Lihuo watched Minato curiously, wanting to see how one could test someone's aptitude for space-time techniques.
Minato saw the question in Lihuo's eyes and quietly explained.
"This is a method the Second Hokage recorded in the Flying Thunder God Jutsu scroll. The caster simply sends their chakra into the other person's body."
"Then they can sense how sensitive that person is to space-time."
If someone from the Hyuga Clan had been watching Minato with the Byakugan, they would have seen his chakra circulating in an exceptionally unusual way.
Minato quickly stepped forward and gently took Lihuo's hand.
Suddenly, a gentle stream of chakra flowed into Lihuo's chakra network, following a specific route.
Lihuo knew it was Minato's chakra.
As Minato slowly guided his chakra through Lihuo's network, probing it, he spared some of his attention to reassure him.
"Little Lihuo, I've actually spent many years studying this space-time technique. I only learned it recently."
"I might sound like I'm bragging, but so far, only the Second Hokage and I know this technique. So if the result isn't what you hoped for, that's perfectly normal."
Listening to Minato's reassurance, Lihuo realized just how much care Minato put into treating his companions.
"Minato Namikaze really is impossible to dislike."
Lihuo thought, but said aloud,
"It's okay, Minato-senpai. But if I really do have an aptitude for space-time, you have to ask the Third Hokage what I need to do to get permission to train in it."
Minato gave a slight shake of his head, thinking,
"He's still just a boy. He doesn't realize that everyone has something they're good at, and people with an aptitude for space-time techniques are just so..."
After sensing something, Minato slowly furrowed his brow.
"So..."
He carefully probed Lihuo's chakra network once more, then came to a conclusion.
"So lucky, little Lihuo! You have a powerful aptitude for space-time."
"It's the best I've ever seen! If you can't learn the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, then no one can!"
Minato told Lihuo excitedly.
Although it was just as he'd expected, hearing Minato's heartfelt praise still made Lihuo happy.
"Then you have to ask the Third Hokage for me, Minato-senpai."
"Of course," Minato replied cheerfully, leaving a Flying Thunder God Kunai where he stood.
The next moment, a flash of golden light appeared, and Minato vanished.
Lihuo: (･_･;
Seriously, where are your manners? Is being able to use the Flying Thunder God Jutsu that impressive?! (Uchiha Lihuo was insanely jealous.)
Minato didn't leave Lihuo waiting long. Before long, he appeared where he'd left the Flying Thunder God Kunai.
"I'm really sorry. I got so excited that I forgot to tell you first."
Minato awkwardly rubbed his nose.
Lihuo asked curiously,
"Minato-senpai, did you leave a mark in the Hokage Office, too?"
The question gave Minato quite a scare. After all, he was still just a Jonin—not yet the Fourth Hokage, who could stroll into the Hokage Office as if it were his own home.
"Hey, what are you saying, Lihuo? How could I possibly leave a formula in the Hokage Office? I left it in front of the Hokage Building."
After joking around for a bit, the two got down to business.
"Little Lihuo, after hearing about your situation, the Third Hokage was quite astonished. He said you're a genius who can do anything."
Even though Lihuo had seen plenty, being praised by a Hokage still pleased him.
"Lord Hokage has decided that once you become a Jonin,"
"you'll be allowed to train in the Flying Thunder God Jutsu. I'll be your teacher and guide you through your training."
Minato was clearly happy for Lihuo, too. Lihuo also thought Sarutobi Hiruzen's terms were reasonable, so he gladly agreed.
After all, he'd already mastered the Flying Thunder God Jutsu completely. He was only going through the proper channels so he could use it openly.
And when the time came, Lihuo certainly wouldn't hold back!
It was late. Lihuo and Minato chatted for a little longer, then went their separate ways.
When Lihuo got home, he had no intention of resting.
"'Simplified Sage Mode,' activate!" Lihuo said softly.
"'Sensing,' activate!" A fine web of chakra quickly spread out. With Lihuo at its center, everyone and everything within a kilometer fell under his control.
To guard against the Third Hokage's Telescope Technique, Lihuo had also specifically designed an Anti-Telescope Technique based on how the Telescope Technique worked!
That completely eliminated any chance of being watched in secret.
Then Lihuo picked up a finely crafted Kunai. Feeling its cool touch in his hand, he wondered,
Minato's Flying Thunder God Formula is "Sword of Ninja Love." So what should mine be?
Suddenly, inspiration struck, and a mischievous idea came to him.
Lihuo then stirred the chakra inside his body.
If Minato had been there, he would have been astonished. The chakra fluctuations Lihuo released were exactly the same as his own when he used the Flying Thunder God.
Then, three little characters appeared on the handle of the Kunai in Lihuo's hand: "Dengdengdong."
Looking at his own Flying Thunder God Kunai, Lihuo felt a swell of pride. He placed it in his bedroom, went into the living room, and said softly,
"Dengdengdong!"
