Time flew by. Every day, Li Yu extracted chakra, researched and developed ninjutsu, and patrolled the village.
He completed one A-Rank mission, 26 B-Rank missions, and 147 C-Rank missions for the Anbu.
Li Yu had now learned Senjutsu, and his chakra reserves had reached the level of an elite Jonin. These missions were far too easy for him.
"Right. Just bulldoze through them."
For C-Rank missions, he simply used Wood Release to make several clones and sent them off to handle the jobs.
That A-Rank mission had started out as a C-Rank patrol mission, but it was upgraded to A-Rank after things changed. It was the mission during which he had been promoted to Chunin.
Li Yu really didn't want to do any more B- or C-Rank missions, so he specifically went to the Third to submit an application.
The Third's office in the Hokage Office Building.
"Zi Yu, I've approved your application. I'll personally test you for the Jonin qualification. Are you ready?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage. I'm ready. We can begin whenever you are."
"Oh, quite confident, are you?"
"It's been a long time since I've exercised. I'm a little out of practice."
As the Third spoke, he stretched his arms and legs. With White Fang of the Leaf and a group of Anbu Ninja accompanying him, he entered the Konoha Secret Training Ground.
Four shinobi took their positions at the four corners and formed a barrier.
They opened a gap, and Li Yu entered first. Third Hiruzen Sarutobi took off his Hokage cloak and robe, revealing a fitted outfit, then quickly entered the barrier and took his position opposite Li Yu.
The Anbu Ninja around them whispered among themselves.
"Who is this Zi Yu? Lord Third is personally testing him."
"Lord Hokage is taking this seriously. This must be more than just a simple test."
Shimura Danzō, who had somehow gotten wind of the news, came in through another entrance with two Root shinobi behind him, his expression stern.
Danzō had not yet received Hashirama Cells. His right arm was bare, with no bandages, but his right eye was still covered.
When the Anbu saw Shimura Danzō arrive, they greeted him in unison.
"Lord Danzō."
Danzō and Hiruzen Sarutobi exchanged nods.
This was the first time Li Yu had seen Danzō, Konoha's greatest schemer and a notorious troublemaker.
His gaze swept over the crowd, and he spotted a pale-faced man with snake-like eyes.
"Orochimaru's here too."
Orochimaru's eyes were filled with fervor as he muttered to himself.
"Nawaki, Sensei really wants to see how much you've grown lately. Heh heh."
A bespectacled middle-aged man and a middle-aged woman stood not far away.
Li Yu guessed to himself,
"Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu."
"All the higher-ups who could come are here. They all want to see my Wood Release."
"If that's the case, I won't hold back. If I don't show them some strength, they might keep causing me trouble."
The corners of Li Yu's mouth lifted. With his Anbu mask on, no one could see his expression.
"I'll make sure this scares the hell out of them—especially Danzō."
Li Yu turned his gaze back to Hiruzen Sarutobi. Hiruzen was looking at him too, and they were ready to begin.
The two sides formed the "Opposition Seal."
In an instant, Li Yu activated his two-tomoe Sharingan, tossed out a Shuriken, and formed hand seals.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi tossed out a Shuriken as well and formed hand seals.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
The Shuriken clashed in midair, knocking one another away.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
"Where did this kid learn that technique? He's pretty good at using it," Hiruzen Sarutobi remarked, his eyes lighting up.
Li Yu then took out four Specialized Kunai and hurled them at his opponent, gathering chakra in one hand.
Hiruzen Sarutobi used the Kunai in his hand to knock two of them away, then turned to dodge the other two.
Just then, Li Yu activated Flying Raijin. In an instant, he appeared at Hiruzen Sarutobi's side and thrust the Rasengan in his hand straight at him.
Seeing a blue sphere coming at him, Hiruzen Sarutobi instantly gathered chakra in his hand and blocked the blow. His body spun halfway around in the air. After landing, he slid a short distance before coming to a stop.
The blow had landed mostly because it caught him off guard. Li Yu hadn't expected to defeat Hiruzen Sarutobi so easily.
"Second Hokage Tobirama Senju's Flying Thunder God. Very impressive," the Third said in surprise.
"I didn't expect you to learn it."
The Anbu Ninja on the viewing platform exclaimed in amazement.
"What kind of ninjutsu is that?"
At that moment, Danzō turned into a commentator and explained,
"That is the Space-Time Ninjutsu of Second Hokage Tobirama Senju: Flying Raijin Jutsu."
"Lord Second Hokage's Flying Raijin!"
A wave of astonished murmurs swept across the viewing platform.
Li Yu's surprise attack had already lost its effect. In the end, a fight still came down to strength.
He decided not to hold back and formed hand seals.
"Water Release: Water Travel Wave!"
Water rapidly gathered across the ground around Li Yu, its waves surging toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.
One of the Anbu on the platform exclaimed, "He can do that? He can use such powerful Water Release Ninjutsu in a place with no water?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't hesitate either. He formed hand seals in an instant, then spat a mouthful of mud onto the ground.
"Earth Release: Earth Style Wall!"
A massive earthen cliff rose up, blocking the surge of water, though the ground was already covered by the flood.
Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly leaped onto the earthen cliff and formed hand seals.
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"
A dragon's head immediately rose from the ground and spat a barrage of earth bullets at Li Yu.