Blown Up By Myself

Uchiha Chen used his clones to toss a large number of spherical objects simultaneously.

These things looked quite heavy, yet they did not give Sarutobi Hiruzen a sense of danger.

However, out of caution, he still chose to destroy these unknown items.

Yet, this was exactly what Uchiha Chen needed.

Underestimating the enemy and relying on habit—these were all part of Uchiha Chen's plan, and only by leveraging these could he have even the slightest chance to achieve the next step.

Sarutobi Hiruzen fired several kunai, easily destroying the ceramic spheres.

Consequently, in the next second, an overwhelming stench erupted.

Having prepared in advance, Uchiha Chen had already put on a mask, while the poor Third Hokage fell right into the trap.

His original intention in accepting Uchiha Chen's challenge was just to slip away and take a break to clear his mind, but he ended up being knocked unconscious by Chen's special weapon.

"It seems everything went smoothly. System, I have truly defeated the Third Hokage."

Uchiha Chen spoke with a smile, while simultaneously considering whether he should take the opportunity to finish off the Third Hokage.

Although the Uchiha Clan massacre was not carried out by the Third Hokage himself, it was clearly related to him.

The darkness within Konoha was indeed the work of that wretch Danzo, but it was also tied to the Third Hokage's indulgence and negligence.

However, Uchiha Chen soon abandoned this thought.

After all, many Anbu knew that he was the one challenging the Third Hokage; furthermore, if the Third Hokage were to die, it was nine-to-one that that fellow Danzo would take power.

That was clearly not a good thing.

"This actually worked? Is this really the Third Hokage?"

The system's voice rang out, filled with disbelief.

The Third Hokage, known as the Professor of Ninjutsu, was actually knocked out by a stench? Who would believe that if it got out?

"System, you aren't planning to deny that the mission is complete, are you?"

"Ding, system notification: Challenge mission complete. Victory against Sarutobi Hiruzen achieved. Mission rewards are being calculated... Calculation complete. Evaluation: S-Rank. Mission rewards: Fire Release Mastery LV1, Great Fireball Technique level increased by LV1, Shadow Clone Technique level increased by LV1. One XX dress, one XXXXXX."

The previous rewards were normal enough, but by the end, the system gave its usual mosaic, to which Chen could only choose to ignore.

"How did you win so easily? Is the Third Hokage really that weak?"

The system remained very puzzled, while Chen felt smug in his heart.

On one hand, he had successfully defeated the Third Hokage and completed the mission; on the other hand, Chen discovered that his system was not the omniscient and omnipotent entity he had originally guessed.

Or rather, the system could not predict what would happen next, a realization that brought Chen a sense of relief.

After all, he did not want his life to be manipulated by others like a puppet.

"System, I can roughly understand the level increase, but what is that Fire Release Mastery?"

"Attribute Mastery is a passive ability that can increase the power and effects of all skills of that attribute, while also negating attribute suppression, unless the opponent's mastery level in the suppressing attribute is higher than your mastery level in the suppressed attribute. For example, Water Release suppresses Fire Release, and Water Release has a certain suppressive effect on Fire Release. With Fire Release Mastery, your Fire Release will not be suppressed by Water Release, unless the opponent's Water Release Mastery level is higher than yours. However, in this world, I am the only system, and even the Otsutsuki Clan in the ninja world does not possess Attribute Mastery. Therefore, with LV1 Fire Release Mastery, you can permanently negate the suppression effect of Water Release."

After listening to the system's explanation, Chen nodded; Attribute Mastery was indeed a good thing.

Aside from the ability to negate attribute suppression, the indiscriminate boost to single-attribute ninjutsu was also very meaningful.

For now, he only had the Great Fireball Technique, which was fine, but once he possessed powerful ninjutsu like Majestic Destroyer Flame in the future, the effect of Fire Release Mastery would truly manifest.

Having acquired a new ability, Chen wanted to test it out.

Since the Third Hokage would take a while to wake up, he began weaving hand signs to release the Great Fireball Technique toward an empty field.

As the final sign was completed, a massive fireball with a diameter of ten meters appeared, and Uchiha Chen could feel the terrifying high temperature of the flames.

Although Fire Release was known as the "Merciful Fire," Chen believed that anyone hit directly by this fireball would likely be dead or crippled.

However, Uchiha Chen had overlooked one very important thing.

That was the location where he released the ninjutsu.

Originally, this was indeed a training ground, and there would have been no problem using ninjutsu here.

But because of the "biochemical weapon" Uchiha Chen had just used, the conditions in the surrounding area had changed.

Consequently, when the flames appeared, BOOM!

A violent explosion occurred, and Uchiha Chen was swallowed by the blast, instantly losing consciousness.

"Where is this?"

It was noon the next day when Uchiha Chen finally drifted into consciousness, his mind a hazy fog. Staring up at the unfamiliar ceiling, he even wondered if he had died yet again.

"Chen, you're awake? Thank goodness! Honestly, how could you be so careless with your training? To think you'd end up injured by your own ninjutsu. It's a good thing the Third Hokage found you, or no one would have even known you were hurt."

Although Uchiha Izumi was complaining, her tone was clearly laced with concern for Chen's safety.

"I injured myself with my own ninjutsu?"

Chen felt a flicker of confusion. Even though he had been unconscious for nearly a day, his memory remained intact. It was clearly... Blown away by my own technique, how does that feel... But why did that guy, the Third Hokage, save me? Could it be because he lost the fight?

Uchiha Chen struggled to recall the events, as that seemed to be the only explanation for everything.

"Uchiha Chen, are you alright? Don't mess around with ninjutsu on your own in the future. If there's anything you don't understand, you can come to me."

Just then, the Third Hokage walked into the hospital room, a warm smile plastered on his face, immediately offering favors right off the bat.

Uchiha Chen was no fool; he naturally understood that the Third Hokage simply didn't want anyone to know about the incident where he had been knocked out by the stench.

"I understand, Third Hokage. I will be sure to consult you more often regarding ninjutsu in the future."

"Good. I have other matters to attend to, so get some rest."

Having successfully silenced him, the Third Hokage turned and left.

"Strange."

"What is it, Sister Izumi?"

"Why do I feel like there's a foul smell in here?"

Uchiha Izumi looked puzzled, noting that the scent seemed to have arrived right along with the Third Hokage.

"You must have smelled it wrong."

Chen spoke with a guilty conscience. The contents of the Pottery Ball had been fermenting for a long time; he feared it would take the Third Hokage several days just to get rid of the stench.

But there was no helping it; after all, that was the only way he could think of to defeat the Third Hokage.

As for learning from that guy Naruto, Chen admitted he truly couldn't bring himself to do it.

System Notification...