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Although it was an A-rank mission, Minato thought it through carefully and concluded that it did not involve any ninja battles.
The only thing to be cautious about was the journey there, needing to avoid the ninja from the Sand Village. However, Hiruzen had already considered this and assigned two reconnaissance ninjas to Minato's team.
As long as they avoided the Sand Village ninja, the mission could be completed smoothly.
After Kakashi and the other two left, Hiruzen entrusted Minato with a deeper mission, which was to investigate whether Roran was supporting the Sand Village.
If the minister of Roran harbored great ambitions, it was likely that he would participate in the war.
If he showed such inclinations, they were to eliminate him and completely seal off the power of the Dragon Veins; Hiruzen was not sure if the Sand Village knew about the Dragon Veins of Roran, but if they knew its power could manipulate puppets, the Sand Village would definitely be interested.
Another A-rank mission was assigned specifically to Minato, which was to scout information about the Sand Village en route.
If Yōichi and Mina were to continue their mission, Hiruzen considered assigning this task to them.
However, after weighing the options, Minato , who could use the Flying Thunder God Technique, was deemed more suitable. As long as he wasn't caught by a large number of ninja, his safety was assured.
After accepting the mission, Minato bid farewell to Hiruzen, but just as he was about to leave, he stopped, scratching his head and asked Hiruzen: "Lord Hokage, there's one more thing I need to report."
Hiruzen kindly said, "Minato, go ahead."
"It's about Kushina. Last time, Lord Hokage, you gave Kushina the method to perfectly control the Jinchuriki's power, which gave her a lot of inspiration. Recently, she has been trying to control the tailed beast's chakra and has made significant progress."
Minato talked at length about how hard Kushina had worked and the significant progress she had made.
Hiruzen sighed internally; he knew very well how far Kushina had progressed in her training, as she was accompanied by several Anbu members every day.
Finally, Minato changed the topic: "Lord Hokage, I will be leaving the village for a long-term mission, and Kushina might feel lonely. Could you allow her to visit her clan members at the Konoha Hospital?"
"Is that so? It was my oversight, neglecting Kushina's feelings."
Hiruzen said embarrassedly. Seeing this, Minato quickly waved his hand and said, "No, it has nothing to do with Lord Hokage. Previously, it was also for the sake of the people in the village. However, now that Kushina has made significant progress in controlling the tailed beast's chakra, the previous situations should not reoccur."
"I will talk to the Anbu, allowing Kushina's activities to extend within the village. However, she still cannot go to places like the Forest of Death, as Kushina's safety is very important."
After thinking it over, Hiruzen said to Minato, simply allowing her activity range to extend to the Konoha Hospital seemed a bit stingy. It's better to let her move around the village, and just assign a couple more Anbu members if needed.
Kushina has indeed made progress, gradually becoming proficient in the tailed beast cloak. Although she can only maintain consciousness with one tail so far, it is much better than before, at least showing hope for a Jinchuriki to control the tailed beast transformation.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage."
Minato's face showed joy. After expressing his gratitude, he prepared to return and bring the good news to Kushina.
---
"Teacher, why did you suddenly dispel the Shadow Clone just now?"
After Yōichi's Shadow Clone arrived at the mission location, Kurenai approached him and asked.
"There was a little accident, but it's nothing to do with you. How is the mission going?"
Before Yōichi could finish speaking, Kurenai pulled out a kunai and threw it towards his face.
However, this kind of attack was no threat to Yōichi. He simply extended two fingers and quickly caught the kunai by its ring, saying, "Haven't you learned from last time?"
Before he could finish, Kurenai suddenly transformed into Rumi, charging at him with chakra-covered hands, attacking with the Gentle Fist style.
"Oh? Using the Transformation Technique to lower my guard, not bad, finally using your brain."
As he spoke, Yōichi threw the kunai to the side.
The kunai collided in mid-air, changing direction and hitting the shuriken thrown by another team member.
The first kunai hit a shuriken, causing a chain reaction in the air, blocking all the shuriken.
At this moment, Rumi also quickly launched a palm strike at Yōichi, but he tapped her wrist, diverting the attack while commenting,
"Don't rush to attack vital points. Consider the enemy's reaction when attacking, and only reveal your intent when you're sure of a kill."
After speaking, Yōichi prepared to grab Rumi's wrist.
But the young girl with the Byakugan suddenly formed a hand seal, and with a bang, transformed into another person, with red pupils showing a hint of pride. The suddenly appeared Kurenai had completed her hand seals.
"Body Replacement?"
"Teacher, you lost, Art of the Underworld!"
The genjutsu was activated!
Yōichi suddenly looked dazed, as if he was caught in the illusion.
Seeing this, Kurenai jumped up in joy and turned to her teammates hiding in the forest, saying, "Rumi, we succeeded in the operation!"
Rumi also came out from the forest, happily rubbing her wrists, but before she could speak, her face suddenly turned panicked and pointed behind Kurenai,
"What success?"
A voice sounded, and then Kurenai felt a chill on her neck, followed by a hand grabbing her face and pulling her aside.
Kurenai was shocked and turned to see her teacher, who didn't seem affected by the genjutsu at all, and hurriedly asked, "Tea... Teacher, you weren't affected by my genjutsu just now?"
"I've told you, the most important thing about genjutsu is concealment. You specifically reminded me, giving me enough time to react. Should I thank you?"
Yōichi, seeing the other two approach, said to the three, "The tactic was good, knowing how to use strengths and weaknesses and the enemy's psychology, but pay attention to the details, which will be life or death against real enemies."
"Kurenai, you missed the final details, and your teammates didn't help you cover them up. Go pick up two D-rank missions later, and meet at the barbecue restaurant after you finish them this afternoon. My treat."
