jōnin have all arrived, have them come here. I have matters to entrust to them."

Feng Yao and his group had already left the Land of Fire without pause and were now far beyond the defensive perimeter of Konoha.

"Congratulations to the host for completing the mission: Revenge on Konoha achieved. Konoha damage level: 20%. Simultaneously, the host defeated the Third Hokage, dealing a mental blow to Konoha. Special reward granted."

"Xiaoyao Wise Heart Body"

Lying on Zabuza's back, Feng Yao heard the system's voice once again and raised his eyebrows.

"Xiaoyao Wise Heart Body?"

He had previously received a constitution-enhancing potion from the system, which had significantly boosted his physical and mental stats.

"Unlike the potion, this permanently alters the host's constitution. It will allow your body to perfectly utilize all types of jutsu and increase the power of your Sage Mode."

"For instance, when the host uses the White Fury Technique, you will no longer be affected by the intense light and air vibrations. When using other Sage Arts, your output will be closer to that of the original practitioners."

"There are other benefits, but this system will not list them all; the host will naturally discover them in time."

Hearing this, Feng Yao was slightly moved.

If this were true, it would be of immense help to him. In fact, there were parts of his Sage Arts that he simply could not use.

It wasn't for any other reason than the risk of self-injury, and the fact that he couldn't unleash the full potential of the techniques.

With the same amount of Sage chakra and the same technique—for example, if Kabuto were to use Inorganic Reincarnation, the power would be greater and the consumption lower because he had received the inheritance of Ryūchi Cave and possessed the true Sage Mode of Ryūchi Cave.

He had been using the system to mimic the techniques, so how could he not be excited now that his constitution could perfectly harmonize with every Sage Art?

"Host, please prepare."

As the system spoke, a cool energy permeated from his mind into his limbs and bones, leaving his entire body tingling. Feng Yao couldn't help but groan as he lay on Zabuza.

Zabuza was so startled he nearly fell from the tree. Did his leader have some sort of peculiar habit?

Suddenly, a dazzling blue light erupted from Feng Yao's body. Zabuza quickly stopped and propped Feng Yao against a tree, asking with concern, "Leader, what is happening to you?"

Feng Yao shook his head at them, feeling a surge of excitement as he sensed the pure energy within him.

"It's nothing. Move back a little; I'll be fine in a moment."

He quickly sat cross-legged to absorb the energy. The light on his body intensified, forming a cocoon of light that enveloped him. Zabuza and Hideyoshi exchanged glances, feeling their leader's mystery deepen even further.

Inside the cocoon, dense black specks were being purged from Feng Yao's body, dissolving into nothingness. His constitution was changing bit by bit.

He felt his body becoming more integrated with the world; every cell within him was vastly different from before. It was like the difference between a child and an adult, now capable of adapting to the side effects of his current techniques.

His mind, in particular, had not only improved in mental strength but had become purer; he doubted that ordinary genjutsu would have any effect on him anymore.

His memory was clearer than ever, his thoughts exceptionally lucid, and he could even recall his twenty-plus years of experience from his previous life on Earth.

A full cup of tea's time passed.

The cocoon of light slowly faded. Feng Yao's skin was fairer than before, and through it, one could almost see his bones, which were as crystalline as jade.

His body was now truly immaculate and pure—a Xiaoyao Wise Heart.

He had even grown quite a bit taller.

He slowly looked toward Zabuza and Hideyoshi, his eyes shimmering with a piercing, brilliant light.

When Zabuza was stared at, it felt as if every secret he held had been laid bare—his ninjutsu, his weaknesses, his psyche. This was a sensation he had only felt when facing the Sharingan; no, this feeling was even more terrifying than the Sharingan.

Hideyoshi also took a deep breath. What he felt more acutely was the change in Feng Yao's aura. Although Feng Yao had always been powerful, he had previously lacked a certain leader's charisma. Now, standing before him, Hideyoshi felt an uncontrollable urge to submit.

Moreover, while in Feng Yao's presence, their restless minds seemed to calm down. Their entire bodies felt refreshed, as if they were bathing in the gentlest sunlight, which dispelled the cold killing intent and violence in their hearts.

"Leader... your aura has changed so drastically."

Hideyoshi spoke with a slight tremor in his voice.

