Xiaoyao Wise Heart Body

Konoha Hokage Headquarters

The hall was brightly lit. Scarlet candle flames flickered, and the shadows stretched the Third's gaunt figure long across the floor.

Several Anbu members knelt before him.

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

"Special Jōnin Gekko Hayate is blind in his right eye and still in critical condition. Yamashiro Aoba had his left hand severed; even if it can be treated, his strength will likely be greatly diminished. Namiashi Raidō suffered minor injuries."

"As for Kurenai and Asuma, the two Jōnin, their injuries were minor, and they're out of danger. Kakashi is gravely injured and unconscious. And if word of this gets out, it will certainly damage Konoha's reputation. Other countries may even seize the opportunity to attack us."

"And..."

A troubled look crossed the Anbu member's face. He seemed unsure whether to share what came next, but finally gritted his teeth.

"There are also people in the village blaming you, and the two advisors have voiced considerable objections."

The Anbu member looked saddened. The Third had fought on the front lines for the village, and even before his wounds had healed, he had resumed handling all the village's affairs. Yet the two advisors and Root were...

"Cough... You may leave," the Third said, wearily waving his hand.

Then he added, "Once all the other Jōnin have arrived, have them come here. There's something I need to tell them."

Feng Yao and the others had already left the Land of Fire without stopping. They were now far beyond the defensive perimeter of Konoha Ninja Village.

"Congratulations, host. Mission complete: Revenge on Konoha achieved. Konoha's damage: 20%. You also defeated the Third, dealing Konoha a psychological blow. Special reward granted."

"Xiaoyao Wise Heart Body."

Lying across Zabuza's back, Feng Yao heard the system's voice again and raised an eyebrow.

"Xiaoyao Wise Heart Body?"

He had received a potion from the system before that had improved his constitution, giving him a considerable boost in stamina and mental strength.

"Unlike the potion, this reward will completely transform your constitution. It will allow your body to use all types of techniques perfectly and increase the power of Senjutsu."

"For example, when using the White Fury Technique, you will no longer be affected by the intense light and vibrations in the air. When using other Senjutsu, your power will also be closer to that of the original practitioner."

"There are other benefits, but this system won't list them all. You'll discover them in time."

Feng Yao was slightly moved.

If that was true, it would be a huge help to him. There were some Senjutsu he couldn't use at all.

The reason was simple: they could easily harm him. Another issue was that his Senjutsu couldn't reach its full potential.

With the same amount of Senjutsu Chakra and the same technique, Kabuto's Inorganic Reincarnation was more powerful and cost him less than it did Feng Yao. That was because Kabuto had inherited Ryūchi Cave's teachings and used its Sage Mode.

Feng Yao, on the other hand, had only imitated the techniques with the system's help. Now that his constitution could perfectly accommodate every Senjutsu, how could he not be excited?

"Please prepare yourself, host."

As it spoke, a cool energy seeped from his mind into every part of his body, making him feel numb all over. Feng Yao, lying across Zabuza's back, couldn't help letting out a moan.

Zabuza nearly fell out of the tree in fright. Did his leader have some kind of unusual preference?

Then, dazzling blue light suddenly flashed across Feng Yao's body. Zabuza quickly stopped and set him down carefully, asking with concern, "Leader, what's wrong?"

Feng Yao shook his head at them, feeling the pure energy within him and growing excited.

"I'm fine. Just step back a little. I'll be done soon."

He quickly sat cross-legged and began absorbing it. The light around him grew brighter, forming a cocoon that enveloped him. Zabuza and Hideyoshi exchanged glances, finding their leader even more mysterious than before.

Inside the cocoon, countless black specks emerged from Feng Yao's body and then vanished into nothingness. His constitution was gradually changing.

He felt his body becoming more attuned to the world. Every cell within him was now completely different from before, like the difference between a child and an adult. He could withstand the side effects of the techniques he used.

His mind had changed the most. His mental strength had not only increased but also become purer. Ordinary genjutsu would probably have little effect on him.

His memory had also become clearer, and his thoughts flowed freely. He could even recall the twenty-some years he had spent on Earth in his previous life.

A full quarter of an hour passed.

Only then did the cocoon slowly disappear. Feng Yao's skin was fairer than before, and his bones seemed to gleam like jade beneath it.

His body was now truly immaculate, his mind at ease.

Even his height had increased considerably.

His gaze slowly fell on Zabuza and Hideyoshi. His eyes shone, and sharp glints flashed within them.

The moment Zabuza met his gaze, he felt as though every secret he had was laid bare—his techniques, his weaknesses, even his thoughts. It was the same feeling he got when facing the Sharingan. No, this was even more terrifying.

