Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

"Hehehe," the Third Hokage chuckled lightly.

"Rapid growth in strength naturally comes at a 'price,' especially since the rewards for killing two elite Jonin from Iwagakure, Wenya and Gari, will definitely be upgraded."

Seeing that the Third Hokage had no intention of investigating, Kakashi said no more.

That's true. If you can buy heads like Wenya and Shou with this amount of money, it's already a very profitable business.

Of course, carrying out tasks in the village cannot be calculated in that way.

"!!" Qingwu suddenly realized something.

He slapped his forehead... What a huge loss!

If you take the bodies of Wenya and Shou away, how much money can you get for them in the underground?

However, if that were the case, the Tsuchikage Onoki would probably go crazy and wouldn't retreat so easily.

"Neither arrogant nor impatient, neither greedy nor sycophantic..."

Qingwu silently comforted herself... What's meant to be yours will be yours, and what's not meant to be yours is useless to think about now.

Two million taels, if divided equally among four people, would amount to 500,000 taels, which is enough resources for the upgrade of the [Tree of Life] for the time being.

"The Shadow Guard has no missions at the moment."

The third generation leader then said with a smile, "Aside from daily training, you guys should take a break for a while."

Qingwu, eager to return to his territory to upgrade the ancient tree, immediately bowed and took his leave.

……

The four members of the Shadow Guard had just left.

The door to the Hokage's office opened, and advisors Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado entered together.

"Danzo is going too far."

Mitokado Homura said, "Why is he always staring at a boy? The Anbu reported that Root ninjas have been scouting the Forest of Death recently."

Koharu Utatane, however, said, "The Root has an obligation and responsibility to investigate anything that poses a threat. I don't think this action is anything special."

The Third Hokage rubbed his temples. "Danzo is probably testing my attitude. Whatever, let his men investigate."

Raising his head, the Third Hokage said meaningfully:

"I believe that after Qingwu's battle report comes back, the Root's investigation will be more restrained. Ordinary ninjas... are no match for Qingwu."

Mitokado Homura chuckled: "Unless Danzo goes himself, if he's willing to lower himself."

"That kid named Senju Seigo..." Koharu Takuna frowned and said:

"Although there are some negative comments about him in the village, public opinion is mostly supportive of him. Is it really okay to praise a teenager like Hiruzen like this?"

The Third Generation and Mitokado Homura both looked at Koharu Utatane.

Xiaochun, who was turning over a new room, narrowed her eyes:

"This morning, the envoy of the Fire Country Daimyo said that the Daimyo is very interested in the 'Konoha Rising Star' and wants to invite the Shadow Guard to the capital to attend the New Year's banquet."

Mitokado Homura's heart skipped a beat. "The daimyo wants to win over the Shadow Guard, which Hiruzen personally assembled?"

"This is a case of flattery to kill!" said Xiaochun from the next room coldly.

"Hiruzen wants to mold the Shadow Guard... especially that kid into a hero. The Daimyo should just give it a push and make that kid's reputation even higher."

"But... the higher you're praised, the harder you fall. I don't think a teenager should enjoy his current reputation."

The third-generation leader took a puff of his pipe and said in a deep voice:

"Qingwu killed Shou and Wenya, and repelled the Tsuchikage... cough, the latter part is a rumor, but these things have probably spread throughout the ninja world by now."

"He is now the flag bearer of Konoha's younger generation, and it has little to do with whether I support him or not."

Chapter 101 The Banner of the Younger Generation

"Yes, I think it's great."

Mitokado pushed up his glasses:

"The banner of the younger generation, Hiruzen is right. This is already the village's symbol of deterring foreign enemies. Should we suppress it instead of supporting it?"

"Still saying it's not just flattery to kill!" Koharu Utatane glared at Homura Mitokado. "Stop with that veiled accusation. Didn't Higanbana get it back then?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

These two Hokage advisors in front of him rarely offer constructive advice; most of the time, they just cause him trouble.

However, they were old classmates and teammates after all, so even though he was the Hokage, it wasn't appropriate for him to say anything harsh.

"The Shadow Guard is Konoha's 'new fangs,' and I will give them my open and full support, providing them with resources, status, and everything they need."

The third generation leader decided to be frank and informed the two advisors about the increased reward level for this mission.

"Hiruzen, are you crazy?!" Koharu Utatane exclaimed angrily.

"Don't you, as the Hokage, know what the situation is like in the village right now? What do a few children need so much money for?"

In fact, 200 million ryo is nothing in Konoha's size under normal circumstances.

But the Shadow Guards are all kids, so Koharu's statement about turning the room around isn't entirely wrong.

