The Flying Thunder God Technique granted by the system was divided into three stages. The first was no different from the versions used by the Second and Fourth Hokage: they marked stationary objects with the Flying Thunder God Formula, then instantly teleported to them.
The Second Hokage had used kunai, the Flying Thunder God Technique's first stage, and a sword to perform the Flying Thunder God Slash, defeating Izuna Uchiha.
The technique known as the "Flying Thunder God Second Stage" came about because the Fourth Hokage had revised and innovated upon it, greatly simplifying the Flying Thunder God Formula. He would teleport above an enemy, then slam down a Rasengan.
Honestly, there wasn't much difference between Minato's so-called Flying Thunder God Second Stage and the Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God Slash. Both involved using a kunai to get close to the enemy, then launching an immediate attack to take them down. The only difference was that the Fourth Hokage used the Flying Thunder God Technique with greater tactical purpose.
The Fourth Hokage threw out a great many kunai, and no one knew where he would appear.
But the second stage of the Flying Thunder God Technique granted by the system far surpassed their level of mastery.
The user could apply the Flying Thunder God Formula directly to any chakra-based technique, such as Shadow Clone, Substitution Technique, or Transformation Technique.
For example, if someone attacked Qingyun and he used the Substitution Technique, the attack would hit a piece of wood. The Flying Thunder God Formula would be left on that piece of wood.
Then, if the enemy let their guard down, Qingyun could appear from the wood and kill them in an instant.
So, once he mastered the second stage of the Flying Thunder God Technique, Qingyun wouldn't need to place the Flying Thunder God Formula in advance. He'd only need to use the Shuriken Shadow Clone, and every shuriken in the area would carry the Flying Thunder God Formula!
What's more, this Flying Thunder God Formula was invisible to the naked eye.
As for the third stage, it was beyond the reach of ordinary people. If he mastered it, he would be able to travel freely to any place in the world.
For now, though, the Flying Thunder God Technique's third stage was still out of Qingyun's reach.
Looks like the most important thing right now is to master the first stage of the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Qingyun got straight to it and threw himself back into training.
The night passed quickly. Qingyun slept soundly until he woke naturally, then immediately realized something was wrong.
Oh no! How could I forget about class assignments today? Qingyun didn't even bother to tidy himself up. He threw on his clothes and hurried to the Ninja Academy.
When Qingyun entered his classroom, he found that almost all his classmates had already scattered. Only two figures remained.
"Sorry I'm late." Qingyun set aside his usual arrogance and apologized at once. The person waiting for him in the classroom was none other than Minato.
"It's all right, Qingyun. Let me introduce you. This is Senju Yoshihime, of the Senju Clan." Minato didn't blame Qingyun. Instead, he gestured to the girl beside him.
She didn't have Tsunade's blond hair. Hers was a dazzling shade of purple. Her features were delicate, her skin smooth and dewy, and her eyes still had a youthful look.
"So you're Qingyun—the four-year-old who even beat a Chunin?" The student known as Senju Yoshihime seemed very interested in Qingyun, though she didn't appear to believe he was as strong as people said.
"Hi, I'm Qingyun. Everyone else has already left. Why are you two still here?" Qingyun asked.
"Of course we're waiting for you. The teacher assigned the three of us to a team," Yoshihime explained. "The teacher told us to wait in the classroom for you, then head to the training ground to meet up. It sounds like we have an important mission."
"Sorry. Training was exhausting. Let's get going, then." Qingyun thought he would have to earn the approval of the teacher leading their team.
But Yoshihime shook her head. "No rush. The teacher told us to meet this afternoon. He also gave us a task: to teach you a lesson for always being late."
"Sorry, Qingyun. The teacher really did say that, but maybe we should just let it go, Yoshihime?" Minato knew the situation was awkward and immediately tried to smooth things over.
"No. We have to do what the teacher says, and I want to get to know you better, Qingyun," Yoshihime replied. "People call both Minato and you geniuses of Konoha. I may not shine as brightly as you do, but I'm one of the few members of the Senju Clan with a Kekkei Genkai."
"I want to fight you!" Yoshihime said, staring at Qingyun with determination. He could tell that this girl was no pushover.
Qingyun didn't think twice. He smiled. "Sure. I'd be happy to. Let's have a match on the training ground, then. Minato can be the referee."
"In that case, I suppose we have no choice." Minato was troubled, but there was nothing he could do. Since they would be teammates from now on, they naturally had to find out who was stronger.
Qingyun, Minato, and Yoshihime headed to the training ground. Minato promptly announced, "Get ready. Begin!"
But even though he had called the start, neither of them moved.
They stared at each other in perfect understanding, then charged at each other at nearly the exact same moment.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Creation!" Senju Yoshihime wasn't playacting—she used a Wood Release technique, and countless vines really did twist up from the ground. They looked quite powerful.
Where did this girl come from? Qingyun couldn't make sense of it.
"Hashirama Senju is the only member of the Senju Clan who can use Wood Release. Even Tobirama Senju can't use it. So how can this little girl use Wood Release?"
Qingyun found it very strange and immediately called out to the system.
"Can you explain this to me, system?"
The system responded at once. "Greetings, host. The person known as Senju Yoshihime is a new character created by the causal cycle after you came to this world."
"This girl does not exist in the original story. She appeared by chance because of your arrival, so you must take her seriously. A member of the Senju Clan who can use Wood Release is worthy of your attention, regardless of her abilities or identity." After giving this brief explanation, the system disappeared.
All right! It's just as I thought. In that case, there's no need to overthink it. I just have to beat her! Qingyun got straight to it. Facing Yoshihime's encircling vines, he revealed his trump card.
"Rumble-Rumble Fruit!" Lightning coursed over Qingyun's entire body. Its power didn't come from chakra, so even when Wood Release vines wrapped around him, it wouldn't be neutralized. The terrifying lightning continued to crackle around him.
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