"We... did indeed defeat that Cloud Ninja squad."
Kurenai Yuhi's voice was a bit strained, but every word was clear.
"But it wasn't because of our own strength."
"Then what did it depend on?"
Kurenai Yuhi took a deep breath.
"summoning beasts."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyebrows twitched slightly.
"summoning beasts?"
"Yes." Kurenai Yuhi nodded. "We... signed summoning contracts with the Ninja Wolves of Wolf Valley."
As soon as she finished speaking, a brief silence fell over the office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a puff of smoke and tapped his pipe against the desk.
"With that Wolf King?" He asked softly, his eyes showing no sign of blame.
"No." Kurenai Yuhi shook her head. "It was a Special Jonin-level Ninja Wolves."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyebrows twitched slightly.
"A Special Jonin-level Ninja Wolves defeated a Cloud Ninja Jonin?"
He paused and shook his head gently.
"It seems I still underestimated them."
Kurenai Yuhi looked at him somewhat nervously.
"Third Hokage..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at her calmly; there was no anger or interrogation in those aged eyes.
"If that's how the Cloud Ninja were defeated, then this is actually a good thing."
Kurenai Yuhi was stunned.
"T-Third Hokage... You don't blame us?"
"Why would I blame you?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked in return.
"Just because you signed summoning contracts with that Ninja Wolves clan?"
He paused, a trace of a smile appearing on his face.
"This is a good thing."
"It can strengthen Konoha's power!"
Kurenai Yuhi stared at him blankly, unsure of what to say for a moment.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the continuous stretch of forest in the distance.
Having witnessed the strength of that silver-white Wolf King, he had naturally thought about befriending him.
After all, Wolf Valley was within the Land of Fire, right on Konoha's doorstep.
If relations became too strained, Konoha would have to divert attention to be on guard—a Wolf King with Kage-level strength, the ability to manipulate lightning, and the capability to establish a Village was definitely not an opponent to be underestimated.
But what if they became allies?
Then Konoha would have the support of another powerful force.
He turned around and looked at Kurenai Yuhi.
"Go back."
"In the future, maintain contact with Wolf Valley as you normally would."
"If there's anything important..."
He paused.
"Tell me."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was calm and gentle.
"As for the matter with the Cloud Ninja, I will make the necessary arrangements."
"Yes, Third Hokage."
Kurenai Yuhi nodded, gave him a deep look, and then turned to exit the office.
The door closed softly.
Inuzuka Kiba had already been waiting impatiently. As soon as she came out, his eyes lit up remarkably as he asked:
"Teacher Kurenai, Teacher Kurenai! The Hokage-sama didn't blame us for going to Wolf Valley, so does that mean we can go whenever we want from now on?"
Kurenai Yuhi looked at his impatient appearance and couldn't help but smile.
On that beautiful face, her smile was gentle and indulgent.
"Even though the Third Hokage didn't blame us—"
She paused, her gaze sweeping across the faces of the three children one by one.
"But we still must prioritize our missions and cannot leave the Village whenever we please."
Inuzuka Kiba let out a disappointed "Ah."
But Kurenai Yuhi's next sentence made his eyes light up again:
"Let's go."
She smiled and turned around.
"Teacher's treat for dinner."
—
Wolf Valley.
The evening afterglow spilled down, plating the entire valley in a layer of warm golden light.
In front of Beast King Hall, Yang Jiu was lying on a stone platform, squinting his eyes in a light slumber.
A familiar sound of footsteps came from the distance.
He opened his eyes and looked toward the entrance of the valley.
Great Remnant and Hei Sha walked side by side, followed by several Ninja Wolves. On their backs, they carried five humans who were tightly bound with cloth stuffed in their mouths—one Jonin and four Chunin.
Yang Jiu's eyes lit up slightly.
"Clan Leader!"
Great Remnant rushed to the stone platform in a few steps, threw the two Cloud Ninjas from his back onto the ground, and grinned widely:
"I brought gifts back for you!"
Hei Sha also stepped forward, set down the remaining three Cloud Ninjas, and spoke calmly:
"Kurenai Yuhi and the others encountered a Cloud Ninja squad, so we conveniently took care of it for them. We brought the people back to see if they can be of use."
