The Third Generation's Shock

"Congratulations to the host for activating the God-level Choice: The Temptation/Trap of the Curse Mark?"

{Option One: Submit to Orochimaru and become a wild, domineering rogue ninja. Reward: Heaven Curse Mark effect doubled. (Risk of being controlled by Orochimaru.)}

{Option Two: Abandon the Heaven Curse Mark. Reward: Fire Style Ninjutsu Mastery - Evolved Version (Any Fire Style ninjutsu used will gain an explosive effect.)}

This system has only been quiet for a few days, and it's already trying to stir up trouble again!

Looking at the two options provided by the system, a trace of helplessness appeared on Yun Xi's face.

However...

This did not mean that Yun Xi disliked the rewards the system was offering this time.

To be honest.

Yun Xi was tempted by the rewards in either of these options.

If the first option hadn't required him to defect to Orochimaru, Yun Xi might have actually chosen it.

After all, the Heaven Curse Mark was definitely a decent reward.

Essentially, the Heaven Curse Mark was a forbidden technique that Orochimaru had developed through his research on Jugo during the early stages of the plot.

It was a technique researched with the combat style of a jinchuriki as its core concept.

Users of the curse mark could possess immense power when activating it. The curse mark state was divided into State One and State Two; in State One, black patterns covered the body, their appearance related to the user's chakra, while in State Two, the patterns spread across the entire body, causing drastic changes to the user's skin and appearance.

Once the State Two mode was activated, it allowed for near-infinite chakra.

Simply put, the curse mark created by Orochimaru was more like an incomplete version of Sage Mode.

And the system was capable of doubling the effect of the curse mark...

If not for the warning in the second half of the description, Yun Xi would have truly been tempted...

It seems this system really intends for me to continue down the path of Fire Style ninjutsu...

After silently complaining about the system, Yun Xi did not hesitate and made his choice immediately.

The moment Yun Xi confirmed his decision.

The three black tomoe curse mark that had been floating on Yun Xi's arm actually vanished...

At the same time, an inexplicable feeling of being controlled gradually faded from Yun Xi's heart...

"Great!"

Realizing that the system had removed the curse mark from his body, a flash of pleasant surprise appeared on Yun Xi's face.

Furthermore, since Orochimaru had already left, Yun Xi did not linger at the spot.

Instead, he headed straight for the Hokage Office Building!

Meanwhile.

After planting the curse mark on Yun Xi, Orochimaru had returned to the Root Division immediately, but before he could even enter, the connection to Yun Xi suddenly vanished from his mind.

Realizing this, Orochimaru stopped in his tracks.

Gazing into the distance, he muttered to himself, "I really underestimated this brat. He can even erase the curse mark..."

With that, Orochimaru's figure vanished into the darkness.

On the other side.

Upon arriving at the Hokage Office Building, Yun Xi did not hesitate.

He went straight to the Hokage's office, and seeing the door was unlocked, he rushed right in...

"Grandpa Hokage, it's a disaster!"

Seeing that only the Third Hokage was in the office, Yun Xi feigned anxiety, gesturing wildly as he said, "When I was planning to head out earlier, I discovered that someone had died near my house!"

"Hmm?"

As soon as Yun Xi said this, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, immediately stopped his work and stood up. He walked toward Yun Xi and asked, "What happened?"

"It's just that when I stepped out, I found several corpses at my doorstep. Seeing this, I wanted to tell you immediately, Grandpa Hokage."

"But..."

"But what?"

Seeing Yun Xi hesitate, a trace of doubt appeared on the Third Hokage's face. He then spoke to Yun Xi in a stern tone, "Don't worry about this matter; tell me everything you saw!"

Since the end of the Third Shinobi World War, the five great ninja villages had entered a relatively peaceful environment, and Konoha, in particular, had been developing rapidly during this time.

Although death was a very normal occurrence in the ninja world.

But!

For someone to dare to strike within the village, and to kill members of the Anbu at that.

This was undoubtedly a provocation to Sarutobi Hiruzen's authority!

Coupled with the strange expression revealed on Yun Xi's face.

The Third Hokage instantly felt that this matter was certainly not as simple as it seemed.

"I understand, Grandpa Hokage!"

Seeing the concerned expression on the Third Hokage's face, the tension in Yun Xi's heart dissipated somewhat.

Because he understood.

The Third Hokage could basically guarantee his safety now!

After calming his inner emotions, Yun Xi continued, "But just as I was about to look for you, Grandpa Hokage, I noticed a man waiting for me outside the door."

"A man?"

Hearing what Yun Xi said, the Third Hokage immediately asked, "What did this man look like?"

"A very scary-looking man, with pale skin, and he also had a snake..."

Recalling the appearance of Orochimaru in his mind, Yun Xi spoke up immediately.

"A snake..."

"Oh no, could it be him?!"

Hearing this, a hint of tension instantly appeared in the Third Hokage's eyes, and he hurriedly asked, "And then?"

"Then I just kept running. That man chased me for a while, but then he stopped."

"Finally, I came to the Hokage Office Building..."

Although the Third Hokage was a decent ally for now, Yun Xi was not stupid.

Naturally, he would not mention his clash with Orochimaru or the Cursed Seal.

"Could it really be him..."

After hearing the sequence of events, a trace of conflict instantly appeared on the Third Hokage's originally calm face.

"Yun Xi, I am aware of this matter. You may go now. Until this situation is resolved, I will have Anko Mitarashi protect you."

"???"

What the hell, having Anko Mitarashi protect me???

Upon hearing the Third Hokage's decision, a look of astonishment instantly appeared on Yun Xi's face!

Anko Mitarashi...

A Chunin...

Protecting him?

And against Orochimaru, no less!

Yun Xi highly doubted whether the Third Hokage was joking.

After all, if the person protecting him was really Anko Mitarashi...

Yun Xi suspected that the Third Hokage was planning to let Anko Mitarashi deliver a double kill.

"Um, Grandpa Hokage..."

"What is it?"

Seeing that Yun Xi's expression was a bit off, the Third Hokage responded immediately.

"It's just..."

"Although Anko Mitarashi's strength is quite formidable, I feel that..."

"You feel that this young girl, Anko, is no match for the person who attacked you?"

"Yes, that man seemed much stronger."

Yun Xi answered truthfully.

Upon hearing Yun Xi's reply, the Third Hokage merely shook his head and smiled, "If it really is that guy..."

"Anko Mitarashi might be the best choice..."