Forbidden Technique

"Anyway, I still have to thank you for helping clear me of suspicion. If I get the chance, I'll get you out of here."

Shen Ye walked a few steps closer and gently rested a hand on Wu Tian's shoulder, silently activating the system's Steal Skill.

"Ding! Congratulations, host. You successfully stole Wu Tian's skill, Chakra Turbulence! Steal Skill cooldown: 3 hours."

At the system's prompt, Shen Ye couldn't help smiling.

The Chakra Turbulence Wu Tian used had an inherent flaw: it greatly increased the strain on the body and could only be maintained for a short time.

But after the system stole it, all the side effects disappeared. When performing ninjutsu, Shen Ye could almost use no chakra at all.

Combined with Sage Mode, Shen Ye was confident that if he faced Bai Dun again, he could kill him in an instant without leaving a trace.

Having gotten what he wanted, Shen Ye turned to leave the cave. Its gloomy interior was making him feel suffocated.

Watching Shen Ye's figure slowly vanish into the shifting light and shadow, Wu Tian moved his lips.

"I'll be sent back to Iwagakure tomorrow. Don't bother trying to save me. If you have a conscience, burn a few of my little secrets for me."

Shen Ye waved casually. Now that he had promised to get Wu Tian out, he would keep his word no matter where he was.

Besides, Shen Ye's ambitions weren't limited to Konoha. To him, this place was merely a stepping stone to greater heights. One day, he would roam the entire shinobi world.

Seeing Shen Ye's spirited expression, the Third Hokage knew he had gained a great deal here.

But as Hokage, the village's supreme leader, asking a child what he had gained would damage his dignity and image.

Once he was out of the Third Hokage's sight, Shen Ye could hardly wait to test the power of Chakra Turbulence.

Unlike Wu Tian, Shen Ye's appearance didn't change at all, but he could feel a great transformation within his body.

His chakra flowed much faster, stimulating every meridian in his body.

"What an incredible technique. The Strength of a Hundred I can muster now probably surpasses Tsunade's."

He weighed his fist in his hand and felt the vast energy it contained. But there was no one around to unleash it on.

He had already secured the benefits he wanted. Now he wondered how things were going with Minato.

Suppressing the technique, Shen Ye hurried to Minato's house. He knocked on the door several times, but there was no answer.

"Has this guy been so captivated by the forbidden technique that he's lost himself in it?"

Worried about Minato, Shen Ye kicked the door open. He found Minato engrossed in the scroll in his hands.

Even when splinters from the broken door flew into his face, Minato didn't react. Shen Ye could only shake his head helplessly.

"Minato, do you have to be this engrossed? You'll have plenty of time to study later."

"Shen Ye! I was so absorbed in reading that I didn't even notice you arrive."

"The scroll's already in your hands. There's no need to rush into training. Let's go eat a steaming bowl of ramen and ease the pressure."

Shen Ye could clearly sense the air Minato gave off, and he could see just how exhausted he was.

Maybe Minato had been like this since last night and hadn't stopped even now.

After a long stretch, Minato tucked the scroll into a corner of his house and prepared to leave with Shen Ye.

But after taking just a few steps, Minato hurried back inside and retrieved the scroll.

Standing in the room, Minato looked uncertain.

He was afraid someone might try to take the scroll. Even carrying it on him didn't make him feel safe.

Shen Ye sighed and snatched the scroll from Minato's hands.

"You'll feel better if I hold on to it, right? If you're going to be this paranoid, how will you ever become Hokage?"

"You're right. In that case, let's put it right out in the open on the table."

Shen Ye's mouth twitched. Was this guy's brain wired wrong?

Leaving it conspicuously on the table was ridiculous. It would be even stranger if it was still there when they got back from ramen.

The forbidden techniques created by the Second Hokage were the dream of countless shinobi—something they longed for but could never obtain.

They discussed it for a good while. In the end, Shen Ye carried the scroll, and Minato would seek him out when he was ready to train.

"Ich iraku Ramen won't be enough to celebrate what we've achieved today. Let's bring Choza along!"

"That's a great idea. We might as well invite everyone while we're at it. It's been a while since we all got together."

"Why don't we split up?"

They immediately agreed. Shen Ye would bring the two girls to the bridge.

Meanwhile, Minato would gather Shikaku and Choza. In the end, the group decided to feast and unwind.

Following a familiar route, Shen Ye hopped over the wall into the Hyuga Clan compound. Yue Xing happened to be training in the open space.

"Yue Xing, come out with me!"

"Meishang's here with me. Let's all go together!"

Shen Ye nodded. That saved him quite a bit of effort. The three left the Hyuga compound and headed straight for the bridge.

But the other three were already waiting there.

"You're a little slow. The three of us have been waiting for ages."

"The snack wrappers on the ground tell me everything I need to know."

Choza scratched his head sheepishly. In just a few minutes, he had polished off all the snacks he'd brought.

The group strolled along the village streets, glancing from shop to shop.

"Takoyaki! Can we go here?"

When Meishang saw the poster in the window, her eyes lit up and drool trickled from the corner of her mouth.

Shen Ye stifled a laugh. He hadn't expected the quiet-looking Meishang to be such a foodie deep down.

Before Shen Ye could answer, Yue Xing had already jumped up with her hand raised.

For a moment, Shen Ye even wondered if the two girls had planned it all in advance.

The group filed into the shop. Looking at the owner and his wife, Shen Ye felt a strange sense of familiarity.

"Choza's here! The usual?"

Choza was clearly a regular, already on familiar terms with the owners.

"Make it double today. I'm starving."

The owner ushered them into a cozy little room that was just big enough for everyone to sit down.