After seeing Tsunade off, Lin Yu returned to the training ground and sat cross-legged, contemplating the consequences of exposing his Wood Style.
It was clear that the disadvantages outweighed the advantages.
Regardless of the power of Lin Yu's Wood Style, revealing it meant he had one less trump card in battle. Furthermore, how many people in the ninja world coveted the Wood Style of Hashirama Senju? It was the exclusive ninjutsu of the "God of Shinobi," who wouldn't want it?
If the ninja world were to learn that Wood Style had reappeared in Konoha, Lin Yu would undoubtedly be on the list of those to be eliminated or captured by various nations, ranking in the top three. He would either be captured or killed!
This was the attitude the outside world would have towards Lin Yu. There would be no appeasement or tolerance; it would be a complete annihilation as the priority, and capture for research as a secondary option. The ninja world could not afford a second Hashirama Senju!
Within Konoha, Lin Yu might gain temporary popularity, making his name resonate among Konoha ninjas, but it would also attract Danzo's scrutiny. At best, he would be forced to join Root and have the cursed seal of tongue-control implanted; at worst, he would be secretly imprisoned for experiments to unravel the secrets of Wood Style.
Lin Yu, of course, had no intention of becoming a test subject for Wood Style research like "Yamato," who would later be known as that.
However, exposing Wood Style did have one benefit: gaining the trust of the Third Hokage. Proactively revealing it was entirely different from it being discovered passively.
Moreover, Lin Yu's current Wood Style was hardly powerful. While Susanoo combined with the Wood Golem might have remarkable effects, Wood Style lacking Sage Mode energy was still insufficient. With his beginner Sage Body, his Wood Style could at best be considered an S-rank ninjutsu.
You might think Wood Style is powerful, but honestly, ninjutsu depends on who wields it. Could Kakashi's Multiple Shadow Clones compare to Naruto's?
There was no strongest ninjutsu, only when the right person wielded their most suitable ninjutsu would its power become unimaginable!
Therefore, exposing Wood Style was acceptable! But it absolutely could not be known by too many people. Tsunade, Hiruzen Sarutobi... Orochimaru? Did he need to know too? Last time, he seemed to have struck a blow to Orochimaru's pride, perhaps he no longer cared for Wood Style. Never mind.
As for Danzo, there was no need. Lin Yu had no interest in inviting trouble.
Lin Yu suddenly felt that he was very much like someone at the moment: Shisui Uchiha!
He had foolishly revealed the matter of his awakening Mangekyo Sharingan to the Konoha higher-ups and publicly declared his Mangekyo's ocular jutsu, Kotoamatsukami, which could imperceptibly alter and modify a person's thoughts and will.
This foolish act had stunned all the Konoha higher-ups. How could Danzo not harbor murderous intent towards him! Any person in power would not want such a powerful ocular jutsu in the hands of an outsider, let alone an Uchiha like you. Even if you were loyal to Konoha, your Uchiha identity was something you could never change!
They could not allow their lives and wills to be controlled by an Uchiha's love for Konoha; it was too unstable!
Lin Yu's current desire to expose Wood Style was similar to Shisui Uchiha's situation. However, one revealed their true trump card, while Lin Yu only revealed one of his trump cards. The difference of two words led to vastly different outcomes.
Moreover, would Lin Yu truly reveal the full extent of his Wood Style's power?
...
As night gradually descended, Lin Yu had been meditating for a long time without realizing it, and his leg joints were starting to ache.
Hm? It seems I forgot to pick up Kushina. Oh well, no one foolish enough would dare to provoke her anyway!
Lin Yu rubbed his calves and decided to end his training for the day. He would visit Hiruzen Sarutobi tomorrow. Suddenly, as if sensing something, Lin Yu's mind sank deep into his consciousness, and lines of text gradually appeared:
Monthly Missions:
Mission 1: Entice Jiraiya to peek at Orochimaru bathing.
Reward: Method for extracting natural energy.
Mission 2: Become a specially appointed teacher at the Ninja Academy.
Reward: Wind Style: Rasenshuriken.
Mission 3: Eat 10 bowls of Ichiraku Ramen in one sitting.
Reward: Chakra recovery speed increased by 5%.
Cumulative Missions (4/10):
Mission: Obtain a title from Madara Uchiha.
Reward: Perfect Sage Body.
Mission: Fist bump with Kurama.
Reward: Yang energy extraction.
Mission: Complete 100 D-rank missions (41/100).
Reward: Eight Gates – Gate of Opening, Gate of Health.
Mission: Help old ladies cross the road 100 times (11/100).
Reward: Eight Gates – Gate of Lif, Gate of Injury.
Limited-Time Reward: Rinnegan usage permission without consumption (Remaining 1 hour 39 minutes 39 seconds - Frozen).
Tenseigan usage permission without consumption (Remaining 1 hour 27 minutes - Frozen).
Lin Yu: ... You're doing this on purpose! Absolutely on purpose!
Jiraiya peeking at Orochimaru bathing? What is this? System! Have you truly gone rogue!?
But... hehehe, I like it!
Lin Yu hadn't forgotten that Hiruzen Sarutobi had teamed up with Orochimaru to try and beat him up last time. Now, the system itself had issued a mission.
Then, Lin Yu, as a loyal subject, had no choice but to "act on imperial decree" and ensure he completed it beyond expectations. Otherwise, how could he repay Teacher Orochimaru for his hard work!
However, isn't Jiraiya still in the Land of Rain? Won't he return in a few years? By then, will Snake Aunt have already taken advantage of Jiraiya!
*Slap!*
Lin Yu slapped himself and muttered, "Lin Yu, Lin Yu, how could you have such wicked thoughts!? Have you been corrupted by this second-hand system? I knew this second-hand system was unreliable, always up to no good!"
But... I really want to see this scene!
A "maternal" smile unconsciously appeared on Lin Yu's tender face, completely at odds with his current age and demeanor.
He absolutely had to complete this mission, not just because Lin Yu wanted revenge, but because the rewards were too tempting!
Method for extracting natural energy, isn't that Sage Mode? I didn't expect the sleepy system to send me a pillow! So thoughtful! Good brother!
System: Hmph! I don't have a brother who changes faces like you!
Jiraiya! Whether I can Susanoo-clad Buddha depends entirely on you!
...
Far away in the Land of Rain, Jiraiya suddenly sneezed, "Achoo!"
Strange! So strange! Why am I sneezing again? I didn't get wet this time either!
Jiraiya rubbed his nose and took a deep breath: "Achoo!"
Strange! Something bad must have happened. Jiraiya's expression suddenly turned solemn. Could it be that war was about to break out again? Or were the people who were targeting Nagato's Rinnegan, as the man in black robes mentioned last time, finally arriving?
No matter which it was, he couldn't leave Nagato and the others now, at least not until they could protect themselves.
Thinking of Nagato, Jiraiya felt a surge of warmth. He was the most gifted child he had ever seen, with a strong learning ability, humble and not arrogant, always considering his companions' feelings. Although his companion was Yahiko, and his intentions were not entirely clear, Jiraiya could feel that Nagato genuinely cared for Yahiko.
Sigh, when will I, the toad sage Jiraiya, ever find true love!
Orochimaru's figure suddenly flashed through Jiraiya's mind, and he chuckled. With that cold expression of Orochimaru's all day, he'd probably never find someone to like him in his entire life, how pathetic!