"Yoru, you really gave this old man a huge shock."
Konoha, Hokage's Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen examined Gojo Yoru, who had returned earlier than Jiraiya, with a look of amazement and disbelief in his eyes.
As the second existence in Konoha to master the Flying Thunder God Technique, who also developed the Rasengan which matched perfectly with the Flying Thunder God Technique, and being Orochimaru's disciple, his own grand-disciple, and the "Adamantine Sealing Chains" binding the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Sarutobi Hiruzen valued Gojo Yoru very highly. Otherwise, he wouldn't have given him so many green lights, two consecutive special promotions, and the privilege to ignore certain idiots.
In Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, Orochimaru was the best candidate to inherit his mantle and the best candidate for the Fourth Hokage.
And Gojo Yoru would be the best candidate for the Fifth Hokage.
Initially, Sarutobi Hiruzen's greatest expectation for Gojo Yoru was for him to follow Orochimaru, learn the experience of a Jonin and commander from his three disciples, improve his overall qualities, and prepare to become a backbone Jonin in the future.
Unexpectedly, Gojo Yoru was so outstanding.
On the first day he went to the border base, he assisted Tsunade in looting Hanzo the Salamander's pharmaceutical workshop, allowing their side to quickly develop the formula to neutralize the Salamander's poison.
He also joined forces with the three disciples to repel Hanzo the Salamander and became the first existence in decades to injure the Salamander.
This made Sarutobi Hiruzen feel incredible and proud of his judgment.
Taking this opportunity, he specially promoted Gojo Yoru, a "pure-blooded" member of the Hokage's lineage, to Tokubetsu Jonin.
However, the gap between a Tokubetsu Jonin and a Jonin was like a chasm.
The former only needed to possess special talents and certain special skills in Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, or Genjutsu, passing the assessment to be promoted.
The latter, as the backbone of various ninja villages, not only needed to be proficient in Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu, mastering at least two nature transformations, but also possess mission command capabilities. They needed to undergo a comprehensive assessment by the Kage regarding combat qualities, intelligence analysis, analytical skills, and loyalty before being appointed.
The best example was Kurenai Yuhi, who was a year older than Hatake Kakashi. Relying on the Yuhi family's outstanding Genjutsu talent and inheritance, she easily became a Tokubetsu Jonin.
But it wasn't until the plot was about to start that she was promoted from Tokubetsu Jonin to a true Jonin.
Meanwhile, Hatake Kakashi, Asuma Sarutobi, and Might Guy, who were younger than her, were already among Konoha's ace combatants.
So a true Jonin, also known as an all-rounder Jonin, was a true all-around player.
After specially promoting Gojo Yoru, Sarutobi Hiruzen hoped he would temper himself on the battlefield, experience life-and-death battles to increase his Chakra amount, combat experience, and adaptability.
When the war ended, he would be rightfully appointed as an all-rounder Jonin, officially becoming a member of Konoha's higher-ups circle.
After coming of age at eighteen, he would become one of Konoha's ace combatants, becoming the benchmark for the new generation alongside Uzumaki Kushina.
By then, his strength would still be at its peak, his three proud disciples would enter their peak, the new generation would rise, and the Jinchuriki could also be used... Sarutobi Hiruzen dared not imagine how powerful Konoha would be.
What was certain was that Konoha's comprehensive strength would definitely surpass Konoha during the First Great Ninja War.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had already overestimated Gojo Yoru.
Unexpectedly, he still vastly underestimated this super genius, who was as rare as Tobirama-sensei, seen once in decades.
Before graduating from the Ninja Academy, he developed the hand-seal-less Ninjutsu Rasengan with A-rank cultivation difficulty, and combined the Clone Technique and Body Flicker Technique to develop the Phantom Body Flicker Technique, which could switch between intangible and tangible and perfectly hide Chakra aura.
After graduation, he quickly learned the Flying Thunder God Technique, cultivated Lightning Release nature transformation from scratch, and later developed the Black Lightning secret technique.
Such Ninjutsu talent made Sarutobi Hiruzen, known as the "Professor of Ninjutsu," feel ashamed and inferior.
In terms of wisdom, he used intelligence advantage to instantly kill fifty-five Sand ninjas, including Sunagakure's King of Intelligence.
