Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 36: The Beginner's Mission That Took Decades to Complete

"Naruto!"

With a swift motion, Jiraiya caught the flying Naruto in his arms, bracing against the impact by retreating quickly with him. Jiraiya's intention was to stay vigilant against Hagoromo Gengetsu’s approach, but to his surprise, Hagoromo Gengetsu did not continue attacking. Instead, he remained stationary, as if nothing had happened.

At this moment, Hagoromo Gengetsu was absorbed in a series of system notifications echoing in his mind.

【Ding!】

【Beginner’s Mission Completed.】

【With the immense help from the beginner's gift package provided by the system, combined with the host’s diligent training, the host challenged Naruto Uzumaki after a period of time and, after a hard-fought battle, finally achieved victory.】

【Congratulations to the host for defeating the lowest-ranked ninja at the academy, completing the first step of the academy's counterattack.】

【The host is encouraged to continue striving to achieve the goal of dominating the ninja academy as soon as possible.】

【Note: The system will continue to track the host’s progress and issue related main quests.】

"Fifty years to finally defeat Naruto Uzumaki. Ah, the hardships endured, only I know. This beginner’s mission truly lives up to its reputation as the most difficult mission ever!"

Just like the system, Hagoromo Gengetsu had learned to speak with a bit of exaggeration.

Well, he was far more honest than the system.

After all, it had indeed taken him fifty years to defeat Naruto Uzumaki.

As for what the system saw—whether it knew he was at the ninja academy and engaged in a fierce battle with Naruto? That was another matter. The system had always been unreliable.

Hagoromo Gengetsu decided not to hold out hope for the system to function properly and turned his attention to the mission rewards.

【Calculating】

【Beginner’s Mission: Defeat Naruto Uzumaki (Completed)】

【Reward: Harem Jutsu】

【Reward Description: Created by the legendary Naruto Uzumaki, an extremely powerful jutsu that defies ranking and affects everyone regardless of age or gender. Even a great figure like Kaguya Otsutsuki would experience paralysis, confusion, dizziness, and stiffness under this technique. For others like the Third Hokage, Jiraiya, and Ebisu, it could cause bleeding, weakness in limbs, and other negative effects. It is truly the most powerful control-type jutsu in the ninja world.】

"..."

Hagoromo Gengetsu fell silent instantly.

There were many things he wanted to say, but they stuck in his throat.

Was the Harem Jutsu really as powerful as the system claimed? Well, it seemed so.

From Kaguya Otsutsuki to ordinary ninjas, it was indeed hard to resist its effects.

Even for himself...

Hagoromo Gengetsu thought seriously.

Imagining a horde of voluptuous, enchanting, or elegant women, all eager to seek his embrace...

Perhaps, just maybe, he might be momentarily distracted.

Cough!

To be fair, the Harem Jutsu was indeed a powerful technique that even someone of his level couldn’t ignore.

But!!!

If he were to use this jutsu in front of others...

Hagoromo Gengetsu could imagine the kind of reputation he would end up with.

Naruto might be laughing now, using a low-tier version of the Harem Jutsu with ease, but once he became the Seventh Hokage, he would surely regret his actions.

"Look! The Seventh Hokage, who saved the ninja world, used to excel at transforming into scantily clad girls!"

"Did you know? The man who stood shoulder to shoulder with gods had a penchant for transforming into women, and not just any women, but completely naked ones."

Imagining such possibilities in the future, Hagoromo Gengetsu firmly decided never to use the Harem Jutsu in front of others.

As for when he was alone...

Hagoromo Gengetsu suddenly pondered an ethical question.

Had any ninja used Shadow Clones to transform into women and then sparred with each other?

Uh... that seemed a bit too perverted.

Damn that evil Senju old man!

How could he develop such a technique?

Hagoromo Gengetsu shook his head, immediately dismissing the corrupting thoughts from his mind, and refocused on Jiraiya and the others.

Naruto, caught by Jiraiya, had already regained his energy. Despite taking a kick from Hagoromo Gengetsu, his resilient nature allowed him to bounce back and continue his usual energetic self.

"Naruto, stay on the sidelines and observe. Don’t interfere in battles of this level."

After giving this instruction, Jiraiya turned his serious attention back to Hagoromo Gengetsu, not wasting any more time. He stomped the ground, creating a loud crash, and disappeared.

"Here we go!"

In an instant, Jiraiya reappeared and threw a powerful punch towards Hagoromo Gengetsu.

Hagoromo Gengetsu stood still, raising his left hand to casually deflect the attack.

Undeterred, Jiraiya shifted his stance and swung his left leg forward like a whip.

Seeing this, Hagoromo Gengetsu finally took a step back, grabbing Jiraiya’s right leg and countering with a kick of his own.

Smack!

The air vibrated with the impact.

Jiraiya, crouching to evade Hagoromo Gengetsu’s attack, supported himself with his hands and leaped like a toad, charging at Hagoromo Gengetsu.

Boom, boom, boom.

Jiraiya launched a series of rapid, complex attacks from various angles.

After several intense exchanges, Hagoromo Gengetsu was pushed back, leaving deep trenches in the ground before he halted and regarded Jiraiya with a calm expression.

"Is this the Taijutsu of Mount Myoboku? It combines the Leaf’s fluid style into a unique personal technique."

"Interesting."

With his extensive battle experience, Hagoromo Gengetsu immediately recognized Jiraiya’s distinctive fighting style.

"But this alone isn’t enough."

Hagoromo Gengetsu stomped the ground and, using Body Flicker Technique, shot towards Jiraiya with a sharp, explosive force.

The battle intensified with frequent, fierce exchanges.

To avoid unnecessary mishaps, Tsunade had only administered a sleeping drug to Jiraiya the previous night, not one that would incapacitate him.

This meant that, apart from some residual effects, Jiraiya could still fight at his full capacity.

"Quite worthy of the title of the Sannin."

Hagoromo Gengetsu blocked Jiraiya’s punch with his right hand and, locking eyes with him, remarked.

"Is that so? It’s a pity I can’t experience your true power, Hagoromo-sensei."

Jiraiya exerted force, sending Hagoromo Gengetsu flying, and continued his relentless attack without giving any chance to recover.

"Even if it’s not my full strength, I can still stop you." Hagoromo Gengetsu said calmly.

Comparing their strengths, he knew that in his current state, he wasn’t as powerful as Jiraiya, one of the Sannin. However, his real goal was not to defeat Jiraiya.

Maintaining the situation, buying time, and preventing Jiraiya from leaving was still within his capability.

After all, it was not him who was in a hurry.

The next step would be to see how important Tsunade was in their eyes.

Whether they would value a potentially dispensable technique or Tsunade herself.

Compared to Orochimaru, Hagoromo Gengetsu was more confident in his assessment.