Konoha's Mission Master

During this period, Hatake Sakumo was under immense pressure, and his eyes were filled with deep, unyielding sorrow.

"You're here? What's up?" Sakumo Hatake asked, but he didn't look up, continuing to browse the documents in his hands... as if he were racing against time, unwilling to give up any work opportunity.

"Orochimaru came yesterday; he plans to destroy Konoha."

Upon hearing this, Hatake Sakumo's pen in his hand involuntarily pierced through the white paper.

Are you sure you're not joking?

"of course."

Sakumo Hatake put down his pen and sighed.

"I really hope this is a joke."

"I hope so too."

"Have you detected his plans?" Sakumo Hatake asked.

"I guess he probably wants to get something from Konoha."

The image of Orochimaru's gaze upon Konoha last night gradually surfaced in Yakumo's mind. Even though he tried his best to control it, the possessiveness churning in his eyes was so hard to conceal, like a blazing torch.

From that malicious look in his eyes, Yakumo could tell that Orochimaru's desire to destroy Konoha was not merely to unlock the tool.

Sakumo Hatake, on the contrary, became calm, put the pen cap back on, and leaned back in his chair.

This is not about giving up or lying down.

A few seconds later, Hatake Sakumo sat up again, his body straight, his eyes sharp as a drawn sword, exuding a fierce and murderous aura.

"He wants to start a war, but Konoha is not afraid."

“Actually, there’s no need to be so fearless about dying,” Yakumo said with a dry laugh.

"Oh, what are your thoughts?" Sakumo Hatake asked again.

“Let Minato Namikaze accompany me to the Land of Rice Fields, and we’ll deal with Orochimaru tomorrow… that will naturally resolve Konoha’s crisis,” Yakumo replied.

The most effective way to deal with a problem is to get rid of the person who raised it.

“That’s right, the battlefield cannot be set up in Konoha.”

Hatake Sakumo nodded, clearly supporting Yakumo's statement that keeping the battlefield away from Konoha could reduce many unnecessary casualties.

"Tsunade and Jiraiya, return to Konoha today, and the four of you will travel together tomorrow. Although I have faith in your abilities, I still want to ensure everything goes smoothly."

“No, I plan to set off directly later. You can secretly send out information so that the two of them can detour directly to the Land of Fields,” Yakumo said.

"So rushed?"

"A decisive blow will resolve any future problems," Yakumo said.

"If you fail, Konoha will enter a state of battle. Orochimaru wants to destroy Konoha, so let's see if he has the strength to do so."

When Sakumo Hatake said this, his tone was very calm, but it clearly showed a determination to die rather than live in dishonor.

"I'm confident I can defeat Orochimaru," Yakumo reassured him.

"I hope so..."

Sakumo Hatake lowered his head and began to write furiously.

A few seconds later, a secret order was written.

"Leave this to Minato; he will cooperate with all your actions."

“No problem.” Yakumo smiled as he accepted the secret order.

However, Sakumo Hatake did not let go immediately, but stared at Yakumo and added seriously.

"If things can't be done, then you must come back safely."

Sakumo Hatake's eyes showed concern for Yakumo. In fact, he didn't want to put the rise and fall of Konoha on Yakumo's shoulders alone.

But... he was powerless to do anything about it.

"Of course, I had Minato accompany me because it would make evacuation easier."

"Okay, stay safe."

Yakumo accepted the secret order and left the Hokage's office with a smile.

After leaving the Hokage Building, Yakumo kept changing his form as he headed towards Minato Namikaze's house.

A few minutes later, in front of the Minato family's house.

Yakumo looked at the doorbell, hesitated slightly... then jumped over the wall into the yard, and his appearance returned to normal.

He quietly released a wisp of chakra.

A few seconds later, a flash of golden light appeared.

Minato Namikaze appeared in the courtyard, holding the Flying Thunder God kunai in his hand.

"Yakumo?"

“It’s me…” Yakumo replied.

Minato Namikaze casually put the Flying Thunder God kunai into his ninja tool pouch, a bright, sunny smile spreading across his face.