After speaking, Yōichi immediately dispelled the Shadow Clone, turning into a puff of smoke and disappearing.
Leaving the three behind, Kurenai awkwardly said, "Sorry, if it wasn't for me, we might have already completed the mission to attack the teacher."
Rumi shook her head and said, "It's not your fault, Kurenai. Teacher is too strong. Facing Yōichi-sensei with Gentle Fist, I felt no chance of winning."
"I wish my ninja tool throwing skills were as good as Yōichi sensei's."
After sighing, the three headed towards the Hokage Building. Although they had completed a D-rank mission, they had to take on two more because of a mistake and finish them before dinner.
The thought of missing the barbecue made them feel like they had to work hard.
However, when Kurenai and the others arrived at the Hokage Building, they ran into their academy classmates from the first class led by Asuma.
Seeing Kurenai, Asuma smiled and approached to greet her, "Kurenai, are you also here to submit a mission?"
"Yeah, Asuma, you too?"
"Right, we just completed a C-rank mission. Kurenai, want to hang out after submitting the mission?"
Asuma looked hopeful, mentioning his C-rank mission also intending to show off his strength to Kurenai.
Kurenai shook her head and said, "No, Asuma, you go ahead. We still have to take on two more D-rank missions."
"Taking on two more D-rank missions? But it's almost noon, can you make it?"
Asuma looked around and asked, "Where's your Jōnin instructor? He didn't take a break and let you handle missions by yourselves, did he?"
"Yōichi-sensei has something to do, Asuma. Sorry, we have to go do our mission now."
Kurenai waved goodbye and then went with her teammates to submit and take on new missions.
Yōichi had already notified the mission office, so Kurenai and her teammates could freely choose D-rank missions.
"Asuma, Kotonaru, and Iwashi, wait here for me, okay? After I submit the mission, let's go have barbecue."
Their Teacher said, as it was his younger brother's first time completing a C-rank mission, he wouldn't be stingy about a meal.
As for Team 8, he felt Yōichi wanted to quickly accumulate mission experience for the team and then participate in the Chūnin Exams.
Having sixteen D-rank missions allowed participation in the Chūnin Exams, but for these newly graduated Genin, it seemed a bit premature.
However, Sarutobi couldn't criticize Yōichi, as that would mean questioning his teaching method. He could only mention it to his father later. Judging by Asuma's reaction, he seemed quite interested in Kurenai.
On the other side.
After the Shadow Clone's memories returned to the original body, Yōichi also learned about Kurenai and her teammates' tactics.
There was some growth, but not much!
After a few more missions and mastering chakra control, they could take on missions outside the village to kill.
Within a year, all three should be promoted to Chūnin. This was Yōichi's bottom line. If any of them were only promoted to Chūnin at eleven, it would be a loss of face for him.
"Hey, kid, what are you thinking about?"
Tsunade's voice brought Yōichi back to reality, and then he shook his head and said, "The memories from the Shadow Clone leading the team just returned."
Mina was originally supposed to come today, but she was a bit leg-weary and still taking a bath close to that time, so she had to ask Yōichi to speak to Tsunade on her behalf.
"Leading a team, huh. I've been calling you kid for so long, and now you're at this stage."
Tsunade reminisced for a moment, initially displeased with Yōichi's mouth, but misunderstandings were gradually resolved. As a senior, how could she hold a grudge against a junior?
Now, leaving the village, the only things Tsunade felt a bit reluctant to leave behind were two issues: how she turned into a hog and whether she wore undergarments that day.
Yōichi handed a storage scroll to Shizune, saying, "This is for you, Shizune. This is for your food and lodging expenses. Make sure Tsunade doesn't get her hands on it, otherwise, you'll have to live in a cave and starve with her."
"Ah, yes, thank you."
Shizune gratefully accepted the scroll, knowing Yōichi was a Jōnin in the village and calling him "sir" as a Genin was definitely correct.
However, Tsunade was a bit upset after hearing this, "Hey, don't ruin my reputation. I'm not that unreliable!"
Yōichi sighed and said, "Mina used to bring food for two people to the Konoha Hospital every day."
"Alright, alright, bringing up something from so long ago. You're really no fun, kid."
Tsunade interrupted coldly, remembering when that was. It was just a time when she was a bit short on cash.
"The future of the village now depends on your generation."
Before leaving the village, Tsunade still felt a bit emotional, then suddenly inspired, as if passing the baton, she patted Uchiha Yōichi on the shoulder.
"From now on, the village will kyah~!"
Tsunade very 'ladylike' sat on the ground with her legs inward.
'Tsunade, hold on! Hold on!! You can't lose face.'
Tsunade's remaining reason kept warning herself, taking a few deep breaths, and after an unknown amount of time, she gradually calmed down.
However, her face was still flushed, like a ripe fruit, making her already attractive face even more appealing.
"Tsunade-sama, are you, are you okay?"
Shizune cautiously asked, as Tsunade suddenly sat down in front of her, gasping for breath, as if sick.
"I, I'm fine."
Tsunade took a few more deep breaths, trying to calm herself down.
"Shizune, where's that kid!?"
Tsunade looked around, realizing Yōichi had already disappeared, confirming that her embarrassing state was definitely related to him!
If he didn't do it, why would he run?
"You mean Yōichi?
He said he had an out-of-village mission and left immediately using the Body Flicker Technique."
Shizune pointed towards the village gate, as Yōichi had left very quickly, disappearing in an instant after speaking.
"Okay, okay!"
Tsunade gritted her teeth, remembering this incident and definitely not forgetting it!
(End of Chapter)