"Ptooey—"
"You're bragging!"
At first, Tsunade was moved to tears by Li Anshi's words. However, when Li Anshi said that Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had just been appointed as the Third Hokage today, wouldn't last a single move against him, Tsunade's gaze towards Li Anshi became filled with disdain.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi is Great-Uncle's most prized disciple. I even overheard Great-Uncle and Grandma saying that, given some time, Hiruzen Sarutobi would possess 'Kage-level' strength."
"You're just a ninja who couldn't even pass the Ninja Academy's graduation exam. How could you possibly kill Hiruzen Sarutobi in one move?"
In the ninja world, there were only three major ranks for ninjas.
Genin, Chunin, and Jonin!
Those who could refine chakra and use D-rank ninjutsu like the Three Basic Techniques could be classified as Genin.
Chunin were the cornerstone of a village, much stronger than Genin.
Usually, it took three to five well-coordinated Genin to fight against an average Chunin.
Jonin had completed their chakra nature transformation, and the power of the same ninjutsu they used was several times stronger than that of an average Chunin. They were the high-level combat force of a village.
Each Jonin held a pivotal position in the village.
However, the strength gap between Jonin was simply too vast.
Even a village's "Kage," strictly speaking, was just a Jonin.
However, a village's Kage was basically the strongest person in the village, hence they were listed separately.
Generally, those ninjas who possessed strength comparable to the "Kage" of the Five Great Ninja Villages were said to possess "Kage-level" strength.
For Li Anshi, a Genin who hadn't even passed the Ninja Academy's graduation exam two years ago, to say he could kill Hiruzen Sarutobi in one move, how could Tsunade believe him?
"Hehe, people always view things through their own narrow perspectives. Even when you tell the truth, no one believes it."
Li Anshi shook his head and put away the flying knife in his hand.
The Little Li Flying Dagger never missed!
Not to mention Hiruzen Sarutobi, even the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, known as the "fastest shinobi in the ninja world," would undoubtedly die if Li Anshi had the chance to throw his knife.
Of course, although Li Anshi had mastered the Little Li Flying Dagger and possessed the arrogance to fight against the various powerhouses in the ninja world at this time, he wasn't arrogant.
The Little Li Flying Dagger was strong, but Li Anshi himself had not yet reached the level of being "invincible."
No matter how strong the ability, Li Anshi still needed to be able to launch the flying knife for it to achieve the effect of "never missing."
Unless someone could survive being stabbed by the flying knife, they could pose a significant threat to Li Anshi.
And at this point in time, with Hashirama Senju dead and Madara Uchiha still lying dormant cultivating his Rinnegan, there were only a few such people.
The wife of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, the first complete Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and currently the anchor of Konoha – Mito Uzumaki.
Perhaps, the Third Raikage could also be counted?
Li Anshi thought to himself.
The Lightning Release Chakra Mode allowed the Third Raikage, A, to physically fight the Eight-Tails and cut off half of one of its horns.
If Li Anshi's opponent was the Third Raikage, it was possible that Li Anshi's flying knife could hit the Third Raikage, but might not be able to penetrate his defenses.
Also, there was Kagami Uchiha.
As the one who possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan in the Uchiha clan after Madara Uchiha left, Kagami Uchiha's strength was above that of the current Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Moreover, the Mangekyo Sharingan could activate the "Susanoo," known as the "absolute defense." If Kagami Uchiha constantly used Susanoo to protect himself, Li Anshi might not even have the chance to attack.
"Tsk..."
Thinking about it this way, Li Anshi suddenly realized that he still had a lot to improve...
Chakra nature transformation was a must-learn.
Then, he had to find a way to combine chakra nature transformation with the flying knife to enhance its penetrating power.
Only by ensuring that the flying knives he launched had the power to pierce through anything could he pose a fatal threat to enemies of this level.
In the end, Li Anshi still sent Tsunade home.
Although, in his memory, Tsunade was still alive and well until the Boruto era, Li Anshi had lived in this world for fourteen years, and he really couldn't treat this world as just an illusion.
If Tsunade encountered any danger after leaving him, Li Anshi wouldn't be able to forgive himself.
"By the way, Anshi, were you serious about what you said today?"
Walking along the road, Tsunade suddenly asked Li Anshi.
"What did I say?"
"You said, let me rest assured and accept your protection..."
"Of course, I was serious."
Li Anshi said, "The main reason the First Hokage established Konoha was to prevent children from going to war."
"The Second Hokage took it a step further, intercepting all enemies outside the Land of Fire, preventing the villagers from being affected by the war."
"The Third Hokage has just taken office, and I'm not sure if he will continue the dreams of the previous two Hokage. But, at least for me, not letting children your age go to war is also a dream of mine."
"If you feel uneasy, then train hard while enjoying our protection! Then, when you become an adult, you can take over our responsibilities and continue to protect the children in the village, right?"
"Mm!"
Little Tsunade nodded vigorously, clearly taking Li Anshi's words to heart.
The sense of responsibility that arose in her heart diluted the grief of losing her loved ones a little.
Suddenly, Li Anshi's entire body tensed, and a flying knife appeared silently in his hand.
But soon, Li Anshi put the flying knife away.
In Konoha, the only one who could give him such a strong sense of danger was probably that person, right?
As expected, walking out of the darkness was a beautiful woman with long red hair.
"Grandma!"
Seeing this woman, little Tsunade instantly let go of Li Anshi's hand and ran forward to hug the beautiful woman.
This was currently Konoha's strongest anchor, the first complete Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and also the wife of the First Hokage, Mito Uzumaki!
"Lady Mito."
Li Anshi bowed slightly, paying his respects to Mito Uzumaki.
This was also a person with a tragic life.
To protect her husband's dream, she lost everything.
In the end, even her country was destroyed, and her clan was almost completely wiped out.
Li Anshi couldn't judge Mito Uzumaki, but it was precisely because of Mito Uzumaki's presence in Konoha that the Second Hokage could go out to battle with peace of mind, allowing Li Anshi to successfully pass through the weakest stage of his strength.
He had to remember this favor!