"Long time no see! Have you eaten? Kushina just finished making lunch."

"I haven't eaten... but I have an urgent mission." Yakumo handed over the secret order.

Minato Namikaze's smile vanished, and he immediately took the secret order handwritten by Sakumo Hatake and began reading it quickly.

A few seconds later…

“I understand. We’ll depart in five minutes,” Minato Namikaze said.

"can."

A few minutes later, the two set off.

Thanks to Minato Namikaze's Flying Thunder God Technique, the two disappeared silently from Konoha and reappeared dozens of kilometers away from the village.

This is an incredibly lush forest, and one of Minato Namikaze's safe spots. There are dozens of such safe spots in the ninja world.

These arrangements were made during our honeymoon trip a while ago.

Suddenly, the two appeared out of thin air.

Yakumo shook his head, and the dizziness in his mind quickly dissipated.

At this moment... what comes into view is a towering tree with lush foliage. Upon closer inspection... on the exposed tree roots, there are several special ink lines that form incantations.

"The Sword of Enduring Love".

"Continue using the Flying Thunder God Technique, target... the Land of Rice Fields."

"it is good."

Minato Namikaze grabbed Yakumo's arm tightly.

The next second, the two figures disappeared into the forest.

When it reappeared, it was still a forest.

That's normal... Minato Namikaze always chooses safe spots that are deserted, in order to prevent the runes from being accidentally damaged.

Minato Namikaze used the Flying Thunder God Technique several times in succession.

At this point, his chakra was completely depleted, and even his body was severely overdrawn. He had no choice but to eat a few soldier pills and then sit cross-legged under a tree to recover his strength.

Yakumo shook his head, finally dispelling the dizziness in his mind.

Five relocations, covering a distance of thousands of miles.

The Flying Thunder God Technique... is truly amazing. It's just a pity that Yakumo doesn't have enough gold coins... so he can't acquire another new S-rank ninjutsu.

Half an hour later, Minato Namikaze finished adjusting.

The two disappeared again.

As night deepened, Yakumo and Minato Namikaze rested temporarily in a cave on the border of the Land of Fire, preparing to officially enter the Land of Rice Fields the next day.

Yakumo created shadow clones to keep watch.

The firelight made their faces look very rosy, and Yakumo placed the dry rations above the fire to roast and heat them.

Minato Namikaze took out an iron lunchbox from his storage scroll. Inside were rice balls carefully prepared by Kushina Uzumaki, as well as several pieces of fried beef.

The dry rations in Yakumo's hands suddenly lost their appeal.

"Yakumo, would you like something to eat?" Minato Namikaze asked, handing Yakumo a metal lunchbox, his face still bearing that charming, sunny smile.

"no need."

Yakumo shook his head and began to chew on the dry rations in his hand.

"OK then."

Minato Namikaze reluctantly put away the iron box, then carefully ate the rice ball in his hand, radiating happiness from head to toe.

Neither of them spoke again; this was the norm for ninjas during missions—always silent…a single, fatal blow.

A dozen minutes later, Yakumo finished his rations and spoke.

"Uncle Hatake is planning to retire."

"The fourth generation elder is in his prime; isn't it a bit early for him to retire now?"

Upon hearing this, Minato Namikaze put down his rice ball and asked.

"The situation in the ninja world has been chaotic during this period. Konoha appears strong, but it is under threat of collapse."

Madara Uchiha and Orochimaru were also secretly threatening Konoha.

Furthermore, having abandoned his mission outside the Land of Fire, Uncle Hatake is now utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally.

"I understand, Fourth Generation Lord... I'm exhausted."

Minato Namikaze was quick-witted and immediately understood why Sakumo Hatake planned to retire in his prime.

"Actually, that's not the case... According to the original plan, once you've grown up, the position of the Fifth Hokage of Konoha will be handed over to you."

As soon as Yakumo spoke, Minato Namikaze's expression became complicated, showing joy and pride, as well as a hint of surprise... but his eyes remained very firm.