After hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Zhou Cheng immediately understood.
The old fox wasn't really trying to get him killed. He wanted to use this incident to force Zhou Cheng to compromise.
He wanted to bind Zhou Cheng firmly to his own cause and make use of him.
Zhou Cheng looked at the Third's face and found him watching confidently, a smile on his lips, as though everything was under his control.
Seeing Zhou Cheng master even Space-Time Ninjutsu like the Flying Thunder God Technique so quickly had raised Hiruzen Sarutobi's fondness for him to unprecedented heights.
Space-Time Ninjutsu was unlike the five great nature transformations, which a shinobi could perform with a compatible affinity, enough chakra, and diligent practice.
Space-Time Ninjutsu couldn't be learned through practice alone. It required extraordinary talent and an understanding of space.
Did the Third not want to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique?
No, he simply couldn't!
Hiruzen Sarutobi saw shades of Minato Namikaze in Zhou Cheng.
Minato Namikaze had earned renown throughout the Shinobi World with the Flying Thunder God Technique, and Hiruzen Sarutobi was certain Zhou Cheng could do the same.
In his eyes, Zhou Cheng was even more talented than Minato Namikaze!
Zhou Cheng smiled bitterly inwardly. What a mess. This old fox actually found something to hold over me.
There was nothing he could do. He wasn't ready to fall out with Konoha yet. Too many people here still had talents waiting for him to replicate.
It seemed he could only compromise for now and find a solution later!
He put on an aggrieved expression and looked pleadingly at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Third-sama, I know I was wrong!"
Hmph, a real man knows when to bend and when to stand tall. I can settle the score later!
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes immediately lit up. As if I couldn't handle a little brat like you.
"Don't call me 'sir.' Call me Grandpa, or Sensei!"
"I can become your second teacher. I'll speak to Kakashi about it!"
Zhou Cheng nodded, then lowered his head in feigned shame, anger flashing in his eyes. Old fox, we'll see who has the last laugh!
"Starting tomorrow, come here every morning. I'll teach you personally!"
To build a bond, they had to spend time together. He would teach Zhou Cheng more, make him feel grateful, and mix in a few words of brainwashing.
As for Zhou Cheng secretly learning forbidden techniques, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't care. As long as Zhou Cheng was absolutely loyal to him, forbidden techniques were no longer forbidden.
Uzuki Yugao felt a little envious of Zhou Cheng. The Third had protected him even after he read the Scroll of Seals. Clearly, the Third had high hopes for him.
Could he have learned a forbidden technique from the Scroll of Seals?
Learning those forbidden techniques is dangerous for a child. No wonder the Third wants to teach him personally. He must want to watch over him while he trains!
Uzuki Yugao couldn't help giving Zhou Cheng a few more looks. With Kakashi teaching him and the Third watching over him, this child had a bright future!
Perhaps Zhou Cheng would surpass her in strength within just a few years.
She decided to build a good relationship with Zhou Cheng. It would be an investment, one guaranteed to pay off.
But then she reconsidered. What do I have to invest in Zhou Cheng?
Myself? Pfft, no! I already have a boyfriend!
Then all I have is the kenjutsu I'm good at!
Should I find an excuse to teach him kenjutsu?
What if he doesn't like kenjutsu?
Uzuki Yugao found herself torn.
Zhou Cheng was already on pins and needles, desperate to leave immediately. But neither the Third nor Uzuki Yugao was speaking, leaving him thoroughly frustrated.
He could only steel himself and speak up. "Third-sensei, I still need to report for duty with the ANBU. If there's nothing else, I'll be going!"
Hearing him say "Sensei" pleased Hiruzen Sarutobi immensely, bringing a broad smile to his face. That's exactly the attitude you should have.
"Mm, go ahead!"
Uzuki Yugao took the opportunity to say goodbye and leave as well.
Once outside the Hokage Building, Zhou Cheng immediately leaped onto a rooftop and created a Shadow Clone right in front of Uzuki Yugao.
"I need to let someone at home know. I disappeared first thing this morning, and Haku will be worried!"
Uzuki Yugao nodded without stopping him, her gaze softening further. This child truly possessed a composure beyond his years.
If it had been any other child, after going through all of that...
They would have been scared senseless, with no idea what to do.
How could they remember that a companion was still waiting for them at home?
Then Zhou Cheng followed Uzuki Yugao on an ANBU duty shift lasting two traditional hours.
Throughout that time, Zhou Cheng kept training, focusing mainly on how to increase the power of his ninjutsu while consuming the same amount of chakra.
He didn't dispel the Shadow Clone he had sent home to reassure Haku, either. It kept training as well, mainly attempting to incorporate Tai Chi into taijutsu.
During those two traditional hours, the ANBU had considerable freedom as long as nothing unusual happened.
And so Zhou Cheng trained in peace for two traditional hours-four hours in total.
Uzuki Yugao witnessed his diligence and felt full of admiration for him.
With talent and dedication like that, it would be absurd if he didn't grow stronger.
Ever since the day Zhou Cheng entered Konoha, he had grown stronger practically every day.
During the time Uzuki Yugao had kept Zhou Cheng under surveillance, he had spent every moment outside of sleep training, training, and training some more.
The four hours soon passed. When their shift ended, Uzuki Yugao wanted to be a good captain who cared for her subordinates, so she invited Zhou Cheng to lunch.
But Zhou Cheng declined, saying he had to hurry off to learn ninjutsu from Kakashi.
He also invited Uzuki Yugao to his home for dinner that evening, saying he would cook personally.
With that, Zhou Cheng leaped onto a rooftop and vanished after a few bounds.
Cook personally?
He knows how to cook, too?
I watched him for so long, but I don't think I ever saw him cook!
Zhou Cheng doesn't seem like a liar, and a lie like that would be far too easy to expose. Could he really know how?
Uzuki Yugao found herself starting to look forward to the evening!
Zhou Cheng hurried the whole way, but he was still late!
Yet when he reached their agreed meeting place, he discovered that Kakashi hadn't arrived either.
Only then did he remember that Kakashi was famously laid-back outside of battle. When leading Team 7, he had often arrived hours late.
A bitter smile crossed Zhou Cheng's face, and regret filled his heart.
Damn, if I'd known, I would've gone to lunch with the gorgeous Yugao!
He could only buy some rice balls from a nearby little restaurant, then return to the training grounds and sit on a wooden training post to eat.
Kakashi didn't keep Zhou Cheng waiting too long. A little over ten minutes after Zhou Cheng finished his rice balls, Kakashi arrived!
"Yo, you're here already!"
"I helped an old lady cross the street on the way, so I'm late!"
Zhou Cheng's eye twitched, his face darkening in exasperation!
Great, you've become exactly like Obito. Always late, and always making excuses full of holes.
"Kakashi-sensei, let's hurry up and start training!"
Zhou Cheng rolled his eyes at him, but he felt no real displeasure.
Kakashi's behavior only showed how deeply he valued his bonds. He was someone worth befriending, someone who would stand by a friend through thick and thin.
Kakashi stopped dawdling and told Zhou Cheng to attack him with everything he had.
He wanted to assess Zhou Cheng's current strength and fighting style so he could tailor his teaching to him!