Applying for Jonin (1)

Time flew by as Li Yu spent his days refining chakra, researching and developing ninjutsu, and patrolling the village.

He had completed one A-rank Anbu mission, 26 B-rank missions, and 147 C-rank missions.

Li Yu had mastered Sage Mode, and his chakra reserves had reached the level of an elite jonin; these missions were far too simple for him.

Right, just charge in and brute-force it.

For C-rank missions, he would simply use Wood Release to create a few clones to handle them separately.

That one A-rank mission had actually started as a C-rank patrol, but it was upgraded due to unforeseen changes—that was the mission where he had been promoted to chunin.

Li Yu truly did not want to do any more B or C-rank missions, so he specifically sought out the Third Hokage to submit an application.

In the Third Hokage's office at the Hokage Office Building:

"Zi Yu, I have approved your application. I will personally oversee your jonin examination. Are you prepared?"

"Yes, Lord Hokage. I am prepared and ready to begin at any time."

"Oh? Quite confident, aren't you?"

"It has been a long time since I've moved my body; I'm feeling a bit rusty."

As the Third Hokage spoke, he stretched his limbs. Accompanied by the White Fang of the Leaf and a group of Anbu ninjas, they entered a Konoha Secret Training Ground.

Four ninjas stood at the four cardinal directions, forming a barrier formation.

Once an opening was created, Li Yu entered first. Sarutobi Hiruzen removed his Hokage cloak and robe, revealing a tight-fitting combat outfit, and quickly stepped into the barrier to stand opposite Li Yu.

The surrounding Anbu ninjas whispered among themselves:

"Who is this Zi Yu? Lord Third is actually stepping onto the field to test him personally."

"Lord Hokage is taking this seriously. It seems this isn't just a simple assessment."

Having heard the news from somewhere, Shimura Danzo entered through another entrance, followed by two Root ninjas, his expression grave.

At this time, Danzo had not yet transplanted Hashirama's cells; his right arm was free of bandages, though his right eye remained covered.

When the Anbu personnel saw Shimura Danzo arrive, they spoke in unison:

"Lord Danzo."

Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded to each other.

This was Li Yu's first time seeing Danzo, the greatest schemer in the Hidden Leaf Village and a notorious troublemaker.

He swept his gaze across the room and spotted a man with a pale complexion and eyes like a snake.

Orochimaru is here, too.

Orochimaru's eyes were filled with fanaticism as he muttered to himself:

"Nawaki, Teacher is very eager to see how much you've grown during this time. Heh heh."

Not far away stood a middle-aged man wearing glasses and a middle-aged woman.

Li Yu guessed in his heart:

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

The high-level officials of the Hokage—it seems everyone who could come has come. They all want to witness my Wood Release.

Since that's the case, I won't hold back. If I don't show some real strength, I might face endless trouble in the future.

Li Yu couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile, though his Anbu mask hid his expression from everyone.

This time, I'll scare the life out of you all—especially Danzo.

Li Yu turned his gaze back to Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was also looking at him, ready to begin the battle.

Both sides performed the Seal of Confrontation.

In an instant, Li Yu activated his two-tomoe Sharingan, threw out shuriken, and formed hand seals.

"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"

Opposite him, Sarutobi Hiruzen threw his own shuriken and formed the same seals.

"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"

The shuriken collided in mid-air, all of them knocked away by the impact.

Clang, clang, clatter.

"Where did this kid learn this ninjutsu? He uses it quite well," Sarutobi Hiruzen thought, his eyes lighting up.

Li Yu then pulled out four special kunai and fired them toward his opponent, condensing chakra in one hand.

Sarutobi Hiruzen used the kunai in his hand to deflect two of them, then turned his body to dodge the other two.

Just then, Li Yu activated the Flying Thunder God, appearing instantly at Sarutobi Hiruzen's side and pressing a Rasengan directly toward him.

Seeing the blue sphere pressing in, Sarutobi Hiruzen instantly gathered chakra in his hand to block the strike. He spun half a circle in the air, landed, and skidded back a distance before coming to a stop.

This strike had succeeded largely due to the element of surprise; Li Yu hadn't expected to defeat Sarutobi Hiruzen so easily.

"The Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God... very impressive," the Third Hokage remarked with surprise.

"I didn't expect you to be able to learn it."

The Anbu ninja on the viewing platform exclaimed in amazement.

"What kind of ninjutsu is this?"

At this moment, Danzo stepped into the role of commentator and said, "This is the space-time ninjutsu of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama: the Flying Raijin Jutsu."

"Lord Second Hokage's Flying Raijin!"

The crowd on the platform let out a collective gasp.

The element of surprise Li Yu had relied on had passed; the battle would now be decided by raw strength.

Not intending to hold back any longer, he formed hand seals.

"Water Release: Water Travel Wave!"

At that moment, a massive amount of water condensed around Li Yu, surging forward in crashing waves toward Sarutobi Hiruzen.

One of the Anbu on the platform remarked, "He can actually do that? To perform such a powerful Water Release ninjutsu in an environment without any water source..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen did not take it lightly; he formed seals in an instant and spat a mouthful of chakra-infused earth onto the ground.

"Earth Release: Earth Style Wall!"

A massive earthen cliff rose up, blocking the impact of the water, though the ground was already completely submerged.

Sarutobi Hiruzen leaped onto the cliff and quickly formed his own seals.

"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"

A dragon head immediately erupted from the ground, spewing a barrage of earthen projectiles toward Li Yu.