The Konoha training ground was unusually crowded; people young and old, including many prominent figures of the village, surrounded the field, pointing and staring with burning gazes.
“Tatsukaze, are you serious?” Hiruzen Sarutobi, an upright twenty-year-old at the peak of his youth, smiled bitterly and spoke with helpless resignation.
“Cut the crap!
No matter what, I must win!” With a face as flawless as jade and his sword-like eyebrows furrowed tightly, Tatsukaze Kuchiki looked incredibly serious.
“Don’t hold back!
Even if you do, I won’t!
Be careful not to die!”
With a sharp shout, Tatsukaze stomped fiercely on the ground, shattering the earth beneath him, and charged forward with an unstoppable momentum.
“Tatsukaze, you…?” Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, wanting to say something more, but was abruptly interrupted by Tatsukaze.
“Wind Style: Vacuum Sphere!”
As he charged, his hands rapidly formed seals.
In just a few breaths, the hand signs were complete.
He took a deep breath, and then, wind bullets shot out one after another like a relentless barrage.
Hiruzen took a step back and said, “Tatsukaze, stop messing around.
This is a mission entrusted to me by Lord Second.
No matter what you do, and regardless of whether Lord Second agreed to this, I won’t let you—”
“But Lord Second Hokage did agree!
And if you still refuse to go all out, then don’t blame me for what happens next!”
Another explosive shout cut Hiruzen off again.
His expression stiffened, instantly transforming into a highly volatile volcano.
Veins bulged on his forehead, his temples throbbed violently, and he looked as if he was on the verge of absolute fury.
“Fine!
So you are serious?”
“I am always serious!”
Hiruzen snorted coldly, formed hand seals, and slammed his palms heavily onto the ground.
“Then don’t blame me either!
Earth Style: Earth-Style Wall!”
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
The Vacuum Spheres struck the earth wall relentlessly like a barrage of bullets.
Some dissipated after leaving deep craters, while others pierced straight through the wall, forcing Hiruzen to scramble frantically to dodge behind it.
Boom!
With a massive explosion, the riddled earth wall collapsed into dust.
But from within the smoke and debris, a figure suddenly lunged forward.
“Tatsukaze?!” Hiruzen’s anger flared even hotter.
Clapping his hands together, he ignored Tatsukaze who was closing in on him at point-blank range and roared loudly.
“Earth Style: Earth Flow Divide!”
He violently slammed the ground, causing the earth to fracture and split open.
It was like a severe earthquake, shaking the very mountains and ground.
The surrounding spectators stared in shock at the epicenter of the cracks.
The capabilities of the twenty-year-old Hiruzen Sarutobi were absolutely on par with, or even surpassed, those of many major clan heads.
“This is a ninja jointly trained by Lord Second and Lord First!
Only twenty years old, yet he can skillfully use all kinds of ninjutsu.
What a true genius!”
“Fearless in the face of enemy attacks, calm and collected.
This Earth Style move is enough to destroy Tatsukaze’s foothold.
It looks like he’s doomed.”
“Who told him to fight against the joint disciple of the First and Second Hokages?
He brought this upon himself!”
“Even though they are both disciples of Lord Second, Tatsukaze still falls short compared to Hiruzen!”
“Hmph, Hiruzen is my rival.
Tatsukaze, you’re still far from his level!”
The crowd chattered animatedly, among them a particularly sinister and ruthless figure.
However, one person remained completely unmoved: the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, who maintained a cold, stern expression, exuding a heavy and intimidating aura.
“It’s over.”
His soft sigh immediately gave the surrounding ninjas a perceived opportunity to kiss up to him.
“Indeed, Lord Second!
It seems Hiruzen truly lives up to his title as the genius jointly selected by Lord First and yourself!”
One man immediately chimed in with flattery, and others beside him eagerly prepared to add their own praises.
However, Tobirama Senju shot a sweeping, icy glare at them, instantly shutting everyone up.
“Idiots, I meant that Tatsukaze has won!”
His cold snort caused an uproar among the crowd, prompting everyone to quickly turn their eyes back to the center of the battlefield.
“Rasengan!”
A loud shout filled with unwavering resolve, a decisive battle cry.
Tatsukaze burst through the dust and smoke.
His battle-worn face bore a resolute expression, and in his hand was a beautiful, spinning sphere of blue chakra.
The chakra swirling violently inside it was absolutely mesmerizing.
“What?!” Hiruzen’s eyes widened drastically, practically popping out of their sockets in disbelief.
Boom!
The Rasengan smashed directly into Hiruzen’s body without any hesitation, violently blasting him completely off his feet and sending him flying through the air.
As the smoke gradually cleared, Tatsukaze was revealed standing in his original spot.
Because he had forcefully tanked Hiruzen’s Earth Style attack, his legs were battered and covered in wounds.
He was panting heavily, his eyes fixed intensely on the direction Hiruzen was sent flying, looking very much like a ferocious wolf.
“I guess…
I won this battle.” His voice was soft but carried an unquestionable certainty.
“Indeed.” Tobirama Senju replied coldly, though his words were filled with absolute confirmation.
What?!
Tatsukaze actually won?
He beat Hiruzen Sarutobi?
Danzo’s internal shock was beyond words.
“This is the first time he’s ever beaten Hiruzen!
To think this wager would become the stage for his first victory.”
“More than his victory, I’m terrified of his sheer drive!
Look at his legs!
How many people would be willing to force an attack at the cost of taking a direct hit from an enemy’s Earth Style?”
Many people were thoroughly appalled; some even felt their own legs trembling in fear.
Hiruzen shakily climbed to his feet.
Although Tatsukaze had held back slightly, he was definitely going to need a period of bed rest to recover.
“Sigh, did you really have to go all out and fight to the death over this?” he offered a bitter, highly complicated smile.
However, Tatsukaze didn’t pay any attention to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Instead, he turned his head and looked toward Hashirama Senju, saying:
“Lord Second, since I’ve won, then—”
“I know.” He remained cold, maintaining a strict and serious demeanor no matter who he was dealing with.
He turned his head and waved at a little girl.
“Tsunade.”
“Yes!
Second Grandpa!”
She was dressed in a yellow outfit.
Despite the lingering childishness on her face, she already possessed an absolutely breathtaking beauty.
Though young, her features were incredibly delicate and well-proportioned; in a few years, she would undoubtedly become a femme fatale capable of bringing down nations.
“Greetings, Sensei!”
The loli Tsunade gave a light bow to Tatsukaze, causing his face to flush red with intense excitement.
He was absolutely thrilled, practically jumping for joy in his heart.
“Excellent!”
Tsunade blinked her beautiful large eyes, feeling a hint of weirdness.
Am I really that attractive?
Is there something wrong with this teacher?
No one knew that the reason Tatsukaze was beside himself with excitement wasn’t just because a cute and beautiful loli had become his apprentice.
It was also because of a voice that only he could hear.
[Detected an exceptionally outstanding loli taking the Host as her master.
System officially unlocking…
1%, 20%…
100%.]
[Hello, the Beast Teacher System is at your service!]