Flying Thunder God Technique!

The next morning.

Sunlight spilled into every corner of Leaf Village.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage himself, had actually come to the home of Rogge, a genin.

After opening the door, Rogge asked in surprise, "Lord Hokage, what brings you here?"

He quickly welcomed Hiruzen Sarutobi inside.

"With nothing to do, I specifically came by to see you." Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled as he entered. His steps were steady and powerful, as though each one carried its own authority. "Rogge, you performed very well yesterday. Many Konoha shinobi know your name now."

A pleased smile rested on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face, and his eyes showed his appreciation for Rogge.

"Hehe..." Rogge acted modestly, lowering his head slightly to conceal the sharpness in his eyes.

Hiruzen Sarutobi walked over to the window. Sunlight streamed through it and fell over him, as if draping him in a layer of golden radiance.

He turned and smiled. "Rogge, do you hate the Uchiha Clan?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze was filled with curiosity and concern. He wanted to understand what this young man truly thought.

Hearing that, Rogge said with a serious expression, "Yes. The Uchiha Clan is far too arrogant. Every one of them walks around with their noses in the air. I've never been able to stand them. More importantly, Uchiha Shu attacked me some time ago. I will definitely settle that score."

Rogge recalled the humiliation he had suffered, and the anger in his heart began to burn once more.

"Uchiha Shu? Oh, that Uchiha chunin who went out on a mission. He doesn't seem to be in Konoha at the moment."

After thinking for a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and said, "You want revenge against the Uchiha Clan. Aren't you afraid of dying?"

Rogge shook his head with a smile. "No. The one who dies might not be me. It could be Uchiha Shimizu."

"Heh, young people are still too hot-blooded."

Hiruzen Sarutobi patted Rogge on the shoulder, his eyes full of helplessness and concern.

He understood the passion and impulsiveness of youth, but he also worried that Rogge's confidence would lead him into danger.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a scroll from his robe and handed it over.

"I think highly of you. You will certainly become an outstanding shinobi in the future. This is a space-time ninjutsu—the Flying Thunder God Technique. Spend the coming days studying it seriously. If you can master it, you'll have a great chance of defeating Uchiha Shimizu!"

"The Flying Thunder God?" A trace of curiosity appeared on Rogge's face at just the right moment. He took the scroll and carefully examined its contents.

The Flying Thunder God Technique was an extremely powerful ninjutsu, a space-time ninjutsu developed by Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage. It was a forbidden technique specifically meant to counter the Uchiha Clan!

"I see. Thank you, Lord Hokage. I'll work hard to master this technique!" Rogge's face was full of excitement.

"Rogge, your current strength is no worse than that of an ordinary jonin. What you lack is combat experience." Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes were filled with praise and expectation.

"But no matter how gifted you are, you still need time to grow. Right now, your mind is still too immature, and it would be easy for someone with ill intentions to plot against you. I hope you can settle down and stop constantly seeking fights. Do you understand?" Hiruzen Sarutobi began lecturing him with a stern expression.

After giving it some thought, Rogge understood Hiruzen Sarutobi's intentions.

He knew Hiruzen Sarutobi was concerned for him and thinking about his future.

He asked, "Lord Hokage, do you mean... you want me to give up the life-or-death duel with Uchiha Shimizu in a month?"

Putting on the air of an elder, Hiruzen Sarutobi earnestly persuaded him, "Yes, that's what I mean. Rogge, although you are outstanding, you are still too young. There's no need to be so impulsive... You're risking your life just to prove a point. It's completely unnecessary... Taking the initiative to provoke the Uchiha Clan is a very unwise move. Do you understand?"

"No, the life-or-death duel absolutely cannot be canceled!" A voice suddenly burst into the room. At the same time, Danzo Shimura appeared in the doorway.

"Danzo?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart sank. Things had become troublesome.

Seeing Danzo Shimura at his doorstep, Rogge felt somewhat helpless. Being watched by a pack of old foxes really was unpleasant.

Danzo walked into the room and said through gritted teeth, "Hiruzen, life-or-death duels are a Konoha tradition passed down since the Warring States era. The rules of the duel arena were personally established by the Second Hokage. Genin Rogge challenging jonin Uchiha Shimizu is an act of the weak challenging the strong, and Uchiha Shimizu has already agreed to this duel. Therefore, Rogge has no right to cancel it unilaterally. If he fails to appear at the duel arena on time, Konoha will deem him a deserter. His shinobi status will be stripped immediately, and he will be expelled from Konoha!"

