Hokage's Office.
Bang!
"What did you say? Someone from Root went after Ye Wudi?! Dammit! Danzo, what the hell are you trying to pull now?!"
"What about Kakashi? Wasn't he stationed right next to Ye Wudi?!"
"Kakashi…"
The ANBU who came to report scratched the back of his head awkwardly, then pointed toward the village gates.
"He and Gai started dueling again… They've been at it since this afternoon and haven't come back. The only sign of life we've had are the explosions going off outside the village every now and then. They're probably still out there…"
Huh?
Hiruzen's mind immediately conjured an image:
Kakashi and Might Guy, both running with the awkward bounce of a cartoon bear, sprinting from day into night.
Along the way, they yelled, "This is youth!" and "Burn, my youth, burn!" as they blazed their trail across the countryside.
"…Forget it. Let's just hope the reinforcements get there in time."
With a long sigh, Hiruzen slumped back into his chair, weariness etched across his face. Then, without missing a beat, he took out a crystal ball.
Observation Jutsu: Telescope Technique!
The next moment, a live image of Ye Wudi appeared inside the crystal.
"Alright, now let me take a look and see how things are going over huh?"
This… is not quite the fierce battle I imagined.
Inside the crystal, Ye Wudi and two Root operatives were under the watchful gaze of four other Root nin maintaining the barrier jumping side to side in unison like they were rehearsing for a street performance.
What was more, Ye Wudi, still carrying Hinata in his arms, managed to pull off several high-difficulty dance moves while keeping the beat.
The whole scene left Hiruzen absolutely dumbfounded.
And yet, his right foot had started to tap along with the rhythm just like it had when he first heard Gokuraku Jodo.
"Uhm… Lord Third? Are you alright?"
"I'm… fine. You're dismissed. I need a moment alone to, uh, observe this kid's condition."
This brat... Instead of training ninjutsu or improving his chakra control, he spends all day dancing and singing what's the point of all this?
Still… maybe I should use the Transformation Jutsu next time and sneak over to ask about this music and choreography.
If just watching him mouth the lyrics and dance can make me feel something like this… then it's at least as captivating as Gokuraku Jodo!
Ding!
Congratulations! You have received 666 negative emotion points from Hiruzen Sarutobi!
While Hiruzen was using his crystal ball to observe, Ye Wudi had just completed another draw from the system's lottery this time landing on a true golden legend.
Ding!
Congratulations! You have mastered Barrier Release Technique!
Tip: As long as the host has sufficient chakra, Barrier Release can dismantle any barrier technique!
Unlocking any barrier, huh?
That's exactly what I need right now!
With this, even if he ever found himself trapped inside a real Four Red Yang Formation not this watered-down version he could bust out anytime.
Beautiful!
Ding!
Congratulations! You have mastered Konoha Secret Taijutsu Ultimate: Thousand Years of Death!
Thousand Years of Death?
The jutsu where you form the Tiger Seal and jab your fingers into the opponent's weakest chakra point…?
Uh, well actually, hmm!
This move… could be fun. Heh heh heh.
As if suddenly struck by inspiration, Ye Wudi began eyeing the six Root operatives around him all while still busting out his breakdance routine in place.
"…"
By now, the music had reached its climax, and the six Root nin were blushing furiously.
The four stationed to maintain the barrier were still okay just dealing with sore legs.
But the two who had joined Ye Wudi's impromptu dance party?
They were in a bad way.
Sweat poured off them like rain, and their chakra was practically depleted. At this point, they were relying purely on physical stamina to follow Ye Wudi's rhythm.
Which meant… if Ye Wudi kicked it up even one more notch
Then he could easily one-shot kill them with Konoha's infamous Thousand Years of Death!
With that thought, Ye Wudi didn't hesitate he upped the tempo again, launching into the final peak of the performance.
(Get your shrimp! Still speeding up only death will stop me!)
(Oh yeah! Forget the dead!)
(Let's go again~ I'm standing strong… I'll carry your mama to the skies! Sit tight~ kick your butt by mistake!)
Wō~!
(Woooo~!)
Seeing Ye Wudi somehow speeding up even more, the two Root operatives beside him went pale on the spot.
What the hell?! He can still accelerate?!
Ding!
You have received 999 negative emotion points from Root Special Jōnin!
Ding!
You have received 999 negative emotion points from the Root squad!
Ding!
You have received…
Then suddenly, one of the two Root chunin collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air, unable to go on.
"Captain… I can't do this anymore…"
Opportunity!
Ye Wudi's eyes lit up. Still carrying Hinata, he vanished in a blur.
Body Flicker Technique!
He reappeared right beside the exhausted ninja. Forming the Tiger Seal, he plunged his fingers directly into the weakest chakra point on the man's body in full view of everyone.
The next moment…
The chunin's face went from wary to absolutely horrified then drained of all color.
"You-OH! Aaaaaaaah!"
Before the crowd's stunned eyes, the Root ninja was launched into the air by Ye Wudi's Thousand Years of Death, landing face-down in the street, limbs twitching, soul shattered.
Ding!
You have received 999 negative emotion points from Root Chunin!
Ding!
You have received…
Seeing their comrade get insta-defeated in such a manner, the last Root Special Jōnin of the trio froze on the spot, drew his ninjatō defensively, and
Instinctively clamped his legs together.
One hand gripped his blade.
The other… covered his rear end.
Sweat poured down his forehead like rain.
But just as he finished steeling himself
Ye Wudi turned and ran.
Didn't even look back.
The Special Jōnin was completely dumbfounded.
What the hell just happened?
"You idiot! Don't you see? That kid didn't use the Body Flicker just now he's moving on pure physical ability now!"
"That last hit was his final burst of chakra!"
Ding!
You have received 999 negative emotion points from Root Special Jōnin!
Ding!
You have received…
Of course!
With that, the Root Special Jōnin took off in hot pursuit.
In no time at all, he had Ye Wudi cornered against the barrier.
As he stood there, back to the wall, looking slightly pale and worn down, the Root ninja sneered.
"Well, well… Let's see how you plan to escape now!"
Ye Wudi's eyes glinted with a hidden mockery.
Escape?
Heh… why would I need to?
He had intentionally drawn the fight to the edge of the barrier for one final, spectacular performance.
The curtain was rising once again…