Chapter 11
BOOM!
Three massive fireballs slammed into the water wall, erupting in a torrent of steam that instantly shrouded Ling Yu's figure.
Thick white mist enveloped him, leaving only a blurry black silhouette visible to the crowd.
"Ling Yu… he should be fine, right?"
Mikoto stared anxiously at the battlefield, her worry plain on her face.
The other onlookers shared the same tense expression, eyes fixed on the shadowy figure.
Moments later, the steam gradually dissipated. Ling Yu emerged completely unharmed.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
Before anyone could breathe a sigh of relief, Mad's chakra surged again like it cost nothing. Three more enormous fireballs rocketed toward Ling Yu.
"Won't let up, huh?!"
Ling Yu's patience snapped. He was about to unleash the Rinnegan's full power—
In the next instant, a black-clad ANBU operative wearing a bird mask and carrying a short sword appeared in front of him.
"Earth Style: Earth Wall!"
With rapid seals, a stone barrier—far thicker and stronger than Ling Yu's earlier one—rose from the ground, easily blocking the triple fireballs.
Jonin level. Ling Yu instantly judged the ANBU's strength.
He hadn't expected the ANBU—answerable only to the Hokage—to intervene. That meant Hiruzen Sarutobi was watching right now.
Good thing he hadn't gone all out. The Rinnegan had only been used lightly—any more, and those unusual techniques would've definitely drawn the Third Hokage's full attention.
If Hiruzen questioned him, explaining would be tricky. Worse, Danzo might start targeting him.
"ANBU?! Why would…?"
Mad finally regained a shred of reason. He halted mid-jutsu, staring warily at the masked figure.
"That's enough!"
The ANBU first restored the damaged ground with Earth Style, then stepped between the two boys.
"On what grounds?! I haven't won yet—"
Mad shouted in protest, but before he could finish—
The ANBU vanished in a Body Flicker and reappeared behind him, knocking him out cold with a precise chop to the neck.
"This duel is over. Uchiha Mad consumed the forbidden Blood Rage Pill. I'll hand him over to Lord Hokage for judgment."
After a brief explanation to the crowd, the ANBU hoisted the unconscious Mad onto his shoulder and disappeared.
The onlookers, unaware of the full story, dispersed with disappointed murmurs.
"Ling Yu! Are you okay?!"
Mikoto pushed through the thinning crowd and threw herself into his arms.
"Don't worry—I'm fine. That guy couldn't even scratch me."
Ling Yu gently stroked her head, his voice soft and reassuring.
"Let me check!"
Still anxious, Mikoto pulled back and inspected him carefully, even running her small hands over his arms and back. Only when she found no injuries did she finally relax.
Seeing her earnest worry, Ling Yu couldn't help but smile.
"I told you I'm strong, didn't I?"
"I've never seen it with my own eyes—who knows if you were just bragging?"
Mikoto pouted, her cheeks puffing out in rare tsundere fashion.
"Alright, alright—my fault for making you worry. Forgive me, Mikoto?"
He pulled her back into his embrace. She didn't resist at all this time. Ling Yu laced his fingers with hers, and the two walked hand-in-hand toward the academy.
They still had afternoon class.
"L-Ling—"
As they passed Minato and the others, Choji started to call out—only for Shikaku to yank him back and whisper:
"He's busy flirting. Don't ruin the moment."
"If you mess up his game, he might beat you worse than he beat Mad."
"Oh… right. I almost ruined it. My body can't take a beating like Mad's."
Choji scratched his head sheepishly, realizing how lucky he was that Shikaku stopped him.
"I mean… isn't Mikoto an Uchiha? How is Ling Yu…"
Inoichi mimed intertwined hands, looking puzzled.
"Who cares? Ling Yu's got the looks, the power… what girl could resist him?"
Minato watched Ling Yu's retreating figure with genuine admiration.
At this moment, he fully understood—he could train as hard as he wanted, but surpassing Ling Yu was impossible.
The others exchanged envious glances.
"Alright, let's go. We still have class. We'll take the other route—don't want to keep watching him flirt in front of us."
Shikaku finally spoke up. The single dogs shared a knowing look, nodded in unison, and hurried off down a different path.
…
Afternoon class passed in a sleepy blur. Before long, school was over.
"See you tomorrow, Mikoto!"
"Mm, see you tomorrow!"
After an uneventful training session, Ling Yu and Mikoto said goodbye and headed home.
After dinner at home, Ling Yu went straight to the underground training ground as planned.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
In an open area, he created ten clones.
Four would continue refining chakra to expand his reserves. The remaining six activated their Rinnegan for two-on-two sparring to build real combat experience.
Today's fight with Mad had exposed his lack of practical battle sense—he needed more work in that area.
Though the number of clones was the same as last time, since not all were refining chakra, dispelling them wouldn't leave him exhausted.
"Still got a bit left on yesterday's sealing techniques. Let's finish them tonight."
With the clones busy, Ling Yu—the original—didn't slack off either.
He pulled out the scroll and quietly studied the remaining sealing arts.
Time slipped by unnoticed. Night fell, and his mastery of the seals neared completion.
"Four Symbols Seal!"
With slightly clumsy seals, Ling Yu placed a kunai on a blank scroll.
"Seal!"
A low murmur—and the kunai vanished into the scroll, intricate seal patterns appearing on its surface.
"Success!"
Ling Yu grinned in satisfaction.
The hand seals were slow, but with practice, he'd master them quickly.
"Ugh… that's enough for today."
Finishing training, he stood, stretched his stiff body, and glanced at the clones.
"Release!"
The moment the clones vanished, a flood of combat experience poured into his mind, sharpening his overall strength.
"System, open panel!"
Host: Ling Yu
Age: 6
Physique: Sage Body (Awakening: 60%)
Skills: Rinnegan [Enhanced], Three Basic Techniques, Rokushiki, Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, Water Severing Wave, Water Formation Wall, Copy & Analyze, Super Strength, Mystical Palm Technique, Great Fireball Technique
Strength Level: Elite Chunin
Exchange Points: 500
Inventory: Exquisite Chest ×4, Ordinary Chest ×3, Curse Talisman of Misfortune ×1
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