Third Hokage

"Thank you..."

After hearing Yun Xi's words, Naruto gradually calmed down.

Following a brief expression of gratitude, he slowly returned to his original corner, his mind lost in thought.

"No more noise! Let's continue with the self-introductions!"

Iruka finally snapped back to reality, taking charge of the classroom atmosphere once more.

"And... let's start with you."

Glancing around, Iruka pointed his finger directly at Yun Xi, signaling for him to begin.

"Me? My name is Yun Xi. My greatest dream is simple: I just want to survive in this world."

Seeing this, Yun Xi introduced himself briefly with a faint, smiling expression.

After finishing, Yun Xi walked back to the edge of the classroom, his gaze fixed on the distance as he muttered to himself, "Lord Hokage, I've just solved a huge headache for you. I wonder if there will be any reward for me?"

A helpless smile tugged at the corners of Yun Xi's mouth as he finished speaking to himself...

Following Yun Xi's introduction, Sasuke was the next to step up.

As a genius of the Uchiha Clan, Sasuke's appearance naturally drew significant attention.

His formidable strength and striking looks made him one of the most prominent figures in the classroom.

After a brief introduction, the members of the Konoha 12 appeared one by one, though Yun Xi had no time to pay them any mind.

He had discovered that after preventing Naruto's outburst, two Chunin wearing cat masks had suddenly appeared near the Ninja Academy.

Moreover, they were focusing all of their attention on him...

Are they Anbu ninjas?

Upon noticing their attire, Yun Xi naturally understood their identities.

Although the strength of a Chunin was nothing to worry about in Yun Xi's eyes, the Hokage standing behind them made him feel a hint of trouble.

Inside the Hokage Office Building.

The old man, dressed in the red and white Hokage robes, was observing the crystal ball on his desk with a grave expression.

The scene displayed within the crystal ball was exactly what had transpired in the Ninja Academy classroom.

"Yun Xi, is it?"

After hearing Yun Xi's self-introduction, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression grew even more solemn.

Possessing the Telescope Technique, he had watched every detail of what had just occurred.

"Lord Hokage, we've found out. The child who made contact with the Jinchuriki is named Yun Xi, a war orphan. Both his parents were civilians who died during the Nine-Tails Incident..."

Just as the Third Hokage was lost in thought, two Chunin dressed in Anbu gear suddenly appeared behind him.

They had brought with them a full investigation of Yun Xi's background.

"A war orphan, you say?"

Even after learning Yun Xi's identity, the Third Hokage's face remained heavy.

He seemed to be recalling some unpleasant memories.

After a few seconds of silence, the Third Hokage spoke again: "Once the Ninja Academy enrollment concludes, bring this boy to see me."

"Yes!"

Upon receiving the Third Hokage's order, the two elite Anbu ninjas vanished once more.

The vast Hokage Office was left with only the Hokage himself.

"A civilian orphan whose parents died in the Nine-Tails Incident is protecting the hero's son, while I..."

Yun Xi was naturally unaware of the Hokage's orders. As the new students finished their introductions, he took the initiative to head toward a secluded corner of the schoolyard.

Since it was the first day of enrollment, there were no formal classes, and Yun Xi had nothing better to do.

The reason he had come to the corner of the yard was, naturally, to find out why the two Anbu ninjas were tailing him.

Although Yun Xi already had an answer in his mind, he still wanted to see the Hokage's true thoughts regarding his intervention with Naruto.

"Come out. Do you really need me to invite you?"

Seeing that there was no one else around, Yun Xi drew two shuriken from his waist and flung them toward the nearby bushes.

"We've been discovered?"

Seeing the shuriken flying toward them, the two Anbu ninjas realized things had gone south and leaped out from their hiding spot.

As they dodged, Yun Xi's shuriken missed their mark.

"What do you want with me?"

As the two Anbu ninjas appeared, Yun Xi got straight to the point.

"The Third Hokage requests your presence..."

The two Anbu elites exchanged glances before stating the purpose of their visit to find Yun Xi.

At the same time, their eyes were filled with confusion.

The two of them truly could not understand how their concealment had been seen through by a child who was not even a ninja yet.

"Let's go. Don't overthink it; I just tossed two shuriken at random, it was pure luck."

To save face for the two Anbu elites, Yun Xi explained his previous actions with an expression that suggested he had simply been lucky.

However, this explanation left the two Anbu ninjas speechless, and they had no choice but to walk ahead and lead the way.

The Hokage Office Building was not far from the Ninja Academy.

After a mere ten-minute walk, Yun Xi arrived in front of the door to the Hokage Office.

At that moment, the two Anbu ninjas suddenly vanished...

"What a hassle..." Seeing this, Yun Xi couldn't help but grumble.

As soon as he knocked on the office door, a voice belonging to an old man drifted out from within the Hokage Office a few seconds later.

"Come in, the door is unlocked."

Upon hearing this, Yun Xi did not hesitate and pushed the door open to enter.

So strong!

This was Yun Xi's first impression upon seeing the Third Hokage.

Although the Third Hokage was merely sitting quietly at his desk, he still exerted a pressure on Yun Xi that felt as immovable as Mount Tai.

Is this the power of a Kage-level powerhouse?

Yun Xi thought to himself. Initially, he had believed that while his current strength might not be as great as a top-tier Jonin, he would at least be on par with a traditional Jonin in terms of taijutsu after activating his Sharingan and the Heaven Curse Mark.

He had even thought he could trade a few blows with a Kage-level powerhouse.

Now, having truly seen the Third Hokage, Yun Xi realized he had been overthinking things...

I'm still not strong enough!

Feeling the Third Hokage's overwhelming aura, a sense of powerlessness welled up in Yun Xi's heart.

At the same time, his desire to become stronger grew even more intense.

"Hehe, don't be afraid. I just wanted to see your true strength."

Seeing Yun Xi acting so cautious, the Third Hokage took the initiative to speak, looking at Yun Xi with a smile.

He appeared like a kind old man, and the powerful, mountain-like aura from before had vanished completely...

You old geezer, I'd be a fool to believe you!

Yun Xi thought to himself, though he dared not say it aloud.

"Grandpa Hokage, what strength could I possibly have..."

At this moment, Yun Xi naturally understood that playing dumb was the wisest choice.

He responded to the Third Hokage's question using the tone of a well-behaved child.

The Third Hokage did not respond to that, but instead said in an extremely grave tone: "If a crisis were to befall Konoha, and you were the only one with the ability to save it, would you do everything in your power to protect it?"

Here it comes!

Hearing the Third Hokage's question, Yun Xi, who was familiar with the plot, naturally understood that the Third was testing him.

He was testing his attitude toward Konoha!

"Of course. Konoha is my home. As long as I have the ability, I will never let anyone destroy Konoha!"

This was not just empty talk meant to deceive the Third; it was the truth.

In Yun Xi's heart, the village of Konoha was not bad at all; at the very least, it was quite decent among the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

Furthermore, there were people in this village that Yun Xi wanted to protect.

Uncle Heiwa, who treated him like family...

And the other civilians who often helped him out.

Yun Xi could never forget the kindness of these people!

"Good..."

Upon hearing Yun Xi's words, the Third Hokage only responded faintly, while fixing his sharp gaze upon him...