Second Hokage

The Second Hokage didn't show the slightest change in expression, as if he were the one who hadn't been injured.

While Li Yi was still dazed, the Second Hokage stopped and leaned against a tree. He plopped down on the ground and panted lightly. It was clear that the frantic sprint had taken a considerable toll on him.

"Are you from a nearby village, young man?" Senju Tobirama asked calmly.

Strangely enough, Li Yi understood him and nodded, feeling a little nervous. He couldn't help it—the Second Hokage wasn't easy to deal with. More importantly, he was decisive and unmatched in strategy. When all was said and done, Konoha's strength and prosperity were inseparable from him.

"Heh, there's no need to be nervous. You've been caught up in this because of us. If Kumogakure hadn't launched a surprise attack, the war wouldn't have reached villages like yours." Senju Tobirama forced a faint smile.

Li Yi had a rough idea of when this was happening. The Second Hokage had probably gone to negotiate a peace treaty with the Raikage, only for Kinkaku and Ginkaku to rebel and leave him badly wounded. This must have been the moment.

In other words, this was near the end of the so-called First Shinobi World War.

Damn, did I really transmigrate this early? Li Yi cursed inwardly. Wars were raging everywhere at this point, and he could get killed at any moment.

"You're the Second Hokage, right? Our village is already gone," Li Yi said, pretending to be grief-stricken.

Senju Tobirama didn't seem surprised. His appearance was easy enough to recognize. And he didn't doubt Li Yi's claim, either. The war had indeed destroyed countless villages.

He was a sensor-type ninja and couldn't detect the slightest trace of chakra on Li Yi, which showed that Li Yi wasn't a ninja at all. As for the samurai sword in his hand, well, plenty of people carried blades in these chaotic times.

"Then, would you be willing to join Konoha?" Senju Tobirama asked.

Li Yi was overjoyed. Joining Konoha would at least give him some security. If he stayed out here, he could be killed any day. Konoha had its share of dirty dealings, but things hadn't reached that point yet.

"Can I really?" Li Yi asked excitedly.

Senju Tobirama smiled and casually brushed a hand over his chest. He formed Hand Seals with one hand, summoning a scroll. Then, without any further movement from him, countless tadpole-like markings appeared around the scroll and began to spread across it. Senju Tobirama tossed the scroll to Li Yi and said, "Take this to Sarutobi Hiruzen in Konoha, and you'll be able to join."

Li Yi fumbled as he caught the scroll. He glanced at the Second Hokage, then tucked it inside his shirt. "So how do I find Konoha?"

Senju Tobirama placed a finger on the ground and closed his eyes, sensing for a while. "Run in this direction. If you're lucky, you should reach Konoha's camp. Go on, young man. I look forward to the day you join Konoha."

Li Yi looked in the direction Senju Tobirama had pointed and nodded. Then Senju Tobirama disappeared, and Li Yi had no idea where he went. A moment later, Li Yi heard people shouting behind him, followed by an ominous, terrifying aura spreading from that direction. He didn't dare linger and hurried off in the direction the Second Hokage had indicated.

Li Yi knew the scroll the Second Hokage had given him was probably some kind of intelligence, and his way of proving himself to Konoha. If he managed to reach Konoha's camp, everything would be fine. If he didn't, then he'd just been unlucky. After all, the Second Hokage had only been making an attempt.

Li Yi didn't resent it. This was still better than wandering around alone.

Besides, without chakra, he figured no one would pay any attention to him.

But Li Yi was clearly overthinking it. At such a critical moment, they'd rather kill the innocent than let an enemy escape.

"Just an ordinary person. Kill him!" a ninja wearing a Kumogakure Forehead Protector whispered from the shadows.

Soon, a Kunai flew out of nowhere, aimed straight at Li Yi's heart. Although Li Yi had eaten the Mera Mera no Mi, the most he could do right now was conjure a tiny flame. It was completely useless.

He didn't even know a Kunai was flying toward him.

Just as the Kunai was about to hit Li Yi, a Shuriken flew out of nowhere and knocked it aside. Only then did Li Yi realize what had happened and look behind him.

Damn, someone's trying to ambush me! Li Yi cursed inwardly. He was just an ordinary person, and someone still wanted to kill him. What a bunch of bastards.

But then several more Kunai flew toward him. The sound of them cutting through the air startled Li Yi into rolling aside. Several Kunai were already embedded in the ground where he'd been standing.

"Konoha Style: Willow!" Just then, a young man appeared, holding a long sword. As he swung it, it seemed to multiply into countless blades. While Li Yi stared in shock, the young man disappeared. Two screams came from nearby, and then he walked back out.

He glanced at Li Yi and said flatly, "This is a battlefield. Ordinary people shouldn't come here."

Li Yi didn't know who the young man was, but he'd seen the Konoha Headband on his arm, so he quickly asked, "Are you a Konoha ninja?"

The young man frowned, but nodded all the same.

Li Yi hurriedly said, "I met the Second Hokage. He asked me to deliver some intelligence to someone named Sarutobi Hiruzen. You're a Konoha ninja—can you take me to see him?"

Having a Konoha ninja escort him was undoubtedly the safest option. It was much better than running around alone.

To prove he wasn't lying, Li Yi even took out the scroll and showed it to him.

In an instant, the young man appeared right in front of Li Yi, startling him. That must have been the Body Flicker Technique. As expected, an ordinary person like him couldn't see a thing.

The young man glanced at the scroll but made no move to take it. After a moment's thought, he said, "I'll carry you."

Li Yi didn't hesitate. He jumped straight onto the young man's back. He didn't know who this man was, but after the attack, he understood that reaching Konoha's camp on his own was a pipe dream. At any moment, a Kunai could come flying out of nowhere and kill him.

He'd thought eating the Mera Mera no Mi would give him the means to protect himself, but now Li Yi didn't even know what to say. No wonder people said the Mera Mera no Mi wasn't even fit for a dog to eat.

The Konoha ninja was fast. Li Yi didn't know what rank he was, but judging by the Genjutsu and swordsmanship he'd just displayed, he was probably no ordinary character.