Even Mitokado Homura, who usually doesn't express a stance, expressed his opposition:

“Yes, even if they are Konoha’s ‘new fangs,’ it’s time to give back when the village is in trouble. Hiruzen, why did you give them so much money?”

“Training and growth also require resources,” the Third Hokage said calmly. “Better ninja tools and better medicinal herbs can make a ninja's training twice as effective, and moreover…”

"And what?!" Koharu Tsurugi's anger hadn't subsided.

"Is being greedy for money a flaw?" The third generation suddenly looked up at the two of them. "Qingwu has mentioned liking money many times. According to the finance department's report... he is always all smiles when he receives his salary."

Mitokado Homura suddenly realized, "I understand now. It's easier to control someone if they have flaws. If he has no desires or wants, what else can we give him?"

The third generation leader said helplessly:

"You can't say that. He's still just a child. I believe that under the guidance of the Will of Fire, Qingwu's loyalty to the village is beyond question."

“I don’t see it that way,” the old woman said, turning to Xiaochun, her eyes widening slightly. “This time, I agree with Yan’s opinion.”

Mitokado Homura pushed up his glasses, adopting an expression of complete control.

“So,” Koharu Tsuru continued:

"It's okay to be greedy, but don't give him too much at once. Keep his appetite in suspense and don't let him be satisfied, so that he can better serve the village."

The third generation exhaled a puff of smoke, too lazy to elaborate on these details.

"So, Hiruzen, you gave too much this time."

Xiaochun, who was switching dorms, was unwilling to let the topic go easily.

The Third Hokage tapped his pipe and looked at the two advisors. "Inform all the major clans that at the New Year's celebration, I will officially announce that Senju Seigo has been promoted to Jonin!"

The third generation felt that perhaps he hadn't expressed himself clearly enough.

I clearly said I would give my full support, but all this petty stuff is pointless.

Koharu and Mitokado were both startled.

"Hiruzen, this is too fast, he's only a teenager? Thirteen years old?"

"Being a Jonin requires seniority and achievements, and it means entering the core of the village, which requires a vote by all the Jonin."

The third generation leader sighed inwardly.

A few months ago, after Qingwu's fight against Orochimaru, he mentioned that he wanted to promote Qingwu to Jonin. It was these reasons that forced him to temporarily change his status to Special Jonin.

"Qualifications?" The Third Hokage laughed.

"He killed two elite Jonin from Iwagakure. Hmm, neither of them had any other members of the Shadow Guard present. It was all done by Qingwu alone."

"And also, four teenagers, whom you call teenagers, destroyed three important strongholds of Iwagakure and killed nearly four hundred enemies. Is that enough of an achievement?"

This time, he dispatched the Shadow Guard to carry out the mission of eliminating the Iwagakure stronghold.

On one hand, it's for revenge and to show off.

On the other hand, the purpose was to "cultivate the reputation" of the Shadow Guard, but no one expected so many changes to happen later.

Of course, everything has its advantages and disadvantages.

Qingwu's expertise in "summoning" and the combat prowess he displays on the battlefield are probably beyond the capabilities of many elite Jonin.

Such a ninja is more than qualified to be a Jonin, even in Konoha.

That's what the third generation thought, and that's what he insisted on doing.

He said to Mitokado Homura, "As for the Jonin meeting..."

Mitokado Homura understood and took out a list from his pocket:

"Currently, there are 47 active Jonin in Konoha. Apart from those who cannot return from the battlefield, I will inform them to prepare for a vote at the meeting."

The Third Hokage's tone softened, "En, Koharu, don't you understand? At its peak, Konoha had over a hundred Jonin, but now..."

The number of ninjas in Konoha's ranks has consistently been between 1.2 and 1.5.

At its peak, Konoha, the strongest village in the ninja world, had a Jonin population that accounted for 1% of its total population. Now...

If we exclude the Uchiha clan, who have already alienated themselves from the village, the number of Jonin would probably be reduced by another third. This is certainly due to the strict selection process for Jonin by the major ninja villages...

However, it is undeniable that after several Shinobi World Wars, especially after the Third Shinobi World War and a series of upheavals, Konoha has become as weak as it was at its lowest point in history.

Sensing the resolve of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane also fell silent...

……

Task delivery point.

The staff meticulously checked the scroll given by the third generation.

"Tea Country Guard Mission, S-rank, after being selected according to the Shadow Guard's special regulations, the actual payment was two million taels."

The staff member said calmly, "Please have the team leader sign for it."

A mission to the Land of Tea? Qingwu's heart stirred. The mission didn't mention going to the Land of Grass to eliminate the stronghold, which probably had a deeper meaning.