Naruto: My Progress in Konoha.

Chapter 1038 Blocking
"Hello, I am the commander of this battle, the leader of the Konoha Jonin team—Nara Shikaku. May I ask who you are?"

Nara Shikaku did not answer Qingming's question, but went straight to the core issue.

Upon hearing his words, the Konoha ninjas around him immediately perked up and cast scrutinizing glances at him.

His outfit clearly indicated that he was not meant to be seen in public.

In this way, the Konoha ninjas naturally lost the sense of guilt they had felt when he questioned them.

On the contrary, they only feel a shared hatred for the enemy.

Being stared at by dozens or even hundreds of such gazes, all from ninjas of considerable strength, would make an ordinary person feel uneasy, even if they weren't afraid.

But Qingming was different; he didn't take these people seriously at all.

Therefore, I'm too lazy to answer.

Nara Shikaku seized the opportunity and continued, "If you truly wish to help Konoha, then Konoha will certainly treat you with courtesy, however..."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "However, before that, shouldn't you return the Nine-Tails? The Nine-Tails belongs to Konoha and cannot be lost."

Before Qingming could react to his words, the other Konoha ninjas around him had already slightly raised the kunai in their hands, as if they were about to fight at the slightest provocation.

Qingming's gaze swept over them one by one, then he glanced discreetly at a few corners in the distance, before suddenly raising his right foot and stomping it hard on the ground.

The next moment, dense vines sprouted from the ground, like venomous snakes, and coiled around the Konoha ninjas on the periphery.

As the saying goes, "One trick is all you need to succeed in the world."

He uses Wood Release without needing any fancy moves or ninjutsu. He only needs to utilize the inherent power of Wood Release and then enhance it with Sage Chakra, which is enough to handle most situations.

Just like now, in an instant, a large number of ninjas suffered heavy losses and were bound to the spot by the lush green vines.

However, not everyone was unprepared.

Almost the instant he made his move, Yamanaka Inoichi struck.

He swiftly formed the five seals: "Yin-Chou-Xu-Hai-Shen".

Then, with his hands placed in front of his chest, palms slightly apart and fingertips curled inward, he unleashed the secret ninjutsu of the Yamanaka clan—the Mind Transfer Clone Technique—towards Qingming!
Unlike the 'Mind Transfer Technique', the 'Mind Transfer Clone Technique' does not completely transfer the spiritual body. Although the control is slightly weakened, the safety of the physical body can be guaranteed.

Furthermore, the spiritual entities created in this way can move within a certain range without worrying about missing their target.

In an instant, Yamanaka Inoichi had already envisioned all the possible scenarios that might follow.

Unfortunately, Qingming did not dodge the opponent's attack at all.

This wasn't because he was arrogant, nor because he couldn't react quickly enough; it was simply unnecessary.

With his current 30 points of 'spirit' attribute bringing him immense mental power, he is simply not someone that ordinary people can shake.

Indeed, Yamanaka Inoichi had mastered the Yamanaka clan's secret ninjutsu, making him somewhat stronger in terms of mental power than a typical Jonin, but only to a limited extent.

Overall, they are still within the realm of ordinary people.

And what about Qingming?

He is no longer considered a normal person.

Therefore, there is no need to hide at all.

However, he needs to be a little more careful about controlling Nara Shikaku.

Thinking this, Qingming unleashed his chakra again, manipulating the nearby vines to arch up the ground, forming walls that artificially lengthened the distance between him and the shadows on the ground that were trying to pounce on him.

Upon seeing this, Nara Shikaku's pupils contracted slightly.

In that instant, he could tell that this mysterious person was very knowledgeable about their clan's secret arts and clearly knew the weaknesses of the 'Shadow Imitation Technique'.

This made Nara Shikaku increasingly aware that Qingming's identity was not simple.

Just as he was thinking, Yamanaka Inoichi suddenly let out a muffled groan, and his body swayed involuntarily.

Seeing this, Nara Shikaku quickly asked, "Inoichi, how are you?"

