Start with Naruto Awakening - Awesome!

　He suddenly turned around after retracting his fist, only to see a small man dressed in a casual gray shirt.

　(2/3)

　The dwarf stood behind.

　Who else could this little dwarf be but the Third Hokage?

　Ye Chen was shocked. He had only noticed Hiruzen Sarutobi when the Third Hokage arrived beside him. This guy's strength was truly terrifying!

　He's just a Kage-level powerhouse!

　He quickly composed himself, bowed, and said:

　"I have met the Third Hokage!"

　"Hehe, child, don't be so reserved," the Third Hokage said with a wave of his hand and a smile.

　However, when his gaze fell upon the deep dent and bloodstains on the Ye Chen iron stake, his pupils constricted!

　He was amazed; there was a reason why this child had such great strength at such a young age!

　(3/3)

Chapter 24 Wood Release: Tree Planting Technique (Please add to your favorites and subscribe)

　Leaf Village, under the setting sun.

　Hiruzen Sarutobi and Yoruichi, an old man and a young man, are meeting formally for the first time.

　Of course, this was discovered by the Third Hokage while traveling incognito.

　Even in later generations, this old man would occasionally disguise himself and visit Naruto.

　Ye Chen was not surprised by this.

　"Training here all by yourself? Why don't you play with the other students?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.

　Upon hearing this, Ye Chen understood that Hiruzen Sarutobi was testing him, and after thinking for a moment, he replied:

　"Lord Hokage, as you know, I am a survivor from a small ninja village. I have witnessed the cruelty of the ninja world, so I need power to protect myself."

　"Just to protect myself?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said casually.

　"Of course, there are also those who are important to me, and this village that saved my life."

　Ye Chen spoke without blushing or skipping a beat, instantly binding himself to Konoha.

　He truly had no intention of becoming an enemy of Konoha Village, especially since he was still a rising star and there was no need to provoke trouble.

　However, if Konoha insists on forcing him, then he will have to make a choice.

　Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, quite satisfied with Yoru's answer.

　A ninja is not only about killing, but also about having a protective heart to maintain that bond.

　Without this, what's the difference between us and the walking dead?

　Only in this way can the fire of Konoha and the spirit of Konoha be passed down forever.

　In response, the Third Hokage, with a kind expression, said:

　"Child, it's so good that you think this way. We in Konoha have neglected you these days. We also hope that you can understand the current situation: the major ninja villages are fighting for territory and are hostile to each other."

　The same applies to Konoha; ordinary people hate war, so they are hostile towards ninja from other villages. I hope you can understand.

　After listening, Ye Chen said, "I can understand, Lord Hokage, it's only human nature."

　He's not a three-year-old or an angry young man who can't stand the slightest grievance.

　To be respected, two people must first stand on equal footing; otherwise, nothing is worth discussing.

　Hiruzen Sarutobi was very pleased. Yoruichi was quite perceptive, and he even offered some free words of encouragement. He was willing to invest some effort in cultivating such a junior. He then said:

　"Ye Chen, you have offended the Uchiha clan. They will not let this matter rest."

　"I hope the Hokage will stand up for me," Ye Chen said, clasping his hands in a fist salute, shifting the blame to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

　"hehe."

　Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled softly; this was exactly the effect he wanted. He said:

　"The Uchiha clan is, after all, a powerful clan in Konoha, and their strength is considerable. Even the Hokage has some headaches about them."

　Ye Chen, with your current strength, you no longer need to continue studying at the Ninja Academy.

　"Come report to the Anbu. Once you're in the Anbu, you'll be part of the Hokage's direct forces, and even the Uchiha clan won't be able to do anything to you."

　"Thank you, Lord Hokage," Ye Chen said.

　"No need to thank me, with your strength you should have done this anyway," Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed.

　Ye Chen took a deep breath. Joining the Dark Division was the safest option at the moment.

　Furthermore, the Anbu has many ninja missions to take on and hone their skills.

　(1/3)

　There must be a lot, which will greatly benefit his cultivation.

　He gazed at Hiruzen Sarutobi, pondered for a moment, and finally asked:

　"Lord Hokage, why didn't I see my teacher Okamoto during the competition?"

　“Okamoto! He has a secret mission to carry out and has already left Konoha,” the Third Hokage explained.

　Of course, the specifics of the task were not mentioned, and Ye Chen's current level was clearly not qualified to know.

　Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't say anything, Yoru knew what had happened!

　The Second Ninja War is almost here!

　The major ninja villages in the ninja world today are not content with the status quo and are all vying for resources, territory, and power.

　Especially the Land of Wind, the Sand Village! Located in a desert region, with a harsh environment and scarce resources, and being neighbors with Konoha, they are constantly thinking about seizing Konoha's land.

　Actually, they were very envious and jealous of Konoha!

　The Land of Fire, Konoha, can be said to be the most prosperous and vibrant of the Five Great Nations.

　Is Konoha Village naturally blessed with fertile land, abundant vegetation, and fresh air?

　Of course not, it was all thanks to that legendary First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

　Hashirama Senju wandered around the Land of Fire, occasionally unleashing a Wood Release technique: Tree Planting Technique, which could create a large artificial forest in no time.

　If there's a drought and water shortage, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, would casually use a Water Release technique: Great Waterfall Technique!

　When it comes to Wood Release, who can compare to Hashirama Senju?

　When it comes to water-style techniques, who can compare to Tobirama Senju?

　With such favorable timing, location, and people, who wouldn't envy and be jealous of Konoha!

　After the deaths of the First and Second Hokage, is peace still possible in the ninja world?

　Who wouldn't want to expand their power, especially with Konoha's unique advantages?

　Ye Chen thought a lot, so he desperately improved his strength so that he wouldn't become cannon fodder.

　If the war situation turns bad, these younger generations might be sent to the battlefield ahead of schedule.

　During the Third Shinobi World War, war-born figures like Kakashi and Obito Uchiha were commonplace.

　Afterwards, the Third Hokage chatted with Yoruichi about some everyday matters before slowly leaving.

　Ye Chen watched Hiruzen Sarutobi's retreating figure, silently planning for the future.

　Now he no longer needs to go to the ninja academy, and he has some plans for his future.

　After training his physical skills and strengthening his body for a while, he went back to his room, took a shower, and began to tally up his gains from the battle with Minato Namikaze.

　Open the properties panel:

　"Host: Ye Chen!"

　Abilities: Conqueror's Haki lv2, Observation Haki lv2, Armament Haki lv3, Tornado Technique lv2, Shave lv2. Upgrading to the next level requires 10000 experience points.

　Fruit: Flame-Flame Fruit Lv2. Upgrading to the next level requires 1000 experience points.

　Experience points: 1650/10000.

　Should he enhance his three types of Haki, or his Flame-Flame Fruit powers? Ye Chen was torn.

　He didn't reveal his Flame-Flame Fruit ability in this ninja tournament, which was a trump card for him.

　To be honest, in the ninja world, you can't survive without keeping some trump cards up your sleeve.

　(2/3)

　They'll probably die even faster.

　After weighing the options, improving strength is the only way forward! In the end, I decided to upgrade the Flame-Flame Fruit!

　"System, upgrade the Flame-Flame Fruit," Ye Chen said.

　Immediately, his experience points vanished from 1,000 to 650, and his Flame-Flame Fruit level became lv3, the same level as Armament Haki.

　Ye Chen felt the power of the Devil Fruit within his body grow significantly in an instant; it was a power distinct from chakra, and quite unique.