The Art of Beheading in the Heart

A gentle breeze swept across the training ground, kicking up swirls of dust.

Lihuo looked at his opponent, who was rubbing his arm and struggling to stand up, his mind as clear as a mirror.

Lihuo knew full well that he was riddled with shortcomings; having just transmigrated from a law-abiding citizen of Blue Star, trying to contend with ninjas raised from childhood as killing machines was simply absurd.

Moreover, the rewards he had obtained from his golden finger could not perfectly resolve his current predicament.

Only by playing to his strengths and avoiding his weaknesses could he find a glimmer of opportunity in this adversity.

Now this is interesting!

Lihuo's eyes erupted with high-spirited fighting intent.

"You're not bad. As the first extra to survive three chapters, I grant you permission to state your name after your defeat."

The response to Lihuo was the figure of his opponent pouncing like a starving tiger.

Logically speaking, for two Uchiha youths to be standing here, they had basically already received family training and were recognized by the clan as individuals capable of becoming ninjas. This duel was merely a formality, and judging by the abilities the two youths had displayed so far, they were already qualified.

The reason the teacher had delayed declaring the end of the duel was that the Third Hokage had taken over the role of referee. He wanted to see just how far these two Uchiha youths could go. To ensure he wouldn't fall behind on his paperwork, the Third had even used the Shadow Clone Technique to handle the files in his stead.

Back on the training ground, the two youths had progressed to the stage of taijutsu combat. After tasting the power of Lihuo's strikes, the opponent had clearly opted for a more agile offensive style, using nimble dodges to evade Lihuo's attacks while waiting for an opportunity to wear him down.

Lihuo realized his opponent's strategy and couldn't help but feel a chill, silently grumbling to himself, "You really can't underestimate any extra. My soul-game-player self, are you really being this cautious?"

It was time to execute the plan.

I'll feign a weakness to lure him into attacking.

With that thought, Lihuo threw a fake punch while secretly gathering his strength, ready to react instantly the moment his opponent struck. Yet, unexpectedly, his opponent seemed to have anticipated it and quickly pulled away.

"Haha, coward Lihuo, is that all the tricks you've got?" As he spoke, he began to weave hand signs with clumsy movements.

"Wait! That sign is! Lord Third, please stop him quickly!" a Chunin teacher hurriedly exclaimed.

The Third, however, unhurriedly stopped everyone, for he saw no panic on Lihuo's face—only an unprecedented level of focus.

Come on, Uchiha youth, let me see your level.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" A fireball rushed toward Lihuo's face.

"Coward, at this distance, not even a god could save you! Accept your defeat!"

The scorching fireball surged forward, but Lihuo merely left behind a light remark: "See, you've left yourself wide open."

The searing flames burst outward, and as the thick smoke cleared, only a charred log remained on the ground.

The Chunin teacher stood up abruptly. "Substitution Jutsu? Impossible! I didn't see him weave a single sign!"

The Third was stunned for a second, then said unhurriedly, "His hand speed is very fast. Watch, the duel is about to end."

Having just unleashed the Fireball Jutsu, the opponent, whose chakra had been completely drained, was utterly shocked. "Where is he? He's not in the surroundings, and he's not in the air. Then that means..."

A massive force dragged the opponent into the ground, leaving only his head exposed above the surface. Lihuo's figure emerged silently, pressing a hand onto the other's head as he said indifferently, "Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu."

"You lost. Loser, what is your name?"

Without further ado, the Chunin teacher stepped forward to make the announcement. "Uchiha Lihuo and Uchiha Aotian are both qualified for admission."

He then rescued Aotian from the earth.

"Now, perform the Seal of Reconciliation."

Lihuo chuckled. "Your name suits you well, Uchiha Aotian. I am very unhappy to meet you; don't ever do this again next time, okay?"

Uchiha Aotian wore an expression of deep resentment.

"Lihuo, just you wait! I will definitely make you pay for this!"

Just as Lihuo was leaving the arena, a spiky-haired boy lunged at him with lightning speed.

It was Obito.

"You idiot Lihuo! What do you think you're doing? Why did you have to go and look so cool?"

"Rin is asking me all about you now! How could you do this to me?"

Looking at the friend-over-romance Uchiha Obito, Lihuo felt a wave of speechlessness wash over him.

"Let's go, you silly Obito, time to go home and eat."

The moment the words left his lips, Lihuo froze.

Having lived two lives, he was alone in this one—where was home, really?

Suddenly, an arm draped over Lihuo's shoulder.

"I really don't know why Rin is so curious about you. If you ask me, an idiot is just an idiot."

"Come on, let's go. Grandma made us plenty of good food."

"Obito!" Lihuo feigned anger, but he couldn't hide the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

The two walked toward the Uchiha Clan Grounds with their arms slung over each other's shoulders.

After watching Lihuo's duel, the Third Hokage slowly made his way back to the Hokage Office.

"Excellent chakra control, genius-level hand seal speed, and superb tactics—yet, conversely, zero practical combat experience."

"This little Uchiha brat is interesting." Thinking this, the Third Hokage raised his left hand slightly.

"Yue, go and help me investigate Uchiha Lihuo's personal background."

A breeze swept through the room as if nothing had happened, but Sarutobi Hiruzen knew that his direct Anbu operative was already resolutely carrying out his order.

As for our protagonist Lihuo, after finishing his meal, he followed his memories to his own house.

He began to organize the gains from his first day since transmigrating.

"System, open personal panel."

"Host" Uchiha Lihuo
"Ninjutsu" Body Flicker Technique, Body Replacement Technique, Transformation Technique, Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu, Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, Water Style: Great Waterfall Technique, Headhunter Jutsu, Earth Style: Earth Wall, Shadow Clone Technique, Telescope Technique, Shuriken Shadow Clone, Water Style: Water Wall
"Taijutsu" None
"Genjutsu" None
"Chakra" Micro-Kaka (A fraction of Kakashi's, enough to release only one ninjutsu at full capacity)
"Savings" 10,000 Ryo
*You have a reward, please claim it in time.

Lihuo then remembered that he had also patted Aotian on the head.

"Claim!"

"Ding! Head-pat performed on D-rank ninja: Uchiha Aotian. Please choose one of the following rewards:"

"50,000 Ryo"

"Neck-protecting U-shaped pillow"

"Collection of Trash Talk"

He chose the money decisively; he knew Aotian wouldn't drop anything good anyway.

After sorting through the day's gains, Lihuo began to plan for his future development.

There were ten days left until the Ninja Academy officially opened.

First, his current weaknesses were taijutsu, chakra volume, and kunai throwing. Chakra needed to be refined slowly, but training for taijutsu and kunai throwing had to be put on the schedule as soon as possible.

He would go buy new ninja tools and weighted gear tomorrow to intensify his taijutsu training.

He should also go find a taijutsu sparring partner, otherwise, he wouldn't be able to keep it up.

At the same time, in the Uchiha Clan Grounds, Aotian was complaining to his parents.

"Mom, Dad, you have to get revenge for me!"

Although Aotian was a brat, he didn't lie; he told his parents the whole story from beginning to end.

Aotian's father trembled with rage and roared, "Who told you to talk to people like that! You were in the wrong, you challenged someone else, and now that you've lost, you're running to your parents? Is that all the character you have?"

"Tomorrow, you are going to apologize to Lihuo!..."

This night was destined to be an unsettled one.