"Naruto!"
Jiraiya darted forward in a blur, arms sweeping wide to catch the boy as he hurtled through the air. Instead of bracing against the impact, he let the force carry them both backward, skidding across the ground until they came to a halt.
He expected Xuanyue to pursue.
But the ancient figure never moved. He stood calmly, as if the current clash had never happened.
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes, wary.
The truth was, Yui Xuanyue wasn't even watching them. His attention had drifted inward, to the metallic voice echoing through his mind.
Ding!
Beginner mission complete.
With the System's generous starter pack—and years of relentless training—you challenged Uzumaki Naruto. After a grueling battle, you have emerged victorious.
Congratulations, host. You have successfully defeated the academy's dead last. Step one of your rise is complete. Aim now for your next goal: dominance over the Ninja Academy.
Reminder: the System will continue to issue main quests as your journey progresses.
Xuanyue's cracked lips twitched.
"Defeating Uzumaki Naruto… a task that's taken me more than fifty years." He sighed heavily. "Truly the hardest beginner quest in history."
Like the System, he'd mastered the art of shameless nonsense—but at least he was honest.
He had, after all, really spent fifty years before finally putting Naruto down with a kick.
The System's version, though—about grueling academy duels—was laughable. Xuanyue muttered to himself, "What academy? What duel? Idiot box has been malfunctioning since day one."
Still, a reward was a reward. He turned his attention back to the glowing text.
Quest Settlement: Complete.
Reward: Harem Jutsu.
Description: A legendary technique created by the prodigy Uzumaki Naruto. Unrankable. Effective against men, women, and gods alike. Even Kaguya Ōtsutsuki fell prey to its stunning visuals and debilitating effects. Known consequences: paralysis, dizziness, mental collapse, sudden hemorrhaging, loss of limb coordination. Confirmed victims include the Third Hokage, Jiraiya, and Ebisu. Recognized as the single most effective crowd-control technique in shinobi history.
Xuanyue went silent.
He had many things he wanted to say, but no words came.
Was the Harem Jutsu really that powerful? …Well, yes.
He had to admit, even he might falter if suddenly besieged by a wave of radiant beauties—elegant, playful, fiery, innocent—all throwing themselves into his arms.
Ahem. Not that he'd allow it for long.
Objectively speaking, the jutsu was absurdly powerful. But if he used it in battle? His reputation would be ruined.
Naruto might grin and spam his "Sexy Jutsu" now without shame, but once he grew into the Hokage, Xuanyue could already imagine the whispers.
"Look, that's the man who saved the ninja world—with naked transformation jutsu!"
"The hero who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with gods… was really into cross-dressing."
No. Absolutely not. Xuanyue decided right then and there—he would never use the Harem Jutsu in public.
Alone, though… his thoughts strayed. If a ninja cast Shadow Clone, transformed them into women, and then…
He shook his head violently. "Damn that perverted Senju ghost! What kind of monster invents a jutsu like this?"
Shoving the thought away, Xuanyue's gaze returned to the battlefield.
Naruto, already back on his feet thanks to his ridiculous vitality, bounced with renewed determination.
Jiraiya's tone hardened. "Naruto. Watch and learn. This fight is beyond you."
He pushed the boy back, then planted his own feet with serious intent. Chakra surged through his body as he stamped down, the ground booming beneath him. His figure blurred—gone in an instant.
Xuanyue didn't flinch. Jiraiya's fist thundered toward him, only to be caught by a single, casual palm.
Jiraiya twisted, flowing into a sweeping kick. Xuanyue finally gave ground, blocking with his forearm before answering with a counter-kick.
Crack! The air itself shuddered.
Jiraiya ducked low, arms catching the earth. With a toad-like leap, he launched himself upward, fists raining from every angle in a flurry of strikes.
Xuanyue met him blow for blow, retreating only after several rapid exchanges. His sandals dug furrows in the dirt as he skidded back, then settled his stance. His eyes gleamed with interest.
"Mount Myōboku taijutsu… fused with Konoha's flowing style. Your own creation." A faint smile touched his lips. "Amusing."
"But it won't be enough."
He vanished in a burst of speed, the air screaming at his passage. Their next collision cracked the earth like thunder.
Jiraiya gritted his teeth, refusing to yield. Tsunade was out there fighting Orochimaru. Every second mattered.
Xuanyue, on the other hand, fought with eerie calm. His strikes were measured, his movements precise. He wasn't trying to win—only to hold them here.
After all, he thought, I don't need victory. I only need time.
Would they value a forbidden jutsu more… or Tsunade's life?
That was the question he had set before them.
And Xuanyue was very confident in the answer.
To be continued…