Oath of Allegiance

Although Li Yi had been brought into Konoha on the Second's recommendation and had even successfully become Kagami Uchiha's student, the Uchiha Clan wasn't particularly trusted in the village. That dated back to the Second's wariness of them, a legacy the Third and Danzo carried on and even intensified, until the Uchiha were eventually wiped out.

Of course, that wouldn't happen for decades yet. For now, in the eyes of those powerful figures, Li Yi was just a slightly more talented Genin. Did he really expect to see the Hokage whenever he wanted? What did he think he was, Naruto?

In the entire Naruto world, the only Genin who could barge straight into the Hokage Building were Naruto and the Third Hiruzen Sarutobi's grandson, Sarutobi Konohamaru. As it happened, both were Konoha's little princes.

Thanks to Kagami Uchiha leading the way, Li Yi wasn't questioned and went straight into the Hokage Building.

Outside the Hokage's office, Kagami Uchiha knocked. Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice came from inside.

"Come in, Kagami!" Hiruzen Sarutobi had sensed Kagami Uchiha's chakra, so he called out.

Kagami Uchiha pushed the door open, and Li Yi hurried in after him. Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Li Yi, then smiled. "Kagami, what brings you here with your student?"

Kagami Uchiha gave Li Yi a look, signaling that he should explain himself.

Li Yi promptly said, "Lord Hokage, I've developed a ninjutsu, and I'd like to hand it over to the village."

Hearing Li Yi say that he'd developed a ninjutsu and wanted to give it to the village, the Third Hiruzen Sarutobi felt pleased. It showed that Li Yi had the Will of Fire. Kagami hadn't let him down, either; he'd raised someone to carry on the Will of Fire. But Li Yi was still a ninja who'd come to it late, and even if he was a genius, he was only a Genin.

Konoha had no shortage of anything except geniuses, so the Third didn't take Li Yi's ninjutsu seriously. Could a Genin like him really have developed an A-rank technique?

What a joke. Even a genius had limits. Not everyone was Senju Tobirama.

"Li Yi, what kind of ninjutsu is it?" the Third asked with a genial smile.

He couldn't very well discourage a child with the Will of Fire, so the Third planned to humor him and leave it at that.

Li Yi held out his hand. A blue sphere of light appeared in his palm. The moment the Rasengan appeared, the Third's eyes narrowed.

The Third Hiruzen Sarutobi of this era wasn't the senile old man he'd become later. He was in his prime, and his strength surpassed that of his contemporaries. Calling Hiruzen Sarutobi a Kage Level fighter was no exaggeration. He had chakra in all five natures and could combine them at will to perform powerful combination techniques. The Third Hiruzen Sarutobi had no weaknesses at this point.

Otherwise, would the Third dare to call himself the strongest among the Kage? Of course, stories about the shinobi who came after him grew more and more exaggerated. But judging by the Kage of the other villages at the time, he'd have dared to face any of them head-on.

"You developed this ninjutsu?" the Third asked gravely. He also glanced at Kagami Uchiha. There was no helping it: the Third could see how powerful the technique was and how much room it had to grow. It was even a hand-seal-less technique. Calling it A-rank wouldn't be an exaggeration.

And it was the pinnacle of chakra shape transformation. If nature transformation were added to it, just imagine... It could definitely reach beyond S-rank.

"Yeah. I had an idea to attack directly with chakra, and I worked it out from there!" Li Yi had already come up with an explanation.

When Hiruzen Sarutobi saw Kagami Uchiha say nothing, he figured Li Yi might be telling the truth. If so, the boy had incredible talent. What a pity he'd become an Uchiha's student.

Though Hiruzen Sarutobi thought highly of Kagami Uchiha, the Uchiha were still the Uchiha.

The one thing that comforted Hiruzen Sarutobi was Li Yi's strong Will of Fire. That was good.

Having thought through the key points, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. "Li Yi, you should know that, in my opinion, this technique is already A-rank. With nature transformation added, it could even reach S-rank. Are you really willing to give it to the village?"

Li Yi grumbled inwardly, I've already come all this way. What do you think? If I say I'm not willing now, are you going to beat me to death?

Knowing that this was another test from Hiruzen Sarutobi, Li Yi kept reminding himself that he was a true heir to the Will of Fire, and that nobody could stop him from carrying it out with unwavering resolve.

Li Yi nodded firmly. "The village took me in. I only regret that I'm too weak to do anything for it. Now that inspiration struck and I've created this technique, how could I be stingy if it can help the village?"

Looking into Li Yi's resolute eyes, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with satisfaction. What a good boy. What a pity my teacher didn't let him become my student.

"Very well. Let's get it recorded. But the village isn't stingy, either. Li Yi, what ninjutsu would you like? The village can provide it for you," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, nodding.

Li Yi began writing down the Rasengan's training method. Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's offer, he shook his head. "Lord Hokage, there's nothing I need. The techniques the Second and my teacher have already given me are more than enough to study."

He had to say something gracious, after all. He couldn't exactly admit he had his eye on the Scroll of Sealing. Besides, an A-rank Rasengan probably wouldn't be enough to earn him a chance to read the forbidden scroll. Better to offer it as a token of goodwill to the leadership.

Of course, if the village really accepted it shamelessly, Li Yi wouldn't have anything to say about that.

Clearly, the Third wasn't going to do that. "How about this? You're a Fire Style ninja, and I'm sure Kagami has already taught you plenty of Fire Style techniques, so I won't add to that. But a ninja needs ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and genjutsu. Your teacher has already taught you Taijutsu, so I'll give you a genjutsu. It's one the Uchiha Clan doesn't even have."

As he spoke, the Third rummaged around, then finally took out a scroll and set it in front of Li Yi.

Li Yi hesitated, but accepted it in the end. They'd come this far, and refusing now would seem affected.

He respectfully placed the completed Rasengan notes in front of the Third. The Third smiled. "All right, I still have plenty to do, so I won't keep you. Kagami, stay a moment."

Li Yi knew that meant he was being told to get out so the Hokage and his teacher could talk privately. So he sensibly bowed, paid his respects, and left the Hokage's office.