Inside the Hokage's office, Minato alone closed his eyes, not knowing what he was contemplating.
After a long while, he suddenly opened his eyes, calling his assistant.
"Notify the two advisors and Danzo. Meeting in one hour. Additionally, dispatch a small ANBU squad to re-investigate the Tangerine Village destruction matter. Don't overlook any suspicious points."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
After the assistant left, Minato turned toward the window, gazing outside, murmuring: "Hope I'm just overthinking."
Obviously, this suddenly appearing medicinal bath formula still somewhat aroused his suspicion.
Though he wasn't a suspicious person, for the village's safety, still necessary to be more cautious.
What happened in the meeting, besides participants, nobody knew.
However, the "warned" Danzo felt somewhat gloomy.
He admitted his methods were often unscrupulous, but a mere formula wasn't enough to move his heart. Moreover, he couldn't use it.
However, after the village began selling, Root naturally could obtain sufficient quotas. Could also opportunistically request more funding.
This kind of matter benefited the village while also profiting himself; he naturally had no objection.
Just somewhat displeased. After all, this merit still belonged to Minato, this Hokage.
As for the brat providing the formula, Danzo completely didn't take him seriously. Perhaps truly lucky, picking it up. Perhaps plotting something. But what did it concern him!
After re-investigating, if no problems, so be it. If problems emerged, even better!
This way, he could opportunistically attack!
Danzo always assessed risks and obtainable things before acting. If the final conclusion was worthwhile, he'd definitely risk trying.
Obviously, currently in Danzo's eyes, that certain brat absolutely wasn't worth his action.
Whether the formula submitted to the village or that bloodline limit seeing once made him lose interest, neither aroused his interest.
Moreover, Minato and retired Sarutobi definitely wouldn't let him act recklessly. For the Hokage position, he now needed low-key dormancy.
Awaiting the optimal opportunity in silence...
On the other side, leaving the Hokage building, after bidding farewell to Mikawa-jonin, Aoha began strolling around the village.
Obviously, today's harvest put him in good spirits.
Walking and walking, passing through bustling streets, he unknowingly arrived near Hokage Rock.
Looking up at the enormous, lifelike successive Hokage statues on the rock wall, plus the Fourth's statue just completed these two days, his heart felt somewhat strange.
This was Konoha's landmark building, simultaneously a spiritual pillar.
For village people, seemingly just looking up here gave them enormous motivation.
Though he wasn't a true Konoha person, even came here with other purposes, every time standing below, he repeatedly marvelled.
If not for the hellish opening, plus the damn system tricking him, perhaps someday he could also carve his appearance here for posterity's admiration!
Just thinking about it felt exciting.
Not knowing whether sensing his current mood, the occasionally resurrecting damn system once again emerged, causing trouble!
Ding!
[Bronze-Level Death-Courting Mission Released!]
[Mission Name: Fifth Hokage Arrives!]
[Content Description: Leave your personal statue on Hokage Rock and let the world admire it.]
(Heart moved? Then act! Young man, bravely charge ahead!)
[Mission Requirements: Statue completion above passing standard (size not smaller than 1:1), and leave 'Fifth Hokage Shinomiya Aoha Arrives' lettering. At least one hundred people must see it.]
[Time Limit: Seven days]
[Mission Reward: Bronze Treasure Chest X1, Beginner Skill Card X1]
[Mission Failure: Iron doors~ Iron windows~ Iron chains~]
WDNMD!
I just fantasised a bit!
Aoha never imagined that, just slightly, minutely envying, the damn system issued such a death-courting mission!
Privately smearing and carving on Hokage Rock was a serious crime!
Don't look at the original work where Naruto could doodle on Hokage Rock without problems. That was because he was the dead Fourth's son! Because Sarutobi protected him!
Otherwise, how could punishment possibly be so light, just erasing his 'artwork'?
Simply joking!
Try switching to another person!
They'd let you sit through your entire prison sentence!
Yet this still wasn't what troubled Aoha most. After all, he'd just given away the medicinal bath formula, which had great merit for the village. Plus his young age, with Minato's personality, he'd definitely be lenient, just treating it as childish pranks, handling it. Worst case, being detained a few days before release.
But the most serious problem was carving!
How could he carve his appearance up there under everyone's watchful eyes?
Even carving just a 1:1 size was absolutely impossible!
Daily, village patrol teams routinely inspected Hokage Rock. After all, this was Konoha's landmark building. Couldn't afford mishaps.
If just painting, perhaps could exploit time differences. But carving, caught within minutes!
Even more, adding insult to injury, this time the damn system even added time limits!!
He needed within 7 days, secretly, concealing everyone, carving his appearance on Hokage Rock, then writing that purely courting-death declaration, moreover attracting at least one hundred people watching this scene...
"I'm probably insane!"
After feeling this mission's difficulty, Aoha scratched his head frantically in frustration!
Exactly how should he do this?
Just as he was depressed, nearly vomiting blood, a familiar voice sounded behind him. "Isn't this little Aoha? What, looking for work again? You came too late. Fourth-sama's statue is already carved. Just waiting these final days to observe and stabilise. If you want to find work, you came to the wrong place."
An elderly man wearing plain clothes, carrying a toolbox, smiled cheerfully, greeting Aoha.
"Yamashita-jisan? I'm not looking for work. I just happened to pass by here. Hehe, just passing..."
This Yamashita-jisan was actually the craftsman supervisor who initially permitted him to clear rubble here. So, regarding this kindhearted and enthusiastic old man, he still greatly respected him.
Just currently, his mind was chaotic, full of thoughts about deception and misdirection, so he seemed somewhat distracted.
"Since just passing, perfect. What do you think of Fourth's statue completion? Don't say flattery. Speak truthfully." Yamashita-jisan, like a child getting a new toy, asked somewhat boastfully.
What else could Aoha say? Naturally raised his thumb, praising vigorously: "Simply perfect! Amazing! Whether layout or detail handling, all impeccable. Simply artwork!"
"Aiya, saying flattery again to please this old man. Fine, I should also head back. Remember visiting this old person when free. Nothing else, but one extra pair of chopsticks, introducing part-time work earning living expenses, no problem."
"Mm, I remembered, Yamashita-jisan. When there's time, I'll definitely visit."
Watching the old man's energetically departing figure, Aoha couldn't help smiling. Obviously loved hearing people praise his craftsmanship, commend his work, yet every time pretending not to care, deliberately keeping a straight face, yet completely unable to conceal his eyes' pride and satisfaction. Truly a contrary old man!
However, combining what Yamashita-jisan just said, his heart felt several more traces of urgency.
Perhaps the time remaining wasn't even 7 days...
Because after finishing work concluded, the various ropes and scaffolding currently hanging on Hokage Rock would all be removed.
So he had to hurry, racing before finishing work will be completed, leveraging existing conveniences to complete the mission!
Additionally, regarding exactly how to complete this seemingly impossible mission, his mind also had some inspiration.
Seemed Yamashita-jisan's place was truly unavoidable!