Is Kong That Strong?

"It's a kid from the Uchiha clan."

Jiraiya was quite surprised.

Uchiha?

If he remembered correctly, hadn't they been wiped out overnight?

It seemed like only two little ones were left in the village.

But, calculating the time, those two should still only be genin.

Could it be that these two, just like Naruto, were bold enough to paint the Hokage Rock?

Asuma, standing to the side, said with a wry smile.

"Haha, don't let your imagination run wild. It's not that he's causing trouble; it's just that the kid is a bit too much of a genius. Let's put it this way: during the previous Chunin Exams, he single-handedly drove off Orochimaru!"

"What?"

Jiraiya's mouth hung open, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.

What kind of situation was this?

A genin had beaten Orochimaru into retreat?

Jiraiya was completely bewildered. Before returning this time, he had indeed heard that Orochimaru had paid a visit to the village.

However, he had always assumed that Orochimaru had been driven away by the Hokage and the others.

But now, you're telling me he was driven off by a genin?

Was that even possible!

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, clearly seeing through Jiraiya's thoughts.

"Of course you wouldn't believe it... We didn't believe it at the time either, but that's the reality. Whether it was his Sharingan or some gadget he built, he somehow managed to suppress Orochimaru."

"I know, of course, that Orochimaru likely wasn't using his full strength; after all, it was a sneak attack, and he didn't dare to be too blatant."

"But even so, it's terrifying. Who is Orochimaru? He is one of the Legendary Sannin who made a name for himself in the previous era."

Jiraiya was left completely dumbfounded.

"Teacher, who is that kid? Can you let me meet him? Or better yet, let me take him under my wing."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head.

"You probably haven't met him, but the kid is incredibly arrogant. Kakashi invited him before, and he didn't even care for it. Plus, his heart doesn't seem to be in his training, and the exams are right around the corner."

"The Anbu reported that this guy is actually busy tinkering with some general store!"

As he spoke, the Hokage himself couldn't help but laugh.

They had truly never seen such an eccentric character before.

Jiraiya blinked hard.

"No way... Konoha Village can produce a talent like this?"

"No! If there's a chance, I definitely have to interact with him."

Jiraiya then suddenly grew excited.

"Doesn't this mean our village has at least two guaranteed spots for the exams this time?"

Kakashi, standing nearby, shook his head.

"Not necessarily. Sasuke is one thing; he's a pure-blooded Uchiha. But Uchiha Sora is different. His strength lies in surprise attacks and unorthodox methods."

"So, when it comes to actual combat, one-on-one, he might not necessarily win."

Asuma also added solemnly.

"That's right. Based on my observations, the kid's weapons seem to have a cooldown period. Those things similar to flying shuttles, but smaller, are one thing, but that explosive one should be easy to guard against."

"Orochimaru only got hit because he was caught off guard."

Even the Hokage didn't seem to think much of his chances.

"Exactly. And in the tournament, you have to reveal your hand at least once. Once he makes a move, his subsequent opponents will be prepared."

"If those are his only tricks, I imagine most ninja will be able to withstand them."

Hearing this, Jiraiya scratched his head.

"So, in that case, this Uchiha Sora kid is basically just like Orochimaru back in the day."

Everyone looked at him in surprise.

"How so?"

Jiraiya chuckled.

"We all believe in ninjutsu, but only Orochimaru liked to mess around with things, believing in technology!"

Everyone was speechless.

Kakashi stepped forward and said.

"Let's go. There are only ten days or so left until the exam, so let's focus on training our respective students first!"

Jiraiya was very reluctant, but he knew the mission was more important.

And so, everyone departed.

It wasn't until they had left that the Hokage frowned, looking out the window at the street not far away with a wry smile.

At this moment, it was clear that the renovation of the general store was complete.

"If this kid truly achieves something in the future, I hope he doesn't end up like Itachi Uchiha!"

"But that shouldn't happen, after all, this kid doesn't possess the kind of formidable strength that the Uchiha have."

Just like that, time slowly slipped away.

Kakashi, Jiraiya, and the others led their respective students and began half a month of grueling training.

It didn't seem like a long time, but under the guidance of expert teachers, everyone made rapid progress.

In Konoha Village, at the Shikamaru family estate, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio had just finished a training session and were lying on the ground, exhausted.

"I'm telling you! Is all this hard training even useful? If we run into Sora, won't we just get taken down instantly?"

Ino was still feeling dejected. Especially after the last incident, and learning that the strange man was actually Orochimaru, she felt a deep sense of dread regarding Uchiha Sora.

After all, someone who wasn't even a Chunin had repelled one of the legendary Sannin! How absurd was that?

Choji's scalp also tingled.

"Thank goodness! We didn't provoke him too hard back then. If he'd been pushed to the edge and used those moves on us, I don't think I could handle an explosion like that!"

Only Shikamaru frowned. He stared at the sky, his eyes gradually brightening.

"I've got it!"

Choji and Ino, who were beside him, looked surprised.

"Got what?"

Shikamaru chuckled, looking mysterious.

"To deal with Uchiha Sora, we should engage in close-quarters combat. Haven't you noticed? This guy seems to only be able to attack from a distance."

As soon as he said this, Choji was pleasantly surprised.

"Damn! Now that you mention it, it really does seem that way. Whether it was those bizarre explosions or that strange weapon from before, they all seem to be long-range!"

"Doesn't that mean if we just get close to him, he won't be able to do anything?"

Ino's eyes also lit up.

"Really? But wouldn't he have defensive measures against that? Like intentionally keeping us from getting close?"

Shikamaru nodded.

"That's true, that's the troublesome part. He is an Uchiha, after all. We saw it during the fight—that guy really did awaken his eyes!"

"With the Sharingan, close-quarters combat is truly difficult to deal with. But it's fine. Beyond seven paces, his strange weapon is fast, but within seven paces, our weapons should be faster!"

Hearing this, everyone nodded in shock.

"Got it! When the time comes, we'll get right up in his face and strike his vitals!"

Choji clenched his fists and began shadow-boxing in the air.

"Sasuke, watch closely. As the saying goes, beyond seven paces, the gun is fast; within seven paces, the gun is both accurate and fast!"

Uchiha Sora spoke, firing several shots in quick succession, turning the kunai Sasuke had thrown in front of the mirror into beehives.

Sasuke gasped for air.

"Big brother, this weapon you call a gun is too insane. Combined with the slow-motion effect of the Sharingan, it's like you can really hit whatever you point at!"

Uchiha Sora chuckled and finished reloading his AK-47.

"Isn't it? This is what you call American-style Iaijutsu!"