Specially promoted again to all-rounder Jonin, setting the fastest promotion record, becoming the youngest commander on the battlefield.
After just one year of tempering, Gojo Yoru displayed terrifying dominance, becoming a recognized ace combatant in the Ninja World, and now even the Demigod of the Ninja World was defeated by him.
Although there was an intelligence advantage involved, a win was a win. Even Hanzo the Salamander admitted his defeat.
Inadvertently, Gojo Yoru achieved a feat that even the Five Kage couldn't do.
In less than two years, he went from a teenage genius to the sharpest blade in Sarutobi Hiruzen's hand. No wonder Sarutobi Hiruzen was so dazed.
Gojo Yoru smiled humbly: "Hokage-sama, you flatter me. I was able to defeat the Demigod of the Ninja World because of my age and intelligence advantage. I am still in my growth period, while his strength has reached its limit. After a year of fighting, Orochimaru-sensei and I knew all his intelligence like the back of our hands."
"I could severely injure him because I happened to find his main body and created an opportunity in the air. The new move also happened to be a Lightning Release secret technique."
"Fortunately, the Demigod of the Ninja World had thoughts of withdrawing long ago. Otherwise, exposing this new move, it wouldn't be easy to defeat and injure him again."
Sarutobi Hiruzen knew this too but still praised generously: "Even so, you are the only existence in decades to injure the Salamander and Hanzo the Salamander. You are now just one step away from the pinnacle of the Ninja World. When your Chakra amount increases, maybe even this old man won't be your opponent."
"No, actually, I still have many shortcomings. Speed and the Flying Thunder God Technique just helped me cover up these weaknesses." Gojo Yoru shook his head and stated the purpose of his return, "Hokage-sama, I want to exchange for the cultivation method of a technique."
"What technique?" Sarutobi Hiruzen was very curious.
Last year, when allowed to choose any Forbidden Jutsu, Gojo Yoru didn't choose those S-rank and Super S-rank Secret Techniques but chose an A-rank Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags.
Sarutobi Hiruzen thought Gojo Yoru was preparing to walk the path of inventing Ninjutsu like Tobirama-sensei.
After all, the Rasengan, Phantom Body Flicker Technique, Black Lightning secret technique, and the new Laser Beam were all extremely powerful Ninjutsu and Hiden techniques with super high cultivation difficulty.
Now he wanted to exchange for a Ninjutsu. Could it be that he wanted to use those techniques for inspiration to continue developing new Ninjutsu?
Gojo Yoru's next words confirmed Sarutobi Hiruzen's thought.
"Hokage-sama, I want to exchange for the Spirit Transformation Technique." Gojo Yoru stated his reason, "My current speed has almost reached the cognitive limit, hard to improve further. I don't lack Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu, Sealing Jutsu, or Medical Ninjutsu."
"My biggest weakness now is sensing ability."
"The Spirit Transformation Technique is a Super S-rank Yin Release Secret Technique. It is said that Kato-senpai can not only separate spiritual energy from physical energy, turning into a spirit form for super-long-range attacks, but also possess others, control their bodies, read their memories, and sense the battlefield... So I want to exchange for the Spirit Transformation Technique to study the essence of this Super S-rank Secret Technique and see if it can improve my sensing ability."
Gojo Yoru's words were half true and half false.
True, he indeed had such an idea.
The reason he didn't exchange for the Spirit Transformation Technique last year was that Gojo Yoru's talent didn't qualify him to cultivate such a Super S-rank Secret Technique. Also, once the Spirit Transformation Technique was cast, the soul would leave the body, leaving the body in the most dangerous state.
The biggest weakness of Gojo Yoru's space-time ability was the fear of assassination.
Even though his Chakra control had reached another realm now, Gojo Yoru still needed some time to let Space-Time Chakra flood his whole body to enter full-body intangibility; it couldn't be instant.
If he unsealed the Space-Time Yin Seal, using the characteristics of the Yin Seal, he could almost instantly enter the intangible state.
Already afraid of being assassinated, how could he use such a soul-leaving ability, putting his body in danger?
In Gojo Yoru's eyes, the Spirit Transformation Technique had become the most useless Super S-rank Ninjutsu.
But now, Gojo Yoru, whose talent had turned from a math idiot to a math genius, was full of interest in the Spirit Transformation Technique.
