The Evil Senju Old Ghost

"No!!"

Li Ke lunged and grabbed Asuma, covering his mouth again.

Since the Third Hokage had sent Asuma to the front lines, it meant the situation was dangerous but not fatally so. The main purpose was for Li Ke to compensate for the value of his own injured arm.

But if Asuma caused a scene and escalated things, then everything would be ruined!

At that point, Asuma would have to be punished according to military law, and he, the severely injured person, would be sent directly to the front lines without any exceptions!

"This is good enough! Asuma! You need to understand the Hokage's difficult position!"

Asuma struggled in his arms, but Li Ke's words of persuasion were completely ignored. He had broken the rules, but at the time, no ninja's life was in danger, otherwise his uncle wouldn't have arranged surgery for Li Ke. Yet, that damned father had done such a thing!

Sending Li Ke to the battlefield! Wasn't that sending Li Ke to his death?!

Asuma was furious beyond words. Li Ke had no choice but to press on the carotid artery on Asuma's neck, causing his head to spin violently before he collapsed into Li Ke's arms.

The Anbu on the side was also surprised by Li Ke's decisiveness. Li Ke's face showed no displeasure or unease, only calmness.

Although he already knew how mature and steady this young man, known as 'Clear Mirror Still Water' in the village, was, such profound maturity still couldn't help but astonish him.

"Sorry, friend, Asuma is a bit agitated. Please tell the Hokage that I will counsel Asuma... he just doesn't understand the Hokage's deeper intentions."

The Hokage's deeper intentions?

Isn't the Hokage sending you to the dangerous front lines because you broke the rules? What deeper intentions are there?

The Anbu ninja didn't quite understand, but after glancing at Asuma, who had collapsed in Li Ke's arms, he nodded and quickly left.

After all, he still had others to notify.

However, the moment the Anbu ninja left, Senju Tobirama spoke.

"The Monkey was watching you just now. He seems to have developed a surveillance ninjutsu that relies on Konoha's barrier. He should be able to see and hear what you just said."

Li Ke was startled and couldn't help but ask in his mind.

"Didn't you create this jutsu?"

Upon hearing this, Senju Tobirama was silent for a moment before replying.

"Don't attribute the creation of all jutsu to me!"

He didn't need to think to know what the Monkey would do with this ninjutsu. How could someone who didn't learn properly when they were young use this ninjutsu for proper tasks?

Besides, were the Uchiha clan's security forces, barrier teams, and Anbu all eating dry rice?! This Telescope Technique can only see what Konoha's barrier sees, and it can't see what the barrier doesn't. He would never develop such a ninjutsu!

"Never mind, in any case, you don't seem to be worried about anything?"

Using Li Ke's eyes to see the worried expressions of the other two girls, Senju Tobirama asked.

"Yes, after all, in a military-dominated power structure, breaking the rules naturally warrants punishment. The Third Hokage sending me and Asuma to the battlefield together is actually a form of leniency outside the law."

Even if the Third Hokage hadn't said anything, how many people who were tired of living would send Asuma to be cannon fodder?

Having them act as a team was the step down the Third Hokage provided.

Li Ke's external injuries had already healed, he was just a bit weak. On the battlefield, he couldn't do much else, but his team could still perform early warning duties.

His mission would likely be something like that.

Senju Tobirama fell silent, as he became increasingly satisfied with Li Ke's maturity.

If Li Ke could display more of the Will of Fire and his bond with Konoha Village, he wouldn't mind revealing himself to Li Ke and telling him that he wanted to cultivate him into a new pillar of Konoha Village.

He glanced at Asuma through Li Ke's eyes, and a thought flashed through his mind.

"Is he a close friend of the Monkey's child? Considering his age and the situation, the Monkey should step down after the war. By the time he's in his prime, the next Great Ninja War should be erupting."

Senju Tobirama made his own plans in his heart.

"Then the training will be on the battlefield. I will teach you ninjutsu, but you must be prepared to hand over your body to me on the battlefield... Do you have the courage for that?"

"Of course, Second Hokage!"

"Foolish! How can a ninja trust others so easily! How can you be sure I am the Second Hokage!"

Different expectations naturally led to different demands, and Senju Tobirama immediately began to reprimand him.

Meanwhile, Li Ke turned a deaf ear and looked at the awakened Asuma.

But Asuma didn't utter a sound. He sat silently at the barbecue table, quickly eating the grilled meat in front of him. After finishing all the meat, he stood up.

