The next day.
Feng Bai and Asuma inevitably encountered each other at an intersection.
"Yo, morning... morning," Asuma attempted to appear composed as he greeted Feng Bai.
"Morning... yeah, morning," Feng Bai nodded awkwardly in response.
Then both fell into uncomfortable silence.
"Uh, I'm going to see your old man..." Feng Bai was first to break the awkward atmosphere. He still couldn't fathom how he'd inexplicably become the Third Hokage's disciple, now peers with Jiraiya and the others.
Honestly, how's this supposed to make Minato feel? Yesterday I called him "big brother," but today he'll have to address me as "senior disciple"?
"Yeah, uh... I'm going to see your old man too..." Asuma's nervousness stemmed from village rumors—everyone said Danzō was Konoha's notorious hawk faction leader, naturally at odds with the gentle old man. Asuma had no idea why his father would choose Danzō as his instructor.
Each harboring private concerns, they embarked on their respective unknown paths.
...
"You're quite early, Feng Bai."
Seeing Feng Bai cautiously push open the door, Hiruzen's face bloomed with joy as he hurriedly rose to place a smaller chair beside his own.
"I have some work to finish presently. Sit here briefly—once I'm done, I'll take you to train."
"Uh, Hokage-sama, I could wait outside..." Feng Bai attempted to decline, but Hiruzen had already grasped his hand, forcibly seating him.
Thus Feng Bai was compelled to observe Hiruzen's work for two hours.
Unlike Danzō's inherently somber disposition, Hiruzen consistently greeted villagers with a warm, spring-like smile. Even when receiving reports of mission failures, he never displayed impatience, instead expressing concern for their injuries.
Compared to my own father, they're complete opposites...
However uncomfortable, Feng Bai maintained an awkward yet polite smile.
This performance earned silent approval from Hiruzen, who was discretely observing Feng Bai.
Whenever ninja completing reports curiously inquired about Feng Bai's identity, Hiruzen would cheerfully respond: "This is my new disciple."
Meanwhile, Asuma followed Danzō, watching him issue decisive commands, eliminating threats to Konoha in their infancy. Asuma felt genuine admiration stirring.
"Compared to my indecisive, neglectful old man, Feng Bai's father is so resolute. This is the kind of ninja I aspire to be!"
At that moment, fate's gears shifted slightly, adding variables to the future.
Thus, two and a half years passed—a complete cycle of time.
Land of Fire's northern border.
"Enemy forces: fourteen detected currently. Based on chakra signatures, the sensor ninja is concealed behind the tree trunk in the northwest corner, Feng Bai."
Hidden in shadows, Aburame Ryōma successfully located the enemy's sensor ninja through his kikaichū, observing as enemies searched in fan formation for their group's traces.
"Understood."
Wearing a chūnin vest, Feng Bai acknowledged comprehension, glanced toward Ryōma's indicated direction, and formed a single-handed seal.
"Strange, there's a chill..."
The enemy sensor ninja, straining to detect Feng Bai's group's location, sensed danger and attempted evasion. An ice mirror instantly crystallized, and a graceful figure within emotionlessly hurled ice senbon, striking him down immediately.
"Damn it, Mizui!"
The male ninja protecting the sensor watched his comrade perish and, enraged, threw an explosive tag that shattered the ice mirror.
Hearing the explosion, the searching ninja ahead realized their sensor was compromised and halted their advance.
"Judging by chakra levels, the enemy has at least three jōnin. Should we retreat to base for reinforcements, or..." Aburame Ryōma solicited the three team members' opinions.
"Let's return to base and call for support. The enemy's numbers are substantial, and our recent skirmishes have created enough noise to attract border patrol attention," Feng Bai suggested moderately, prioritizing force preservation.
"You're too soft, Feng Bai."
Asuma offered a different perspective: "The enemy planned covert infiltration but we caught them off-guard—they're the ones panicking. Moreover, we must show these people that Konoha isn't somewhere they can enter at will!"
Observing Asuma, also wearing a chūnin vest, Feng Bai frowned: "Who knows if these enemies are merely advance forces? What if they're scouts with main forces following?"
"If that's the case, we have even more reason to annihilate these enemies, preventing any hypothetical main force from taking aggressive action!" Asuma gestured decisively—so much that Aburame Ryōma detected several traces of Danzō's bearing.
Truly Danzō-sama's disciple.
Ryōma regarded Asuma with approval.
By contrast, Feng Bai's tone and demeanor showed tendencies toward the Third Hokage's development.
Among the three, only Obito hadn't achieved chūnin promotion, relegated to watching their discussion.
"I'll advance first. Obito, cover me!"
Seeing Feng Bai fall silent, Asuma made his own decision.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves!"
Leaping from concealment, Asuma expelled cross-shaped wind blades directly toward the enemies awaiting further orders.
"Why are you staring at me? Go!"
Seeing Asuma charge ahead while Obito still looked to him for guidance, Feng Bai sighed helplessly and rushed after.
"Yosh! Time to show the enemy the Uchiha's terror!"
Pulling down his goggles, Obito rapidly formed seals. While enemy attention focused on Asuma, he unleashed his signature technique: "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Compared to two years prior when his Great Fireball was merely basketball-sized, Obito's progress was "godspeed." The fireball he now expelled reached five meters in diameter, charging toward the foremost enemies with unstoppable momentum.
Aburame Ryōma: I'm supposed to be team leader, yet I'm being ignored again...
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
The lead ninja responded, first using Earth Release to block the fireball, then exploiting the explosion's dust cover to charge Obito with kunai raised.
"Cough, cough cough... not good."
Choking on dust, Obito noticed the opponent's approach and awkwardly attempted to block the attack.
"Obito, hold your breath! Ice Release: Frozen Cloud Jutsu!"
Noticing Obito's predicament, Feng Bai employed ninjutsu he'd developed based on manga from his previous life, exhaling dense ice mist that instantly enveloped both enemy and Obito.
The ice fog contained countless minute ice crystals—once entering enemy lungs, Feng Bai could manipulate them to wreak havoc within their bodies.
"A smokescreen? I'll dispel it—cough!"
The enemy preparing to counter the ice mist suddenly felt searing lung pain as blood uncontrollably surged from his throat.
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