Danzo knew that the Third Hokage wanted to protect Uchiha Ling, so he just left after saying some harsh words. He knew what the Third Hokage wanted to do, and it didn't conflict with his plan.
"Hehe, slurp, Ling, you are very interesting. I hope to have more fun next time we meet."
Orochimaru knew that there was an unspeakable organization behind Ling, and he thought that this battle was Ling's method to attract the attention of the higher-ups and thus infiltrate them.
However, Orochimaru did not expose Ling, because even with so many people here, he still sensed the aura of death from Ling.
Because Ling was always ready to summon Mahoraga; if I got pissed off, at worst, everyone would die together.
Moreover, Ling was not without a way to exempt herself from the death of summoning Mahoraga, because she could use her golden finger to switch abilities, changing the Ten Shadows Technique to Heavenly Restriction. She didn't believe that Mahoraga could still appear without Ten Shadows Jujutsu and Curse Power.
However, this was a last resort, and Ling couldn't be sure if it would work, although she could experiment with other Shikigami, and the experimental results did indeed cause the Shikigami to disappear directly.
But that was the most unreasonable Mahoraga. What if it didn't work? Ling dared not gamble, fearing most that after switching out the Ten Shadows Jujutsu, Mahoraga's head wheel would directly spin once, then adapt, and continue to kill Ling.
"Um, Ling, Third Hokage-sama, I still need to take Kakashi and the others to complete their mission, so I'll take my leave first."
Minato left with the three, also giving Ling a look that meant 'don't run, rest assured'.
"Ling, may I call you that? You haven't entered the Ninja Academy yet, have you?"
The Third Hokage suddenly became amiable, displaying a kind smile, speaking like an old grandfather next door.
"Yes, Hokage Uncle, did Ling cause trouble?" Green tea Ling came online, activating her super white lotus form.
"No, it's just that everyone thought there was an enemy invasion, which is why they rushed here. Since it was just a misunderstanding, it's naturally not considered causing trouble."
The Third Hokage smiled even more brightly. A small loli, easily handled.
"Enemy invasion? Hokage Uncle, why do they invade our Konoha?"
Ling's acting was self-taught. Asking questions with the answer already embedded was the basic skill of a white lotus.
"Ling, it's because other Villages don't love peace, while our Konoha Village loves peace, so it's always other Villages invading Konoha."
The Third Hokage's smile became even more benevolent. The fire will was shining brightly. It was time to fully deceive.
"Other Villages are all bad guys. When Ling grows up, she will teach them a lesson. Father died because of their invasion."
Ling looked on the verge of tears, her eyes red, seemingly thinking of her deceased father.
"Ling, your father was a hero. This is the embodiment of the fire will. Where Konoha dances, fire will continue to burn, and the burning flame will continue to illuminate the Village and make new leaves sprout.
Ling's father was a burning leaf, burning himself to illuminate the young sprouts in the Village, young sprouts like Ling."
Here it comes, here it comes, the Third Hokage is coming with the fire will, a classic missionary scene, and Ling is facing it for the first time.
Ling tried her best to keep her expression from breaking. She was a professional. No matter how funny it was, she wouldn't laugh, unless she couldn't help it.
"Hokage Uncle, is this Shodai(1st)-sama's fire will? So we have always been protected by our burning predecessors. When Ling grows up, she will also protect Konoha and her comrades, inheriting her father's Ninjutsu."
Ling's nonsense almost made her lose her composure, but fortunately, the Third Hokage turned to look at the distant Fire Shadow Rock and didn't notice Ling's distorted expression.
"Yes, Shodai(1st)-sama was like that, and Nidaime(2nd)-sama, my teacher, Senju Tobirama, was also like that.
Back then, my teacher covered our retreat and died in the Land of Lightning. It was at that moment that I began to transform from a protected bud into a burning leaf."
The Third Hokage had a nostalgic expression, seemingly missing his teacher, but this did not prevent him from weakening the Senju Clan, abandoning the Uzumaki Clan to their fate, and forcing Sakumo Hatake to his death.
"Hokage Uncle is truly too great! You must have made many sacrifices for Konoha!"
Ling began to pour cold water on the Third Hokage, who was getting into character. This guy seemed to have made no sacrifices, and not even many achievements. Instead, the Sarutobi Clan rapidly expanded, almost becoming the largest clan after the Hyuga Clan.
The Third Hokage did not speak, appearing extremely profound, with an air of past events being too painful to recall, almost deceiving himself.
"Ling, what kind of move did you develop? Why was there such a big commotion?"
The Third Hokage finally began to reveal his first objective, which was to make Ling hand over this powerful move.
"Third Hokage-sama, it's Morning Peacock, a Ninjutsu style move."
Morning Peacock was indeed considered a Ninjutsu at this time, after all, Ling did not have the physical strength Might Guy had when he opened the Six Gates, so she had to add Chakra nature transformation to modify it.
"Can you demonstrate it? I also want to see how much the thriving new sprout of Konoha has grown."
The Third Hokage took the pipe from his mouth and asked Ling with a smile.
"Of course I can, but it's a bit loud. Is it really okay?"
Ling feigned reluctance to use it again, as if afraid of being held accountable once more.
"Of course you can, it's fine, feel free to show it."
"Alright then, I'll start!" Ling jumped into the air, gathered a large amount of Chakra again, and used Morning Peacock.
Watching the sky full of fire rain fall, the Third Hokage also opened his mouth wide, and his pipe almost dropped.
Because from the Third Hokage's perspective, a five-year-old girl, relying solely on physical fitness and partial Chakra nature transformation, could unleash such an airwave combined with fire-attribute Chakra Ninjutsu, which was truly incredible.
The power of this move was already comparable to an A-rank Ninjutsu. It was truly unbelievable that a five-year-old girl created it.
The Third Hokage casually summoned an Earth Release Wall, blocking the rolling smoke and airwaves, but the hard and thick Earth Release Wall was still severely dented by debris.
Ling landed lightly on one foot, but she was panting heavily. Using Morning Peacock twice had exhausted Ling's Chakra, and it should be known that Ling's current Chakra volume was not inferior to that of a Special Jonin.
This was the increase in Chakra brought about by Ling's strenuous training during this period, and due to the nourishment of Curse Power, the Doujutsu of her single-tomoe Sharingan also increased.
"Very good, Ling, this Ninjutsu, even a Jonin would find it difficult to create. It can be rated as an A-rank Ninjutsu."
The Third Hokage's still-young cheeks wrinkled into a shriveled chrysanthemum, indicating his extreme satisfaction with Ling's genius.
"Hokage Uncle, you flatter me. Ling still needs to study hard to continuously improve and contribute to the construction of Konoha in the future."
Ling's words were full of righteousness, almost like the most devout believer of the fire will.
"Ling, are you willing to join the Anbu? I can arrange for you to enter it to get better growth."
The Third Hokage's expression was amiable. He took a puff from his pipe and said lightly, as if just mentioning it casually.