"I'm going back to prepare."

He didn't even look at Li Ke when he spoke, which made Li Ke feel helpless.

Asuma, at his age, would absolutely not understand this matter. Even though they were friends, there was no room for compromise.

Because this was something only one could understand for themselves.

And clearly, Asuma was not someone who would understand easily. In the original story, he only understood what he needed to protect until the moment of his death.

But unfortunately, it was too late.

Li Ke looked at Asuma, and an idea formed in his mind.

"The ninja system is due for a change."

No matter how many justifications Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju might have, this world remains twisted.

"Then do you still want to retire?"

The cold voice appeared once again.

"Let's talk about that after I leave the battlefield... As for now, I am still a ninja of Konoha, am I not?"

Li Ke smiled as he finished the rest of his grilled meat, paid the bill, and went to prepare his gear with Kurenai.

Anko stood alone on the street, watching her three friends leave, the joy on her face gradually fading away.

Once Li Ke and Kurenai were ready and had met up with a silent Asuma at Training Ground Three, they saw the squad they were to join.

At that moment, even Asuma, who always kept a stern face, wore an expression of astonishment.

Because Li Ke's injuries could only be considered minor among this group!

There were even ninjas here missing fingers! Furthermore, many looked like they had just graduated from the ninja academy, and it was obvious they were terrified by the wounds on the other ninjas.

Asuma couldn't say a word; he stood there as if stunned.

Li Ke quickly found the leader of the squad and handed over the scroll he was carrying.

Li Ke recognized the leading ninja: Chojuro Akimichi, a loyal ally of the Sarutobi clan, which made Li Ke feel completely at ease.

Looking into Li Ke's eyes, Chojuro Akimichi spoke in a voice tinged with pity.

"Qingtan, I heard you have already become a Jonin. I've heard about your situation; rest assured, you are a hero of the village. Being able to kill two Mist Jonin is something many cannot achieve."

Li Ke laughed awkwardly; killing two Jonin was entirely due to Tobirama Senju's masterful maneuvering.

"Thank you, Senior Chojuro, it was just luck."

After saying this, Li Ke stood within the ranks, as another squad of ninjas had arrived.

Li Ke also recognized the person in the lead.

Fugaku Uchiha.

Li Ke wasn't particularly surprised by this; clan heads in this era had to fight on the front lines. Fugaku Uchiha was able to command respect precisely because he was always on the front lines whenever the Uchiha needed to fight. As a clan head, he could only occasionally bring home a portion of the dead and wounded Uchiha clansmen.

It seems the Mist Village is making a grand show of force this time; the news about the Daimyo cutting off support might actually be true.

Li Ke couldn't help but think this, as the Third Hokage usually avoided letting the Uchiha clan gain merit on the battlefield whenever possible, but it was clear now that it had reached a point where they had no choice but to deploy them.

Compared to their group of the old, weak, and injured, the Uchiha clan appeared much more excited; many of them even had smiles on their faces, anticipating everything the battlefield had to offer.

Li Ke remained silent. Once Chojuro Akimichi confirmed everyone had arrived, they set off under the leadership of Fugaku Uchiha and Chojuro Akimichi, rushing rapidly toward the Konoha front lines.

Ninjas travel very quickly; in just half a day, they had already covered half the distance.

This was because the Mist Village had taken advantage of Konoha's lack of defenses to push the front line all the way into the Land of Fire, so Konoha now had to drive the Mist out at any cost.

Because of this distance, it would truly take only a day for ninjas to reach the front lines; it could be said that they were already in a time of crisis.

Therefore, halfway through their journey, they were already at risk of being attacked.

"Everyone, rest. First Squad and Third Squad, take point on patrol."

Following this order, Li Ke and the others quickly began finding places to rest and consuming military rations.

At this moment, a slightly breathless Kurenai Yuhi quickly approached Li Ke and asked with concern.

"Qingtan, are you alright?"

Looking at Kurenai's flushed face and her worried expression, Li Ke shook his head while simultaneously shutting off Tobirama Senju's tactile perception.

"I'm fine."

He was truly fine. Aside from the chakra meridians in his arm being slightly less smooth than elsewhere, he was already much stronger than he had been at his previous peak. His physical wounds had basically healed, and as for his eyes, he could rely on Tobirama Senju's, so there was no need to worry about the upcoming battle.

"Don't push yourself."

