Chapter 14: Why Are You Comparing Yourself to Someone with Cheats?

With Tobirama's announcement, the survival training exercise officially came to an end. The group left the Forest of Death together. Sarutobi and Danzo both seemed a little dejected. Especially Danzo—he never in his wildest dreams thought that he would suddenly become Kazekaze's next target. Lord Tobirama actually said that Kazekaze should defeat him within half a month.

'Does he really think I, Danzo, have no dignity?!'

His mood was sour. However, leaving the Forest of Death meant they were now in a safe zone. After giving a few simple instructions, Tobirama bid farewell to Kazekaze and the others. He was absolutely thrilled. His excitement was easy to understand. It was like a parent learning that their child had just ranked first in the entire school—of course, they'd be overjoyed and eager to brag to anyone they met.

"Oh wow, what a coincidence meeting you here! By the way, my kid just ranked first in the whole school, so I'm taking him out for a nice meal."

And if they didn't bump into anyone? Then they'd actively go find people to tell! The ever-stoic Senju Tobirama now wanted to personally visit every major clan—the Uchiha, Sarutobi, Shimura, Hyuga—just to let them all know how ridiculously talented his grandson was! Meanwhile, Sarutobi and the others watched Tobirama walk away with a complicated mix of emotions before sighing deeply.

"Half a month, huh?" Sarutobi and Kagami spoke in unison, both shifting their gaze toward Danzo.

Koharu, Homura, and Torifu shared the same look.

Their gazes practically screamed: "Danzo, you're our class's last hope! You have to work hard! You have to fight! For the love of all things holy, don't lose!"

Sure, Young Master Kazekaze was undoubtedly a once-in-a-century monstrous genius, but Danzo still had the advantage of age and experience! Reading the thoughts in their eyes, Danzo felt like every cell in his body was screaming!

"You guys need to cut it out already!"

This situation was pissing Danzo off. Kazekaze was only seven years old. That meant that if Danzo fought him and won, it was expected. But if Kazekaze beat him senseless, then his reputation would be— No!

Danzo shook his head violently, almost like a drum. He was a Chunin of Konoha, damn it! Getting destroyed by a seven-year-old was simply unacceptable! And this entire thought process was ridiculous to begin with!

"Kazekaze-sama."

After wrestling with his inner turmoil, Danzo finally called out to Kazekaze, who was about to leave. Hearing his name, Kazekaze turned around to look at the future leader of Root.

"Something on your mind, Danzo?" Kazekaze asked.

He couldn't help but find it amusing that the future mastermind behind Konoha's underground operations—the man who stole Shisui's Kotoamatsukami and forced Itachi into massacring his clan—was now addressing him so respectfully as 'Young Master'. Was this the privilege of being the strongest nepotism baby? Danzo and Kazekaze locked eyes. The former took a deep breath, his gaze firm, as if he had made a major decision.

"Kazekaze-sama, don't say I didn't warn you in advance—when we fight, I, Danzo, will give it my all! If you think I'll go easy on you, then I suggest you immediately get rid of that notion!"

Even though Kazekaze was only seven years old, Danzo refused to lose to him! This wasn't just about his personal pride—it was about the honor of his entire graduating class! Especially his own dignity!

Pfft!

Kazekaze stared at Danzo, surprised, before stifling a laugh. Not because of Danzo's determination, but because… 'Danzo, my dude, who gave you the confidence to say the words 'go easy'?! Was it Liang Jingru? (A Chinese singer known for emotional songs, often associated with 'giving courage'.)

Determination and confidence were good things. But blind confidence? Not so much.

"If that makes you happy," Kazekaze said, waving a hand dismissively before turning to leave, still thinking about Danzo's serious expression.

Did Danzo really not understand? Kazekaze wasn't just Konoha's strongest nepotism baby. He also had the blood of a luck god and the cheat system backing him! Even if Danzo had a hundred years, he still wouldn't be able to compare!

'Danzo, my dear little brother, do you think you're competing against someone with a strong bloodline? You're challenging someone who literally has cheats!'

And he thought he wouldn't go easy? He should be begging Kazekaze to hold back! In half a month, when Danzo realized that all his efforts were meaningless in the face of Kazekaze's cheat abilities… Kazekaze couldn't wait to see the look on his face. And so, Kazekaze walked away as Sarutobi and the others watched him disappear into the distance. Only when Tobirama and Kazekaze were completely gone did Danzo finally let out a sigh of relief.

For some reason, he was starting to feel uneasy.

"Sarutobi, Kagami, Koharu, Homura, Torifu—for the next half month," Danzo turned to his companions and said solemnly, "Please train with me in real combat!"

Sarutobi and Kagami exchanged glances. Even though Kazekaze's challenge was directed at Danzo, if he won, it would disgrace not just Danzo, but all of them!

"That being said… it's not possible for Kazekaze-sama to close such a massive gap in just half a month… right?"

But the moment Kagami finished speaking, he immediately felt something was wrong. That should have been an obvious statement. Yet somehow, he had phrased it as a question!

Meanwhile, Tobirama had rushed excitedly back to the Hokage's office. Not only was it his place of work, but it was also the Hokage's residence. His elder brother, Hashirama, was resting at home. Tobirama was overwhelmed with excitement as he pushed open the door. Only to see Hashirama and his wife, Mito, in the middle of… something. Ever since Hashirama was diagnosed with his terminal illness, Tobirama had taken over all village affairs. Although he wasn't officially the Second Hokage yet, he was already performing all the duties of one. Meanwhile, Hashirama was fully enjoying his retirement. And honestly, after fighting for peace and the village for most of his life, why shouldn't he relax?

"Ahem." Tobirama cleared his throat and looked away. Only after Mito got off of Hashirama and went to prepare some fruit did Tobirama finally close the door. (For the record, Mito had just been giving Hashirama a back massage to help him relax.)

"What's the matter, Tobirama? Shouldn't you be overseeing the survival training in the Forest of Death right now?" Hashirama asked.

"The survival exercise is over."

"Over? But wasn't it supposed to last ten days? It's only been two hours! Don't tell me Kazekaze—" Hashirama suddenly sat up straight, his expression worried that something had happened to Kazekaze.

"An accident? Hah! If Kazekaze spent ten days in the Forest of Death, he'd probably level half the damn place!" Tobirama's eyes gleamed with excitement, his tone growing more and more animated.

"You wouldn't believe what just happened in the Forest of Death!"