Yang Jiu stood up from the stone platform, his three-meter-long silver-white body slowly pacing in front of the five Cloud Ninjas.
His golden eyes swept from the Jonin to the Chunin, seeing the terrified expressions and desperate gazes.
The corners of his mouth curled up.
"Not bad."
One Jonin, four Chunin.
Just right to contribute to the development of Wolf Ninja Village.
"Great Remnant, Hei Sha."
"Present!"
"Throw them into the cages."
Great Remnant grinned: "Understood!"
Several Ninja Wolves stepped forward, picked up the five Cloud Ninjas in their mouths, and dragged them toward the Sealing Cages.
—
Right at that moment—
[Ding—Long-term mission Triggered]
[mission Name: Combat Power Expansion]
[mission Background: The Wolf Clan and Wolf Ninja Village are in a period of rapid development and require a large amount of mid-to-high-end combat power for support. Every increase in combat power is a cornerstone for the growth of the Wolf Clan.]
[mission Rules: Every time a new Chunin-level combatant is added to the Wolf Clan or Wolf Ninja Village, 500 EXP and 500 Points will be rewarded; for a new Special Jonin-level combatant, 1000 EXP and 1000 Points; for a new Jonin-level combatant, 2000 EXP and 2000 Points.]
Yang Jiu looked at the system panel that popped up before him, a flash of pleasant surprise in his golden eyes.
A long-term mission?
Rewards for every additional Chunin, Special Jonin, or Jonin?
He licked his lips.
These five Cloud Ninjas—one Jonin and four Chunin—if they could be converted...
He quickly did the math.
Four Chunin: 2000 EXP, 2000 Points.
One Jonin: 2000 EXP, 2000 Points.
Added together, that's 4000 EXP and 4000 Points.
Yang Jiu's mouth slowly curled into a grin.
"Great Remnant!"
"Present!"
"Give those five Cloud Ninjas special treatment."
"After starving them for two days, bring them to the contract stele."
"For those willing to sign, give them a way to live."
"For those who aren't—"
He paused.
"Keep them locked up. Keep them locked up until they are willing."
Great Remnant nodded heavily: "Understood!"
Yang Jiu lay back down on the stone platform, looking at the Sealing Cages in the distance, his golden eyes filled with anticipation.
Five Cloud Ninjas.
Four thousand EXP and Points.
So sweet.
...
Time passed quickly.
The news of Kurenai Yuhi and Team 8 signing summoning contracts with the Wolf Clan began to spread slowly among the Ninjas of Konoha at some point.
At first, it was just private whispers, but it gradually became an open secret.
Those Ninjas who had previously been held captive could no longer restrain themselves.
They were already unable to forget Wolf Valley, and now hearing that Kurenai Yuhi and the others had not only returned but also signed contracts and obtained summoning beasts—who could stay still?
Thus, whenever they had the chance to go out on missions, these people would quietly take a detour and head to Wolf Valley.
One trip, two trips, three trips.
Every time they went, it was to "take care of business."
Every time they returned, they had another contract brand on them.
After half a month, more than half of the original twenty Konoha captives had officially signed contracts with the Wolf Clan, and even those twelve Root Ninjas had snuck out of their base one night to complete the contract ceremony at Wolf Valley.
They hid it well.
They didn't tell other Root members.
And they certainly didn't tell Danzo Shimura.
After all—
Who wouldn't want an extra way out?
Half a month later.
Inside Beast King Hall.
Yang Jiu was lying on the stone platform, his golden eyes slightly squinted as he looked at the system panel that had popped up.
[strongest wolf clan system]
Race: Wolf Clan
Level: 3 (33,000/50,000)
Members: 150
Racial Talents: Wind Body, Bronze Skin and Iron Bones, Forests Favor, Wolf Soul Link, Human-Wolf Resonance
Racial Ninjutsu: Storm Blade, Chakra Refining Technique, Wolf Pack Tactics: Wolf Fang Formation
Racial Points: 37,950
Looking at the information on the interface, he couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth.
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