Third

Inuzuka Mi was confused.

"What do you mean, Keigo? Can you help me get over my fear of dogs?"

She asked instinctively.

But at the same time, her delicate body trembled as if she had thought of something terrifying.

Keigo Uchiha chuckled, a glimmer flashing in his eyes. "Of course not. You're allergic to dogs. That's something you were born with, and it's hard to change."

"But that doesn't mean you can't make a contract with a different kind of animal. If there's another summon you like, you could give it a try."

Inuzuka Mi's eyes lit up. "Really?"

She couldn't make a contract with a Ninja Dog.

If she could make one with another ninja beast, that would be even better.

It would greatly increase her strength!

"Of course."

Keigo Uchiha chuckled.

This would be very difficult for most people. After all, ninja beasts had usually been contracted by chance by their ancestors, with later generations continuing the tradition. Finding a ninja beast to contract on one's own wasn't easy.

"Leave it to me. It'll just take a little time."

Keigo Uchiha narrowed his eyes.

He seemed thoughtful.

"Then thank you, Keigo. I... I'll treat you to three-colored dango!"

Inuzuka Mi blushed, struggling to get the words out.

"But I still want dorayaki."

Keigo Uchiha said with a perfectly straight face.

"Th-then I'll treat you to dorayaki too, Keigo!"

Inuzuka Mi hurriedly replied, then lowered her head and said softly, "If... there's anything else you want to eat, I'll treat you to that too, Keigo!"

Keigo Uchiha burst out laughing.

"You're so cute. I was only teasing you. I'll treat you to whatever you want!"

He was teasing Inuzuka Mi.

Time flew by.

"Now it's time to teach you taijutsu!"

Kamimura Yanoi led everyone to the training ground. "You're at the stage where you're building your foundations. A ninja needs more than powerful chakra—they also need a strong body!"

"Some people can become Chunin, or even Jonin, through taijutsu alone!"

"That's enough to show how important taijutsu is!"

As he spoke,

he explained Konoha's taijutsu techniques, then had the kids begin training.

Of course, the Konoha taijutsu Kamimura Yanoi demonstrated was only the most basic kind, intended for beginners.

"Since I have the chance, I might as well try the Yotsuki Clan's Nintaijutsu!"

Watching everyone begin to train, Keigo Uchiha recalled the Yotsuki Clan's Nintaijutsu from his memories and started practicing without hesitation!

"First, use the chakra inside your body to fill your whole body. Make it surge through your chakra pathways and stimulate your body. It'll hurt, but your body will become stronger!"

Keigo Uchiha looked astonished.

This method of training was practically the same as self-harm!

Without great determination and the right technique, success was impossible!

But once mastered, it granted terrifying strength and physical toughness. Even ordinary ninjutsu wouldn't be able to harm him!

"Whip Kick!"

Keigo Uchiha shouted, as Lightning Release coursed through his entire body!

He suddenly swung his leg, his right leg carrying terrifying force as it slammed into a wooden post. It traced a faint semicircular arc, rising like a crescent moon into the sky!

The wooden post shattered, fragments flying everywhere. Wood chips burst into the air like snowflakes and scattered across the ground!

"Wh-what just happened?!"

Akimichi Lie stared in disbelief. The wooden post in front of him remained untouched; no matter how he attacked it, he couldn't leave so much as a mark.

"Can a person really do that? I'm training in taijutsu too, and I even have my clan's secret techniques to back me up. Why is the gap so huge?!"

Akimichi Lie felt like crying.

Back when he'd started school, his dad had told him

his taijutsu would be the strongest.

But now, standing before Keigo Uchiha, he was nothing but trash!

"Ha... ha... Don't compare yourself to that freak, Keigo Uchiha. He's not even human!"

Kurama Shimotsuki clenched her teeth.

Cold sweat beaded on her forehead.

Hyuga Ruri's pale eyes narrowed. "His taijutsu has already reached this terrifying level? My Eight Trigrams: One Hundred and Eight Palms wouldn't give me any advantage against an attack like that."

When would she ever catch up to him?

He was even stronger now!

"Keigo... you're amazing!"

Inuzuka Mi's cheeks flushed, and she beamed with delight.

"That guy... he really doesn't hold back when it comes to putting everyone else down."

Kamimura Yanoi couldn't help breaking into a cold sweat. He gave a bitter smile. "I was hoping Keigo Uchiha would struggle today, since he isn't good at taijutsu, and that I could use the opportunity to establish my authority as a teacher."

"Who would've thought my taijutsu wouldn't even measure up to that of a seven-year-old boy?"

How embarrassing!

His ninjutsu was powerful.

His perception was terrifying.

His swordsmanship could overpower the Moonlight Sword Dance, the specialty of a swordsmanship clan.

He'd awakened the Sharingan.

And his taijutsu was terrifying too.

Could a seven-year-old really do all that?

"Just how old will this guy be when he becomes a Jonin?"

For a moment, Kamimura Yanoi found himself looking forward to it. With someone like him around, Konoha's future... was bound to be anything but peaceful!

Keigo Uchiha shook his head and said thoughtfully, "When I used the Whip Kick just now, the chakra circulated through my whole body instead of gathering entirely in my leg."

He rubbed his chin. "And the Lightning Release didn't stimulate my body enough. Otherwise, the technique would've been even more powerful. I guess I still need to work on it."

Everyone: "..."

For crying out loud.

You're showing off, aren't you?

You definitely are!

Time passed.

In the blink of an eye, a month had gone by.

During that time, every member of the Senju Clan had worn the same expression of anger—the helpless kind.

"Damn it! Damn the Uchiha Clan! Why are they supporting Sarutobi Hiruzen? If the Uchiha Clan weren't backing him, then with the Senju Clan here, Sarutobi Hiruzen would never become the Third!"

Several Senju Clan elders smashed their teacups in fury.

But it changed nothing.

Sarutobi Hiruzen becoming the Third was already a done deal.

Atop the Hokage Building,

countless Konoha villagers and ninja stood in the open space, their eyes filled with anticipation and reverence!

"The Acting Hokage is finally going to become the Third. Everyone can see how much he's done for Konoha over the years!"

"Why are you still calling him the Acting Hokage? He's the Third now!"

"Konoha finally has a Hokage again!"

Lord Hiruzen truly has Konoha's best interests at heart. We're living comfortably now, there's no war, and life keeps getting better!"

The villagers talked among themselves.

Their faces shone with radiant smiles.

Keigo Uchiha chuckled. "There's a reason the Senju Clan is dying out. Sarutobi Hiruzen becoming the Third is already a done deal, and they're still making a scene."

He shook his head.

He really couldn't understand what the Senju Clan was thinking.

They were unbelievably stupid!