Chapter Two: Sweet Juicy Rewards.

[Reward Obtained - Sensory Talent]

[First completed teaching, reward obtained - Appraisal Technique]

[First completed A-level teaching, reward obtained - Mastery of Fire Chakra Nature Transformation]

Receiving three rewards at once left Li Muyue pleasantly surprised. He felt as if his mind was suddenly filled with memories, most of which were related to the training of Fire Chakra Nature Transformation. The memories were so vivid that Li Muyue had the illusion that he had been a lifelong practitioner of Fire Release.

"Teacher Muyue, may I ask you a question?" respectfully asked Shisui.

Hearing Shisui's words, Li Muyue paused from checking the evaluation on the panel and brought him to a secluded spot behind the teaching building. He used his Sensory Talent to sense for any particularly strong chakra presence in the vicinity.

Feeling assured that they were alone, Li Muyue smiled and said, "Is there something you didn't understand from the class? Go ahead and ask."

"It's not about the class content. I have a doubt," Shisui replied.

"Teacher, you know that both the Senju and Uchiha clans co-founded Konoha. But why is it that people nowadays only remember the Senju's contributions and rarely mention the Uchiha's?" he asked, puzzled by the way people looked at them when they saw the clan emblem on their backs.

Li Muyue showed a hint of difficulty in his expression. "There were many events that led to the current situation, and it's hard to explain everything in a short time."

Feeling guilty for bringing up such a complicated matter, Shisui considered dropping the topic. However, Li Muyue spoke again.

"Never mind, if you have time after school, you can come to me, and I'll tell you about the history of Konoha," Li Muyue sighed.

"After all, I owe your Uchiha clan a favor. Let's consider this as a way to repay that favor."

Shisui was taken aback, as he hadn't expected that he and Li Muyue would have such a connection. But he was not the kind of person to seek benefits from someone because of a favor, so he just thanked Li Muyue.

Before leaving, Shisui received an appraisal from Li Muyue.

[Name: Uchiha Shisui]

[Chakra: 500]

[Potential: SS-]

[Evaluation: Possessing the Uchiha Bloodline, suitable for practicing Fire Release and Genjutsu. Great potential, recommended for apprenticeship]

Li Muyue was impressed by the Uchiha Bloodline, and he couldn't help but praise the young Uchiha for his tremendous potential. The system also recommended taking him as an apprentice.

As Shisui left, Li Muyue headed back to his office, feeling that having only one eye was way too dazzling. Two shiny golden S-ranks were enough to attract anyone's attention. Even the system recommended taking Shisui as an apprentice.

He couldn't help but check his own evaluation again, wondering if it had changed.

[Name: Li Muyue]

[Age: 18]

[Chakra: 4300]

[Evaluation: Mastery of Fire Chakra Nature Transformation. The only limitation to your strength is your scarce chakra. If you can overcome this, you will be among the elite Jōnin]

Li Muyue realized that the "Mastery" in the reward "Mastery of Fire Chakra Nature Transformation" was much more powerful than he had expected. He initially thought it might just be equivalent to a high-level Jōnin's knowledge, but now he saw that, in terms of Fire Chakra Nature Transformation, he might already be at the level of the Third Hokage.

With his strength significantly improved, Li Muyue should have been very happy. However, the reminder of his identity as a Root member dampened his mood.

One reason was that he had the Root's cursed seal on his body, which made him feel very insecure. The other reason was that Danzo, the old man in charge of Root, liked to send his subordinates on dangerous missions, which made him even more insecure.

"I need to quickly take on some disciples and improve my strength as soon as possible. Even if I can't reach the level of casually killing Danzo and leaving without a care like Kakashi, I should at least have the ability to protect myself," Li Muyue set a short-term goal for himself.

Entering his office, Li Muyue found three other teachers sitting there - two men and one woman - complaining about their respective students.

He recognized them all since they were the teachers who had arrived earlier. Li Muyue had met them briefly when he came to the school before.

Li Muyue decided to appraise each of them.

[Name: Chiya Isamu]

[Chakra: 2000]

[Potential: C]

[Evaluation: A cannon fodder Chunin]

The data for all three teachers was similar, and the system identified them as cannon fodder.

"Oh, I'm really unlucky. Why did Class 2 of Year 4 end up in my hands? I was originally assigned to Class 1 of Year 3. How am I supposed to teach them?" Chiya Isamu said helplessly, raising his hands in defeat.

"My family even arranged a blind date for me, and I have to meet the person tomorrow afternoon, which coincides with Class 2 of Year 4," he continued.

"Just ask another teacher who has no class, or take leave; the blind date is more important," suggested Aya Ueda.

At that moment, Aya noticed Li Muyue entering the room and greeted him with a smile. "Teacher Li, how was your first class? Did the little trick I taught you work?"

Recalling how this enthusiastic female teacher had worried that he might be nervous as a new teacher, Li Muyue replied politely, "Thank you, the trick was helpful. But after class, the students advised me not to be picky with food."

"Haha, you're funny, Teacher Li," Aya laughed. She thought that Li Muyue's ability to make jokes meant he had a comfortable first class experience.

"Isamu-sensei, I don't have a class tomorrow afternoon, so if you need help, I can substitute for you," Li Muyue offered with a friendly smile.

Unlike the other teachers, Li Muyue actually wanted to have a full schedule of classes. Chiya Isamu's face lit up with joy, and he quickly thanked Li Muyue, promising to treat him to a meal as a way of showing his gratitude.

...

Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, watched Li Muyue talk about the Will of Fire with a serious expression in the crystal ball. He rubbed his goatee, feeling that this young Root member was not bad at all, being someone who understood the Will of Fire.

Danzo thought he was hiding well, but in reality, some of the ninjas raised by Root had been discovered by the Third Hokage, although they were not on Danzo's official list.

However, the Third Hokage considered the Ninja Academy important, so he personally checked it out. Unexpectedly, this Root member's first lesson was about the Will of Fire, instilling a sense of responsibility in the students. This impressed the Third Hokage.

"Let's see how he performs next. If he proves to be talented, I'll have him leave Root," the Third Hokage decided.

At the moment, Li Muyue's current performance wasn't enough for the Third Hokage to go and ask Danzo to release him. After all, fundamentally speaking, Danzo also had some control over him, but the Third Hokage still needed to consider the feelings of his old comrade.

Thinking this, the Third Hokage stopped using the Crystal Ball Jutsu and began dealing with paperwork, planning to inspect Konoha again in the evening.

...

After finishing dinner, Shisui followed the location Li Muyue had given him to find Li Muyue's residence.

Li Muyue's home was located in the southeast of Konoha, an area with fewer buildings, relatively remote from the main city.

Thanks to the sparse construction in the area, Shisui quickly found Li Muyue's home—a single-story wooden house in a simple yard.

As soon as Shisui entered the yard, he saw a scene that left him astonished and shaken to the core.