Seeing Uchiha Mikoto looking so worried, Li was deeply moved. This little girl had always cared about him, looking after him as if he were her own big brother. In his previous life, Li had never had a younger sister and had never experienced what it was like to be cared for by one—or to care for one himself. He hadn't expected to get that chance in this life.
No one can hurt Mikoto. Not even her own family! Seeing Uchiha Mikoto's anxious face, Li thought to himself.
Uchiha Fugaku had been worried that Li might get hurt, but when he saw how much Uchiha Mikoto cared about Li, his expression darkened. He stood to one side with his head lowered, saying nothing. Li, however, paid him no mind, merely glancing his way.
"All right, Mikoto, I'm fine, aren't I? It's just that I won't be able to go to school starting tomorrow. From now on, you can go with Fugaku!" Li patted Uchiha Mikoto on the head and said with a smile.
"Why? Kushina said it wasn't your fault. Why do you have to leave school?" Uchiha Mikoto looked up and asked in confusion.
When Uchiha Fugaku heard that Li wouldn't be going to school anymore, he felt a little pleased for some reason. He secretly looked at Uchiha Mikoto's back, a smile appearing on his face.
"No matter what, killing someone is still killing someone. Besides, I can't change the village's decision right now." Li shook his head. Seeing that Uchiha Mikoto was about to say more, he continued, "All right, let's not talk about it anymore. Even if I don't attend the Ninja Academy, I can still become an excellent ninja!"
After sending Uchiha Mikoto on her way, Li enjoyed three peaceful days. On the fourth day, he got up early and completed his daily training before heading to the Third Hokage's home. Someone was already waiting at the entrance: the Third Hokage's housekeeper.
"Lord Hokage is waiting for you inside. Please follow me!" The housekeeper bowed slightly, then led the way.
The Third Hokage's residence wasn't especially luxurious, and was somewhat less impressive than the Uchiha Clan's, but it still had a number of courtyards. The Sarutobi Clan was small, and Li saw few people along the way, mostly servants. When they reached a large courtyard, Li saw the Third Hokage dressed in combat clothes. As soon as he saw Li arrive, the Third Hokage smiled.
"Li, you're here!" The Third Hokage dismissed the housekeeper and smiled at Li.
"Teacher!" Li bowed.
"Mm. Let's not waste time on small talk. Since I'm your teacher, I'll arrange your training according to your abilities. How about this: I don't know much about you yet, so let's spar first." The Third Hokage nodded, paused to consider, then spoke.
Ding! Main quest issued: Spar with the Third Hokage and hold out for five minutes. Quest completion reward: 1,000 points. Quest failure penalty: 1,000 points deducted. If the host has no points, an equivalent amount of material possessions will be deducted.
Hold out for five minutes? That means I can't hold back. I have to attack with everything I've got if I want a chance! Hearing the system's quest, Li nodded to himself. He knew he couldn't keep anything in reserve, or he wouldn't last five minutes.
"Are you ready?" Seeing Li lost in thought, the Third Hokage smiled and asked.
"Mm!" Li came back to himself and pulled a Kunai from his pouch. He crouched slightly as his black eyes turned completely blood red, two Tomoe fixed on the Third Hokage. Li frowned at what he saw: under the Sharingan's gaze, there wasn't a single opening in the Third Hokage's defenses. Though he stood casually, he naturally concealed every weakness.
Then I'll have to create an opening myself!
With that, Li sprang into action. He hurled the Kunai at the still-smiling Third Hokage, then rushed after it.
Oh? So this is the Uchiha Clan's greatest prodigy? He awakened the Two-Tomoe Sharingan at just six years old. What astonishing talent. I absolutely can't let someone like this be tainted by the Uchiha Clan's arrogance! Facing Li's fierce attack, the Third Hokage barely moved, merely nodding to himself as he watched Li. Just before the Kunai reached him, he shifted slightly, letting it skim past, then raised a hand to block Li's front kick.
"That's not all!" Li didn't give up when his kick was blocked. He planted both hands on the ground, spun, and launched himself into the air, sweeping his right leg toward the Third Hokage's head. At the same time, he reached into his pouch and pulled out several shuriken.
What impressive battle instincts! A glint flashed in the Third Hokage's eyes. He casually deflected Li's sweeping kick, then stepped back to create some distance. By then, Li's shuriken were already flying toward his face. The Third Hokage quickly reached out with his right hand and caught them.
After his attack, Li landed and looked at the Third Hokage. He saw that each of his three shuriken was balanced on one of the Third Hokage's fingers, spinning.
Just as I thought. The gap between a Genin and someone at Kage Level is enormous. But if I keep this up, I might still last five minutes! With that thought, Li flung several more shuriken at the Third Hokage with his right hand. Two Kunai appeared in his left hand, and he planted them in the ground by his feet. Without stopping, he charged toward the Third Hokage, rapidly forming Hand Seals.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!" Compared to a few days ago, Li's Hand Seals were even faster. By the time the Third Hokage dodged the Kunai, Li had already finished the seals, and a blazing fireball rolled toward him. After spitting out the Great Fireball, Li didn't stop; he immediately hurled three more Kunai.
But by then, a Kunai was already pressed against Li's neck. The Third Hokage, who had been in front of him, had somehow appeared behind Wenxuan. The Third Hokage hit by the fireball and Kunai turned out to be a log.
"Li, you kept up the fierce attacks to make me expose an opening. But in battle, you can't win by relying on offense alone!" The Third Hokage smiled slightly and started to move the Kunai away from Li's neck. Just then, the three Kunai embedded in the log that had been the Third Hokage's substitute suddenly sprang into motion and shot straight toward his face.
Bang!
The Li pinned beneath the Third Hokage's Kunai suddenly vanished with a bang. He was nothing more than the product of a Transformation Technique.
"I've found an opening!" Wenxuan leaped down from a nearby tree, rapidly formed Hand Seals, and unleashed the Great Fireball Technique at the Third Hokage once more.
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