Li Ke's Reunion

In this world, preparations for ninja surgery were rather slapdash. Ninjas were all strong and vigorous, so a little anesthesia was all they needed before the operation could begin.

As for things like a sterile room, those were easy enough to prepare. With a ninja's efficiency, it could be done in no time.

But when Li Ke was about to undergo surgery, he drank the anesthetic, closed his eyes, and once again found himself gazing at a bizarre, kaleidoscopic scene.

"Uh? Now?"

Naruto Li Ke paused, then walked forward anyway. Before long, he saw the several Li Kes he'd seen before, but this time there were two more.

Naruto Li Ke hurried over. The group seemed to be getting along famously, so he touched French Li Ke's hand and learned the origins of the two newcomers.

One of them had ended up in the world of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. He was currently a disciple of Yue Buqun, the head of the Mount Hua Sect, though his relationship with his fellow disciples wasn't exactly harmonious.

The reason was simple. Although he knew Yue Buqun would eventually become a hypocrite, Yue Buqun really had rescued him from bandits as a child. After being adopted, he'd learned that martial arts were the most important thing, so he trained diligently. Apart from taking breaks to relax, he studied, too. After analyzing the situation in The Smiling, Proud Wanderer a little, he'd even asked Yue Buqun to teach him the Four Books and Five Classics.

People called them feudal dross, but a fanfic he'd read before transmigrating had made a very good point: in the Ming Dynasty, passing the imperial examination and becoming a provincial graduate was far better than becoming the head of one of the Five Mountains Sword Sects!

Even passing the military examination would be better!

So his relationship with the disciples led by Linghu Chong couldn't just be called bad. It was downright awful.

After all, nobody liked it when a try-hard suddenly showed up among a bunch of slackers.

Li Ke understood, but that didn't mean he had to join Linghu Chong's group.

He'd tried to talk Linghu Chong around, but it hadn't worked. So he could only train and study all by himself.

The other newcomer had transmigrated into a rather tragic world.

"My condolences."

Naruto Li Ke patted the fellow on the shoulder to express his sympathy.

"I know. So don't say it."

The Li Ke who'd been patted twitched at the corner of his eye, but there wasn't much he could do.

"I know what Sanctuary is like. You don't need to remind me."

After saying that, Dark Li Ke, a resident of Tristram in the Diablo universe, sighed.

"It's just a shame that even though I know what Nephalem and Nephalem are, I don't seem to be awakening at all."

Nephalem were the offspring of angels and demons in the Diablo universe. They possessed power far beyond that of either angels or demons, making them the beings closest to the Creator.

But it wasn't as if everyone could become one. Nephalem might be absurdly powerful in the Diablo universe, but most humans weren't capable of awakening their Nephalem power. Instead, the demonic power within them could easily corrupt them.

You could say that one Nephalem in several million was already an incredibly high awakening rate. And most Nephalem could only fight a hundred enemies at once. Slaying the Prime Evil Diablo, who'd merged with all seven Evils, by stepping on him with high heels like Li-Ming, Diablo's darling daughter, was absolutely impossible.

Most Nephalem might even die fighting the three Prime Evils of Hell. They were simply stronger than ordinary angels and demons.

The fourth Diablo game was a perfect example. Even though the Worldstone that suppressed the emergence of Nephalem was gone, Nephalem weren't suddenly running around everywhere.

Li-Ming was strong because she was strong in her own right. Nephalem power was an aid, not the deciding factor. Even without it, Li-Ming could beat up most demons and angels.

At most, she'd have a harder time against the strongest angels and demons.

"Besides, even if I awakened Nephalem power, there's no guarantee I'd be that strong. And even if I were, I might not be able to use it in your worlds. Don't forget, we don't share our strength. There's no guarantee we can share Nephalem power."

Dark Li Ke complained, then continued.

"Besides, I might just die in a demon attack. I'm still sheltering in the Rogue Encampment, after all. The legendary Champion who'll defeat the three Prime Evils hasn't appeared yet, and the events of Diablo II haven't even started. I could get killed any day now. And when I die, the Worldstone suppressing the emergence of Nephalem might not even have been destroyed."

The other Li Kes nodded. If they shared each other's strength as well, French Li Ke would have already beaten Harry Potter's world.

Naruto Li Ke was fast enough that most wizards wouldn't even have time to react.

But in reality, none of the other Li Kes knew what special abilities they'd shared from Naruto Li Ke.

"That really is... But at least we can share our talents and potential. We just have to work hard!"

