Uchiha Kagami

Li Yi hadn't expected to hear those words the moment he walked in. It seemed Konoha was about to enter the era of Sarutobi Hiruzen's rule. Recalling the Naruto series he had watched, the Second Hokage had been severely wounded by Ginkaku and Kinkaku. Although he had managed to return to the village alive, he had taken a direct hit from a Tailed Beast Bomb and succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving in Konoha.

To be honest, Li Yi had always been baffled by this. In the ninja world, the Second Hokage was known as the "God of Shinobi" who mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique. His speed was absolutely top-tier, so how could he have failed to escape?

That wasn't even the main point. The point was that he was the Second Hokage. Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others were his students, but they were also his subordinates. What were subordinates for? Naturally, to act as a shield in critical moments. Yet, it was the Second Hokage himself who stayed behind to cover their retreat.

The Third Raikage had made the same baffling decision later on. Such a powerful ninja, possessing the strongest spear and shield, had actually fought to the death against ten thousand ninjas from the Hidden Stone Village just to let his subordinates escape.

Did they not realize that the most important thing for a village was its Kage?

Look at the Third Hokage later on; he handled this aspect very well. He never took unnecessary risks, which was why he lived the longest.

Soon, the clan heads and elders left with Sarutobi Hiruzen, and the hospital room fell completely silent. The Second Hokage looked at Li Yi and smiled. "I didn't think you would actually find the camp. I was just testing you, but it seems you have a bit of destiny on your side."

Li Yi grinned at the Second Hokage's words. However, he knew that even if he hadn't delivered the intelligence, he likely wouldn't have survived long in that location anyway. In fact, it was precisely because he had delivered the intel that he had managed to stay alive.

The Second Hokage continued, "Your intelligence arrived just in time. Otherwise, I wouldn't have lasted long after returning. Now, at least I can linger on for a while longer to make some arrangements."

The Second Hokage's words left Li Yi at a loss for how to respond. Was he supposed to say, "Then you should hurry up and thank me?"

He could only smile and remain silent.

The Second Hokage coughed a few times, his face turning slightly pale. The medical ninja nearby rushed to check on him, but the Second Hokage waved him off. "I'm fine. You're Li Yi, right? Have you tested your chakra affinity?"

Li Yi quickly replied, "Yes, Lord Hokage. I have a Fire affinity."

The Second Hokage nodded. "You have helped Konoha, and the two ninjutsu I gave you as a reward were a bit light. My techniques are mostly Water Style and some forbidden arts, which don't suit you. As for Fire Style, the Uchiha clan are experts. One of my subordinates, Uchiha Kagami, is very skilled in it. Would you be willing to become his student?"

Li Yi was stunned. He was being asked to apprentice under an Uchiha? Damn it, wouldn't he be targeted in the future?

But considering his current situation, with no one to teach him, he would likely die even faster once he reached the battlefield. Thinking of this, Li Yi quickly said, "I leave it entirely to your arrangement, Lord Second Hokage. I only hope I can meet Lord Kagami's expectations."

Although the Uchiha would be trouble later, he was too weak right now to even worry about that. As long as he became strong, what was there to fear?

"You helped Konoha, and you helped me. I believe Kagami will teach you well!" the Second Hokage smiled.

As soon as the Second Hokage finished speaking, a figure suddenly appeared in the room. He had black hair and a refined, handsome appearance. After appearing, he looked at Li Yi and nodded toward the Second Hokage.

The Second Hokage said, "Then you two may go."

The refined ninja said, "I am Uchiha Kagami. Follow me."

With that, he walked outside, and Li Yi hurriedly bowed to the Second Hokage before leaving the room.

Along the way, Uchiha Kagami walked in front while Li Yi followed behind, his mind racing. He didn't know if this was a good or bad thing. After all, Uchiha Kagami seemed to die quite early—the exact time was never mentioned—but since the man had descendants, he likely had a few good years left.

Following someone with such an uncertain fate was risky. Li Yi had hoped to apprentice under Sarutobi Hiruzen; even if that old man became corrupt and muddled later, he was quite good to his own students.

However, since the Second Hokage had told him to apprentice under Uchiha Kagami, making a fuss and demanding otherwise would only leave a bad impression. From start to finish, Li Yi had no choice.

They soon arrived at a training ground. The figure in front stopped, turned to look at Li Yi, and nodded. "To have this level of strength after only three months of training shows you have talent. Since you are to be my student, I will do my utmost to teach you."

"Thank you, Teacher!" Li Yi said quickly.

Uchiha Kagami gave a hum and said, "Now, attack me with all your strength. I want to see what you're capable of."

Li Yi jumped backward, simultaneously unhooking Ryujin Jakka from his back. He didn't know many techniques yet—just the Body Flicker, some basic kunai throwing, and the Dance of the Crescent Moon.

As for the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, that wasn't something the current Li Yi could play with.

Not everyone was Naruto with such massive chakra reserves.

"Teacher, I'm coming!" Li Yi announced.

Uchiha Kagami gave a slight nod. Li Yi pulled a few kunai from his ninja pouch and threw them. In response to Li Yi's kunai, Uchiha Kagami casually tossed a single shuriken, knocking all of Li Yi's kunai away. This was the Uchiha clan's shurikenjutsu.

Li Yi, who hadn't been paying much attention, soon noticed that those kunai were flying back toward him. As he dodged, he swung Ryujin Jakka. Uchiha Kagami simply stood his ground and evaded; after all, with Li Yi's current cultivation, he was no match for an elite jonin like Uchiha Kagami.

Seeing Uchiha Kagami handle it so easily, Li Yi leaped into the air and unleashed the Dance of the Crescent Moon. Uchiha Kagami's eyes instantly turned blood-red. Li Yi felt a moment of dizziness, and when he looked again, Uchiha Kagami had already appeared in the distance. Li Yi was bewildered, but he quickly realized he had been caught in a genjutsu and began disrupting the chakra in his body.

He broke free from the illusion, leaving Uchiha Kagami surprised. He knew that although he had only used a minor genjutsu, it had been cast with the Sharingan. Even a chunin wouldn't have been able to break out of it so quickly, let alone a boy who wasn't even a genin yet.

Li Yi was able to break free because he was a soul-transmigrator who had devoured the original soul. His soul was naturally stronger than an average person's, which naturally gave him a high resistance to genjutsu.