During wartime, Konoha's defenses were very strict. Uchiha En and his team finally entered the Village after numerous checks.
"En, you guys are going to Hokage-sama to submit your mission, right?" Minato Namikaze asked.
"Yes. Are you going too, Minato-senpai?"
"Yes! I also have something I need to report to Hokage-sama. We can go together. Kakashi, Obito, Rin, you guys are dismissed for now!"
Afterward, Minato Namikaze and uchiha tohrus squad arrived at the Hokage Office together.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had already heard the report from the Anbu Ninja, knowing that Minato Namikaze returned to the Village with Uchiha En's team, so he wasn't surprised to see them.
"Hokage-sama, this is all the Water Release Ninjutsu collected from the Land of Bears since the war began." Uchiha En presented the sealing scroll with both hands.
The Anbu Ninja accepted the sealing scroll and handed it to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi broke the seal on the scroll, quickly skimmed the contents, and said with a smile, "Well done. You've all worked hard this time.
En, speaking of which, this is your squad's seventh A-rank mission, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"Executing one S-rank mission, seven A-rank missions, and thirty-three B-rank missions in just one year after graduation—your squad is truly outstanding! I hereby announce that all members of your squad are promoted to Chunin starting today."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled, turned, and asked Asana, "Asana, has that fellow Orochimaru been teaching you well?"
"Yes, Teacher Orochimaru has been very dedicated to my instruction."
"That's good. I was worried that fellow might lead students astray!"
"How could that be! Hokage-sama, you worry too much. Teacher Orochimaru is extremely serious about teaching me cultivation."
"Haha! That's good. Jiraiya has Minato as a disciple, Tsunade has Shizune, and Orochimaru has you. I can rest assured now!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a look of gratification.
To be honest, Hiruzen Sarutobi was very satisfied with Asana's growth.
Gaining the strength of a Jonin just one year after graduation, she was undoubtedly a genius. This also proved that Orochimaru's eye for choosing disciples was correct.
However, the only flaw was that Asana was a member of the Hyuga Clan's Branch Family, and she bore the Caged Bird Seal on her head.
Although the Hyuga Clan has always sided with the Hokage, every clan has selfish motives. As a member of the Hyuga Clan's Branch Family, Asana's actions would definitely be constrained by the Main Family.
If friction were to arise between the Village and the Hyuga Clan someday, Asana might not be so trustworthy.
Of course, these issues don't need to be considered at the current stage. Right now, the Hyuga Clan is definitely a staunch supporter of the Hokage Faction.
Thinking of this, Hiruzen Sarutobi grew even more satisfied with Asana. At the same time, Hiruzen Sarutobi decided to send someone to pressure the Hyuga Clan.
Although Orochimaru had previously sent someone to speak with the Hyuga Clan's Main Family, Orochimaru was not the Hokage, so some things couldn't be said directly and had to be reserved. This move by Hiruzen was essentially helping Orochimaru fill in the gaps.
"Minato, you must have something to report as well, right?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, changing the subject.
"Yes, Hokage-sama. The matter you asked me to investigate previously has yielded results. In the Land of Wind, there is a small country called Roran, whose royal family possesses the power to control a massive underground Chakra Dragon Vein.
Six years ago, Roran gained a minister named Anrokuzan.
This minister utilized the power of the Dragon Vein to create a large number of puppets. I suspect he intends to control the power of the Dragon Vein to do some unfavorable things."
After hearing Minato Namikaze's report, the Third Hokage frowned. He had long known about the existence of the Dragon Vein. If this power truly fell into someone's control, it could potentially affect the current war situation.
Uchiha En, standing nearby, remained outwardly calm, but his heart was stirring. He hadn't expected to encounter the plot of the Lost Tower upon returning to the Village. Did he have a chance to get involved?
"Minato, it seems I'll have to trouble you to make a trip this time!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said after a long period of contemplation.
"Will it just be me?"
"Shibi is currently in the Village. En, I heard you once directly confronted Kurosuki Raiga, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, is that right?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"Then you should set out with Minato this time!"
Uchiha En was stunned by the words. Shouldn't Akimichi Choza have been the one accompanying Minato Namikaze in the original work?
Could it be that the mission his squad was currently doing was one that had been stolen from Akimichi Choza?
"What's wrong? Are you unwilling to go?" Seeing Uchiha En hesitate, Hiruzen Sarutobi continued to ask.
"I am willing. I was just feeling nostalgic, suddenly hearing that I'll be undertaking a mission with Teacher Shibi again."
"The three of you grew too quickly, and the Village is currently in urgent need of manpower, which is why I transferred Shibi away early. I hope you don't mind."
"How could we! Hokage-sama, you worry too much."
The Third Hokage nodded upon hearing this and continued, "Then it is decided. This mission will be executed by Minato, Shibi, and En. Minato, you will be the leader. Tomorrow... wait, let's depart in three days!
You have all just returned to the Village, so rest well for two days first! Then you can go execute the mission!"
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Everyone nodded in agreement simultaneously.
"Alright, you may all leave now!"
"Also, Hokage-sama, I would like to bring Kakashi along for this mission. He also needs some experience to grow."
"You may decide that yourself."
Minato Namikaze nodded, turned, and left. Uchiha En and the other two saw this and followed him out of the Hokage Office.
"Minato-senpai, please guide us on this mission." After leaving the Hokage Office, Uchiha En bowed slightly toward Minato Namikaze and said.
"No need to be so polite. I need to go find Senior Shibi and tell him about this. I'll be going now." With that, Minato Namikaze's figure vanished from the spot.
"We finally made it back to the Village, and now we have to go on another mission. Honestly, Hokage-sama, can't he let us rest for a bit?" Yamanaka Kagetsu grumbled softly after leaving the Hokage Building.
"Kagetsu, it's better to say less of such things in the future!" Asana advised.
"That's right! Kagetsu, it's not good to criticize Hokage-sama in the Village. Alright, we haven't been back in a long time. Kagetsu, your mother must have been looking forward to you coming home, and the same goes for your father and brother, Asana. Shouldn't you hurry back to see them?"
"What about you?" Asana asked.
"I have a few friends in the Uchiha Clan too. I need to go back and see them, especially since I'll be executing a mission tomorrow. I need to make the most of the time." Uchiha En replied with a smile.
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