Persuading Naruto

"Naruto, do you really want to challenge me?"

Walking on the way home, Lin Feng asked Naruto, who was beside him, with a light chuckle.

"Of course! As long as I can defeat you, Sasuke, I can finally earn everyone's recognition!"

Naruto swung his fist, making no attempt to hide his intentions, and spoke bluntly.

Lin Feng was not surprised by Naruto's answer. He understood why Naruto longed for the approval of others; as an orphan who had grown up amidst cold stares and loneliness, Naruto felt an urgent need to change his situation and prove himself after entering the Ninja Academy.

"Naruto, I can accept your challenge, but only on the condition that you manage to do what I intend to do: graduate from the Ninja Academy and become a Genin in three months."

After a moment of contemplation, Lin Feng looked at Naruto and smiled.

"What? Become a Genin? In three months?"

"How is that even possible?"

Seemingly too shocked to process this, Naruto shouted immediately, his voice trembling by the time he reached the final four words.

Although Naruto was not particularly clever, he knew very well that it was nearly impossible for him to become a Genin in just three months.

"That's right. I plan to become a Genin in three months. If I am a Genin and you are still a student at the Academy, you won't be qualified to challenge me!"

Watching the look of shock on Naruto's face, Lin Feng replied calmly.

"Sasuke, are you sure you can become a Genin in three months? Isn't it only the sixth-year students who can become Genin after graduation?"

Naruto found it hard to believe that Lin Feng could pull this off and questioned him with skepticism.

"I am absolutely certain!"

Lin Feng nodded with a smile.

Once he mastered the Shadow Clone, his training speed would increase several times over. Reaching the graduation requirements in three months was not a difficult task for him.

The biggest obstacle might be the Konoha higher-ups refusing to let him graduate, but with the precedent set by Itachi, that likely wouldn't be much of a problem.

"Sasuke, you..."

The confidence Lin Feng displayed left Naruto momentarily stunned.

Looking at the dazed Naruto, Lin Feng said earnestly, "Naruto, in this world, as long as you work hard enough, you can accomplish what you set out to do. If you encounter a little difficulty and lack the courage to even face a challenge, then you will forever be a cowardly weakling!"

"Oh, and one more thing!" Lin Feng paused slightly, then added with a playful smile, "Sakura is also preparing to graduate from the Academy in three months. She, like me, has accepted this challenge!"

"What? Sakura... she actually wants to graduate from the Academy in three months too?"

Naruto was shocked once again.

"That's right. So, Naruto, if you want to earn everyone's recognition, you need to show some real strength, not just talk. If you can't even beat Sakura..."

"Then you might as well live the rest of your life with your tail between your legs!"

"Living a pathetic life forever!"

With his goal nearly achieved, Lin Feng delivered a harsh, provocative jab.

As Sasuke's words faded, Naruto's body began to tremble violently. His face, marked by whisker-like lines, now looked terrifyingly grim.

Although he had always been subjected to the cold stares and exclusion of the villagers, Naruto held onto his own bottom line and dignity. Sasuke's final two sentences had stung him deeply.

"Sasuke! You jerk!"

"I, Naruto, am not afraid of any difficulty or challenge! Three months from now, I will also graduate from the Academy!"

His teeth chattering, Naruto clenched his fists, his dark eyes seemingly burning with flames.

Having achieved the result he wanted, Lin Feng patted Naruto on the shoulder in a familiar manner and chuckled, "A man keeps his word, you know!"

"Hmph, save it!"

"I'm going home to train! Three months from now, just watch how I defeat you!"

Shrugging off Lin Feng's hand, Naruto turned around quickly and strode away after throwing those words over his shoulder.

Watching Naruto's retreating back, the corners of Lin Feng's mouth curled upward.

"Good luck, Naruto!"

After saying this, Lin Feng didn't linger any longer and turned to head toward the Uchiha clan district.

After the Nine-Tails incident, the Uchiha clan's district had been isolated by the Konoha higher-ups and moved from the center of Konoha to a remote corner, so it took Lin Feng quite a while to walk home.

When he saw the familiar "Gunbai" clan crest everywhere on the streets, Lin Feng knew he was almost home.

"Sasuke!"

After wandering the streets curiously for a while, just as Lin Feng was about to head home for dinner, a loud, clear voice called out from behind him.

Hearing the voice, Lin Feng turned his head to see Shisui Uchiha, dressed in a dark, high-collared short-sleeved shirt with a katana strapped to his back, standing behind him.

"Shisui!"

Lin Feng greeted him with a smile.

He had originally planned to seek out Shisui Uchiha once he was more familiar with Konoha, but he hadn't expected him to show up on his own. This made Lin Feng feel a bit excited.

"Sasuke, how are things going at the Ninja Academy?"

Patting Lin Feng on the shoulder, Shisui Uchiha asked with concern.

"The things they teach at the Ninja Academy are too basic. I plan to graduate as soon as possible."

Lin Feng spread his hands and answered truthfully.

"Itachi took only one year to graduate from the Ninja Academy. If you want to follow in your brother's footsteps, you'll have to work twice as hard!"

Hearing Lin Feng's words, Shisui Uchiha smiled slightly and offered encouragement.

"Mm..." Lin Feng nodded, then suddenly asked, "Shisui, could you teach me the Body Flicker Technique?"

Any technique capable of high-speed movement can be considered a Body Flicker Technique, including high-speed taijutsu, elemental ninjutsu, or space-time ninjutsu. Shisui Uchiha knew two types: one was a direct taijutsu-based Body Flicker, and the other required hand seals, known as the elemental Body Flicker.

"Why does Sasuke want to learn the Body Flicker Technique?"

Taken aback by Lin Feng's sudden request, Shisui Uchiha asked in return.

"The Body Flicker Technique is a must-learn for us ninjas. In terms of offense, it can deliver a fatal blow to the enemy, and even if you can't win, it's excellent for escaping!"

A smile appeared on Lin Feng's face as he shared his perspective on the technique.

"Heh, Sasuke is very clever. The taijutsu-based Body Flicker is simple and effective, yet it is often overlooked by other ninjas..."

Nodding with a smile, Shisui Uchiha expressed his full approval of Lin Feng's insight.

"So, Shisui, please teach me the Body Flicker Technique. No matter how hard the training is, I will definitely work hard to learn it."

Looking at Shisui Uchiha, Lin Feng made his determination to learn the technique clear.

"Then I'll start by teaching you the simplest version, the taijutsu-based Body Flicker! Once you've mastered that, we can move on to the more advanced elemental version."

Shisui Uchiha was a kind-hearted person, and without much hesitation, he agreed to Lin Feng's request.

"Great! Let's not waste any time—let's start right now!"

Given Lin Feng's current abilities, learning the most basic and simple Body Flicker Technique was perfect, so he shouted with excitement.

"Let's go. We'll head to the woods; there's a spot there suitable for training."

Patting Lin Feng on the shoulder, Shisui Uchiha smiled.

"Mm!"

Nodding, Lin Feng followed Shisui Uchiha toward the woods.