Danzo Shimura knew his opportunity had come. He intended to use this chance to suppress both Hiruzen Sarutobi's prestige and the Uchiha Clan's arrogance.

"Hiruzen, you are the Hokage. You can't take the lead in breaking the rules, or you'll regret it!" Danzo Shimura was immensely pleased with himself.

"Danzo, rules are dead, but people are alive. As the Third Hokage, I have the authority to stop this unfair duel!" Hiruzen Sarutobi was firm, determined to protect Rogge.

He knew Rogge's future was filled with limitless possibilities. He could not let this young man lose his life over a moment of impulsiveness.

"Heh, Hiruzen! You may be the Hokage, but if you want to alter the rules of the duel arena, you must obtain the Konoha Council's approval. I'm the first to oppose it. As for Homura and Koharu, I'm afraid they won't support your decision either."

"Therefore, there is no way for you to stop Rogge's life-or-death duel with Uchiha Shimizu." Danzo Shimura's eyes were full of calculation and intrigue.

"Damn it..." Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression darkened at Danzo's words.

Danzo Shimura had a point. Although he held great authority as Hokage, he could not casually change rules established by the previous Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had not expected Danzo Shimura to truly intend to drive Rogge to his death.

At present, many factions within the Hidden Leaf Village were tangled together in an extremely complicated situation. Though Hiruzen Sarutobi was Hokage, he could not cover the sky with one hand.

There were many conflicts within Konoha: conflicts between the major clans, conflicts between shinobi clans and Konoha's upper ranks, conflicts between civilian shinobi and shinobi clans... When conflicts could not be reconciled, the only option was to enter the duel arena for a life-or-death battle!

One against one. The victor lived, and the loser died. The shinobi world was that cruel!

Back when Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, took office, he revived the "duel arena" that had been passed down since the Warring States era!

The duel arena's greatest purpose was to resolve Konoha's internal conflicts!

Two shinobi who held deep grudges against each other could apply for a life-or-death duel!

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi was the Hokage and wielded great authority, changing a rule established by the previous Hokage still required the unanimous approval of Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and the Hokage's advisor, Danzo Shimura, from the Konoha Council!

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and calmed down. He knew there were some things he could not say in front of Rogge, so he said to Danzo Shimura in a deep voice, "Danzo, let's put this matter aside for now. We'll discuss it after returning to the Hokage's Office."

Then he turned back to Rogge and smiled kindly. "Rogge, don't worry. I'll find a way to resolve the matter of the duel."

Rogge smiled. "It's fine. As long as I master the Flying Thunder God Technique, Uchiha Shimizu won't be a match for me at all. Please rest assured."

"What?" Danzo Shimura frowned. "You taught Rogge the Flying Thunder God Technique?"

Danzo Shimura was filled with shock and displeasure. The Flying Thunder God Technique was an extremely powerful ninjutsu, a space-time ninjutsu developed by Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage. It was a forbidden technique specifically meant to counter the Uchiha Clan!

He had not expected Hiruzen Sarutobi to teach this ninjutsu to Rogge. His heart filled with jealousy and anger.

"Hiruzen, have you lost your mind? The Flying Thunder God is a forbidden technique! You'll regret this!"

Danzo Shimura's eyes were full of dissatisfaction.

"Shut up, Danzo. Don't forget that I am the Hokage."

Hiruzen Sarutobi pushed aside Danzo Shimura, who was blocking the way, and stepped out through the open door.

Danzo Shimura gritted his teeth and chased after him. It seemed he intended to question Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"They're finally gone. Those two old geezers really are a pair of bickering fools."

Rogge grumbled as he quickly shut the front door.

He had to keep any more shady characters from barging in.

"Looks like even home isn't safe anymore. I'll have to be even more cautious in the future."

Rogge sat on the tatami mat, slowly unrolled the ninjutsu scroll, and began studying the Flying Thunder God Technique recorded within.

The Flying Thunder God Technique was a space ninjutsu. By placing a technique formula mark on a kunai or a specific target, the user could instantly move to the location of that mark.

It was extremely practical!

Because of that, it was also incredibly difficult to master. Only shinobi with exceptional ninjutsu talent and extremely strong chakra control could learn it.

Rogge clearly did not meet those requirements.

If he relied on his own talent to figure it out, he probably would not be able to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique even in his entire life.

But it didn't matter. He possessed the Grind Emperor System!

Any ninjutsu could be mastered through constant practice, continuously raising his proficiency, and grinding without stop!

He could even surpass his predecessors!