Naruto Li Ke sounded a little disappointed. If he could awaken Nephalem power, he'd go straight to the Third Hokage and Danzo, make them bow their heads, and ask if they were ready to retire. Then he'd ask whether he'd make a good Hokage.

Not for any other reason. If he had Nephalem power, protecting the world would mean protecting his world!

He, Li Ke, could make the Otsutsuki Clan sing for mercy!

"But I think I know what talent I can share with everyone. In fact, even if I can't share it, you can still benefit from it."

Smiling Proud Li Ke clasped his hands politely.

"After I transmigrated, I found I could remember anything I saw, and I could freely edit my own memories. So I think that's the talent I can share."

Naruto Li Ke was taken aback. Then he realized that his memory had suddenly improved!

He could easily recall anything, whether it was knowledge he'd learned before transmigrating or memories from the other Li Kes. He could even edit, change, or delete it in his own memory.

"Doesn't that make it like a hard drive? And a solid-state drive with a high-speed read head, at that?"

Daily Life Li Ke couldn't help making the comparison, but excitement shone in his eyes.

This ability was incredibly useful to him! For starters, if he wanted to become a lawyer or a doctor, it'd be perfect.

He'd only need to read a book once and would never have to read it a second time!

He wouldn't even need to add comments to his code!

He could easily dominate every subject!

"But it takes a lot of mental energy. Still, for us, that's not really a problem..."

Wuxia Li Ke smiled, then turned to Daily Life Li Ke, Type-Moon Li Ke, and French Li Ke.

"Still, I'll have to rely on you to get me the materials I need for the examinations."

The imperial examination essays were outdated, but they were still difficult.

And the subjects were actually quite similar to the civil service examinations of today, though they weren't quite the same.

But these exams were much harder than civil service examinations. They weren't even on the same level.

To start with, ancient times had no libraries or online databases. What books you could read depended entirely on the academies where you studied and what books your family, relatives, and friends had.

Even in the Qing Dynasty, plenty of people had never heard of more than half the poems in a collection like Three Hundred Tang Poems.

There were commentaries on the Four Books and Five Classics, commentaries on the commentaries, and commentaries on those commentaries. That was where all the subtle meanings came from. But what if you didn't have those commentaries on the commentaries?

Too bad. The Ming government of the era Smiling Proud Li Ke lived in wasn't going to do anything about it.

There were also commentaries on the Four Books and Five Classics that related to recent court policies, and you had to use the appropriate classical allusions to describe those policies. When writing your answers, you also had to consider the chief examiner's preferences and political leanings, as well as the prevailing political climate.

For candidates of the time, it was like a giant mystery box. Everything came down to luck.

Those with family connections could naturally get their hands on the relevant information. Those without them were out of luck.

So passing the provincial examination was extremely difficult for people in ancient times. Smiling Proud Li Ke had only realized how hard it was after studying in earnest himself.

"No problem. I'll find historical records in China by hopping the Great Firewall. It'll probably take a while, since I still have to train with my master, but with your memories of swordsmanship, I think things will be a lot easier."

Type-Moon Li Ke nodded. It would be easy for him.

"My world might not be a normal Earth, so its history is completely different. But I can still find some basic technology for you. You can use it to rack up achievements once you become an official, or just put it to use yourself. Oh, right, I've got genetically improved potatoes that can be replanted indefinitely and produce high yields! I can only bring in a small piece for now, though. I don't know when the space will open again, or whether I'll be able to bring any more."

Daily Life Li Ke looked a little embarrassed. His world had all that stuff, but it was still an ordinary world. There were plenty of martial arts competitions, but the best anyone could do was break a bull's horn or smash a brick.

Before he got his cheat, he'd planned to become a boxer and make a living off his exceptional physique.

But now that he had Smiling Proud Li Ke's talent, plus the knowledge and talents of the other Li Kes, he could dominate all kinds of top universities, then—

Become a sports star and a super scholar all at once, a genuine superhuman.

There was no helping it. This was the fastest and happiest path, and the best future for an orphan like him.

As for making it entirely on his own and building a company worth billions without relying on anyone?

That was the sort of thing you could listen to and laugh off. You'd have to be a fool to believe it.

French Li Ke looked a little helpless.

"That's a little difficult for me. It's hard to find translated Chinese documents overseas, and even Chinese people don't know much about such specialized subjects. But I'll try. Maybe I can persuade my dad to go to China for archaeology and investment. Once I get back from wizarding school next year, things should be much easier. I can hire people to help you find the materials under the pretext of doing research into magic..."

French Li Ke came from a wealthy family. His father was a university professor who specialized in French history and archaeology. His mother ran a business selling milk tea cups, though bizarrely, she didn't sell straws.