"It's alright, the opponent's mental strength is very powerful, and I suffered a backlash."

Yamanaka Inoichi's answer was concise and to the point, clearly highlighting Qingming's strengths.

At the same time, Akimichi Choza grew larger, wielding his iron rod with great force, blocking the vines attacking from all around for the two of them.

Besides these three who launched the attack, several Konoha ninjas reacted quickly, dodging the vines and attacking Qingming.

However, as I said before, he didn't take these people seriously at all.

After the first exchange of blows, he put away the metal ball in his hand, glanced at several areas around the battlefield again, and then used the 'Instantaneous Movement Technique' to break out of the encirclement under the cover of the surrounding vines.

Seeing this, a group of Konoha ninja immediately gave chase. Unfortunately, they were not as fast as Qingming and could only trail behind.

And so, the two sides pursued and fled, and the battlefield quickly shifted to the outskirts of the village.

During this time, Konoha teams would occasionally appear in front of him, attempting to block his advance, but he easily dealt with them all.

Finally, after several minutes of continuous high-intensity use of the 'Body Flicker Technique', Qingming arrived at the outskirts of Konoha.

There was no one behind him for the time being.

This shows the difference between his 28 points of 'physique' and that of ordinary people. Just in terms of endurance alone, he is far ahead of ordinary ninjas.

With the added power of Sage Chakra, even if they couldn't fight, Qingming could outrun them.

However, this doesn't mean that no one can keep up with him.

In the forest.

Qingming stopped in his tracks, then looked up at the tree branches in front of him.

At that moment, there stood a tall figure.

He was wearing a red outer jacket, wooden clogs, red eyeshadow, and a headband with the word "oil" written on it.

That's right, this person is none other than Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin.

Qingming had met the other party a few times, but he didn't know when the other party returned to Konoha.

However, it's unlikely to happen too soon, because by the time the other party appears, he has already sealed the Nine-Tails.

This resulted in the other side observing the battle from the periphery after arriving, without actually showing themselves.

However, he still sensed the other party's presence.

That's why he didn't get entangled with Nara Shikaku and the others, and chose to run away immediately.

Unfortunately, even without using the 'Flying Thunder God Technique', he still couldn't shake off Jiraiya.

In fact, not only Jiraiya, but two other people also followed.

'But that's fine too; a free-for-all is what makes it fun.'

With that thought in mind, Qingming turned his head and looked at two places in the forest, and said, "Now that you two are here, come out!"

Upon hearing his words, Jiraiya, perched on a tree branch, did not show any unusual reaction.

Clearly, he also spotted the figures hiding in the shadows.

The woods were quiet for a few seconds.

Then, a figure emerged from behind a large tree not far away.

He was wearing a standard Konoha vest and had an ordinary face, but his behavior reminded Qingming of someone else.

"Orochimaru, you really came!"

Without Qingming saying a word, Jiraiya pointed out the person's identity.

That's right, this person is none other than Orochimaru, the immortal one of the Three Legendary Sannin.

As for Jiraiya's words
Qingming estimated that it was Orochimaru's presence that made Jiraiya return a little later.

"Hehehe~"

Upon hearing Jiraiya's words, Orochimaru let out a strange laugh.

Then, he ripped off the face mask that he had taken using the 'Face Removal Technique', revealing his true appearance.

He looked at Jiraiya and said, "Heh, Jiraiya, you're still so easy to fool."

After saying that, he ignored Jiraiya and looked at Qingming instead.

However, Qingming ignored the other party's probing gaze and instead looked towards a certain spot in the forest on the right.

This is the third person's hiding place.

Seemingly realizing he could no longer hide, the man finally revealed himself.

As you can see, this person is carrying a short sword and is also wearing the Konoha standard vest, but he has some Uchiha clan symbols on his body and has a pair of three-tomoe Sharingan eyes.

That's right, this person is none other than Qingming's old acquaintance—Uchiha Shisui.

(End of this chapter)