"Bang!"
A dull impact rang out.
The edge of Qin Yu's hand came down hard on Gekko Hayate's neck. Under the force of the blow, Hayate's eyes rolled back and he collapsed unconscious to the ground.
The sudden attack left everyone there dumbstruck.
As the lightning around Qin Yu faded, they stared at him in disbelief.
Until that moment, they had only been able to speculate from Gekko Hayate's account whether Qin Yu had mastered Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
But seeing it with their own eyes was another matter entirely.
It had been less than half a day since Qin Yu drove back the Cloud Ninja.
And yet he had already mastered Lightning Release Chakra Mode, one of Kumogakure's most difficult secret techniques.
What word could possibly describe that kind of speed?
Terrifying?
Monstrous?
Beyond description?
More importantly, the contrast made it all the more shocking.
Even against Minato Namikaze, known as the Yellow Flash, Qin Yu had still been able to teach Gekko Hayate a lesson.
That meant Qin Yu's speed was probably even greater.
"Heh, sorry, Minato. No one can stop me from teaching someone a lesson—not even myself." Qin Yu gave an awkward laugh.
If this had been the old Uchiha Qin Yu, he would have acted like a bootlicking dog in front of Konoha's legendary prodigy, bowing and scraping.
But now that he had the One-Click Max Level System, there was no chance he would bend the knee.
He could keep dreaming.
"Qin Yu, you're too modest. You showed restraint, and for Gekko Hayate, that's already the best lesson he could have received." Minato Namikaze was one of the new generation of peace-minded shinobi.
He was also very close friends with Uchiha Fugaku, and they privately called each other brothers.
He had always cared deeply about the Uchiha Clan's troubles.
Like Uchiha Fugaku, he had hoped to resolve them peacefully.
Otherwise, Uchiha Fugaku—who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan long ago—might have defected from Konoha already, if not for his relationship with Minato and his faith in Minato's ideals.
Unfortunately, it wouldn't take much counting to see that the Third Shinobi World War was already nearing its end.
A year later, Minato would die, and Danzo and the other higher-ups would set a string of events in motion.
Of course, Qin Yu didn't care about any of that.
With the system on his side, the world was vast. He could hide anywhere.
If they pushed him too far, he could toss out two or three powerful attacks, dust himself off, and leave. No one could stop him.
"All right. If there's nothing else, I'm going back to get some rest. Running out of chakra is exhausting." Qin Yu patted Minato Namikaze on the shoulder.
Under the stunned gazes of the others, he walked into the cave.
To them, Minato Namikaze was an untouchable figure.
He was said to be the most qualified person in Konoha to inherit the position of next Hokage. Everyone treated him with respect, even the older generation.
They had never seen anyone as casual as Qin Yu, with not the slightest hint of awe.
Only after watching Qin Yu leave did Uzuki Cangwu step forward with a wry smile. "Lord Minato, please don't hold it against Qin Yu. He was responsible for driving back the Cloud Ninja and the AB Duo this time."
"Besides, he's only fifteen or sixteen. He doesn't know much about etiquette yet."
Compared with Minato, who was already in his twenties, Qin Yu was very much the junior.
And next to Minato's long-established reputation, Qin Yu did come across as somewhat lacking in manners.
"Senior Cangwu, you're calling me 'Lord' again." Minato Namikaze shook his head helplessly. "When I'm with all of you, I actually like Qin Yu's attitude."
"Still, from what I know, Qin Yu was never especially prominent among the Uchiha Clan's younger generation."
"Before we set out, Fugaku asked me to look after him. It seems he was hiding his true abilities."
Everyone there could only sigh in amazement at that.
They thought of the Kirin that had descended from the sky, the Mangekyō Sharingan, and the chill still rising from the ground.
"Lord Minato, your status is different now. You're entitled to have old folks like us address you that way," Uzuki Cangwu said with a smile.
"But there's something we need to report. Qin Yu probably intends to stay out of the conflict between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan, which is why he's been keeping a low profile."
As Uzuki Cangwu explained, Minato's warm smile gave way to a grave expression.
"Senior Cangwu, you're saying Qin Yu has powerful Lightning Release Ninjutsu and a special Sharingan, and that he has an incredible talent for learning ninjutsu?" Minato asked, unable to hide his surprise.
Seeing everyone there nod in unison, Minato grew even more restless.
"Senior Cangwu, I'll leave Gekko Hayate in your hands for now. I'm going to find Qin Yu."
"Lord Minato, don't worry. But A, the Raikage successor from Kumogakure, once said Qin Yu was qualified to become the next Hokage. I hope you won't take offense," Uzuki Cangwu said after a moment's hesitation.
"This time, Danzo's confidant Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Torune not only escaped, but also leaked the location of our outpost to the Cloud Ninja. If Danzo learns that Qin Yu ruined his subordinates' plans, he may target him. We hope you'll help Qin Yu if the need arises."
In the eyes of Uzuki Cangwu and the others, outside enemies could still be dealt with through force.
But when it came to infighting, it was easy to dodge open attacks and hard to guard against hidden ones.
"Senior Cangwu, don't worry. I know what to do." Minato Namikaze nodded. "First, I'll report what happened here to the Third Hokage."
"Once the Third Hokage steps in, Danzo will show some restraint." Uzuki Cangwu breathed a sigh of relief.
"Let's leave it at that for now. We'll need everyone working together to defend this place." Minato Namikaze patted Uzuki Cangwu on the shoulder. "I'll go talk to Qin Yu."
After watching Minato leave, Uzuki Yugao finally couldn't keep quiet. "Dad, are you saying Qin Yu might be targeted by Root once he returns to Konoha?"
"What's wrong? Worried about your little sweetheart already?" Inubou teased.
Uzuki Yugao shot him a glare. "Who's his sweetheart? I just don't want Konoha Hidden Leaf Village to lose someone so powerful."
"Someone like him would be an incredibly powerful ally, but as an enemy, he'd be terrifying." Uzuki Cangwu spoke up suddenly.
At those words, everyone's expression changed.
Just as Uzuki Cangwu had said, when it came to someone like Qin Yu—
The only choice was to make him a friend, never an enemy!
And even if they couldn't become friends, they could only stay strangers.
Before you continue