"What? You want to challenge the Uchiha clan's top ninjas for the Graduation Assessment?"
In Danzo's house, Kizaru and Danzo sat facing each other.
Faced with Kizaru's request, Danzo slightly furrowed his brow, not entirely willing in his heart.
"The Uchiha clan's top ninjas, all of them have unlocked the Sharingan. Their combat capabilities generally surpass those of ordinary upper-level ninjas. Moreover, fighting against them, given the Uchiha clan's hostility towards us, they will definitely not hold back," Danzo, who did not endorse Kizaru's proposal, explained seriously.
After speaking, Danzo seemed to recall something and continued addressing Kizaru, "If it's because of Yoshihiko, it's unnecessary. That was just a squabble between kids. You don't need to do this. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill. There will be a chance for retaliation in the future."
Kizaru shook his head, looking directly at Danzo, and said, "You told me that some in the Uchiha clan have questioned my talent and strength. Instead of engaging in pointless quarrels with them, I'd rather confront them directly and defeat them head-on."
"Is it still because of Yoshihiko?" Danzo asked.
Kizaru didn't speak, just nodded slightly, admitting it.
If Yoshihiko was beaten due to a lack of strength or skills, Kizaru wouldn't be angry. But if the Uchiha clan used bullying tactics against Yoshihiko, Kizaru would be unhappy.
Danzo had grievances against the Uchiha, and Kizaru understood that. Therefore, he wasn't too angry about the doubts and even personal attacks from some Uchiha ninjas. But the Uchiha bullying their little brother, he couldn't stand by and watch.
Since the Uchiha doubted his abilities and bullied his little brother, Kizaru decided to challenge the Uchiha's top ninjas. He intended to defeat them in front of the whole village, leaving the Uchiha clan speechless.
That was Kizaru's plan, simple yet effective.
"Do you have confidence?" Danzo asked with concern.
"A bit!"
Kizaru wore a confident smile, lifted his right hand, extended his thumb and index finger, making an irregular "C" shape.
Seeing Kizaru's gesture, Danzo shook his head, smiling at Kizaru's antics.
"This assessment is crucial. You can't afford to lose. You want to challenge the Uchiha's top ninjas, I support it, but there's a condition."
"What?"
Danzo didn't answer immediately. Instead, he supported his thighs with both hands, leaned forward, displaying the imposing aura of a high-level ninja, and said very seriously, "You must earn my approval by sparring with me."
"Terrifying indeed!" Facing Danzo's pressure, Kizaru didn't seem affected at all, maintaining his sitting posture and speaking with a cheerful tone.
Danzo retracted his aura and nodded. He was very satisfied with Kizaru's recent performance.
"Within a month, you can arrange the time as you like. As long as you gain my approval, I'll agree to your request."
"A month? You're considerate! Uncle!" Kizaru responded with a carefree tone.
"Prepare well and don't disappoint me."
"By then, don't be scared!" Kizaru joked.
"I'm looking forward to it very much," Danzo replied with a admiring gaze at Kizaru.
"Then look forward to it! My dear uncle!" After speaking, Kizaru, as usual, stood up directly. "It's getting late; I should take a nap. Bye!"
"Wait!" Danzo stopped Kizaru, who was about to leave.
Yawning lazily, Kizaru settled back down and looked at Danzo, asking, "Is there anything else, Uncle?"
"Your mentor has been confirmed."
"Oh, who is it?" Kizaru asked curiously.
"The Third Hokage's disciple, Orochimaru!" Danzo replied.
"Orochimaru?" Kizaru looked up at the ceiling, wearing a contemplative expression.
"Aren't you satisfied?" Seeing Kizaru's reaction, Danzo asked.
Kizaru wasn't afraid or dissatisfied with Orochimaru being his teacher. He was just considering a question: After a while, would Orochimaru be able to defeat him?
If the teacher couldn't defeat the student later, wouldn't that be embarrassing?
"I have no objections!" Gathering his thoughts, Kizaru responded.
"Good!" Danzo said contentedly. "I and Hiruzen have arranged for Orochimaru to be your mentor. The news will be announced after you pass the graduation assessment."
"Then I'll be in your care, Uncle!"
"You go back and rest well!"
"Well then, goodbye, Uncle!"
"Hurry up!"
After bidding farewell to Danzo and returning to his own house, Kizaru, who said he would take a nap, didn't actually sleep. Instead, he sat in the living room, checking the progress bar of the fusion rate.
The fusion rate increased by another bit, reaching 18%. Just two more percentage points, and Kizaru would be able to integrate Admiral Kizaru's new abilities.
Physical Skills, Swordsmanship, Haki, physical enhancement, or perhaps a deepening of the Fruit's abilities.
Kizaru was filled with anticipation for his soon-to-be-integrated new ability.
It wasn't that Kizaru lacked confidence in his current strength, but without Danzo's approval or the ability to defeat the Uchiha clan's top ninjas, Kizaru was aware that having already integrated the Fruit's abilities, he had a hundred percent chance of success facing the top ninjas.
Right now, Kizaru was simply looking forward to the emergence of his new ability.
Time passed quickly in Kizaru's anticipation, and in the blink of an eye, three days had passed.
At the ninja school, Kizaru, who was napping on the table, heard a "ding" sound in his mind.
Half-asleep and half-awake, Kizaru lifted his head from the table, straightening his upper body.
Stretching out a long yawn and rubbing his eyes, Kizaru, now fully awake, paid no attention to the gradually darkening expression of the instructor, Yamakawa Seiji, and eagerly checked the progress of the fusion bar of the character card in his mind.
20%.
"Finally made it!" Kizaru sighed inwardly.
Immediately, Kizaru began to integrate the new ability.
A warm sensation spread throughout his body, making Kizaru almost let out a sound of comfort.
The information in his mind informed Kizaru of his newest integrated ability.
Enhanced physical qualities!
Kizaru had integrated the Admiral Kizaru's youth period physical quality from the character card.
Initially, the first ability Kizaru integrated from the character card was Admiral Kizaru's physical quality potential.
After several years of training, Kizaru's physical qualities far surpassed his peers, possessing a body strength comparable to upper-level ninjas.
However, compared to the physical strength of the Admiral Kizaru in his youth, Kizaru's self-trained body strength was still far from enough.
After all, in the world of ninjas in the Naruto world, without relying on chakra, the physical qualities of ordinary ninjas were insufficient compared to strong individuals in the One Piece world.
This time, by integrating Admiral Kizaru's youth period physical qualities, Kizaru distinctly felt that his body had become stronger. This change even resulted in an increase in his chakra reserves.
Feeling the surging power within his body, Kizaru's face revealed a satisfied smile. He started looking forward to his battles with Danzo, the Uchiha clan's top ninjas, and even felt a bit mischievous, thinking, "Don't get scared now!"