Boom!
The dull sound of impact echoed across the training ground.
A swift knife-hand strike landed directly on Gekkō Hayate's neck. Under the sheer force of the attack, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
The violent scene left the surrounding shinobi frozen in shock.
Their gazes were fixed on Uchiha Qin Yu, whose body crackled with lightning chakra. The disbelief on their faces was unmistakable.
Moments ago, they had speculated whether Qin Yu had truly mastered the Lightning Release Chakra Mode, based only on Hayate's claims.
But now, seeing it with their own eyes, there was no longer any doubt.
It had been only half a day since he repelled Kumo-nin, and yet, Qin Yu had already grasped one of Kumogakure's most difficult and closely guarded secret techniques.
How could anyone describe this level of progress?
Terrifying?
Monstrous?
Unreal?
And more importantly, the contrast made it even more staggering.
The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze—Konoha's "Yellow Flash"—was hailed as the fastest shinobi alive.
But now, Qin Yu had just outspeeded Gekkō Hayate, a shinobi known for his swift Silent Killing Sword Technique.
That could only mean one thing—at the very least, Qin Yu's speed rivaled Minato's.
"Oh, sorry, my bad," Qin Yu chuckled, flexing his fingers. "Once I decide to teach someone a lesson, not even I can hold back."
If this had been the old Uchiha Qin Yu, he would have groveled before Minato, the son of Konoha.
But with his newly acquired One-Click Max-Level System, bowing was no longer in his nature.
If anyone had a problem with him, they could simply step aside—or get steamrolled.
"Qin Yu, you don't have to be so hard on yourself." Minato, ever the peaceful and diplomatic shinobi, smiled. "You held back. That was already merciful enough."
Minato had always maintained a good relationship with Uchiha Fugaku, the Uchiha Clan leader.
For years, he had hoped to mend the growing rift between the Uchiha and Konoha's leadership.
If Fugaku—who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan—didn't trust Minato, Konoha would have already faced the full wrath of the Uchiha.
Unfortunately, the Third Great Ninja War was coming to an end.
And one year later, Minato himself would be dead.
From there, everything would spiral out of control under the secret manipulations of Konoha's dark shadow—Danzo Shimura.
Of course, Qin Yu had no interest in such matters.
With his system in place, the entire world was open to him.
If anyone dared corner him, he'd simply unleash a few ultimate jutsu, wipe out his enemies, and walk away untouched.
"Well, if there's nothing else, I'm heading back to rest. This jutsu eats up too much chakra." Qin Yu patted Minato's shoulder before casually walking off.
The other shinobi watched in stunned silence.
To them, Minato Namikaze was untouchable—the greatest prodigy of their generation, the one expected to become the next Hokage.
Even the older, more experienced shinobi treated him with immense respect.
Yet here was Qin Yu, acting like Minato was just another comrade.
Once Qin Yu had disappeared into the distance, Yue Yue Cangwu, a veteran Konoha shinobi, chuckled and stepped forward.
"Lord Minato, don't hold it against him. The truth is, if it weren't for Qin Yu, we wouldn't have been able to push back Kumo's A–B Combo in battle."
He shook his head. "Besides, he's still just a fifteen-year-old kid. Etiquette isn't his strong suit."
Compared to Minato, who was already in his early twenties, Qin Yu was indeed a junior.
And compared to Minato's prestigious reputation, Qin Yu had been an unknown within the Uchiha Clan.
Minato sighed, shaking his head. "Cangwu, please don't call me 'Lord.' It makes me feel old. But I'll admit… I like Qin Yu."
His expression turned thoughtful. "That said, I heard he wasn't exactly a standout among the Uchiha."
"When he left for the front lines, Fugaku asked me to watch over him. But now… I wonder if even Fugaku knew what Qin Yu was hiding."
The gathered shinobi exchanged uneasy glances.
Just thinking about Qin Yu's Lightning Release Chakra Cloak, combined with his Mangekyō Sharingan, sent chills down their spines.
Minato wasn't done. "Cangwu, are you telling me that Qin Yu has an extraordinary talent for both Lightning Release and the Sharingan?"
The group nodded in unison.
Minato's expression grew more serious.
"Cangwu, please take care of Gekkō Hayate. I'm going to find Qin Yu."
Cangwu hesitated. "Minato, there's something else you should know. The Raikage's successor, A, once said Qin Yu had the potential to become Hokage himself."
Minato's eyes narrowed.
"This battle also involved Danzo's operatives—particularly Yamanaka Tōru and Aburame Tate." Cangwu sighed. "Not only did they fail their mission, but they leaked intel about our base's location."
He exhaled sharply. "If Danzo realizes Qin Yu ruined his plans, he might move against him. Please, Minato, watch out for Qin Yu."
For veteran shinobi like Cangwu, external enemies were nothing—Konoha had the power to crush any village in battle.
But internal threats? Those were far more insidious.
Danzo was not someone to be underestimated.
Minato's gaze hardened. "Don't worry. I know exactly what to do."
"I'll report all of this to the Third Hokage."
Cangwu let out a relieved breath. "If Hiruzen Sarutobi gets involved, at least Danzo will be forced to hold back."
Minato nodded. "For now, let's focus on reinforcing our defenses. I'll speak with Qin Yu first."
As Minato departed, a young kunoichi, Yūgao Uzuki, clenched her fists.
"Father… does this mean Qin Yu will be targeted by Root once he returns to Konoha?"
Her father, Yue Yue Cangwu, smirked. "What's this? Worried about your little lover already?"
Yūgao's face reddened. "W-Who's his lover?! I just don't want Konoha to lose a shinobi as strong as him!"
She turned away, arms crossed. "A person like that is an unshakable ally… but if he ever became an enemy, he'd be too terrifying to stop."
Cangwu's eyes gleamed with understanding.
"Yes… exactly."
The others around them nodded in grim agreement.
With a power like Qin Yu's, there were only two options.
Either be his ally… or stay out of his way.