[Ding! Host Status Panel.]
[Name: Yagyu Sosuke]
[Chakra: 660]
[Ninjutsu: 180]
[Taijutsu: 210]
[Genjutsu: 103]
[Kekkei Genkai: Senju Sage Body (10%), Sharingan (Two Tomoe)]
[Overall Strength Evaluation: Special Jonin]
In the same public training ground where he used to stay three years ago.
Yagyu looked at his status panel with satisfaction, feeling a burst of pride in his heart. "A Special Jonin level evaluation, and I'm only nine years old this year. In another three years, reaching Elite Jonin won't be difficult at all."
Over these three years, his progress had been possible not only because of his own effort, but also because the system's rewards played a huge role.
First was the occasional reward that increased the development progress of the Senju Sage Body.
Then there was ninjutsu.
The chakra nature transformations of all five basic elements had been perfectly mastered by Yagyu during these three years.
At the same time, he received ninjutsu instruction from the Third Hokage, learning many elemental Jutsu of the five elements, including genjutsu as well.
As for training like tree climbing and water walking, he had naturally completed those long ago.
Next was taijutsu.
As Yagyu's most prominent combat method at the moment, his taijutsu combined with the already mastered Yagyu Style Swordsmanship allowed him to occupy a place even among Konoha's Special Jonin.
Overall.
At this stage, Yagyu had already begun to truly grow stronger.
Yagyu's height had already reached nearly 1.5 meters, which was considered tall among children of the same age.
After all, he was only nine years old.
"Hm?"
Yagyu had been wiping the Chakra Blade in his hand when his movement suddenly paused. "You came too late, old man Hokage."
After speaking.
Yagyu turned his gaze toward the tree nearby, where there was no one.
Suddenly.
Whoosh.
A gust of wind swept up fallen leaves across the ground, and the Third Hokage appeared while smoking his pipe, looking helplessly at Yagyu standing on the wooden stump.
"I'm still your teacher, you know."
With a helpless expression in his eyes, the Third Hokage looked at Yagyu and said, "Can't you show a little consideration for an old man?"
Click.
Yagyu sheathed his blade and smiled. "Give me a break. If someone like you needs consideration, then everyone in Konoha would need to be taken care of."
Three years ago.
Ever since the Third Hokage first made contact with Yagyu, he had closely observed Yagyu's growth.
Until one year ago, when he accepted Yagyu as his final personal disciple.
While teaching him everything he knew, the Third Hokage also acted as Yagyu's sparring partner every few days, engaging in practical combat training with him.
The speed of Yagyu's growth was inseparable from the Third Hokage's guidance.
It had to be said that the old man truly had skill.
After all, he was the man who had trained the Legendary Sannin of Konoha.
"You really become less adorable the older you get."
Looking at Yagyu speechlessly, the Third Hokage held his pipe and said, "When you were younger you were obedient and spoke nicely. But now…"
Although it sounded like he was complaining, the Third Hokage's eyes and expression were filled with satisfaction and pride toward Yagyu.
Yes.
In the Third Hokage's eyes, although Yagyu had become more mischievous with his words, he was undoubtedly the best inheritor of the Will of Fire.
Even Jiraiya, whom he once valued the most, fell short compared to Yagyu.
Within Yagyu, the Third Hokage saw Konoha's future.
Otherwise, he would never have accepted Yagyu as his disciple.
"Alright."
Looking at the Third Hokage, Yagyu smiled. "Teacher, let's begin today's sparring session. No matter what happens, today I will definitely take the bell that belongs to me."
The Third Hokage nodded with a smile.
Holding his pipe in one hand, he took out a bell with the other.
"Then I'll look forward to it."
Ding.
He casually tied the bell to his waist and looked at Yagyu with a smile, not attacking first and instead waiting for Yagyu to make the first move.
Yagyu also did not rush forward recklessly.
Instead, he lowered his body slightly as chakra flowed through his body and his muscles tensed to their limit.
Carefully searching for flaws in the Third Hokage's stance.
Silence.
In an instant, the field became quiet.
The only thing that could be felt was the tension of an imminent battle.
"What intense pressure."
The more Yagyu searched, the more he felt an invisible aura pressing down on him. "Is this the presence of a Kage-level shinobi?"
At that moment in Yagyu's eyes, the Third Hokage's aged and seemingly frail figure resembled a towering mountain.
"It's time to move."
After confronting each other for a moment, Yagyu made his decision.
Whoosh.
Raising his hand, Yagyu immediately threw out several shuriken.
At the moment they left his hand, Yagyu's hands moved rapidly through hand seals.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Whoosh whoosh whoosh.
With bursts of smoke appearing in midair, the original dozen shuriken instantly multiplied into a dense storm.
Completely cutting off all of the Third Hokage's escape routes.
"You learned this Jutsu as well?"
Looking at the overwhelming shuriken flying toward him at high speed, the Third Hokage showed a surprised expression. "Your learning ability is as terrifying as ever."
Although he spoke calmly, the Third Hokage's movements were not slow in the slightest.
The moment he raised his hand, he had already completed the hand seals.
"Earth Release, Earth-Style Wall."
Boom.
A thick wall of earth rose from the ground, blocking the Third Hokage.
Thud thud thud.
All the shuriken aimed at him were precisely blocked.
The wall was neither too large nor too small, just the perfect size, demonstrating the Third Hokage's refined combat experience.
Just as the Third Hokage finished blocking the shuriken attack.
"Leaf Strong Whirlwind."
Yagyu's loud shout suddenly rang out.
Boom.
The Earth-Style Wall in front of the Third Hokage was instantly shattered by a powerful kick.
Yagyu had already seized the moment and closed the distance.
His fingers moved rapidly, leaving faint afterimages as the hand seals were completed.
"Take this, old man."
Chakra gathered within his chest as Yagyu spoke with a serious expression.
"Fire Release, Great Fireball Jutsu."
Boom.
A blazing fireball with a diameter of nearly three meters instantly formed between Yagyu and the Third Hokage.
The distance between them was barely more than three meters.
Yagyu had completely fired the attack point-blank.
"… "
Seeing the Great Fireball suddenly form directly in front of him, the Third Hokage's face darkened. "This kid is as reckless as ever. Does he really have no consideration for an old man?"
Whoosh.
As he spoke, the Third Hokage moved instantly, leaving his original position the moment the fireball erupted in front of him.
But the next moment.
Clang.