Cloud Xi Was a Little Confused

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have activated the Choice System: Lie or answer truthfully?"

{Option One: Tell the Third Hokage the truth about what happened during this time. Reward: An additional 20% increase in training speed within the Ninja Academy's grounds.}

{Option Two: Use an excuse to change the subject, then become a free-spirited rogue ninja after getting away. Reward: An additional 20% increase in training speed outside Konoha.}

{Option Three: Lie. Reward: An additional 20% increase in training speed within Konoha (excluding the Ninja Academy).}

"MMP!"

"System, what are you up to now?!"

Looking at the three options that had appeared in his mind, Yun Xi, who was already feeling a little irritated, grew even more exasperated.

But since the Choice System had activated, Yun Xi could only start making his choice.

After all...

An extra 20% increase in training speed sounded pretty sweet!

Of course.

Before choosing, Yun Xi had already ruled out the second option, which involved becoming a rogue ninja.

What really had Yun Xi torn was the choice between the first and third options.

"Lie?"

"Tell the truth?"

After hesitating for a while, Yun Xi decided to stop overthinking it and chose the third option.

Once he'd made up his mind, Yun Xi looked at the smiling Third Hokage before him and slowly said, "I'm too playful, so I don't want to go..."

All right.

Actually, this wasn't really a lie for Yun Xi.

He truly didn't want to go to the Ninja Academy...

After all, none of the Konoha 12 had enrolled yet. If he went, he'd just end up teamed with a bunch of cannon fodder. Yun Xi would be better off just hanging around Konoha.

It would be safer, too.

"Hmm?"

Clearly, the Third Hokage hadn't expected Yun Xi to answer so directly.

He didn't want to go?

So he wasn't going...

It was an honest excuse, but the Third Hokage had never expected anyone to actually give him that reason...

In an instant, three helpless lines appeared on the Third Hokage's forehead!

"Ahem..."

A quiet cough immediately drew Yun Xi's attention back. The Third Hokage had also suppressed the complicated feelings inside him, then spoke to Yun Xi in a kindly, persuasive tone. "Becoming a ninja requires extremely arduous training and study. Don't you want to become a ninja?"

What exactly is this old Third Hokage trying to do?

Watching the Third Hokage earnestly persuade him to go back to school, Yun Xi was a little confused.

Before coming here, he'd thought a bunch of Anbu big shots would be waiting for him, then they'd take him straight to an Anbu prison and interrogate him about his relationship with Uchiha Itachi.

But...

He hadn't expected this at all.

The whole situation felt completely off!

It was like Yun Xi had prepared himself to fight for his life, only for someone to ask him why he wasn't going to school...

"What's the matter? You still don't plan to go to school?"

Seeing that Yun Xi hadn't said anything for a while, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke again. When he still got no answer, the Third Hokage continued, "Maybe being a ninja isn't the best choice, but I hope you won't keep wasting your life like this..."

"Me?"

"Wasting my life?!"

What the hell? How does the old man think I'm wasting my life?!

Yun Xi was instantly confused.

This was completely different from what he'd imagined.

He also had no idea what the Third Hokage meant by "wasting his life"...

"Grandpa Hokage, I've been at the Ninja Academy for so long, but I still haven't become a ninja. How about..."

Though Yun Xi was confused, he decided to go along with what the Third Hokage was saying and see what the old man was really after.

After all, Yun Xi didn't believe he'd been summoned just to talk about this...

After studying the expression on the Third Hokage's face, Yun Xi didn't hesitate. He went on, "Grandpa Hokage, how about you let me take a break for a while? I can go to the Ninja Academy next year."

"Sure."

For some reason, after Yun Xi made his request, the Third Hokage didn't object at all. He simply agreed, then continued, "That's all for today. Whenever you decide you want to go to the Ninja Academy, just come and tell me."

"I can leave?"

If Yun Xi had only been a little confused before, then now...

He was completely bewildered...

Did he summon me today just to ask why I wasn't going to school?

He was still puzzled, but Yun Xi didn't ask any more questions.

After saying his goodbyes, Yun Xi left the Hokage Office Building and went home with a baffled look on his face...

Meanwhile, just as Yun Xi left.

A middle-aged Jonin suddenly appeared inside the Hokage's office.

If Yun Xi had been there, he would have recognized the man at once: Morino Ibiki of the Anbu!

In the original story, Morino Ibiki was the captain of Konoha's Torture and Interrogation Force. He was also the proctor for the first test of the Chunin Exams Naruto and the others took.

He had an extremely strict personality and was a direct subordinate of the Third Hokage.

"Ibiki, what do you think of that boy Yun Xi?"

The Third Hokage suddenly spoke.

"Hm?!"

Ibiki hadn't expected the Third Hokage to ask him directly. A flash of surprise crossed his face.

After all, as far as he could remember, there was nothing remarkable about that kid Yun Xi.

He had mediocre ninjutsu talent and a family background that barely registered.

If there was anything that might make people remember him...

It was that he'd spent years failing to graduate from the Ninja Academy...

"He's a kid with terrible talent," Ibiki said honestly after thinking it over.

Then he stood behind the Third Hokage and looked at him with a puzzled expression...

"Terrible, is he..."

After hearing Ibiki's assessment of Yun Xi, a faint smile crossed the Third Hokage's face. He murmured, "That Yun Xi fellow isn't so simple."

With that,

the Third Hokage went over to the front of his desk and gestured for Ibiki to come over.

"Take a look at this..."

Once Ibiki had come to his side, the Third Hokage motioned for him to look at the image inside the Crystal Ball...

"Is this the boy's true strength?!"

As he watched the scene in the Crystal Ball, even Ibiki, who was usually so stern, couldn't help feeling shocked.

Then Ibiki suddenly realized something and asked the Third Hokage, "Lord Hokage, was this the real reason you summoned him today?"

"Yes and no..."

Looking at the image in the Crystal Ball showing Yun Xi using ninjutsu near the Forest of Death, the Third Hokage fell into thought...