"I didn't expect there to be such a strong power hidden in Itsuki's body that even a jonin couldn't stop him!"
On the way back, Choji sighed as he chewed potato chips. "Once he masters that power, how strong will he become?"
Shikamaru folded his hands behind his head and said nonchalantly, "The greater the power, the harder it is to control. The effort required increases exponentially."
Ino frowned. "If I remember correctly, Itsuki's teammates should be Chie Mai and Ryota, right? Those two actually did that just to win. That's shameless!"
"So, finding trustworthy companions is truly fortunate and precious," Asuma said with a smile, lighting a cigarette. "The three of you have a long-standing connection. That makes you the most suitable partners, doesn't it?"
Shikamaru and Choji chuckled, and even Ino did not object. They were indeed lucky. Even as a newly formed team, betrayal was not something they had to worry about.
"Alright, let's not talk about Itsuki anymore!" Asuma clapped his hands. "Just take this as a warning. And don't tell anyone. Got it? I'm your guarantor."
The three kids in Class 10 were smart enough to understand without further explanation.
[Tenten: Ino, Ino, calling Ino, what's going on?]
[Tenten: Is it exactly like in the video? Has Itsuki awakened a new ability?]
[Tenten: Why don't you say a word?]
[Hyuga Hinata: I'm taking a test, so I haven't checked the chat. I guess Ino is stuck with something too.]
[Haruno Sakura: Watching the video, I can see Itsuki's side is in great danger.]
[Yamanaka Ino: You don't wish me well, do you, Broad Forehead? You're the one in danger… Oh wait, you're still in the classroom? That's very safe there!]
[Haruno Sakura: Who knows what our team leader is like? He still hasn't shown up. I'm furious!]
[Tenten: @Yamanaka Ino, so what's going on with Itsuki?]
[Yamanaka Ino: Actually, I promised to keep this a secret. But you've seen the video, so it shouldn't count as a leak. Just promise not to tell anyone.]
[Haruno Sakura: Is it necessary to be so serious? Itsuki awakened a new ability, but it has nothing to do with us.]
[Tenten: This is a form of protection for Itsuki. I promise not to tell anyone.]
[Hyuga Hinata: Yeah, I promise not to tell either.]
[Haruno Sakura: Okay, okay, I promise not to tell anyone.]
[Yamanaka Ino: The video is real. I heard the noise and rushed over, and that's exactly what I saw.]
[Yamanaka Ino: So, you understand, the ANBU have already intervened, and the Third Hokage himself will handle this. We aren't qualified to interfere.]
[Hyuga Hinata: Chie Mai and Ryota, that's too much!!]
[Haruno Sakura: I didn't expect them to be like this! You can't judge a person by appearance. I'll stay away from them from now on.]
[Tenten: Killing and betrayal, this is the way of the ninja. Even after only a year as a ninja, I've seen many who were betrayed by their own people and ended tragically.]
[Tenten: Though it may sound cold-blooded, this incident isn't bad for Itsuki.]
[Haruno Sakura: Of course it's not. He awakened a powerful ability! Even the jonin were defeated.]
[Yamanaka Ino: Are you an idiot? Tenten is right. Those two didn't hurt Itsuki. He suffered a loss this time and won't make the same mistake again.]
[Haruno Sakura: Tsk, you don't even need to say that!]
[Tenten: Ino, can you tell what kind of ability Itsuki has?]
[Yamanaka Ino: It's hard to say. Even ANBU and Asuma-sensei didn't know. Maybe it's a new ability never before seen in the ninja world.]
[Yamanaka Ino: They didn't mention details, and I didn't dare ask. But when I arrived, the scene was pretty much exactly like the video.]
[Tenten: Okay, but now we can be sure Itsuki will become unimaginably powerful. We must establish a good relationship with him.]
[Haruno Sakura: Do you really want to be in his harem group?]
[Yamanaka Ino: If he can become a God of Ninja like the first generation, it wouldn't be impossible to join his group of harems.]
[Tenten: Ahem, me too. I'm actually worried Itsuki might look down on me.]
[Hyuga Hinata: …]
[Haruno Sakura: This is crazy!]
On the way to the Hokage's office, Itsuki pretended to be worried but secretly watched the chat group with great interest.
He was the center of attention among several beautiful girls, and most of their words showed they longed for him.
This feeling was refreshing.
Perhaps he could even create a few future scenarios where a hero saves a beauty.
Relationships built this way were deeper than casual chats on the street.
Not long after, Itsuki arrived at the Hokage's office.
Third Hokage sat behind the desk, looking at him gently.
"You are Itsuki, right? I have heard your story," the Third Hokage said slowly.
An ANBU had already briefed him on the situation, and some of the remaining black matter was placed on the desk.
Clearly, the Third Hokage had studied it.
"Third-sama!" Endo Daisho stepped forward. "The primary responsibility for this incident lies with me. I was careless…"
The Third Hokage waved his hand, smiling gently. "You misunderstand, Daisho . I don't mean to blame Itsuki. He truly cannot be held responsible for what happened this time."
Endo Daisho breathed a sigh of relief.
Itsuki was slightly surprised. At first, he could feel that Endo Daisho had no sense of attachment to Team 9. The practical assessment had seemed more like a formality, and Endo Daisho seemed eager to finish it quickly.
But now, he was actively pleading on Itsuki's behalf.
Third Hokage then turned to Endo Daisho. "You look tired. Go back and rest. I have something to discuss with Itsuki."
Endo Daisho hesitated.
"What? Speak freely. I won't blame you, even if you say the wrong thing," the Third Hokage said kindly and patiently.
Endo Daisho gritted his teeth, knelt on one knee, and said, "Third-sama, Itsuki is a promising seedling. We should train him well. He will surely become an excellent ninja of Konoha in the future."
"You are so optimistic about him?" the Third Hokage asked in surprise.
Initially, nine of the 27 graduates were to be Genin, and Itsuki had been slated for elimination.
From the beginning, Endo Daisho had not intended for Team 9 to pass the assessment.
But now, his current attitude was clearly not due to Itsuki's newly awakened power, but because he did not recognize the others' potential.
An excellent ninja is not a title earned by strength alone.