"Haha, that… I also got the inspiration from a Ninja beast I encountered in the Death Forest."
Ling found it awkward to admit she had only referenced (copied) the Wolf King's pellets for modification. Anyway, the Wolf King was dead, so there was no way for him to confront her in court.
"Ling, have you tried making the Chakra inside move irregularly? Perhaps its power could become even stronger."
Minato was not a person who hoarded his knowledge. He immediately explained the principle of his Rasengan to Ling.
Kakashi and the other two, who knew about the Rasengan, looked at Minato in surprise, not expecting their teacher to teach the Rasengan to Ling.
"Hehe! I heard that Senior Minato had a Ninjutsu called Rasengan, so I specifically came to exchange and learn."
Ling's frankness and subtle scheming did not draw the four's disgust. Instead, they found Ling to be a cute, honest child.
"Alright then! Let's go submit the mission first, and then everyone can come to my house for dinner. It's been a month since I've been back, so I'll also invite Jiraiya-sensei and Senior Tsunade."
Minato decisively agreed to Ling's exchange. It was a win-win for everyone, so why not?
The group of five headed towards the Hokage Building. Along the way, many Ninja and civilians who knew Minato greeted him, showing his high popularity.
However, Ling was not far behind. Only a small number of deeply brainwashed hardliners disliked Ling's existence, but it had not escalated to the point of hatred, which Ling found quite regrettable as it meant she couldn't increase her stable emotion supply source.
Although Ling could try to provoke them, it ultimately went against her own nature, so she gave up. She was trying to become a high-ranking member of the Hokage faction.
Her reputation couldn't be ruined. With her current strength, she would definitely need to accumulate achievements and prestige in the Third Shinobi World War.
At that time, saving some Konoha Ninja and offending some Ninja from other Villages would surely cause the stable emotion supply source to surge.
If I dislike the Mangekyo's contact lenses, I'll switch to the Six Eyes of the Heavenly Eye. If I feel my lifespan is too short, I'll get Tengen's Innate Domain Expansion for eternal life.
Entering the mission hall, she watched Minato submit the mission and collect the reward. Although it was a B-rank mission, the reward was still the amount for a C-rank mission.
The only benefit was probably just to increase the mission rank, because under normal circumstances, increasing a Ninja's rank required completing a certain number and rank of missions.
During wartime, it was possible to temporarily increase one's rank. If, after your Ninja rank was increased, you could survive the corresponding Ninja rank missions, then it was considered a true promotion. If you died, then it was considered a posthumous promotion.
"Lord Minato, Uchiha Ling, Hokage-sama wishes to see you. Please!"
An Anbu suddenly appeared, temporarily notifying them of the Third Hokage's summons. The Third Hokage was on the floor above, likely having seen Minato and Ling enter the mission hall earlier.
"Alright, I'll arrange for my subordinates first."
Although Minato didn't know why the Third Hokage was calling him, it was definitely related to the current situation in the Ninja World.
"Kakashi, Obito, and Rin, you go notify Kushina first, then go buy groceries. Ling and I will be back very soon."
Minato had said they would have dinner together, so he naturally couldn't break his promise. Moreover, he also wanted to exchange ideas about their respective pellets with Ling, believing it would be fruitful.
"Let's go, Ling. Don't keep Hokage-sama waiting."
Minato walked ahead, and Ling naturally followed, pondering what her teacher wanted with her. She hoped it wasn't to complete some dangerous mission.
Walking up the stairs, they quickly arrived at the Third Hokage's Hokage Office. It seemed someone was discussing something inside, and two Anbu stood guard at the door.
"Hokage-sama, Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Ling have arrived."
An Anbu reported, interrupting the argument inside.
"Come in." The Third Hokage's somewhat weary voice sounded, making Ling feel that this summons definitely didn't bode well.
Entering the office, she saw Konoha's four old and infirm. At this moment, Danzo glanced at Ling and let out a cold snort.
"Is Lord Danzo not feeling well? You should pay attention to resting. Konoha still needs its massive Root to absorb nutrients."
Ling wouldn't tolerate this old fogey. She first spoke in a sarcastic tone to annoy this old bastard.
"Uchiha brat! Don't think that just because you became the Monkey's disciple, you can disrespect this old man, hmph!"
Danzo naturally heard the mockery in Ling's tone, and a hint of killing intent flashed in his eyes. But seeing the Third Hokage's warning gaze, he simply closed his eyes, out of sight, out of mind.
"Ling, Danzo has also made great contributions to Konoha. You cannot be disrespectful!"
The Third Hokage reprimanded Ling lightly, slightly saving his old friend's face.
"Oh, alright, Teacher. May I ask why you called Senior Minato and me here this time?"
Ling really didn't want to see this old fogey Danzo here, even though he had just provided her with a stable emotion supply source, leaving her one short of being able to draw a prize.
"Minato, you are aware of the movements of Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and Kumogakure during this period, aren't you?"
The Third Hokage looked at Minato, whose expression was serious, and asked kindly.
Ling was a little curious. She had no intelligence sources and was unclear about what was happening in the Ninja World at the moment.
"Yes, I know. Sunagakure is pursuing Sasori of the Red Sand, while Iwagakure and Kumogakure are openly recruiting."
Minato had just returned from a mission, so he only had a general understanding of the Ninja World's intelligence.
The Third Hokage picked up his pipe, and a flame rose from his index finger to light it. He took a deep drag, then exhaled as if to release his exhaustion along with the smoke.
"Sasori of the Red Sand killed the Third Kazekage. After being pursued, he entered the border of the Land of Fire. His whereabouts are currently unknown, but Anbu from Iwagakure and Kumogakure are still pursuing him."
"However, according to our intelligence, Iwagakure's Anbu are disguised Kumogakure Ninja; and Kumogakure's Anbu are disguised Iwagakure Ninja."
"After discussing with the elders, I have decided that you will lead the Anbu, either to capture Sasori of the Red Sand or to expel him from our territory."
The Third Hokage explained for a long time. It turned out to be to resolve the butterfly effect after Ling leaked intelligence. It was all Orochimaru's fault.
"Hmph! Monkey, my opinion is still to kill all intruders!"
Danzo opened his eyes, his single eye filled with fierce light that sent shivers down one's spine, but no one present was intimidated by him.
"Minato, don't listen to Danzo's nonsense. We cannot ignite this powder keg right now." Utatane Koharu.
"That's right, Minato. Danzo is a bit too aggressive. You need to be careful with the scope of this mission." Homura Mitokado.
"Hmph! Cowards!" Danzo closed his eyes, not wanting to see these two cowards anymore.
"Ah, yes, yes, yes! I think Lord Danzo is right! Lord Danzo's Root is so powerful, they can definitely kill all the Anbu from the three Villages."
Ling's "yes, yes, yes" instantly infuriated Danzo. His Root had suffered heavy losses; otherwise, he wouldn't need to be arguing here.
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