Hideyoshi also drew a deep breath. What struck him most was how Feng Yao's presence had changed. Feng Yao had always been powerful.

But before, he had lacked a certain quality of leadership. Now, Hideyoshi found himself wanting to submit to him without even realizing it.

And when the two of them stood near Feng Yao, their restless minds seemed to settle. Their whole bodies felt at ease, as if they were bathing in the gentlest sunlight, driving away the cold bloodlust and violence in their hearts.

"Leader... Your whole presence has changed so much," Hideyoshi said, his voice trembling slightly.

Feng Yao stood up. He could feel the immense changes within his body. His chakra reserves and recovery speed had both increased considerably, and he now understood the Senjutsu he had used before much more deeply.

"The host's constitution is now comparable to that of one of the rarest cultivation geniuses in the world of Naruto. Your aura will calm those around you, clear their minds, and dispel their negative emotions, making them instinctively rely on you. It will also help them train in ninjutsu more quickly. You can now be a capable leader."

Feng Yao suddenly understood. No wonder Zabuza and Hideyoshi had been looking at him so eagerly. He coughed lightly, bringing them back to their senses.

"Forgive me, leader... Oh, right. This is the intelligence I obtained from Konoha. Where should we go next?"

Zabuza quickly apologized and changed the subject. Feng Yao thought for a moment; in an instant, he had already come up with dozens of different plans.

He was surprised by his own ability to think. He could probably manage four things at once without a problem.

He took the intelligence scroll and glanced at it, then gave a cold snort. The one who had carried out the mission was indeed Tankyu, the Anbu Ninja who had hunted him that day.

He wanted to kill the man, but Anbu members were constantly sent out on missions; they weren't always in the village. He couldn't go back to Konoha just for Tankyu.

After thinking it over briefly, he reached a decision.

"Let's head to the Land of Water. Zabuza, I promised I'd help you. Now I'll make good on that promise."

Zabuza was taken aback, then immediately dropped to one knee. "Thank you, leader. Rest assured, even if I take Kirigakure, I'll still be one of the Immortals and will serve at your command."

"I believe you, Zabuza. Tell Haku to go to the Land of Water as well. We need his strength." Feng Yao helped Zabuza up and replied calmly.

"Yes, leader. Climb onto my back, and I'll carry you."

"That won't do. Brother Zabuza must be tired. Let me carry you."

"I'm not tired, brother Hideyoshi. You're too kind..."

"Let me. Let me..."

They had discovered that the closer they were to Feng Yao, the better they felt, and that it even helped them train in ninjutsu. Now the two of them were fighting over the task of carrying him.

"Cough, cough. There's no need. My chakra has mostly recovered, so I can walk on my own."

"Uh..."

If two beautiful women had fought over him, Feng Yao might have reluctantly accepted. But with two men, he'd pass.

The scene shifted to Konoha Ninja Village.

Besides the Third, who sat in the center, two people stood to the side: Konoha's senior advisors, "Mitokado Homura" and "Utatane Koharu."

The two of them were responsible for liaising with the Land of Fire on Konoha's behalf. They could offer the Hokage advice when needed and even change his decisions.

Konoha's Jōnin sensed that something was wrong.

In front of them were Konoha's Jōnin, along with Anbu and Root members. There was also a man with bandages wrapped around half his face and one arm. One eye was half closed, and his gaze seemed constantly full of suspicion and calculation. He looked deeply sinister. He was none other than Shimura Danzō, the leader of Root.

"The Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire is also taking the destruction of Kage Rock very seriously. They're extremely dissatisfied with Konoha's actions this time. This incident has affected not only Konoha but also the reputation of the Land of Fire."

"Indeed. And after this incident, the strength of Konoha Ninja Village has been weakened considerably. Our neighboring countries may make a bold move at any moment. At the emergency meeting of the Land of Fire held yesterday, we raised the question of whether the Third could continue in his position."

The two senior advisors took turns speaking, their words full of blame and reproach toward the Third. Listening to them, Might Guy angrily said, "If Lord Hokage hadn't fought with all his strength to hold them back, Konoha's losses would have been even worse. Where were you then?"

The two senior advisors were left speechless by his retort. It was the Third who finally came to their rescue.

"Cough. That's enough. The destruction of Kage Rock was my failure. I underestimated our opponent. I'm willing to resign as Hokage." After saying this, the Third seemed to grow even older.

"That won't do, Lord Hokage!"

"What will become of Konoha without your leadership?"

"Please reconsider, Lord Hokage!"

Everyone around them tried to talk him out of it. Only Danzō of Root wore a sinister smile, while the two advisors stood to the side like statues, their eyes lowered.

Konoha was about to undergo a great upheaval.