The Entrance Duel

Having arrived in Konoha for over half a year, Qingyun was naturally very familiar with the surrounding architecture.

The main street was the most prosperous area of Konoha, lined with shops that not only sold items needed by ninjas but also catered to the needs of civilians.

Walking here, Qingyun often felt as if he were still in his own world.

I never expected to be able to wander so freely in the Naruto world; it's truly moving. I wonder when Ichiraku Ramen will open for business.

The currently famous Ichiraku Ramen had not yet opened, but Qingyun estimated it would be a few years away.

After Qingyun transmigrated, he saw the Konoha Face Rock, which featured the carvings of the First Hokage Hashirama, the Second Hokage Tobirama, and the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, but no carving of the Fourth.

Furthermore, there was no tense, pre-war atmosphere in the village recently, so it was easy to deduce that the Third Shinobi World War had not yet begun.

The Ninja Academy was not on the main street, but one had to pass by it; Qingyun had important business to attend to and did not waste any more time.

Qingyun quickly crossed the street and arrived at the main gate of the Konoha Ninja Academy.

At the school entrance, there was a tree, and a swing hung beside it.

It seems this is the swing that Naruto loves to sit on in the future, Qingyun guessed.

Just as Qingyun was preparing to enter the school, a voice suddenly called out.

"Hey, who goes there?" An old man walked out from a small room that looked like a guardhouse.

"Little one, what are you doing here?" Once the old man saw Qingyun, his guard dropped.

"Hello, Grandpa. I'm here to enroll in the Ninja Academy; I need to handle the admission procedures," Qingyun stated his purpose directly.

"You? Child, where are your parents? You need a guardian to enroll, and besides, the term has already started; even if you were admitted, you could only join as a transfer student," the old man replied to Qingyun's question with genuine concern.

Qingyun shook his head and said, "I am an orphan. I have no guardian. How can I become a transfer student?"

Hearing that Qingyun had no guardian, the old man fell silent for a moment.

"I don't have the final say on this. Why don't you go find the teacher in charge of admissions?"

The old man was kind; after speaking, he let Qingyun inside directly. Qingyun felt that the old man must have felt pity for him upon hearing he was an orphan.

Qingyun did not find the so-called teacher in charge of admissions; instead, he went straight to the principal of the Ninja Academy. He figured the Ninja Academy probably didn't have all the various departments it would have in later generations.

The principal of the Ninja Academy was likely a ninja himself, appearing to be in his thirties or forties, with a very kind expression.

"Eh? Little one, it's class time now. Why are you sneaking around?" The principal's tone was somewhat stern, not as kind as he looked.

"Hello, Principal. I am not a student of this school. My purpose for coming here is to enroll as a transfer student," Qingyun said.

"Enroll as a transfer student? Where are your parents? How old are you?" The principal asked a series of questions.

"Yes, as a transfer student. I have no parents, and I am three and a half years old," Qingyun said straightforwardly.

"An orphan, and three and a half... You are too young," the principal shook his head. "Even if you want to enroll, it is still a bit early for your age. Come back when you are five."

The principal then waved his hand, signaling for Qingyun to leave.

However, Qingyun did not leave.

"Principal, although I am only three and a half, I absolutely possess the strength of a genin. If you don't want to let me enroll, then allow me to be recommended to the Third Hokage, and tell him I am capable of serving as a genin."

Hearing Qingyun's mature words, the principal couldn't help but laugh.

"Little one, this is no place for jokes. This is the Ninja Academy, a place to train ninjas. Being a ninja is not an easy profession to master."

"Since you are an orphan, I can mention you to the Third Hokage and have you enter a regular civilian school to study. When you grow up, you can do things other than being a ninja; that would be quite good," the principal said.

Qingyun shook his head and said directly, "This era is the era of ninjas. If I were to pursue another profession, I'm afraid that wouldn't be very good, would it?"

Seeing that the principal was in a difficult position, Qingyun began to speak eloquently.

"After the First and Second Shinobi World Wars, the conflicts between the great nations have not been eliminated. Small nations are barely clinging to life on the edge of extinction. I believe that within ten years, the Third Shinobi World War will arrive. At such a time, if one does not become a ninja to protect the village, what is the point of living a mediocre life?"

Qingyun's words shocked the principal. He could never have imagined that a three-and-a-half-year-old child could analyze the situation like this.

"Little one, who did you hear these things from?" The principal guessed that someone must have taught Qingyun to say this.

"Principal, I figured these things out myself. Principal, please give me a chance! Whether it is my mindset or my strength, I have both. Please make an exception and let me enroll!"

Seeing that the principal was somewhat moved, Qingyun immediately decided to prove himself with action.

Qingyun then formed the hand seals directly and said, "Ninja Art: Shadow Clone Technique!"

With a thud, a puff of smoke appeared, and another little Qingyun stood beside him.

"What!? The Shadow Clone Technique!?" This time, the principal was truly shocked. If the previous words could be attributed to someone teaching him, how could he explain the Shadow Clone Technique?

The Shadow Clone Technique was a B-rank ninjutsu. A child who could perform the Shadow Clone Technique at three and a half would, at the very least, be an elite jonin in the future, if not a Kage-level powerhouse!

"Child! I apologize; I was rude just now. I need to report this matter to the Third Hokage immediately."

"Good!" Qingyun felt relieved; he was truly afraid the principal wouldn't tell the Third Hokage.

He didn't actually care about studying here; coming here was merely to complete the mission issued by the system. Once he became a genin, he would receive the system's reward: the chakra of an elite jonin.

The principal then had another teacher deliver the message. Soon, that teacher returned and whispered something into the principal's ear.

The principal nodded and smiled, "Very well, the Third Hokage has approved your application for enrollment, but there is one prerequisite."

"What prerequisite?"

"We will arrange a match, and you will need to fight the most formidable child in the Ninja Academy. Only by winning can you become a transfer student and enter the Ninja Academy to study," the principal said.

"No problem, I can start at any time," Qingyun replied with great confidence; he knew this was an opportunity the Third Hokage had granted him.

"However, you only have one chance. Your opponent is a student about to graduate from the Ninja Academy, and he is already ten years old. One could say the fight between you two is not fair," the principal warned him in advance.

I wonder who is really at a disadvantage, Qingyun thought to himself.

Qingyun possessed many hidden cards; regardless of who the opponent was, he would defeat him.

"What is the opponent's name?"