Just as he said, the Spirit Transformation Technique was a Super S-rank Yin Release Secret Technique.
Being able to perfectly separate spiritual energy from physical energy, turning the former into a spirit form to leave the body, this Yin Release attainment was stronger than any Genjutsu, even stronger than the Mangekyo Sharingan's Yin Release.
In the original work, Kato Dan's rescue was something even Uchiha Madara's Rinnegan couldn't sense.
The Spirit Transformation Technique also possessed top-tier stealth characteristics.
If he could master the essence of this technique, not only would Gojo Yoru's Yin Release attainment improve significantly, but his control over spiritual energy would also reach a new realm, which was the biggest key.
As long as he could perfectly control spiritual energy, Gojo Yoru's sensing would improve.
The talent improvement brought by the second evolution made Gojo Yoru very certain of his original guess.
To develop space-time teleportation without formulas, he must master two core elements.
First, sensing reaching the top tier; second, Space-Time Chakra completely leaving the body. Then combining the two, allowing Gojo Yoru to sense the existence of "space-time."
These two cores could be summarized in one word: control.
Only the former controlled spiritual energy, and the latter controlled the space-time energy in the body, which could also be called physical energy.
At that moment, Gojo Yoru finally understood how powerful Kekkei Mora was. No wonder only Otsutsuki clan members could master it.
Controlling the fusion of seven nature transformations into a Kekkei Genkai required not only cultivating nature transformations to an extremely high realm but also possessing control ability of another dimension.
Gojo Yoru's Chakra control had reached a new realm. Looking at the entire Ninja World, besides Nagato, Gojo Yoru couldn't think of a second person who could compare.
Those who could surpass him, not counting Isshiki Otsutsuki belonging to another dimension, were only Uchiha Madara, who could activate Susanoo without eyes and perfectly control spiritual energy and Yin Release Chakra, and Black Zetsu, Kaguya Otsutsuki's third son, the protagonist of "Black Zetsu Saving Mother," a product of Yin-Yang Release himself.
Similarly, Gojo Yoru finally knew why even individual Kekkei Mora could only barely mobilize space-time power, with fixed moves and single usage.
And why every pure-blooded Otsutsuki seemed to have space-time talent, able to master various space-time abilities.
Synthesizing Kekkei Mora Chakra control could only be considered barely touching the threshold of space-time.
Powerful Kekkei Mora might be able to step half a foot into the space-time world, but usage was still single.
To enter the space-time world and interfere with real space and different dimensions at will, one had to raise their Chakra control to a level surpassing synthesized Kekkei Mora.
Gojo Yoru didn't know if the Otsutsuki God, suspected of transcending this dimension, had reached this realm.
But what was certain was that as long as he continued to evolve, with each evolution bringing all-around improvement, he would definitely reach such a realm.
The talent improvement brought by the second evolution allowed Gojo Yoru's physical energy control to meet the standard.
As long as he improved his spiritual energy control, with the inspiration provided by the Flying Thunder God Technique, the probability of Gojo Yoru developing space-time teleportation without formulas at this stage was very high.
Besides improving spiritual energy control and helping develop teleportation, once the main body problem was solved, the Spirit Transformation Technique was indeed a killing move not inferior to the Flying Thunder God Technique, allowing him to communicate with Konan under the noses of Black and White Zetsu.
Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally didn't know Gojo Yoru's thoughts, which actually involved space-time, more complex than Yin Release and Yang Release.
Seeing Gojo Yoru exchange for the Spirit Transformation Technique to improve his sensing ability, confirming his guess, Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded in agreement: "Good idea. If you can learn the Spirit Transformation Technique, not only will your sensing ability improve significantly, but you will also become a Yin Release assassin."
As if thinking of something, Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly looked serious: "With the merits you accumulated this year, exchanging for the Spirit Transformation Technique is no problem. But before exchanging this technique for you, this old man must remind you of one thing. Your current weakness is sensing, which means your spiritual energy and Yin Release are also weaknesses. Logically speaking, with your conditions, it's difficult to learn the Spirit Transformation Technique. But the world of geniuses is unreasonable, especially for a super genius like you, seen once in decades. No matter how incredible things happen to you, this old man won't be surprised."