Feng Yao stood up, feeling the immense changes within his own body. His chakra reserves and recovery speed had improved significantly, and his understanding of the Immortal arts he had previously utilized had become far more profound.

"The host's current constitution is equivalent to a one-in-a-million cultivation genius in the world of Naruto. Furthermore, your aura will calm the minds of those around you, dispelling negative emotions and causing others to rely on you subconsciously. It will also allow for faster cultivation of ninjutsu, ensuring the host can become a qualified leader."

Feng Yao realized with a start; no wonder Zabuza and his companion were looking at him with such hunger. He gave a light cough, bringing the two back to their senses.

"Forgive our lapse, Leader... By the way, this is the intelligence I obtained from Konoha. Where is our next plan of action?"

Zabuza hurriedly apologized and changed the subject. Feng Yao pondered for a moment, and within seconds, he had already devised dozens of different plans.

He was surprised by his own current cognitive abilities; he felt he could easily multitask four different lines of thought without any issue.

He took the intelligence scroll and glanced at it, letting out a cold snort. The Anbu ninja who had executed the mission was indeed Tankyu, the one who had pursued him that day.

He wanted nothing more than to kill the man, but every Anbu member was constantly out on missions and not always in the village. He could not return to Konoha just for the sake of Tankyu.

After a brief moment of thought, he arrived at an answer.

"Let us head to the Land of Water. Zabuza, I am here to help you fulfill the promise I made to you."

Hearing this, Zabuza was slightly stunned before immediately dropping to one knee: "Many thanks, Leader. Please rest assured, even if I take over Kirigakure, I will remain a member of the Immortal, at your beck and call."

"I trust you, Zabuza. Order Haku to head to the Land of Water as well; we need his strength." Feng Yao helped Zabuza up and replied calmly.

"Yes, Leader. Please, come up; let me carry you on my back so we can make better time."

"That won't do. Brother Zabuza must be tired from earlier; let me carry him."

"I'm not tired, Brother Hideyoshi, you are too kind..."

"Let me, let me..."

They had discovered that the closer they were to Feng Yao, the more refreshed their bodies felt, and it even provided benefits to their ninjutsu cultivation. Now, both men were fighting over the task of carrying him.

"Ahem, no need. My chakra has mostly recovered; I can walk on my own."

"Uh..."

If it were two beautiful women fighting over him, Feng Yao might have begrudgingly accepted, but being fought over by two grown men? He would rather pass.

The scene shifts to Konoha Ninja Village.

Aside from the Third Hokage sitting in the center, two people stood beside him: the high-ranking advisors of Konoha, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

These two were responsible for liaising with the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire, and under certain circumstances, they provided advice to the Hokage or could even alter his decisions.

The jonin of Konoha felt a vague sense of unease.

Standing before them, in addition to the jonin, were members of the Anbu and Root. There was also a man with half his face and one arm wrapped in bandages, one eye slightly squinted, his gaze perpetually filled with suspicion and calculation. He looked incredibly gloomy—it was the leader of Root, Shimura Danzō.

"The Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire attaches great importance to this incident regarding the destruction of the Hokage Rock. They are extremely dissatisfied with Konoha's actions this time. This matter has not only affected Konoha but has also damaged the reputation of the Land of Fire."

"Indeed. Furthermore, after this event, the strength of Konoha Ninja Village has been reduced to a certain degree, and neighboring countries may make bold moves at any time. In yesterday's emergency meeting of the Land of Fire, we questioned whether the Third Hokage could continue to serve in his position."

The two high-ranking advisors spoke one after another, their words filled with blame and pressure toward the Third Hokage. Might Guy, listening from below, spoke up in anger.

"If it weren't for the Hokage-sama risking his life to hold them back, I fear the losses to Konoha would have been even more catastrophic! Where were you two at that time?"

These words left the two high-ranking advisors speechless, until the Third Hokage stepped in to defuse the situation.

"Cough, enough. The incident with the Hokage Rock was my dereliction of duty. I underestimated the opponent. I voluntarily resign from the position of Hokage." After the Third Hokage said this, he seemed to age even further.

"That won't do, Hokage-sama."

"What will Konoha do without your leadership?"

"We implore you to reconsider, Hokage-sama."

Those around them began to urge him to stay, but only Danzō of Root revealed a gloomy smile. The two advisors stood to the side like statues, eyes fixed on their noses, noses fixed on their hearts.

Konoha was about to change.