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On Kakashi's side, the battle was still raging fiercely.
Four Root ninjas attacked him together, each aiming their katanas directly at his throat.
Inhumane!
The sole purpose of these Root members was to remove obstacles for Danzo.
Kakashi suddenly jumped up and began weaving hand signs in the air.
As soon as he landed, he pressed his palms to the ground and shouted, "Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!"
The ground trembled slightly, and a wall of earth-colored stone rose up, blocking the attackers' blades...
Meanwhile, Ikeno still had two enemies left.
Just then, the system's voice echoed in his mind—but it wasn't a reward notification.
[Ding! Host has automatically awakened the improved Dead Bone Pulse ninjutsu: Corpse Melting and Skeleton Resurrection]
What!?
Ikeno was shocked to find out he could awaken improved ninjutsu. He had never heard of these techniques in the anime.
He quickly tested it on the two corpses lying on the ground.
The Corpse Melting technique dissolved the bodies, leaving only the bare white bones. Then, with a grinding noise, the skeletons rose, standing on their own, with eerie will-o'-the-wisps flickering inside their skulls.
The scene was terrifying.
Even Ikeno himself was momentarily stunned!
The remaining Root ninjas froze, their eyes wide in disbelief as they stared at their resurrected comrades.
Skeletons weren't particularly dangerous, but their sheer presence was enough to shake the opponents.
Seeing the panic on his enemies' faces, Ikeno quickly called upon the system to complete his sign-in.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for completing the shocking mission. You've been rewarded with Hashirama's Seal Speed!]
Hashirama's seal speed!!
Ikeno could hardly contain his excitement.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
With blinding speed, Ikeno flashed through the hand seals——completing all five in just 0.5 seconds!
A massive fireball erupted from his throat, hurtling towards the two remaining Root members and engulfing them in flames. The fireball roared through the forest, burning the men alive.
Ikeno couldn't help but correct the misconception about the Great Fireball Technique.
Who said people can't be burned to death by this jutsu?
Kakashi stood there, dumbfounded!
"Did I just see that? That kid didn't even use proper seals... What is going on?"
On Kakashi's side, there were still two enemies left.
In his brief moment of distraction, one of the ninjas attempted to strike him with a sword.
But Ikeno flashed in with a Body Flicker Technique and grabbed the attacker. "Oops, wrong grip," he muttered, letting go and then swiftly using his chakra-infused strength to hurl the ninja away.
The last ninja was dispatched quickly.
The ten-man assassination team had been annihilated. Not a single one survived.
It was the first time Toshi Ikeno had ever killed someone.
It felt… exhilarating.
"You...you didn't even use hand seals for that Great Fireball just now..." Kakashi finally managed to ask, still in shock.
Ikeno smirked and replied, "Who's serious about hand seals anymore? Life is all about going with the flow!"
Kakashi's mind was reeling.
His eyes betrayed his jealousy.
Jealousy +1.
Jealousy +100.
Jealousy +10086.
The strength of this kid was terrifying!
"What should we do with the bodies?" Ikeno asked.
"I'll report this to Lord Hokage after cleaning up here."
Ikeno nodded, though he still felt a bit disappointed. He hadn't gotten to see Kakashi use his Sharingan, and he hadn't had enough of the thrill of battle yet.
It felt like getting cut off just before reaching a climax...
When Danzo heard about the complete failure of his assassination team, he was furious, nearly coughing up blood.
"Hmph, it seems I'll have to call in that person..."
Meanwhile, back at Ikeno's home, Naruto was waiting impatiently for his return.
Naturally, Ikeno didn't mention anything about the day's events.
Once inside, Naruto grabbed the game console and started playing.
Despite it being his first time, Naruto proved to be a natural, playing so well that even Ikeno had to admit defeat.
As the moon began to rise outside, Naruto stayed for dinner.
Ikeno brought out some Kobe steak from his inventory, and with his god-level cooking skills, Naruto was soon devouring it, his mouth smeared with oil.
"This is amazing! I've never eaten anything this delicious before! It's even better than ramen… Ikeno, how about I move in with you?"
Ikeno pointed to the tiny cabin. "There's only one room and one bed. Up to you."
Naruto laughed but eventually shook his head.
After dinner, Ikeno made some iced lemon and plum soup for dessert.
It wasn't until late at night that he finally managed to kick Naruto out, as he was reluctant to leave.
With the house finally quiet, Ikeno lay in bed, thinking about what he had to do over the next couple of days…
Meanwhile, at the Hokage's office, the lights were still burning late into the night.
Kakashi stood nearby, reporting the day's events.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was still trying to process what he had heard.
"He can perform ninjutsu without hand seals! A genius, an absolute genius! We must protect him!"
"At the same time, we must closely monitor his movements and ensure he has no secret contacts outside the village…"
The next day, July 22nd, was one day before Sasuke's birthday.
Ikeno arrived early at the Hokage's office.
After a brief wait, he was ushered in to meet the Third Hokage.
Though they hadn't met often, their conversations had grown warmer over time.
The Third Hokage had taken a liking to the witty and sharp young man.
"It's noon. What brings you here, young one?"
Ikeno got straight to the point: "Grandpa Hokage, I'd like to become your disciple!"
The Third Hokage hesitated.
He had considered taking on a student, but the responsibilities of managing Konoha were already overwhelming, and he had so much to deal with on a daily basis.
However, under Ikeno's persistent persuasion, he finally agreed to take him on as a student, but with conditions.
He handed Ikeno a contract-like document, which clearly stated that Ikeno must never betray Konoha or become an enemy of the village, and that he would protect the village with his life.
Ikeno pricked his finger and stamped his blood onto the document.
"For now, you'll focus on your studies at the Academy," Hiruzen said. "I'll guide you occasionally. Once you become a Chūnin, I'll give you more formal training."
Ikeno nodded in agreement.
The news spread quickly throughout the village, causing quite a stir.
Many were shocked that the Third Hokage had taken on a disciple again after so many years.
Among his classmates, reactions were mixed.
Sakura was utterly floored, finding the news hard to believe.
Though Sasuke was shocked as well, he managed to keep a calm exterior.
Naruto, on the other hand, was more excited than anyone else!
"Yes! That's amazing! If you're his disciple, that makes me like his half-disciple too! No one will ever call me a loser again!"
Ikeno could only laugh at Naruto's twisted logic.
But then Naruto grinned and said, "Even if you're his apprentice, the Hokage position is still going to be mine one day!"
Ikeno nodded, amused.
Sasuke muttered coldly from the side, "What an absolute idiot."
At noon, Hinata quietly approached Ikeno, handed him something, and then blushed deeply before running off.
What is this…?
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