"So if you learn the Spirit Transformation Technique, before your spiritual energy and Yin Release become strong, never enter the spiritual world of a Yin Release expert casually. Every technique has weaknesses and flaws; Super S-rank Ninjutsu like the Flying Thunder God Technique and Spirit Transformation Technique are no exception. Your spirit entering someone else's spiritual world is a confrontation of spiritual energy and Yin Release. Once you are heavily injured inside, it means your spirit, or even your soul, is heavily injured. Such injuries are difficult to heal and may even be permanent, causing your strength to stagnate."
Gojo Yoru nodded heavily: "I understand, Hokage-sama."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was very reassured about the mature Gojo Yoru.
And to become an excellent assassin, one must not only have speed but also a cautious personality.
They were the ninjas best at saving their lives.
Thus, Sarutobi Hiruzen began to exchange the Spirit Transformation Technique for Gojo Yoru.
...
"Such a fast technique. If not for the startup time of condensing, it would be unsolvable. If condensed in advance and paired with Flying Thunder God teleportation, probably no one could escape the 'first-encounter kill' of this technique."
In the dimly lit underground space, Uchiha Madara used Yin-Yang Release to read the scene seen by White Zetsu, as if witnessing Gojo Yoru using the Laser Beam with his own eyes.
Regarding Gojo Yoru's Laser Beam, Uchiha Madara gave a very high evaluation, then analyzed with a deep gaze: "Black-red beam, speed as fast as lightning, and loud noise like thunder... is it Black Lightning secret technique or Storm Release laser? But whether Black Lightning or Storm Release, they are related to Lightning Release. Then... why are there no traces of lightning?"
"Is that destructive power annihilating everything really a characteristic of Black Lightning?"
The suspicious Uchiha Madara didn't believe the outside rumors.
Most critically, Black Lightning and Storm Release weren't nonexistent in the Ninja World; Gojo Yoru wasn't the first case.
Was there a need to hide such secret techniques and Kekkei Genkai?
And Uchiha Madara hadn't seen Black Lightning and Storm Release possess such level of destructive power.
Even the terrifying explosion of a Tailed Beast Bomb would kick up endless dust and debris.
Mere Lightning Release and Storm Release, how could they do what even a Tailed Beast Bomb couldn't?
Thinking of this, Uchiha Madara despised Hanzo the Salamander even more: "This poison-playing junior couldn't even force out a brat's secret, yet he has the nerve to accept the title of Demigod of the Ninja World. truly shameless."
"Madara-sama, could it be that you guessed wrong, and it's actually that simple?" White Zetsu didn't give Uchiha Madara any face.
"Get lost."
Uchiha Madara closed his eyes, too lazy to argue with White Zetsu.
...
"Even that old guy with a snorkel lost..."
At the temporary command post on the Sand battle line, Chiyo looked at the intelligence transmitted, her expression fluctuating, her eyes full of disbelief.
Just like hearing the word "White Fang" or seeing Hatake Kakashi in the original work would cause a stress reaction...
Hearing about Gojo Yoru now, Chiyo was the same.
In the four-nation melee battlefield, the person who hated Gojo Yoru most and wanted him dead most wasn't the Rain ninjas scared by Gojo Yoru, nor Hanzo the Salamander who saw him as the biggest obstacle to invading the Land of Fire, but Chiyo.
Consequently, she also hated Hatake Sakumo, who also had white hair and excelled in Lightning Release and assassination techniques, to the bone.
But now, Chiyo felt like a basin of cold water had been poured over her; her heart went cold.
Even Hanzo the Salamander was defeated. To what extent had that brat's strength progressed?
Mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique, who could kill him?
Did she still have hope for revenge?
"Mother-sama, Kazekage-sama wants to speak with you."
At this moment, a man with short red hair walked in from outside, speaking respectfully.
"This old woman knows..."
Chiyo walked out of the tent in a trance.
...
"Dad, even that Demigod of the Ninja World lost. Are we still going to fight Konoha?"
Iwagakure, Tsuchikage's Office. Kitsuchi looked at Onoki sitting at the desk, feeling a sense of powerlessness for the first time, and an inexplicable... fear.
In the past two years, he didn't know how many times he heard the name Gojo Yoru, and he had been paying attention to him.
