This was the Third Hokage's final test. If Ling had agreed immediately, it would have been certain that she approached him with an ulterior motive.
Although Ling hadn't thought that far, she still wanted to relax for two more years and didn't want to start killing and fighting for her life so early.
"Thank you for your kindness, Hokage Uncle. I am still young and need to learn more and make more friends to forge bonds. This was also my father's wish before he passed away."
Ling's words not only refused from the perspective of her future development but also brought up her father's dying wish, making her refusal absolutely foolproof.
"Alright, that's truly a pity. However, can Ling's Ninjutsu and Taijutsu be contributed to the Village? With war imminent, the Ninja of the Village also need to strengthen themselves. With this Ninjutsu and Taijutsu, I believe more people can survive."
The Third Hokage immediately began to use moral blackmail, intending to get the technique for free, and even brought up the greater good for pressure. He was truly a cunning frog.
"Really? My technique can also enter the Scroll of Seals? That's great! It can even help the Ninja in the Village."
Ling looked overjoyed, then added, "I heard that you can exchange for a Ninjutsu of the same rank there. I've wanted to exchange for a technique for a long time."
Ling didn't fall for it at all, which disappointed the Third Hokage a little, but exchanging for a Ninjutsu was fine; after all, they were all unimportant Ninjutsu.
"Of course, you can. What technique do you want to exchange for, Ling?" The Third Hokage still maintained his benevolent demeanor, but he was also curious about the Ninjutsu Ling intended to exchange for.
After all, this exchange list was usually only accessible to Jonin, and Ling's father wasn't qualified. Where did she get this information, and why did she want to exchange for that Ninjutsu?
"Hokage Uncle, I want the Telescope Technique. I heard this technique was developed by Hokage Uncle and is Konoha's strongest Sensory Ninjutsu."
Ling's joyful expression made the Third Hokage somewhat flustered. He didn't know why this technique had been exposed. Who was it?
"Ling, who told you this technique was the most powerful?"
The Third Hokage spoke coaxingly, sounding just like a normal inquiry.
"Oh, that? I heard it one day when I passed by the women's bathhouse. At that time, a white-haired, spiky-haired uncle was investigating spies in the bathhouse and said it would be great if he had the Telescope Technique. He said it was Konoha's strongest Sensory Ninjutsu, but it was a shame the Third Hokage, that old man, wouldn't teach it to him! Bah!"
As she spoke, Ling even imitated Jiraiya's expression and movements, which made the Third Hokage's blood pressure skyrocket.
Ling had indeed seen Jiraiya in Konoha because the Third Shinobi World War was approaching, and Jiraiya had returned to Konoha. Princess Tsunade had also returned, but she rarely went out, and when she did, it was usually to gamble.
"That hateful Jiraiya! Not only does he corrupt children, but he also ruins my reputation! You just wait!" The Third Hokage's rage soared, reaching a boiling point. He planned to let Jiraiya experience the iron fist of love.
On the roof of a women's bathhouse somewhere in Konoha, Jiraiya, who was peeping, was grinning lewdly and gesticulating wildly, even beginning to record something in a notebook.
Suddenly, he felt an itch in his nostrils that he couldn't hold back, letting out a huge sneeze. And then, there was no 'then.'
Only a colossal roar was heard! "Jiraiya! Die!"
"Bang~!!" A blonde woman, wrapped in a bath towel with ample cleavage, rushed out and punched Jiraiya, who couldn't escape in time, squarely in the chest.
"Puff~!!" Jiraiya's sternum shattered into many pieces. He was about to spit out a mouthful of blood, but remembering Tsunade's hemophobia, Jiraiya swallowed the blood welling up in his throat, then was directly smashed into a trash can a dozen meters away.
Jiraiya's miserable state needs no further explanation here. The Third Hokage also pondered for a moment and decided to exchange for the Telescope Technique. After all, Ling was a girl and wouldn't use it to peep into women's bathhouses.
"Alright, you go home first and prepare the Morning Peacock scroll. I'll have the Anbu deliver it later. I still have matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now." The Third Hokage intended to go beat up Jiraiya to vent his anger.
"Alright, Hokage Uncle, take care!" Watching the Third Hokage Body Flicker away, Ling still waved goodbye.
Upon returning home, Ling immediately pulled out a blank scroll and began to record the Morning Peacock's cultivation method, Chakra manipulation, and the integration steps for fire nature transformation.
Finally, after an entire afternoon, Ling finished writing the Ninjutsu and Taijutsu scroll. Before Ling could even sigh in relief, a black shadow suddenly leaped in front of her.
Seeing the Anbu attire and animal mask, Ling breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, it wasn't an enemy.
This Anbu was definitely Jonin level; otherwise, their speed and ability to conceal their presence wouldn't be so terrifying. Even against an Elite Chunin, Ling could put up a fight.
With the Ten Shadows Technique, she might even be able to win, but the person in front of her was insurmountable. Even without the terrifying aura of the Third Hokage or Orochimaru, they were still not to be underestimated.
"This is the technique Lord Third Hokage gave you. It will self-destruct after you read it." The person's voice made it impossible to identify them, but they were certainly not an unknown individual.
This person picked up the scroll Ling had written and began to read it. After reading it, they meticulously scrutinized and verified it. Finding no issues, they Body Flicker away directly.
"These Anbu always take unusual routes. Jonin-level Anbu are rare in this period, and there's probably only one person the Third Hokage trusts."
Indeed, it was the Third Hokage's eldest son, Sarutobi Shinnosuke, who never appeared in the original work but was only described indirectly.
He was Konohamaru Sarutobi's father. The couple were the director and deputy director of the Third Hokage's Anbu, holding high positions of power.
He was promoted by the Third Hokage after White Fang's death, and his strength was estimated to be that of an Elite Jonin.
As for why he died in the original work, you have to blame the Third Hokage. He probably sent the couple on some high-difficulty missions because Konoha's talent pool was depleted after the Fourth Hokage's death.
As a result, they encountered a tough opponent and died directly when they couldn't win. As for who killed them, they were either surrounded by Jonin or encountered a Kage-level expert. (Author's second setting, please do not complain if you dislike it.)
Once Ling understood the Anbu's identity, she stopped thinking about it and immediately picked up the Telescope Technique scroll.
Activating her Sharingan, she began to record it after opening the scroll. The time was very short; after Ling read it once, the sealing runes within were triggered, and it immediately self-incinerated.
"Damn, how stingy! Couldn't even let me look at it one more time. Good thing I recorded it, or I would have lost out big time."
Ling carefully examined the technique's Chakra manipulation and casting principles, and soon she had a breakthrough.
This technique essentially used the principles of the Darkness Technique, with some weakened modifications.
Although the Darkness Technique is said to be a Genjutsu, it is actually a Ninjutsu that creates an illusionary environment, somewhat similar to the Second Mizukage's Steam Imp.
Both affect the external environment rather than directly affecting the enemy's mind. This type of Genjutsu will affect you regardless of whether you have Genjutsu resistance, because it directly changes the external environment.