"Finally back, this time was really dangerous."
Dekai looked at the towering Konoha gate in the distance, and couldn't help but smile on his dark chubby face.
"Indeed, no Great Ninja Village can be underestimated."
Kamiyama Sohei nodded in agreement; this time Hidden Rock really gave them quite a scare.
If it hadn't been for Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato's tough skills back then, their entire squad might have been wiped out there.
"Hopefully, this lesson will make Hidden Rock behave a little. Jiraiya-sensei hasn't rested for a long time either," Namikaze Minato sighed.
Since Hidden Rock hasn't made any moves for the time being, the top officials have withdrawn these ninja who have been on the battlefield for quite a while to rest.
As for Jiraiya, he should have returned to the village to rest as well, but since Hidden Rock nearly invaded the Land of Fire's mainland before, the top officials are somewhat wary, so they continue to have Jiraiya remain in the Land of Grass to lead the troops.
"Yeah." Dekai nodded, "However, Hidden Rock suffered heavy casualties this time, so even if they have ideas, they probably won't dare send a grand army to Konoha in the short term."
"Otherwise, if other Great Ninja Villages take advantage, wouldn't Hidden Rock be doomed."
"That's hard to say. In reality, not everything can follow logic," Kamiyama Sohei sighed helplessly.
In novels, readers can point out inconsistencies, but in reality, without logic, you can't find the Creator God to say you got it wrong.
The group chatted as they walked into Konoha.
Out of habit, although Minato really wanted to see Kushina and Mokgetsu, he first went to report the mission to Sarutobi Hiruzen as their representative.
Knock, knock.
Namikaze Minato knocked on the wooden door of the Hokage Office.
"Enter."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice came from behind the wooden door.
Namikaze Minato opened the wooden door, entering the room and closed it behind him.
"Third Hokage-sama." Namikaze Minato greeted Sarutobi Hiruzen respectfully.
"Ah, so Minato, you've returned."
Sarutobi Hiruzen put down the document in his hand, chuckling as he stroked his small mustache.
Many people respected him; there were plenty who entered the Hokage Office politely as well.
But young strong individuals like Namikaze Minato who were still so polite were few.
His three disciples, at Namikaze Minato's age, didn't have Minato's strength, yet had a much bigger temper.
That's why Sarutobi Hiruzen found Mokgetsu and Namikaze Minato especially pleasing; it can only be said comparisons can be infuriating.
If only one of Mokgetsu or Namikaze Minato had been born a decade earlier, he wouldn't need to be vexed over the Fourth Hokage's affairs now.
After reporting, Sarutobi Hiruzen remembered Mokgetsu had taught Minato Observation before, thus asked:
"Minato, how is your cultivation of Observation going?"
"I've grasped a little feeling, but there's still some distance to fully learning it," Namikaze Minato honestly replied.
"This Perception Ninjutsu is certainly extraordinarily difficult; having made this progress isn't easy," Sarutobi Hiruzen praised.
Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't just flattering him, as he had attempted to cultivate Observation himself, aware of how challenging it was.
As a Ninja Technique Professor mastering over a thousand types of ninjutsu, possessing vast ninja knowledge, anything he found difficult was indeed tough.
"It's mainly because Mokgetsu's teaching is superb."
After Mokgetsu left, when Minato practiced Observation on his own, he realized the depth of Mokgetsu's teaching ability.
When Mokgetsu taught him, even if he didn't make significant progress every day, he gained something daily.
After Mokgetsu left, Minato felt his learning pace slowed down considerably.
"Minato, you don't need to be so modest. I believe it's a bit of both," Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded in agreement.
Mokgetsu provided so many special training sessions, his teaching abilities have long been recognized by the entire upper echelon.
Due to Mokgetsu's teaching skills, Sarutobi Hiruzen at one point didn't want Mokgetsu to go on the battlefield.
After all, Sannin Level geniuses are rare in Konoha, but not unheard of, appearing occasionally.
Yet such exceptional teaching abilities as Mokgetsu's, let alone seen, Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't even heard of before.
To Sarutobi Hiruzen, even without considering Mokgetsu's strength, Mokgetsu's importance surpasses that of a thousand-strong ninja squad.
The reason Sarutobi Hiruzen was willing to allow Mokgetsu to go to the battlefield was primarily because Mokgetsu mastered the Flying Thunder God, even if the situation turned unfavorable, he could ensure his safety.
"Mokgetsu will be organizing a long-term special training focusing on Observation, I've added your name, Minato; you can learn when not on missions," Sarutobi Hiruzen said.
He called back Namikaze Minato partially to let him rest, and partly to have Minato quickly master Observation.
Namikaze Minato nodded in thanks.
Given his relationship with Mokgetsu, even if he doesn't attend Mokgetsu's training, Mokgetsu would still make time to teach him.
However, Namikaze Minato thought it wasn't good to occupy too much of Mokgetsu's personal time since he seemed to never be idle.
After leaving the Hokage Building, Namikaze Minato went to find Kushina.
From his experience, Mokgetsu should be training disciples in the afternoon, and it's not a good time to disturb him.
Namikaze Minato planned to find Mokgetsu at sunset, as he would likely be home by then.
Namikaze Minato walked quickly to the door of the Uzumaki Seal House specifically built for Jinchuriki.
The Anbu, upon seeing it was Namikaze Minato, did not appear to stop him.