He also witnessed Gojo Yoru turning from an unknown guy into a big shot known to everyone in the Ninja World.
And he was only a few years older than Gojo Yoru.
Precisely because of this, Kitsuchi felt the powerlessness and despair common among peers, as well as fear of the name Gojo Yoru.
The Flying Thunder God user who injured the Salamander, the Number One Speed in the Ninja World who instantly killed fifty-five Sand ninjas, the top assassin who scared Rain ninjas witless... every event gave Gojo Yoru a new title, illustrating the value of these achievements.
Any Jonin achieving any one of these would become a big shot famous in the Ninja World, or even directly become an ace combatant in the ninja village.
But these achievements were accomplished by Gojo Yoru alone, and he even defeated the pinnacle of the Ninja World recognized by all ninjas.
Such might made young ninjas from enemy countries with insufficiently strong psychological qualities tremble inwardly just thinking of the name Gojo Yoru.
If they faced Gojo Yoru directly, they would probably tremble all over, losing before even fighting.
Kitsuchi was no exception.
Seeming to see Kitsuchi's mood, Onoki couldn't help but scold: "Brat, you don't need to go to the front line. What are you afraid of? With your psychological quality, let alone becoming a true Jonin, this old man even wants to demote you to Genin. Without the courage to face the enemy, what qualification do you have to command a squad in battle?"
"Dad, I'm sorry."
Kitsuchi lowered his head in shame.
"Defeating Hanzo the Salamander one-on-one, what's so great about it?" Onoki continued grumpily, "Without summoning that Salamander, Hanzo only has Water Release and Body Flicker worth praising. One-on-one with this old man, he can't even touch the corner of my clothes, also only able to run away."
"That brat defeating him was nothing more than having an intelligence advantage. Hanzo was severely injured before he could destroy his gas mask."
Looking at the intelligence in his hand, Onoki instantly understood Hanzo the Salamander's meaning, and said meaningfully: "And in this battle, whether that brat won or Hanzo won, no one would die. They didn't dare to kill each other. Hanzo, or rather the Land of Rain, couldn't withstand this intensity of attrition warfare anymore; he wanted to withdraw long ago."
"Before withdrawing, going to fight that brat might have been to find a way out, but unexpectedly achieved both the opponent and us."
"Us?" Kitsuchi was slightly stunned, his gaze full of doubt.
"Correct, this is good news for us." Onoki's eyes showed a trace of dread. "That technique is too fast and too powerful. Once paired with the Flying Thunder God Technique, even this old man might fall to a first-encounter kill."
"But now, the intelligence of this technique has been exposed. We can think and prepare for the worse."
"This technique is highly likely no longer a Black Lightning secret technique, but a Storm Release laser."
"This brat has become a troublesome existence like the Third Raikage. The difference is, the Third Raikage has the strongest shield and strongest spear but no super-long-range teleportation Flying Thunder God Technique, so human wave tactics can be used against him."
"But this brat, without the strongest shield, has attack methods not inferior to the strongest spear, and the Flying Thunder God Technique to escape at any time. Human wave tactics can't be used against him; only traps can be created to kill him by surprise."
After speaking, Onoki crossed his arms and closed his eyes, seeming to be thinking about something.
Kitsuchi didn't dare to breathe loudly, afraid of disturbing his father.
After an unknown amount of time, Onoki slowly opened his eyes, his gaze deep: "Flying Thunder God Technique, Lightning Release style Nintaijutsu, Black Lightning secret technique and Storm Release laser, as well as special skills to perfectly hide Chakra. Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu—this brat's Ninjutsu and Taijutsu have reached an extremely high realm, only Genjutsu has not been used."
"He might not be good at Yin Release and sensing. This can be seen from the fact that he and Sarutobi Hiruzen's two disciples were beaten into fleeing in embarrassment by Hanzo this year, unable to find Hanzo's main body at all."
At this point, Onoki's eyes suddenly became wary again: "But his growth speed is simply too amazing. Letting him continue to grow, this weakness might also be compensated."
"We cannot retreat. We must increase the offensive, forcing that brat into this battle line, to have a chance to create an opportunity to kill him. Otherwise, when he becomes an adult, he might become a second Hanzo the Salamander, and no one can do anything to him."
Onoki made a decision immediately.
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