Applying for Jonin (2)

Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen pull this move, those familiar with the plot immediately knew a Fire Style technique was about to follow.

"Fire Style: Flame Bullet!"

The mud bullets he fired ignited instantly in mid-air, hurtling toward Li Yu at even greater speed.

"Earth Style: Earth Style Wall!"

Li Yu countered with an equally thick earthen cliff wall.

Bang! Bang!

The earthen cliff was instantly riddled with burning craters; an ordinary earth wall could not withstand Sarutobi Hiruzen's composite ninjutsu. He was truly worthy of being the Third Hokage, though Li Yu had already copied it.

"Wind Style: Vacuum Wave!"

A hurricane surged toward Li Yu, whipping through the air like a lash as it struck both him and the earth wall beneath his feet in a sweeping, area-of-effect attack.

Boom! Boom!

Stone debris flew everywhere, and the earthen wall shattered into pieces, collapsing into the water below.

Danzo remarked with a sigh, "Sarutobi is getting serious now; he's even using B-rank ninjutsu."

Li Yu used the Flying Thunder God to dodge the multi-stage strike. Since Sarutobi Hiruzen was playing this way, Li Yu would no longer hold back.

"Water Style: Water Severing Wave!"

A powerful stream of water transformed into a razor-sharp blade, sweeping horizontally toward Sarutobi Hiruzen on the cliff, back and forth.

Large chunks of rock were sheared away, the cuts smooth and clean, as the debris tumbled into the water with a continuous splashing sound.

As expected of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen relied on his taijutsu to leap left and right, dodging the sweeping water jet with only a hint of disarray.

Danzo's eyes lit up, and he once again took on the role of commentator.

"An A-rank Water Style ninjutsu, Water Severing Wave."

"This was the signature technique of the Second Hokage. Back on the battlefield, he used this very move to decapitate dozens of ninja in a single sweep."

He watched Zi Yu even more closely now, growing more impressed by the second; the boy's Water Style carried more than a hint of Tobirama's style.

"Wind Style: Vacuum Serial Waves!"

Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen call out this technique, goosebumps rose on Li Yu's skin. This was also an A-rank Wind Style ninjutsu, one capable of piercing the defense of a Susanoo.

In the original plot, it was Danzo who used Vacuum Serial Waves against Sasuke's Susanoo, tearing a massive hole right through it.

Seeing the sheer scale of the technique, Li Yu decided it was time to stop hiding his own strength.

"Since you, Sarutobi Hiruzen, are so eager to know my strength, I'll show you."

He bit his fingers, wove the hand seals, and slammed his hands onto the ground.

"Summoning Jutsu: Triple Rashomon!"

Three massive gates—red, green, and blue—erupted from the ground. The demons carved into the gates looked hideous and terrifying, their mouths agape as if to devour everything in existence.

After the wind blast shattered the first two gates, it lacked the momentum to break the third, leaving only a deep gouge before the entire attack vanished in a puff of smoke.

The surrounding Anbu ninja gasped in awe.

"What kind of ninjutsu is that? Such incredible defense—it even blocked the Third's A-rank technique!"

Danzo was left utterly bewildered, but Orochimaru, unable to stand still, stepped up to act as the commentator.

"The First Hokage's summoning technique. Its defense is truly astonishing; it's not something a mid-level defensive ninjutsu like Earth Style Wall can compare to."

"Summoning the Rashomon requires a massive amount of chakra."

In his heart, Orochimaru thought, It's time I learned this technique of the First Hokage.

Li Yu would never have guessed that it was because of him that Orochimaru would eventually seek to learn the Rashomon.

Seeing Li Yu block his attack with that move, Sarutobi Hiruzen wove his seals once more.

"Fire Style: Great Flame Bullet!"

A massive, scorching torrent of flame swept forward, slamming into Li Yu with immense impact.

Li Yu sighed helplessly.

"Again?"

"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"

He raised a wall of water to block the fiery assault, sending a vast cloud of steam billowing into the air.

"My chakra is running low, so I'll let you witness the Wood Release."

He wove his hand seals rapidly, locked his fingers together, and shouted.

"Wood Release: Deep Forest Bloom!"

This time, both the ground and the earthen cliff summoned by the Third sprouted trees that broke through the surface, spreading rapidly to engulf the entire barrier.

The Wood Release he unleashed this time was several times stronger than his previous attempts.

Seeing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen had no choice but to bite his own finger.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

He summoned Enma, who transformed into the Adamantine Staff and smashed wildly, shattering the encroaching vines.

"Monkey, who is this? Why did you summon me?"

Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen summon Enma, Li Yu knew the battle was nearing its end. He stopped controlling the vines to attack, merely putting on a symbolic show.

After all, he still had to give the Third Hokage some face; forcing out a summoning jutsu was enough. Li Yu deactivated his Sharingan.

Seeing that no more vines were reaching toward him, Sarutobi Hiruzen carried the Adamantine Staff over to Li Yu and said, "Zi Yu, I am very satisfied with your assessment."

"From this moment on, you are a Jonin of Konoha."

He added solemnly, "Having inherited the First Hokage's Wood Release, you must also inherit his Will of Fire."

"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns. The fire's light will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout."

Li Yu listened to Sarutobi Hiruzen's Will of Fire—the brainwashing came on a bit too fast—but he still replied solemnly, "Since I have inherited the First Hokage's Wood Release, this Wood Release carries the First Hokage's will and will surely flourish forever to protect the entire village."

"Under your leadership, the village will surely prosper and thrive, generation after generation."

Hearing Li Yu's response, Sarutobi Hiruzen squinted his eyes and nodded in gratification, turning to leave with a very satisfied smile.

Li Yu's round of flattery had hit the mark.

Having witnessed Li Yu's Wood Release, Danzo felt a strong urge to pull him into his Root, so he followed after Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu cast one last look at Li Yu before departing.

Li Yu walked to a secluded spot and saw Orochimaru emerge from the shadows.

"Nawaki, now that your strength has grown so much, as your teacher, I am very happy for you."

"When you have time, come by my place; I have a few small questions regarding our research."

"Oh, Teacher Orochimaru."

"I will certainly find time to visit and seek your guidance."

Seeing that Li Yu showed no signs of abnormality, Orochimaru turned and left. He had originally intended to take advantage of Li Yu's excessive chakra consumption to capture him.

Watching Orochimaru leave, Li Yu used the Flying Raijin Jutsu to return home.

The next day, after registering at the Hokage Office Building and receiving his green Jonin flak jacket, he continued his life of carrying out missions for the Anbu.