Konoha: Starting with Sage Mode.

Chapter 12 The Changing Wind

"Lady Mito has made her move. It seems there's no chance now."

The Third Hokage watched from a high platform in the school playground as Mito and Kirito talked, and sighed.

As a high-ranking member of the village, his perspective on issues naturally differed from that of many others. To ordinary people, Mito's offer to teach Kirito sealing techniques was an act of caring for and mentoring a junior. However, in Mito's view, it was a way to recruit a commoner genius for the Senju clan.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, his good disciple Tsunade will gain an excellent subordinate in the future, giving her more leverage in succeeding as Hokage, and Nawaki, this not-so-bright kid, will also have a very good friend.

The Third Hokage already knew that Uchiha Chizuru had been defeated again.

Therefore, he had long wanted to recruit Kirito, and Kirito's entry into the Ninja Academy was a good opportunity.

At that time, he could contact several of his direct subordinates who had been placed in the school and have them subtly guide Kirito to inherit the Will of Fire and embark on the path of protecting the village.

Unfortunately, he didn't expect Mito to make a move at this time.

It was a game-winning goal.

He was helpless and could only watch, after all, even he could only address Mito as a junior and dared not do anything offensive.

Of course, the most important reason is that he can't beat Mito.

Although they had never actually fought, he knew the difference in their abilities. Mito's unfathomable chakra alone made him have no desire to fight her.

The fact that Mito accepted Kirito as his apprentice shocked not only the Third Hokage, but also many other ninja clans present, who all sensed an unusual trend.

Is the Senju clan, which has been silent for so long, finally going to make its voice heard again?

People who fill in the blanks with their own imaginations have different thoughts.

In a deserted corner of the playground, a group of people, detached from the crowd, looked at the group with arrogant eyes; they were the Uchiha, different from the rest.

Among this group of Uchiha, Chizuru Uchiha was pursing her lips tightly, revealing an expression of resentment.

If we're talking about who the strongest female ninja in the village is right now, it would definitely be Mito Uzumaki, the wife of the First Hokage who is still alive. She might even be the strongest female ninja in the ninja world.

Although Chizuru disliked the Senju like most Uchiha, it did not stop her from admiring and respecting Mito, the strongest female ninja in Konoha.

Now, the fact that the person she admires and respects has taken her rival as a disciple fills her with a sense of disillusionment and betrayal.

The Sharingan activated involuntarily, and the tomoe on it spun rapidly.

"Snap!"

A withered, large hand rested on Chizuru's shoulder.

Chizuru snapped back to her senses, immediately shutting down her Sharingan, and then coldly looked at her grandfather, Uchiha Homura, who had just reminded her.

Are you scared?

Uchiha Homura asked expressionlessly.

"Shut up, I will definitely beat him."

Uchiha Chizuru immediately activated her Sharingan and glared angrily at Uchiha Homura.

Scared?

She, Uchiha Chizuru, would never do that. Kirito is merely a whetstone for her, and she is destined to surpass him in the future.

"I hope so."

Uchiha Homura said in a mocking tone.

Chizuru heard the sarcasm in Uchiha Homura's voice and clenched her fists tightly. But this time she said nothing, lowered her head slightly, and silently endured the extremely piercing mocking gazes from Uchiha Homura and the other clansmen around her.

If you lose, you have to honestly accept the punishment.

These hateful looks that have been trampling on her dignity are her punishment.

"I also want to learn sealing techniques, the best sealing techniques."

Chizuru suddenly raised her head and stared intently at Uchiha Homura.

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Homura fell silent, a thoughtful expression on his face.

. . .

Kirito was naturally delighted to have Mito teach him sealing techniques and readily agreed. At that moment, he felt a mix of surprise, joy, and a little bit of lingering fear.

In fact, he had been secretly learning sealing techniques through the rope tree all this time.

However, this was not something he initiated; it was entirely Nawaki who pushed it forward. The reason was that Mito would assign Nawaki sealing techniques as homework every day, but Nawaki couldn't do them. Then he discovered that Kirito was reading books about sealing techniques in the library, so he showed Kirito his own methods.

It was ostensibly a test of Kirito's sealing technique.

In fact, the sealing technique assignment that Mito gave Nawaki was not difficult; it consisted of very basic sealing technique knowledge. With Kirito's intelligence, it was not difficult for him to solve. However, it was precisely this basic sealing technique knowledge that Kirito gained a lot from.

Because Mito had already organized the basic knowledge of these sealing techniques into a system, forming a complete framework.

Its sophistication far surpasses that of the sealing techniques he had read in the library.

Most importantly, through systematic learning, he gradually learned various methods of constructing and releasing sealing techniques.

Over the past month, Kirito has greatly improved his sealing skills by tutoring Nawaki in his homework, and has already learned two basic sealing techniques: the first-order sealing technique and the second-order sealing technique.

However, judging from the current situation, Mito had already discovered that he had secretly learned the sealing technique.

Fortunately, Mito was broad-minded and didn't hold it against him.

Mito was very happy to accept Kirito as her disciple and left with Nawaki.

Kirito, with his keen eye, followed and quickly helped Mito take over the task of carrying the rope tree.

When Yamazaki Heizo and Noda Taiga saw Kirito follow, they looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

The two of them were precocious, so they knew perfectly well that Mito only admired Kirito, and since they weren't even considered friends of Nawaki, they didn't dare to follow him.

Also, Mito was too ruthless just now, and the two of them are now a little afraid of him.

Seeing this, Kirito nodded to the two of them, signaling them to follow.

Mito is so kind and approachable, how could she possibly hold a grudge against two children?

Seeing this, the two had no choice but to muster their courage and follow, feeling a little excited.

As Mito took his place, the other parents also led their children to gather in an orderly fashion on the playground. Then, the third generation began to give congratulatory speeches, just like last year. What followed was the usual routine: they tried to say the best things and consciously promoted the Will of Fire.

Because Mito was present, and to be considerate of the feelings of this "old maiden," the Third Hokage wisely refrained from his usual long-winded speech and quickly finished his remarks.

The ceremony welcoming the new students has now concluded.

"Nabiki, Kirito, and you two little guys, once you go to school, you must study hard. Oh, and Kirito, remember to keep an eye on Nabiki for me, and don't let him slack off in class or cause me any trouble."

After the Third Hokage finished speaking, Mito spoke gently to Kirito and the others.

"Yes."

Kirito and his two underlings answered obediently, but Nawaki grumbled somewhat discontentedly, "What's wrong with them? They only scolded me."

He felt he was being targeted.

But there was nothing he could do. His good brothers had all become his grandmother's henchmen, and he knew his days at the ninja academy would be miserable from now on.

He thought that going to the ninja academy would free him from his grandmother's clutches. It seems he was being far too naive.

hateful!

"Hmm~"

Mito looked at Nawaki with a smile.

"Yes."

Rope Tree immediately stood at attention and shouted loudly.

It's tough for a new author to get ahead, so I hope all my fellow readers will visit often to increase the readership. After you finish reading, I hope you'll vote for this book and invest in it. If you could give me some monthly tickets and rewards, I would be extremely grateful. It's so hard for a new author and a new book.

(End of this chapter)