The Game Between Yun Xi and the Third Hokage

Yun Xi could only decide to reveal part of his talent to reduce the risk of exposing himself!

He had come up with this plan entirely because of what he had seen in the original Naruto story.

In the original Naruto, the Third Hokage had been a kind and gentle old man, willing to give his life for Konoha.

But Yun Xi wasn't naive enough to believe that was all there was to him.

There was more than one kind of person who could rise to power in a village.

Perhaps he could be very warm and friendly toward Naruto and the Konoha 12.

But when dealing with someone who might threaten the village, the Third Hokage, long accustomed to wielding power, would surely snuff out the danger before it could take root.

Although the Third Hokage in the original story had been indecisive and had a few black marks against his name,

such as letting Orochimaru go while he was conducting human experiments,

and leaving Danzo alive despite his having once tried to assassinate him,

those decisions were all rooted in bonds built over many years.

One was his most beloved student, while Danzo had been the Third Hokage's childhood friend...

Yun Xi didn't believe that a civilian orphan like him could be forgiven by the Third Hokage without offering any explanation.

Although Konoha was at peace, sneaking out of the village was certainly enough to arouse suspicion!

So the best solution was to make the Third Hokage think he had talent.

Yun Xi was sure that the Third Hokage wouldn't drive him away if he thought the boy was worth cultivating...

That was the best solution Yun Xi could come up with!

After all, Konoha was the village where the protagonist of the original story lived.

There were bound to be plenty of hidden missions. He didn't want to become a rogue ninja this early and lose out on the rewards those missions offered.

That would be such a waste...

"I'd better go see the Hokage now..."

Having figured out how to resolve the crisis, Yun Xi didn't hesitate any longer. He headed straight for the Hokage Office Building...

Meanwhile, inside the Hokage Building, the Third Hokage was watching Yun Xi, who had just returned to Konoha, through a crystal ball.

His expression was grave, and no one could tell what he was thinking...

"Lord Hokage, the boy who left the village without permission two days ago has returned. He's heading toward the Hokage Building and seems to be coming to see you."

Just as the Third Hokage was observing Yun Xi, an Anbu Jonin suddenly appeared.

He informed the Third Hokage that Yun Xi had returned to Konoha.

"I already know. You may go."

After hearing the Anbu Ninja's report, the Third Hokage waved him away.

"Yes, sir!"

After delivering the message, the Anbu Jonin vanished on the spot to carry out another mission.

Yun Xi arrived before the Third Hokage just then.

"Who are you, really?"

"Are you a spy from another village?"

"Or do you have some other identity?"

Before Yun Xi could say a word, the Third Hokage fixed him with a hawk-like gaze and activated Lock-On.

Then he took the initiative and questioned Yun Xi about his identity.

One reason the Third Hokage was doing this was that Yun Xi had left the village without permission.

But the other—and more important—reason was that he had noticed Yun Xi wasn't using an ordinary Clone Technique.

He was using the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique, which Konoha High Command had expressly forbidden.

And apart from a few Elite Jonin in Konoha, the only known method for learning it was recorded in the Scroll of Seals!

Yet the Third Hokage had discovered that the boy before him knew the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique...

How could he not become suspicious?

"Everyone has their own fortunate encounters, but I can assure you that I'm not a spy or someone planning to harm Konoha."

Yun Xi had originally planned to win the Third Hokage's favor by acting cute, but after the Hokage got straight to the point, he changed his approach.

He decided to lay everything out in the open and use Talk-no-Jutsu to persuade the Third Hokage.

In truth, this was the result of Yun Xi's poor planning.

When he first planned to leave the village, Yun Xi hadn't expected the Third Hokage to pay so much attention to him.

The Hokage had watched him the entire time, and the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique had ended up derailing his plan...

Given Yun Xi's current abilities, the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique was mainly useful as a means of supporting his attacks.

But in Konoha, it was an extremely rare technique.

It was also a forbidden technique. If Yun Xi were the Third Hokage, he would have his doubts too...

"How am I supposed to believe you? A six-year-old child who can use the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique so skillfully can't possibly be an ordinary civilian."

After hearing Yun Xi's explanation, the Third Hokage sighed.

If Yun Xi had been a member of a Konoha clan or a direct descendant of the Hokage's family, the Third Hokage would have done everything he could to cultivate the genius.

But Yun Xi was just a civilian...

Unlike the illusory forms created by the ordinary Clone Technique, the clones summoned by the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique were tangible.

They also lasted much longer, which meant the technique's combat power was greatly increased.

But every technique had its strengths and weaknesses. The Multi-Shadow Clone Technique's drawback was that it required the user to have a massive amount of chakra.

The Third Hokage had seen Yun Xi's clone earlier. If it hadn't been for his own powerful chakra control, he might have been fooled.

How could someone so skilled with a high-level technique be an ordinary civilian?

"Lord Hokage, if I really were a spy, would I have come to see you of my own accord after realizing you'd found out I'd left the village?"

Looking at the Third Hokage's grave expression, Yun Xi had no choice but to keep explaining.

At the same time, he had already prepared himself for the worst...

"Besides, the first thing I did after returning was come here to explain myself. Do you really think a spy would be so stupid as to stay instead of running away after being discovered?"

Seeing the Third Hokage's expression soften a little, Yun Xi spoke again.

"Hmm..."

After hearing Yun Xi's words, the Third Hokage didn't reply. He continued to watch Yun Xi from across the room.

But the hostility in his eyes had eased somewhat...

"Although I can't explain how I learned the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique, I can assure you once again that I have absolutely no ill will toward Konoha."

Realizing that the Third Hokage's hostility was fading, Yun Xi pressed his advantage and made his promise.

The Third Hokage simply kept staring at Yun Xi. Only after a long while did he speak again. "I admit you've convinced me. But next time you leave the village, remember to tell me first..."

In the end, the Third Hokage couldn't bring himself to send Yun Xi to Anbu...

Only the Third Hokage himself knew why.

Perhaps he valued Yun Xi's talent...

Or perhaps Yun Xi had persuaded him...

"Got it!"

Hearing the Third Hokage say that, Yun Xi finally breathed a sigh of relief.

At the same time, he thought to himself, I finally talked my way out of it.