"Oh, it's Anshi."
"I apologize, little Tsuna has troubled you. Thank you for sending her back so late."
After giving Tsunade a hug, Mito Uzumaki smiled at Li Anshi.
Although Li Anshi was just an ordinary, unremarkable tenant of one of the many shops owned by the Senju clan, when the little princess of the Senju clan interacted with him, all of Li Anshi's information had been completely gathered by the Senju clan.
This included information about Li Anshi's deceased parents, his words and actions at the Ninja Academy, his failure in the graduation exam, and even the style of flying daggers Li Anshi had custom-made at the weapon shop – all were recorded by the Senju clan.
Mito Uzumaki had also visited Li Anshi's shop with Tsunade.
Therefore, Mito Uzumaki was not unfamiliar with Li Anshi.
However, what surprised Mito Uzumaki was the chilling aura that burst out from Li Anshi before he sensed her presence...
This young man was not simple!
It should be known that even Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had now taken office as the Third Hokage, couldn't make Mito Uzumaki feel this way.
Mito Uzumaki couldn't possibly be unaware of the implications of this.
How could Li Anshi, who possessed such strength, fail the Ninja Academy's graduation exam?
Were there other secrets hidden in this?
For a moment, Mito Uzumaki's mind was filled with a hundred thoughts, but she didn't reveal any of them in front of Li Anshi.
As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Mito Uzumaki could vaguely sense a person's emotions.
At the very least, the respect and gratitude that Li Anshi currently displayed in front of her were not fake!
That was very good.
"Not at all. It's my honor to be troubled by Lady Tsunade."
Li Anshi shook his head and smiled. "However, since Lady Mito has arrived, I won't disturb you any further."
After saying that, Li Anshi bowed slightly and turned to leave.
There was no helping it; every transmigrator, to some extent, had "persecution paranoia."
People suffering from this condition would feel extremely uncomfortable when facing powerhouses who could threaten their lives, feeling as if their life and death were not in their own hands.
Li Anshi was naturally the same.
At this point in time, with Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha gone, Mito Uzumaki was the strongest person in the ninja world.
Li Anshi currently didn't have the confidence to save his life in front of her.
"Grandma, Grandma..."
After watching Li Anshi's back disappear into the night, Tsunade hurriedly told Mito Uzumaki about her conversation with Li Anshi in the shop today.
"Hmph!"
"That Anshi, he brags without even thinking."
Tsunade clearly still held some resentment towards Li Anshi for teasing her.
"I remember Great-Uncle said last year that Hiruzen Sarutobi's strength was already close to 'Kage-level'. But Anshi actually said that he could kill Hiruzen in one move..."
"Haha..."
Seeing Tsunade's adorable pouting face, Mito Uzumaki also smiled.
It was clear that little Tsuna, after spending some time with Li Anshi, had almost overcome the pain of losing her loved ones.
"Little Tsuna, Little Monkey's strength is not just close to 'Kage-level,' but he already possesses 'Kage-level' strength."
"If that weren't the case, your great-uncle wouldn't have designated Little Monkey as the Third Hokage of Konoha before staying behind."
"However..."
Mito Uzumaki paused.
If she hadn't come out to look for Tsunade today and witnessed the sharp aura that Li Anshi had burst out with for a moment, she might have thought that Li Anshi was just bragging, just like Tsunade did now.
But, that moment of chilling sensation reminded Mito Uzumaki that Li Anshi's chakra reserves might not be much, but he indeed possessed the strength to threaten Hiruzen Sarutobi.
As for whether it was as Li Anshi said, that he could kill Hiruzen Sarutobi in one move, Mito Uzumaki didn't know.
However, judging from the chakra reserves of Hiruzen Sarutobi and Li Anshi, Li Anshi probably had some powerful explosive secret technique. Otherwise, he couldn't have said something like killing Hiruzen Sarutobi in one move.
"Little Tsuna, why are you so sure that what Anshi-kun said isn't true?"
"Huh?"
The smile on Tsunade's face faded, and she looked up at her grandmother in confusion.
What did Grandma mean by that?
Could it be that Li Anshi really possessed the ability to kill Hiruzen Sarutobi?
That guy who only knew how to carve wood carvings all day, was he that strong?
The corners of Tsunade's mouth turned up slightly.
Although her grandmother's words had changed her impression of Li Anshi, and she no longer regarded Li Anshi as a "braggart," and she felt a little guilty for misunderstanding Li Anshi earlier.
However, Tsunade was also genuinely happy.
At the very least, with such strong strength, even if Li Anshi went to the battlefield, there was a great possibility that he could survive.
Perhaps, he might even make a great name for himself and become a pillar of Konoha!
...
After taking office as the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not hesitate and convened a Jonin meeting that same night.
Among them, the Sarutobi clan, led by clan leader Sasuke Sarutobi and the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, would face the Cloud ninjas from the Land of Lightning.
The Shimura clan, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, and the Hyuga clan would face the Stone ninjas from the Land of Earth.
The Uchiha clan, and scattered small ninja clans, would face the Sand ninjas from the Land of Wind.
Of course, this didn't mean that one clan would fight against the ninjas of an entire country, but rather that the clan would be the main force.
For example, on the battlefield against the Cloud ninjas, there were still ninjas from the Ino-Shika-Cho, Uchiha, Hyuga, and Aburame clans.
On the battlefield against the Stone ninjas, there were also ninjas from the Sarutobi and Hyuga clans.
Only on the battlefield between the Uchiha and the Sand ninjas were there only ordinary small ninja clans and ordinary civilian ninjas.
Li Anshi's Sakumo Hatake squad naturally belonged to the small ninja clans and ordinary civilian ninjas. Therefore, their opponents were the Sand ninjas from the Land of Wind.
After the meeting, the current clan leader of the Uchiha clan, Kagami Uchiha, had already led the elite members of the clan overnight to the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind to stand guard.
Therefore, Li Anshi and the others, under the leadership of Sakumo Hatake, were escorting strategic supplies to the battlefield.
This was also considered an opportunity for Li Anshi and these conscripted Genin to familiarize themselves with the battlefield.
"Everyone, I am Sakumo Hatake. And also, the captain of this supply escort mission."
Several horse-drawn carriages were traveling on the main road, and Sakumo Hatake, wearing a green ninja flak jacket, was getting to know his teammates.
"I know that everyone is a little nervous. But, please rest assured, if we encounter enemies, I will lead the charge."
"When we need to retreat, I will also stay behind to cover the retreat. During the battle, I will eliminate the enemies as quickly as possible."
"Therefore, I ask everyone to protect themselves during the battle. I swear that I will use my life to protect everyone's safety!"