When Sasuke heard that Xia Li had graduated early, he was first stunned. Then it hit him—he shouldn't waste any more time at the ninja academy. In this basic-level school, how could he ever catch up? To hell with it!
But Sasuke didn't know how to apply for early graduation. Should he ask Iruka-sensei?
If that didn't work… then he'd defeat Xia Li, who had already graduated. That would prove he could graduate early too!
This was Sasuke's plan, but he had clearly forgotten one thing: up until now, he hadn't defeated Xia Li even once.
Xia Li had roughly guessed Sasuke's intentions. Unfortunately for him, at Sasuke's current level, he was still just a genin. Thinking he could defeat Xia Li was nothing more than wishful thinking!
After a while, Sasuke found himself pinned to the ground with one hand by Xia Li.
"Damn it!" Sasuke gritted his teeth. Why did the gap between them feel wider instead of smaller? He had put in so much effort—why was this happening?
Was his talent really that poor? If that was the case… what else could it be?
Xia Li held Sasuke down and, as usual, tapped the hardest part of his skull. "So, you want to defeat me… is this to get revenge on that traitorous ninja?"
Hearing Xia Li's words, Sasuke fell silent. Even his strength to struggle seemed to vanish.
Sitting on Sasuke's back, Xia Li continued, "I've also heard some things about the Uchiha. Honestly, I support your revenge. After all, if you let go of such hatred, you'd become weaker than a beast."
"But I can't even beat you! How could I possibly catch up to him and kill him?!" Sasuke growled, his voice full of frustration and confusion.
"Haha…" Xia Li smiled, then raised his hand and struck the same spot on Sasuke's head again.
"Hey! Why are you hitting me again?!" Sasuke shouted, struggling once more.
What he didn't realize was that he had already gotten used to Xia Li striking the same spot. Each hit only caused pain and made it hard for him to lift his head.
Chapter 80: Sasuke and Naruto
"Who said you have to surpass me to take revenge?" Xia Li said, slightly annoyed. "I don't think I'm worse than the person you mentioned."
Sasuke said nothing. He simply didn't believe it. That person… was…
"Hmm, I may not surpass him now, but do you think I will soon?" Xia Li smiled. "I'm just a scrappy little brat, after all. As long as my genjutsu is strong enough, I have nothing to fear from chakra or the Sharingan's side effects."
Of course, he wouldn't take it lightly. But Xia Li wasn't underestimating himself either. He wouldn't be meeting that opponent anytime soon, and his growth was already fast.
"I don't believe you," Sasuke said bluntly.
"Fine. If you don't believe me, your current strength isn't ready for rapid growth anyway. Just focus on your foundation at school," Xia Li said lazily.
"Have you achieved it, then?" Sasuke said, pausing. Looking up at Xia Li, who was half a head taller, he fell silent. After a while, he said in frustration, "You really are ahead of your time, kid!"
"Hmph, just a bit of talent," Xia Li said, ruffling Sasuke's black hair. He wanted to play with it while it was still cute. Next time they met, Sasuke might have graduated—then it wouldn't be as fun.
Sasuke had grown used to Xia Li's rudeness and didn't resist. Despite being the same age, Xia Li treated him like a junior.
Xia Li stood up from Sasuke's back after patting it. Honestly, the Uchiha Sasuke-shaped cushion was surprisingly comfortable.
Sasuke stood too but didn't continue attacking. He realized the gap between them was significant. Xia Li's body had reached a new level, while he hadn't. Catching up would be extremely difficult.
"If you want revenge, after I graduate, you have to take my place and become the first qualified person in class. And I don't just mean total scores," Xia Li continued.
Sasuke fell silent. After a moment, a trace of despair appeared on his face. "Who could possibly compare to that freakish physique?!"
Xia Li just smiled and said nothing. The "freak" Sasuke referred to was Naruto. Naruto had mastered the Nine-Tails' passive power, and his taijutsu had become insanely strong.
Without the secret medicine from Mount Myoboku, Xia Li wouldn't be as strong as Naruto…
Even without Xia Li, Sasuke could easily take first place overall. But in individual areas, his stamina lagged behind Naruto, and his theory behind Sakura. Practically, he could secure first in combat, second in the other two, and still achieve first overall.
"So, you still need to work hard. Naruto's ninjutsu might catch up to you soon. Don't let him surpass you," Xia Li teased.
"I will never lose to that guy!" Sasuke's eyes widened. He had long been used to losing to Xia Li, but losing to Naruto? Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
"Then, let's go." Xia Li said, leaving Sasuke alone, staring at his back. Perhaps Xia Li really did have a chance to surpass that person…
Sasuke shook his head. Xia Li had already surpassed him. What use was it? He just wanted revenge. He gritted his teeth. As Xia Li said, he needed to work even harder.
Thinking of Xia Li's words about Naruto and Sakura, Sasuke clenched his fists. If he couldn't graduate early, he would strive to be first in everything!
Take Xia Li's place and become the ultimate freak!
…
"Xia Li! Xia Li! What exactly is this secret technique?"
At Naruto's house, Naruto bounced up and down excitedly.
"What is it?"
"Just take off your shirt, lie down, and keep drawing chakra," Xia Li said, looking out the window before quietly closing the curtains.
