Reward

They had no idea that Li Yi had already clashed with the Third Raikage, even killing three of his Raikage Guard members. However, Li Yi's techniques were currently unable to harm the Third Raikage; otherwise, he certainly would have stayed to finish him off and avenge Kagami Uchiha.

In just two days, the major ninja villages received the news: the Third Raikage had personally intercepted Li Yi, yet Li Yi had managed to escape with ease, even after slaying three members of the Raikage Guard.

Information regarding Li Yi's ninjutsu also leaked out. The Third Raikage had no intention of keeping it secret; he wanted Li Yi's intelligence exposed.

Not only could he fly, but he also possessed a unique Kekkei Genkai that amplified the power of Fire Release. Furthermore, he wielded a long sword capable of emitting flames and possessed a Mangekyō Sharingan.

This was the information currently circulating about Li Yi!

Danzo received the news as well. Looking at the report, even he was slightly shocked. Had Li Yi truly grown to this extent? Flight—how many ninjas dreamed of flight? After all, being able to fly meant a great deal.

As for the rest, the Kekkei Genkai that boosted Fire Release was also worthy of attention.

"Lord Danzo, it is excellent news that Jonin Li Yi has already clashed with the Third Raikage and departed unscathed. I believe Yamanaka Ao will surely locate Jonin Li Yi soon, and then we can provide reinforcements to the Land of Rivers battlefield!" Lufeng was overjoyed; the Land of Rivers front was currently lacking high-end combat power.

Danzo nodded; that was indeed the case.

And indeed, Li Yi was found by Yamanaka Ao and his team very quickly. After all, the squad led by Yamanaka Ao specialized in tracking and reconnaissance, including members from the Hyuuga Clan, Inuzuka Clan, and Aburame Clan—all experts in the field—not to mention that Yamanaka Ao himself was a sensory ninja.

"Jonin Li Yi, Lord Danzo has ordered your immediate return to the camp!" Yamanaka Ao said, producing a scroll.

Li Yi took the scroll, glanced at it, and destroyed it. "Very well, let's head back."

He then followed Yamanaka Ao and his team back toward the Konoha camp. As for the young man accompanying Li Yi, they did not ask any questions, and the group proceeded toward the camp.

Upon entering the camp, Li Yi placed Kato Taka in a tent and said, "Kato Taka, wait for me here. Don't wander off."

Kato Taka nodded, and only then did Li Yi go to see Danzo.

When Li Yi walked into Danzo's tent, Danzo smiled. "Li Yi, it's been a long time!"

"Yes, Lord Danzo, it has been a while," Li Yi replied. It had been nearly a year since he left the Konoha camp, and he had been active in the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Moon, never returning to the camp, only leaving coded intelligence in certain places when he had the chance.

"I never imagined you would progress so quickly. If Kagami knew, he would certainly be gratified," Danzo said with a sigh.

Li Yi said nothing. Danzo then continued, "Following the Third Hokage's approval, Li Yi, due to your distinguished service, you have been promoted to an Anbu squad leader. Furthermore, the Third Hokage says you may choose one ninjutsu from the Scroll of Sealing to study. Here is the catalog."

With that, Danzo handed a sheet of paper from his desk to Li Yi.

Li Yi's eyes lit up. The Scroll of Sealing—that was a treasure. He looked over the list and was immediately rendered speechless.

He felt that Sarutobi Hiruzen was bullying him for never having seen the Scroll of Sealing before.

The list contained neither the Dead Demon Consuming Seal nor the Impure World Reincarnation; in other words, Sarutobi Hiruzen had no intention of giving him those two techniques. However, the Flying Thunder God Slash was indeed on the list.

"Lord Danzo, I choose this one: the Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God Slash!" Li Yi stated directly.

Danzo nodded, then thought for a moment. "Li Yi, the entry requirements for this technique are extremely high. It requires a constitution with an affinity for space. Are you sure you don't want to reconsider?"

After all, in Danzo's view, the Flying Thunder God Slash was something practically no one could learn. It was too difficult, requiring not only superior comprehension but also a specific constitution; otherwise, the Second Hokage would not have classified it as a forbidden technique.

"Lord Danzo, there is no need. I wish to try!" Li Yi insisted.

Li Yi then hesitated before asking, "Lord Danzo, may I ask? Since the Flying Thunder God Slash is a forbidden technique, how do you determine if someone is suitable or not? If someone suitable were to miss out on such a powerful technique, wouldn't that hinder the growth of Konoha's strength? Wouldn't it also risk this powerful technique being lost to time?"

Danzo smiled. "In reality, we have tests. Moreover, we have already shared it with everyone; if they possess a constitution with an affinity for space, their Body Flicker Technique will be exceptionally strong, which gives them the qualifications to attempt the Flying Thunder God Slash."

Li Yi realized. No wonder. It seemed he had been worrying for nothing. Of course, that was how it was now, but in the future, that might not be the case. He remembered that Uchiha Shisui's Body Flicker Technique was incredibly strong, yet they never offered him the Flying Thunder God Slash, so ultimately, it still depended on the Third Hokage's whims.

But none of that mattered to Li Yi; getting what he could now was enough.

As for the spatial affinity, Li Yi felt he likely possessed it. After all, he was a transmigrator; he had to have some sort of spatial constitution, otherwise, how could he have crossed over?

Once mastered, this would be another life-saving technique.

Of course, if he ultimately failed to perform it, Li Yi would have no regrets; at the very least, he would have tried.

Afterward, Danzo summoned a ninja who bit his finger to perform a summoning technique, eventually carrying Danzo's message back.

As Li Yi prepared to leave, Danzo said, "Wait a moment. Once the Third Hokage has transcribed the technique, it will be delivered. By the way, I heard you brought a young man back with you?"

Li Yi replied, "Yes, I met him in the Land of Hot Water. He was formerly a noble from the Land of Fire, from the Kato Clan. We hit it off, so I brought him along to mentor him."

Danzo gave an "oh" and lost interest. He had thought it might be some special genius, but it appeared not to be the case, as he had already had a sensory ninja check the young man, and he was only at the level of an ordinary genin.

Since Danzo brought it up, Li Yi took the opportunity to request a genin status for him. Danzo had no objections; in times of war, everything was simplified.

The matter was easily settled, and Li Yi successfully obtained a Konoha Headband.

"Right, the reason I called you back this time is that you are to head to the Land of Rivers battlefield. The Second Kazekage, Shamon, has entered the fray. You must hold Shamon back so that we can drive the Sand ninjas back and free up more combat power to confront Kumogakure!" Danzo said solemnly.