An Agreement with the Third Hokage

Chakra was the source of a ninja's energy and determined the use of ninjutsu. In other words, every powerful ninja possessed abundant chakra and mastery over ninjutsu.

That was why they were so shocked when they saw Tianming's ultimate chakra. Even they themselves could not release chakra externally and give it defensive properties.

Tianming slowly opened his eyes and shot the five masked ninjas a lightning-like glare.

Ultimate chakra—chakra at full capacity! A body that had not felt even a trace of chakra for Tianming's first twelve years now resembled a vast ocean! A spark of chakra spread from his dantian throughout his entire body.

The meridians throughout his body were like countless rivers, each one overflowing with abundant chakra.

"Unbelievable! Inconceivable!"

The masked ninjas stared in stunned silence, nearly forgetting their mission. The leader's eyes turned bloodshot. "Such abundant chakra, such a bizarre constitution! Lord Orochimaru will definitely like him!"

Tianming's feelings were complicated. He had just ended his life as a useless scrap with no chakra, only to walk straight into a trap.

After all, he was just a child, and he did not know any ninjutsu!

"Change of plans! Take this child back!" At the leader's command, he was the first to attack Tianming. They had been ordered by Orochimaru to investigate Konoha Village, a mission fraught with danger to begin with.

But now, they did not need to take such risks. As long as they brought back this special child, not only would they complete their mission, but they would also receive Lord Orochimaru's reward.

Facing the attack of five ninjas, Tianming's scalp tingled. Yet he could not fight back for the moment. In a panic, he thrust both palms forward, and the chakra roaming over his body formed a defensive barrier that surged outward, blocking all kinds of ninjutsu.

In the Hokage's office in Konoha, the Third Hokage was reviewing border intelligence submitted by the ANBU when an astonishing wave of colliding chakra reached him.

"Chakra of this level... Hokage Rock!" Sensing that it came from Hokage Rock, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a single step and left the Hokage's office, rushing toward Hokage Rock.

Hokage Rock was the spiritual symbol of Konoha. No one was allowed to defile it! And Konoha's ninjas would never fight there.

There was only one possible truth!

"Damn it!"

Even the five of them together had failed to capture Tianming. It was not because Tianming was too strong, but because they could not break through his defenses!

"Can you guys have some shame?" Tianming's face turned green. A group of people ganging up on a twelve-year-old kid—was that even something people did?

After tossing out that line, Tianming leaped straight off Hokage Rock. Though he could not use ninjutsu, gaining chakra had at least strengthened his movement techniques.

"Where do you think you're running?" the leader snorted. His hands formed a complex seal, and a massive pitch-black snake was summoned. The black serpent threw back its head and roared as it chased after Tianming.

Just as the black serpent reached Tianming's back and opened its bloody maw—

A burst of scorching chakra bloomed atop its head!

"Great Fireball Technique!" Hiruzen Sarutobi had arrived just in time, and without a word, he attacked!

The enormous fireball struck the black serpent's head head-on, incinerating it alive!

"Damn it!" The five ninjas in the sky saw Hiruzen Sarutobi arrive, and their expressions changed drastically.

"Retreat!" The leader did not hesitate in the slightest. As soon as the words left his mouth, he raised his hand and scattered hundreds of explosive tags below. Fighting Hiruzen Sarutobi head-on was simply asking for death.

Explosive tags rained down from the sky. Hiruzen Sarutobi expressionlessly waved his broad sleeve, and a massive earthen wall rose from the ground, blocking every last one of them!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

After the explosions subsided, the five intruders had already fled far away!

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Before long, the sound of rushing wind rang out as several ANBU ninjas wearing fox masks gave chase.

"Come with me for a moment." Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to look at Tianming, his gaze softening.

In the Hokage's office, Tianming was seated in a chair. To calm him down, Hiruzen Sarutobi had even specially brewed him a cup of green tea.

"You should be a child of the Aokawa Clan." Hiruzen Sarutobi flipped through the files on war orphans. "The earlier records state that you were unable to sense chakra, yet that powerful chakra just now clearly came from within your body."

Tianming tightened his grip on the teacup, and his heart rose to his throat. It was no surprise that Hiruzen Sarutobi had sensed the release of his ultimate chakra.

"You do not need to be overly anxious. You should be one of those rare special cases, like Naruto, the troublemaker your age, and Sasuke." Seeing Tianming's anxiety, Hiruzen Sarutobi comforted him.

Naruto and Sasuke's backgrounds were not exactly secrets. After all, the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki and the survivor of the Uchiha Clan were both quite well-known—the former because he livened things up, the latter because of his strength.

"Grandpa Hokage, can you keep this a secret for me?" Tianming took a sip of tea and asked tentatively.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled warmly. "Of course I can. But you must also promise me one thing: do not use your abilities too much before becoming a ninja."