His grandfather was a politician, and his grandmother was a director at a grain company and one of the people who managed a foundation for helping orphans.

His maternal grandparents were both high-ranking members of local unions.

Once the older generation retired, French Li Ke's father would become a politician and take on senior roles at several unions. His mother would take over his grandmother's positions managing the grain company and foundation.

Of all the Li Kes here, French Li Ke had the best family background—so good it was almost absurd.

"That's fine. I'm still young, anyway. I should be able to pass the preliminary examination with the books in Mount Hua's library. By the time I'm sixteen, I'll have found enough materials somehow."

Smiling Proud Li Ke didn't mind. For various reasons, he was steadier than the other Li Kes. His outward demeanor was actually quite similar to Yue Buqun's.

"But speaking of swordsmanship..."

Smiling Proud Li Ke looked at Naruto Li Ke.

"The swordsmanship in your world isn't much use to me right now..."

Naruto Li Ke knew some swordsmanship, but it was all meant for fighting to the death. And with all the ninjutsu, the style of swordsmanship and approach to combat were worlds apart from the Mount Hua Sect's. They simply weren't compatible.

Besides, Li Ke's sword was really a blade, and he wasn't particularly skilled with it.

Chakra and inner force were completely different, so there was no way to compare them. By contrast, the memories of Type-Moon Li Ke's training under Scathach had helped him a lot.

"Yeah, there's not much I can do about that. I've spent all my time training in ninjutsu. My swordsmanship is entirely meant to work alongside ninjutsu. And a lot of the moves in your Mount Hua swordsmanship would be suicidal against a ninja."

Naruto Li Ke nodded. He and Smiling Proud Li Ke faced completely different enemies, so it was only natural that they couldn't complement each other's combat experience and swordsmanship.

A slight lift of the hand might mean Smiling Proud Li Ke was facing an extremely fast attack, or at worst, a hidden weapon or a thunder bomb. He, on the other hand, might be facing a huge mass of water, a great deal of fire, or a pile of rocks and lightning.

Using Mount Hua swordsmanship or Type-Moon techniques recklessly against ninjas would get you killed in spectacular fashion. Using a ninja's blade techniques against the martial artists of The Smiling, Proud Wanderer wouldn't lead to a much better death, either.

Still, they weren't completely useless. Many of the techniques for generating power could be put to good use.

But before the group could say anything else, the space began to collapse again. All they could do was look at one another helplessly as their consciousnesses returned to their own bodies.

"This Black Mist Space still has a lot of secrets... At the very least, I need to figure out how to enter and leave it at will, right?"

Thinking that, Naruto Li Ke opened his eyes. He reflexively raised a hand, and pain shot through his right arm. Senju Tobirama, in his mind, immediately spoke up.

"Your arm can't be moved too vigorously yet. Also, kid... are your ancestors related to the Uzumaki Clan by marriage?"

"No, they aren't. Why, Second Hokage?"

"It's nothing. Your recovery is just remarkable. I thought you'd need to practice a secret technique to restore your chakra pathways. But you've recovered on your own... Your healing ability is astonishing, but you should be capable of more than this."

Li Ke was stunned. He checked his body and discovered that although his right arm still hurt, chakra flowed through it just as smoothly as before!

There was no doubt about it: this was probably one of the Li Kes' talents! His increased vitality was clearly part of it, too.

"I see. Then, Second Hokage, will you still teach me?"

Senju Tobirama merely snorted.

"Hmph! You're still a long way from fully recovering! We can't stop developing your secret techniques and Kekkei Genkai. But for now, learn this. Memorize the route your chakra follows! Even the slightest deviation could cause problems!"

The instant Senju Tobirama finished speaking, his hands began forming Hand Seals at high speed. As the seals continued, chakra stimulated various meridians in his body, awakening dormant power and making him stronger.

Li Ke felt warm all over, and Senju Tobirama couldn't help falling silent.

For most people, it would have been excruciating—so painful they couldn't bear it. Even he had nearly given up back then.

Yet it was the secret technique he knew of with the fewest side effects, one that strengthened the body and drew out its potential.

"Could this kid really be a freakishly talented monster like my older brother?"

He couldn't help thinking that. Then, once he stopped forming seals, he immediately barked at Li Ke.

"What are you standing there for? Start practicing the secret technique yourself!"

Senju Tobirama decided to become a stricter teacher.

At the very least, he couldn't let a future of Konoha like Li Ke become an idiot like his older brother, with nothing but chakra in his head!

Perhaps he could use Li Ke to fulfill the wish Senju Tobirama himself had left unfinished!