Kushina Uzumaki Under Attack

Hiruzen Sarutobi examined the Thunder Breathing Sword Style Chiyu had handed him.

As far as this Thunder Breathing Sword Style was concerned, it was no longer a matter of whether he was satisfied—it was a pleasant surprise.

However, from the perspective of Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Professor of Ninjutsu, the first five of Thunder Breathing's seven sword forms could at most reach the level of B-Rank Nintaijutsu. Only the final Sixth Form and Seventh Form could reach A-Rank.

As a complete set, Thunder Breathing Full Sword Form could be rated A-Rank.

But that alone was enough to delight Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Because it was a complete set of Nintaijutsu, exceptionally valuable.

Hiruzen Sarutobi put away the scroll and looked at Chiyu with satisfaction. "Chiyu, on behalf of Konoha, I thank you for contributing this complete set of Thunder Breathing Full Sword Form. What reward do you want?"

Chiyu shook his head. "This was what I should have done. I'm deeply honored to be able to contribute to Konoha. That is reward enough for me."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was becoming increasingly satisfied with Chiyu.

There was no doubt about Chiyu's talent. Not only had he mastered the shape transformation and nature transformation of Lightning Release Chakra, but he had also mastered the entire Thunder Breathing Full Sword Form. As long as he developed steadily, becoming a Jonin was practically guaranteed.

More importantly, Chiyu was extremely loyal to Konoha. He had contributed this A-Rank Nintaijutsu without holding anything back.

Originally, Hiruzen Sarutobi had thought that Chiyu harbored some resentment toward Konoha. Now, it seemed that was not the case.

Otherwise, Chiyu would have had no reason to contribute an entire set of A-Rank Nintaijutsu.

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that Chiyu was promising material and could be properly cultivated in the future.

Moreover, half of Chiyu's body carried the Uchiha Bloodline. With that identity, perhaps Chiyu could play a special role in the future plans concerning the Uchiha Clan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi walked over to Chiyu and patted him on the shoulder encouragingly. "Chiyu, make sure to stay safe during your training from now on. Work hard, and don't disappoint my expectations."

Chiyu lowered his head slightly, his expression somewhat strange.

From the looks of it, Hiruzen Sarutobi intended to make good use of him?

That was... truly wonderful.

The more Hiruzen Sarutobi relied on him, the more smoothly Chiyu would be able to carry out his plans.

Chiyu raised his head and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with blazing eyes. "I definitely won't disappoint Lord Hokage's expectations!"

After Hiruzen Sarutobi offered Chiyu a few more words of encouragement, Chiyu took his leave.

Once outside the Hokage Office, Chiyu let out a soft breath.

For quite a long time to come, Chiyu would have little to do besides train.

After all, Konoha was currently in peacetime. No major events would occur, and he would have no way to obtain Witness Points.

Chiyu was now a genuine pauper, without a single Witness Point on him.

Chiyu was beginning to suspect that the system had done it on purpose. A Standard Tachi cost 10 Witness Points, while replenishing Chakra once cost 30 points. He had replenished it three times, making exactly 100 Witness Points.

Chiyu took a deep breath and looked at the setting sun. He still had to work hard and become stronger!

Five days later.

The Ninja Academy had no classes today.

Yesterday, Chiyu and Kushina Uzumaki had agreed to visit the place where Chiyu had trained before.

Because Chiyu had casually mentioned yesterday that the scenery there was beautiful, especially now that the cherry blossoms were in bloom.

Cherry blossom petals drifted everywhere along the streets.

They had agreed to meet at one in the afternoon.

Kushina Uzumaki, who was going out to have fun for the first time, was incredibly excited. As soon as she finished lunch with Mito Uzumaki at noon, she immediately headed out.

Kushina Uzumaki planned to arrive at the meeting place before Chiyu, then hide and give him a fright.

Kushina Uzumaki ran toward the meeting place with light, cheerful steps.

Looking at the blooming cherry trees around her, a smile appeared on Kushina Uzumaki's face as she imagined walking with Chiyu beneath this shower of falling blossoms.

Suddenly.

Kushina Uzumaki stopped, the smile disappearing from her face as she glared angrily ahead.

Someone stood beside a cherry tree ahead.

That person was the brat who had constantly picked on Kushina Uzumaki at the Ninja Academy.

The brat glared at Kushina Uzumaki as if he had come specifically to cause her trouble today.

A boy a head taller than him emerged from behind the brat. This boy wore a forehead protector and was a Konoha Genin.

The Genin placed a hand on the brat's shoulder, and the two of them sneered at Kushina Uzumaki.

With his arms crossed, the Genin strolled toward Kushina Uzumaki. "So you're the one who always makes my little brother cry."

Kushina Uzumaki pointed at the brat and argued her case. "He's the one who always provokes me! He's obviously just a coward."

The Genin glanced at the brat, who guiltily turned his head away.

The Genin looked back at Kushina Uzumaki and proudly pointed to his forehead protector. "I'm a Genin. Pretty impressive, right? Since you're a bad person who bullies my little brother, I'd better teach you a proper lesson!"

The Genin cracked his knuckles, producing a series of sharp pops.

Kushina Uzumaki's gaze sharpened. Without the slightest hesitation, she leaped onto a tree and fled forward.

The Genin immediately followed, relentlessly pursuing Kushina Uzumaki.

The Genin directly threw a Kunai at Kushina Uzumaki. It embedded itself in the tree beside her.

Kushina Uzumaki was startled. She had not expected this Genin to use a Kunai against her—and a real one at that.

Kushina Uzumaki jumped onto a tree trunk ahead, pushed off with both feet, and charged straight at the Genin.

The Genin had not expected Kushina Uzumaki to confront him head-on. Caught off guard, he took her punch squarely and fell to the ground.

Before Kushina Uzumaki could breathe a sigh of relief, white smoke rose from the Genin's body, and he turned into a wooden log.

It was the Substitution Technique.

The Genin landed behind Kushina Uzumaki, struck her neck with a hand chop, then kicked her in the back, sending her crashing to the ground.

The Genin grabbed Kushina Uzumaki by the hair and yanked her up. Kushina Uzumaki cried out in pain as he sneered, "You didn't even notice the Substitution Technique? Looks like you're just a little brat! So red, stiff as thread—this hair of yours is really an eyesore!"

The brat also mocked Kushina Uzumaki from the side. "Hahaha, serves you right!"

Kushina Uzumaki began to sob.

When Chiyu arrived, he happened to see Kushina Uzumaki being held by the hair, crying.

Chiyu's mind roared as overwhelming fury surged into his head.

The brat spotted Chiyu in the distance and pointed at him. "Big brother, that Two-Five-Boy showed up! He's with this girl!"

The Genin cracked his neck and grinned viciously. "Then I'll teach that Two-Five-Boy a lesson too. I've always wanted to do that!"

When Kushina Uzumaki saw Chiyu, she shouted at him, "Chiyu, run!"

At that moment, Chiyu had nearly lost his mind. The Standard Tachi with multiple chips along its blade was already in his hand, and he lowered his body slightly as lightning began to flicker across him.