Asuma spoke up at this moment as well; although his tone remained cold, his concern was unmistakable.

"Yeah."

Li Ke nodded with a smile, but just then, he suddenly sensed a large number of unfamiliar chakra signatures approaching rapidly. He could even perceive the magnitude of these chakra signatures, along with a strange sensation.

A cold, oppressive, and even somewhat maddening feeling.

Just as he felt pain from these chakra signatures, the Second Hokage spoke up.

"Kid! Enemies are coming from the southeast! It's likely an elite squad from the Mist!"

Is Konoha's defensive line a sieve?!

Li Ke truly cursed out loud. Although he knew that with the Five Great Nations taking turns waging war against Konoha, it wasn't unheard of for enemies to sneak into the vicinity of Konoha Village.

But to encounter an enemy sniper squad just half a day's distance away—had the defensive line reached its limit?!

Where is Minato Namikaze? Save us! Minato Namikaze!

Li Ke ranted frantically in his heart, but he quickly stood up, his remaining eye filled with seriousness.

"Enemies detected to the southeast, twenty-three in total. It's likely a Mist interception squad!"

As Li Ke's voice fell, a Hyuga Chunin responsible for patrolling immediately activated his Byakugan, and the next moment, his expression turned to one of terror.

"There are indeed twenty-three ninjas approaching!"

As this voice sounded, all the ninjas present became vigilant. The berserkers of the Uchiha collectively looked towards Fugaku Uchiha. After nodding to Chojuro Akimichi, Fugaku Uchiha unhesitatingly led the ninjas of the Uchiha clan to charge forward.

What Li Ke saw was a scene of a large group of ninjas with red glowing eyes charging. However, the new genin clearly showed signs of panic. One genin even wanted to flee back to Konoha Village, but was immediately pulled back by a ninja beside him, preventing him from becoming a complete deserter.

Seeing the frightened and uneasy genin, Li Ke sighed.

"Has it really come to this?"

Konoha Village was already this weak.

But he also noticed that ever since the ninjas of the Uchiha clan appeared, Senju Tobirama had not said a word.

But just as he was thinking about this, Senju Tobirama spoke.

"Follow them. The most important thing now is to repel the enemy and quickly support the front lines. The Mist Technique is very effective against the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan. Later, I will teach you a Wind Release ninjutsu to help the Uchiha clan blow away the heavy fog, making this battle a little easier."

His words made Li Ke scratch his head, but he quickly followed the footsteps of the Uchiha clan ninjas and handed over control of his body to the Second Hokage.

However, he couldn't help but complain in his heart.

"You are definitely not the Second Hokage! The Second Hokage is personally aiding the Uchiha clan!"

While he was thinking this, Senju Tobirama didn't say anything superfluous. Instead, he quickly used Li Ke's body to perform an excessively fast Body Flicker Technique and landed between the two groups.

At this moment, the Uchiha ninjas who had encountered the Mist ninjas had just formed the hand seals for Fire Release, and the Mist ninjas had also formed the hand seals for the Mist Technique. Countless violent mists, filled with chakra, appeared around them, obstructing vision and chakra perception.

The moment the Uchiha ninjas spat out fireballs, Senju Tobirama had also finished his hand seals. In the next moment, he took a deep breath with Li Ke's body and exhaled a terrifying gale.

The moment these gales took shape, they turned into violent tornadoes, sweeping up all the flames blown out by the Uchiha ninjas into the tornadoes, while continuously absorbing the mist from the Mist Technique.

Just by its scale, Li Ke found it hard to believe it was a ninjutsu he had unleashed!

In an instant, the area within a hundred meters was filled with fiery tornadoes!

These violent tornadoes instantly charged into the Mist ninjas. Several unlucky ones who couldn't dodge in time were swept into the air. Due to the large area, several ninjas within the flame range who reacted quickly used ninjutsu to continuously spray water to resist the terrifying fire tornadoes!

"Wind Style: Hurricane Divine Wind!"

At this moment, Senju Tobirama also uttered the name of the technique and, using Li Ke's body, gave a mocking smile to the dumbfounded Uchiha clan members beside him.

"Uchiha trash... everyone, is this all you've got?! You're even worse than trash!"

Li Ke: "..."

He looked at the Uchiha clan ninjas whose eyes had collectively turned redder by three points after those words were spoken and shouted in his heart.

I knew it! You're an evil old ghost of the Senju!