The formula on the Kunai in the bedroom glimmered faintly. In an instant, Lihuo teleported to where it was.
"It worked!"
Lihuo was thrilled. That night, thanks to his superb reflexes, he practiced combining the Flying Thunder God with the Rasengan until he had it down to perfection!
You could say that if Lihuo joined the Third Shinobi World War right now, he'd be the new "Yellow Flash"!
But after practicing all night, Lihuo discovered the one weakness he currently had: his chakra reserves!
During training, Lihuo had to stop every so often to recover his chakra, greatly reducing his ability to fight for extended periods.
The next day, Orochimaru sent a Ninja Snake with a message, summoning Lihuo to train.
Lihuo agreed, of course. He increasingly felt he'd chosen the right teacher. He and Orochimaru each had their own goals, but Orochimaru's professionalism as a teacher was impeccable.
On the way, Lihuo ran into Kakashi. Kakashi said he'd been assigned to Minato's squad and was now receiving guidance from him.
"Lihuo, I've realized I overestimated Genin," Kakashi said seriously.
Lihuo complained,
"Come on, just look at how strong we are. We're hardly ordinary Genin."
"Exactly. That's why I'm planning to take the Chunin Ninja Exams today."
Lihuo: (･_･;
"Then go ahead. I'll just follow Teacher Orochimaru's arrangements."
Before long, Lihuo arrived at the Konoha Training Ground Orochimaru had specified.
"Heh heh heh. Little Lihuo, it's only been a few days, and you've gotten stronger again."
The moment Orochimaru saw him, he keenly noticed the change in Lihuo. His eye for talent was undeniable.
Orochimaru then explained,
"I called you here to plan your training from here on out."
At that, Orochimaru smiled.
"You already have enough ability. What matters now is learning to bring it all together."
"From now on, I'll teach you how to use your abilities at the right moments in battle."
"Not only that, but I'll also teach you all the Orochimaru-Style Ninjutsu I created."
Hearing that, Lihuo nodded in agreement.
"And one more thing..."
Orochimaru paused and licked his lips.
"You'll also help me study Natural Energy every week."
Lihuo said,
"Don't worry, Teacher Orochimaru. I'll guide you..."
"...I mean, help you study Natural Energy."
Under Orochimaru's guidance, Lihuo began his arduous training.
Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
At the Konoha Training Ground,
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
With a loud shout from Lihuo, five enormous white snakes burst from his sleeves and slammed into the training posts.
Boom!
A thick cloud of smoke billowed as the snakes smashed the wooden posts into pieces.
"Clap, clap, clap." Orochimaru walked over, applauding.
"You're making me feel ashamed of myself, little Lihuo. There's nothing left for me to teach you."
"Next, we'll have to move on to actual combat training."
Lihuo looked at Orochimaru, slightly confused.
"From now on, I'll take you on missions myself. Not D-rank or C-rank missions, but B-rank or higher."
Lihuo understood that B-rank and higher missions were highly likely to involve battles between ninja.
The risks were obvious.
As if he'd read Lihuo's thoughts, Orochimaru smiled.
"You have to hone yourself in actual combat. Be ready, little Lihuo. I'll let you know when it's time to set out."
Then Orochimaru used the Body Flicker Technique and vanished. Lihuo stayed behind, putting away his training gear and reviewing what he'd gained from training.
First was his own strength. He hadn't experienced another sudden leap in ability like when he'd gotten the headband, but three months of training had made his skills much more polished.
Lihuo had also become increasingly adept in battle. He was confident that he could easily defeat his past self from three months ago.
Then there was Orochimaru-Style Ninjutsu. Lihuo had completely mastered it, and it had proven to be remarkably powerful.
The shattered training posts in front of him were the best proof.
Besides that, over the past three months, Lihuo had visited almost every part of Konoha and left his Flying Thunder God Marks at key locations, just in case.
As for Natural Energy, Lihuo had been generous with it. Besides providing blood samples for Orochimaru to test,
he also occasionally offered some unique insights, which made Orochimaru like him even more.
Once, he'd even exclaimed sincerely,
"Little Lihuo, if the test results didn't show that you were really a child, I'd suspect you were the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths."
Lihuo and Orochimaru's relationship had shifted from test subject and experimenter to fellow researchers.
Lihuo gathered his thoughts. Just as he'd finished packing up and was about to leave, Kakashi's voice came from a distance.
"Hey, Lihuo! There you are."
As soon as Lihuo saw Kakashi, he could tell that the guy had gotten stronger again.
"I'm putting away my training gear. What about you?"
"I'm planning to take the Chunin Ninja Exams next month."
Hearing that, Lihuo couldn't help but marvel.
Becoming a Chunin at six and a Jonin at thirteen was an astonishing record.
Kakashi didn't notice Lihuo's reaction and continued,
"Lihuo, inspired by your Rasengan, I want to develop an A-rank technique of my own!"
Before you continue