There was something off about this template

"I surrender!"

Facing Han, Kakashi immediately surrendered before even stepping into the ring.

This was also what Konoha's team-leading Jonin wanted.

Kakashi's defeat meant that the final would pit Han of Kirigakure against Liumu of Konoha.

"Are you confident?"

Kakashi looked at Liumu, who was making... preparations for the final.

"Stop eating! I'm asking you a question!"

Liumu said, "Huh???"

"I find it a little hard to hit a beautiful woman." Looking toward Han, Liumu said, "But I'm not the type to surrender, either. That makes things a little difficult."

"Next match: Liumu of Konoha versus Han of Kirigakure!"

The Kumogakure Jonin announced the two competitors from the ring. At his words, Liumu frowned and slowly walked into the ring.

Looking at the ethereal Han before him, Liumu said sheepishly, "How about... you surrender? You're already guaranteed to become a Chunin, anyway. This one match doesn't matter."

As Liumu saw it, since he didn't want to surrender, getting Han to surrender was the best solution at the moment.

But unexpectedly, after hearing his words, Han's expression grew even colder.

"Why don't you surrender?"

Liumu responded, "This is our first time, after all. I was hoping you could take the initiative."

"Why should I take the initiative for our first time?" Han said coldly. "Unless you defeat me, I won't surrender."

"Sigh..."

Hearing this, Liumu shook his head helplessly.

"Let the match begin!"

At the referee's command, everyone saw Liumu walk brazenly toward his opponent.

He used no ninjutsu, and he didn't seem to have cast any genjutsu, either.

He just...

Went straight over, without any foreplay.

Seeing this, Han rapidly formed hand seals and cried softly, "Ice Release: Demon Exploding Ice..."

"That's enough!"

Before Han could fully unleash her ninjutsu, Liumu caught the slender wrists of both arms she had extended before her abdomen.

Feeling her chakra draining away wildly, Han stared in shock at Liumu, now less than half a step away.

His breath washed over her face. Liumu suddenly freed his right palm and struck the back of Han's head.

"Ugh..."

With a cry of pain, Han's legs went weak, and she collapsed into Liumu's arms.

Everyone watched as the five-year-old Liumu scooped Han up in his arms and walked toward the edge of the ring, step by step.

"You're... a little heavy. Remember to lose some weight when you get back!"

Liumu looked down at Han in his arms as he spoke.

"You..."

Han wanted to curse at him, but the exhaustion coursing through her body left her unable to utter a word.

Liumu reached the edge of the ring. Just as everyone thought he would throw Han out, he instead chose to jump down from the ring with her.

???

???

???

"What are you..."

Noticing Liumu's actions, Han frowned and mustered a little strength, struggling to ask.

"A draw." Watching the Kirigakure ninja dart toward them, Liumu told Han, "You don't want to surrender, and neither do I, so we might as well call it a draw."

"Han!"

"Han!"

The Kirigakure ninja who arrived took Han from Liumu's arms and immediately checked her injuries anxiously.

"No need to check. She'll be fine after some rest."

From behind the Mist Ninja, Liumu reminded her, "Remember what I just told you. Make sure you lose some weight when you get back, or I won't be able to carry you in the future."

"That's it?"

Kakashi strolled over to Liumu. "That was way too quick."

"Pfft!" Liumu spat lightly. "Who are you calling quick, brat?"

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the Chunin Exams mission. The timely rewards have been issued. Please claim them promptly."

The electronic, mechanical voice that suddenly rang out in his mind gave Liumu a jolt.

During his first mission, the system had kept dragging out his progress. It had only counted as complete once he finally received his Konoha forehead protector.

Why was this lousy system so eager this time, without the slightest restraint?

With Kakashi chattering in his ear, Liumu hurriedly took advantage of the spare moment to check the mission rewards.

Just as previously agreed, this mission's rewards consisted of one use of the Fate Roulette and five opportunities to open the Time House.

Ever since the system awakened, Liumu had yet to use the Time House's ability.

Thinking of it now, Liumu decided he really should find some time to train in the Time House.

Ninjutsu itself wasn't important. The point was that he was a ninja now, after all, and a Chunin at that. Not knowing even one respectable ninjutsu would be rather embarrassing.

However, when it came to choosing a ninjutsu, Liumu fell into thought.

The Eight Gates Released Formation?

Liumu immediately rejected it. He was already using the Saitama template, so why learn the Eight Gates Released Formation? Its side effects were too severe. It wasn't safe.

The Reaper Death Seal?

No good, either. Trading a life for a life was something a brute would do. Wasn't it better to stay alive?

Flying Thunder God?

Liumu frowned. That one seemed worth considering. After all, what man didn't want to be quick... no, swift?

Although the Saitama template's speed stat was already maxed out, it was still taijutsu, and the jumping aspect of Space-Time Ninjutsu was more appealing.

Konoha's forbidden ninjutsu were mostly in the sealing scroll. If Liumu wanted to learn them, he would have to find a way to get his hands on it without anyone noticing. Then he could take it into the Time House and spend eight or ten years studying it thoroughly. He would emerge with a whole arsenal of forbidden ninjutsu, unleashing an ultimate move with a wave of his hand. Wouldn't that be impressive?

"Liumu?"

"Liumu!"

"Are you deaf, Liumu?"

"Huh??" Wearing a fawning grin, Liumu was suddenly pulled back to reality by Kakashi's voice beside his ear. He looked at him blankly and asked, "What's wrong? Is someone giving birth?"

"What do you mean, giving birth?!" Kakashi frowned and responded, "The Jonin leading our team just told us to gather at the lodgings. Seems he has something to tell us."

"Oh, then let's go!"

After Minato rescued Kui, Liumu had already confirmed the three people's identities.

Liumu figured Jiraiya was probably still at Mount Myōboku and had yet to return, so Minato had taken Jiraiya's place in the original Sannin team.

However, Liumu still couldn't figure out why they had come here.

"First of all, these Chunin Exams have been a complete success."

Inside Konoha's lodgings in Kumogakure, the unfamiliar Jonin leading the team stood before the group, delivering an impassioned speech. Meanwhile, Liumu quietly squeezed to the back of the crowd, ready to draw his Fate Roulette reward.

"Would the host like to draw now?"

"Yes!"

The Fate Roulette spun rapidly, radiating a gorgeous halo of light. Finally, under Liumu's gaze, a pale yellow card slowly emerged and fell straight into his hand.

"What kind of card is this? It doesn't look very proper."

[Borsalino, one of the three Marine admirals. Codename: Kizaru. Best Actor nominee. A Logia-type Glint-Glint Fruit user with an inscrutable personality. Upholds a view of unclear justice. One of Marine Headquarters' greatest fighting forces.]

"What the fuck? You motherfucker?" As Liumu read the character introduction on the card, his mind was filled with adorable alpacas running happily about.

"What does this speaker mean?"

Looking at the icon on the card, Liumu reached out and tapped it lightly.

"How frightening. I'm the man who's going to help the young master become King of the Pirates."

Liumu: ???

"Lousy system, drop dead!"