"Oh." Naruto didn't fully understand its purpose, but he trusted Xia Li. In recent years, the only reason he hadn't fallen behind was thanks to Xia Li's guidance, which had allowed him to achieve absolute physical power.
Soon, Naruto removed his shirt and lay down, drawing chakra.
"Increase the output," Xia Li said, frowning as he watched.
Naruto didn't answer but continued to draw chakra more vigorously.
After some time, the traces of the Fourth Hokage's sealing technique finally appeared on Naruto's abdomen.
Xia Li's eyes gleamed. Naruto's chakra was large—this was a rare opportunity to study it. It was two Four Symbols Seals stacked, wrapped in an Eight Trigrams Seal. Ingenious.
Thanks to these seals, Naruto could safely use the Nine-Tails' chakra, unlike Gaara, whose uncontrolled seal caused mental problems.
From this perspective, Naruto was luckier than Gaara. He had a reliable father and a mastery of sealing techniques.
Xia Li marveled. The Fourth Hokage's sealing was indeed top-notch. His wife, Kushina Uzumaki, was even stronger… they were all incredibly powerful!
"Xia Li, how much longer? I don't think I can hold on," Naruto finally spoke, bringing Xia Li back to focus.
"Just a bit longer," Xia Li said, reluctantly glancing at the outer Eight Trigrams Seal. Naruto couldn't use ninjutsu because the Nine-Tails' chakra was too much for his immature body.
This was likely the Fourth Hokage's intent—to have Naruto use the Nine-Tails' power—but he probably didn't expect it to be this massive.
Xia Li now had to slightly reduce the opening of the Eight Trigrams Seal so Naruto could control it safely.
Though Xia Li couldn't use it alone, he could reinforce the Fourth Hokage's seal.
After marking the pattern on Naruto's abdomen, Xia Li hesitated slightly, leaving the opening a bit wide. Naruto would still have difficulty using ninjutsu, but it would allow him to better control the Nine-Tails' chakra in the future.
"All done. Get up," Xia Li said, finishing the final mark.
"Uh? Is this okay?" Naruto scratched his head, confused. He didn't feel anything.
"Using just the three-body techniques isn't enough?" Xia Li asked.
"This is perfect!"
Suddenly, Naruto became energized, jumped off the bed, dressed in a flash, and eagerly wanted to try.
Chapter 81: Code Name and Captain
"Transform!"
After completing the seal, a white smoke rose.
As it cleared, Xia Li saw "himself" standing opposite. He examined closely and nodded. "Not bad, but the details need work."
Naruto scratched his head, looked at his hands, and relaxed. He truly was Xia Li! No lies!
Excited, Naruto began forming hand seals again.
"Clone Technique!"
This time, the clone was slightly deformed, but Naruto could distinguish the real from the clone.
Despite the deformation, Naruto was thrilled. He had finally succeeded. Previously, even his best attempts produced a grayish, undefined object on the ground.
Now, with continued effort, he felt hopeful.
Xia Li nodded. He knew Naruto's previous level—this was a huge improvement. With his growing body, Naruto would improve further.
This was very advantageous for Naruto, and Xia Li could quickly understand the Eight Trigrams and Four Symbols Seals. Perfect.
Could this prevent Naruto from using Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu? Impossible. Currently, only Naruto could use it in Konoha. The Third Hokage would have reason to pass it on.
This could also strengthen the bond between the Third Hokage and Naruto. Teaching shadow clones wasn't inappropriate, but passing down top-tier ninjutsu without proper relationships was risky.
"Xia Li!" Naruto looked at Xia Li, almost in tears, nose running, eyes watery.
"Don't jump on me," Xia Li said, not wanting to be covered in snot and tears.
"Uh… Xia Li, I'll take you to Ichiraku Ramen!" Naruto said after thinking hard. "You treat, I can afford it!"
"Yes, that's what you said too," Xia Li nodded, smiling. Naruto had a big appetite.
Xia Li looked at the excited boy, couldn't resist, and ruffled Naruto's messy blond hair. "Work hard. Try to surpass Sasuke."
"Okay! I'll try my best!" Naruto replied energetically.
"By the way, Naruto, don't tell anyone about this technique," Xia Li said.
"Yeah, I know Xia Li! If I tell anyone, everyone will come to bother you," Naruto laughed, scratching his head.
As Xia Li left the house, he sensed the gazes around him and smirked. The ANBU's presence wasn't a threat—they had no ill intent.
But fundamentally, the situation was different. Xia Li could clearly sense others watching him with disdain. Even at Naruto's house, people wanted to peek. If he hadn't closed the curtains, they might have continued spying.
For now, Xia Li had no choice but to pretend not to notice and leave with Naruto.
…
That evening, after saying goodbye to Naruto, Xia Li returned home. A hearty dinner was waiting, but his mother's smile seemed forced.
"Little Xia Li, I won't say much, but please come back safely…" Sina said, tears glimmering in her eyes.
Xia Li silently nodded and sat down at the table, eating quietly.
Sina thought back to when Xia Li had told her about graduating early—her husband's death haunted her again. She feared losing her son. But she also knew he would achieve greatness.
He was a disciple of the Three Legendary Sannin and the Third Hokage. She could not let her fear impede his future. Cry, try, smile…
No matter how afraid she felt, she had to wait in the house silently, confident her son would return safely.
Because he was her pride, her only support in life.
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