"Ding! Congratulations to the host for killing one Genin. Random reward: Mental Development +0.02%."
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for killing one Elite Genin. Random reward: Fire Release Development +0.01%."
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for killing one Chūnin. Random reward: Sealing Development +0.04%."
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for killing one Tokubetsu Jōnin. Random reward: Space Development +2%."
Four consecutive prompts sounded in Minato's mind, but he was clearly unhappy.
Killing Chūnin only gave so little development, and even a Tokubetsu Jōnin only rewarded this small amount. It was really getting harder and harder.
The good thing was that rewards were given for both "defeating" and "killing," so Minato didn't have to become a butcher. Even if only kills gave rewards, Minato wouldn't intentionally slaughter the innocent. He had his bottom line.
His blade would only be pointed at enemies.
Minato waved to Mikoto and Nagakaze, gesturing for them to come over.
"What is it?" Nagakaze walked over, looking at Minato.
"The real enemies are coming, and they are all strong. When the time comes, you and Mikoto team up to deal with the weakest one. Leave the rest to me," Minato said gravely.
"What? More enemies? Are those rogue ninja that strong?" Mikoto was alarmed. They were both Elite Chūnin. If Mikoto used her Two-Tomoe Sharingan, she had the strength of a Tokubetsu Jōnin.
But their weakest opponent required her and Nagakaze to team up, which showed how strong the enemies were.
"Are they a group of Jōnin?" Nagakaze tightened his grip on his sword. There was no fear in his heart, only a strong will to fight.
"I'm not clear, but their strength definitely isn't weak." Minato wasn't clear either, but he was certain they had Jōnin, and possibly more than one.
"Swoosh swoosh swoosh."
Just as Minato's voice fell, four masked people appeared in front of him. The pursuit team sent by Shimura Danzō had arrived.
But they weren't stupid enough to wear Konoha Anbu uniforms and masks.
Minato used his Eye of Insight to scan them one by one and was shocked. Two Jōnin and two Elite Jōnin. This was definitely not a force rogue ninja could have; only the Five Great Nations had this kind of power.
In those smaller ninja villages, an Elite Jōnin could become a Kage. How could they possibly dispatch two Elite Jōnin?
Which nation are they from? Besides the Third Hokage, no one else should know my whereabouts. Since I took the mission and left the village, I haven't sensed any enemies tracking me.
Wait... taking the mission?
Minato's heart skipped a beat. He might have guessed who they were. In Konoha, only a few people had access to the missions dispatched by the Third Hokage, and among them, only one had a conflict with Minato.
Shimura Danzō, the leader of Root, Konoha's shit-stirrer.
So, he sent the four people opposite me. If it's him, it's not surprising he could dispatch such a strong lineup.
"Konoha's Root Anbu! Shimura Danzō's men, sent to assassinate me!" Minato looked at the four and said something that exposed the shocking truth.
Not only were the four Root members on the other side horrified, but even Mikoto and Nagakaze were dumbfounded.
"Minato, how is that possible? Why would Konoha Anbu assassinate us? You must be mistaken." Mikoto's eyes widened. Having never been exposed to Konoha's darkness, she simply couldn't believe it.
Nagakaze also looked at Minato. He believed Minato wouldn't say such things without reason, so he waited for an explanation.
The Anbu opposite them were also shocked that Minato had guessed their identities at first glance, so they didn't dare to act rashly for a moment.
Minato first slowly explained his previous deductions and his grudge with Shimura Danzō, then finally said:
"Shimura Danzō is an ambitious man. To become Hokage, there is nothing he wouldn't do. Back then, if I didn't know the Flying Thunder God Technique, I probably would have been tied up in Root. Even if I didn't die, I would have become a killing puppet."
"Clap, clap, clap."
"No wonder Lord Danzō wants to eliminate you. It's not just your strength; your mind is too terrifying. You're only 10, yet you could deduce our identity from a few small clues. It's simply frightening."
"If you grow up, you might even become Konoha's Fifth Hokage. You are a stumbling block on Lord Danzō's path to Hokage. But I'm more curious, how did you know our strength? Are you a sensor ninja?"
One of the Elite Jōnin clapped and praised Minato, but as he spoke, the killing intent emanating from his body grew thicker.
Obviously, Minato's words had terrified him. This time, they could not let this guy return to Konoha.
Otherwise, it would be disastrous if this guy really became a candidate for the Fifth Hokage.
In his heart, the candidate for the Fourth would be chosen from Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru, making Minato a candidate for the Fifth.
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