"Such a thing actually happened!"
In the Hokage Office, Utatane Koharu took Kakashi Hatake to Konoha Hospital for treatment, leaving the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze, the Hokage's chief strategist Nara Shikaku, and the Hokage Advisor Homura Mitokado.
The secrets of the Quiz Space naturally couldn't be known by anyone outside the upper echelons. Thus, Minato Namikaze dispersed the Ninjas and Anbu gathered around the Hokage Building, leaving only these four to share the recent situation.
"Hiss!"
Homura Mitokado gasped.
The news Minato Namikaze revealed left him unsettled for a moment.
Uchiha Madara was actually not dead? And he was secretly planning such a shocking conspiracy!
This old man, who had grown up in Konoha since its inception and had seen Uchiha Madara with his own eyes...
...was currently filled with fear for that asura of the ninja world.
"This encounter is actually good news."
"At least we've grasped the enemy's intelligence beforehand, allowing us to respond more calmly."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff from his pipe, his aged voice carrying a hint of fatigue.
Having served diligently as Hokage for decades and leading Konoha to victory in the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars...
...the 'ninja hero' Hiruzen Sarutobi's contributions were monumental.
Now that he was old and had laid down his burden, having found a suitable successor and preparing to retire and enjoy his later years...
...he hadn't expected to hear such explosive news. The old man would likely have to get busy again.
"Previous Hokage, my thought is that such important intelligence cannot be hidden."
"I plan to convene a General Meeting of the Upper Echelons and appropriately inform them of the intelligence to prepare early."
Minato Namikaze said seriously.
"How can that be? If such important intelligence is just told casually, what if there are traitors or spies?"
"Wouldn't that be the end of it?!"
Homura Mitokado retorted.
This was the difference between their governing styles and Minato Namikaze's.
In Hiruzen Sarutobi's era, their governing style leaned towards being petty, keeping many things hidden and tucked away.
They also held onto power with a death grip, unwilling to trust others.
But Minato Namikaze was different; this leader, like a little sun, was never stingy with his trust.
"You can't say that, Elder Homura."
"It is precisely because the intelligence is important that it cannot be hidden."
"To deal with the 'Nine-Tails Attack' next, we must make new allocations of the Village's internal forces."
"If we don't gain their trust, what if it causes misunderstandings?"
Nara Shikaku spoke up on behalf of Minato Namikaze.
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe repeatedly, trying to adapt to Minato Namikaze's approach. After a long while, he spoke:
"Then let's do as Minato says and convene the General Meeting of the Upper Echelons."
"As for specifically what can and cannot be said, Shikaku, write up a report."
——————
On the other side, Ye Chen's figure appeared in his own small house.
With a smile on his lips, he spoke: "System, can my rewards be issued?"
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for perfectly completing the first quiz mission and receiving double rewards!]
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving the reward: Random High-Tier Gift Pack Draw x2!]
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successful spoilers. Changes in the behavior and thoughts of the original characters will provide the host with plot points!]
[Ding! Congratulations to the host. Current accumulated plot points: 459!]
A series of notification sounds rang out, making Ye Chen elated!
Indeed, his hard work would not be in vain!
"Holy crap, haven't I hit the jackpot this time?"
Ye Chen's face was full of smiles, but seeing only four hundred-odd plot points, he asked:
"Why are the plot points only four hundred-odd?"
[Ding! Because the plot has only just begun to change, there will be more and more later!]
The system explained.
"I see."
Ye Chen nodded.
Then, he looked at the double High-Tier Gift Pack draws he had received.
"System, why are my rewards different from those given to Minato Namikaze and the others?"
"Shouldn't mine also be decided by myself?"
Ye Chen had already thought about what rewards he should exchange for.
First choice: Rinnegan. Second choice: Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.
Take off immediately! Crush everyone in the Ninja World!
[Ding! The current mechanism only allows the host to draw lots. The prize pool includes the rewards the host wants.]
Damn! I think you're making things difficult for me!
With my 'African Chief' level bad luck, you're making me draw lots?
Ye Chen's face instantly collapsed, but he could only reluctantly start the draw.
"Then let's draw! Let's see what kind of stuff it gives!"
[Ding! The lucky draw begins. Current prize pool: High-Tier.]
[Ding! Congratulations to the host. From the draw, you received: Kage-level Chakra!]
Kage-level Chakra!
Although not as awesome as the Rinnegan or being the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki...
...it still made Ye Chen very happy!
He thought his unlucky hands would only draw a bunch of exploding tags or something similar!
He didn't expect to get a decent reward right away.
With Kage-level Chakra, Ye Chen's physical fitness and other attributes would also improve accordingly.
You should know that Chakra is originally extracted by Ninjas from within their bodies; only by constantly training the physique will Chakra increase.
After Ye Chen obtained Kage-level Chakra, his speed, strength, endurance, and so on...
...were all at the Kage level now!
In the entire Konoha Village, the number of people with Kage-level Chakra could be counted on one's fingers!
Minato Namikaze was one, Hiruzen Sarutobi was one, and the Sannin didn't count since they weren't in the Village.
Danzo Shimura was one, and Uchiha Fugaku was one!
Others like Homura Mitokado, Utatane Koharu, and the elders of the great clans like the Uchiha and Hyuga...
...had not reached the Kage-level category.
At most, they were Elite Jonin level!
In other words, at this moment, Ye Chen had become one of the top five in terms of Chakra in Konoha Village!
[Ding! Congratulations to the host. From the draw, you received: Wood Release (Currently at Beginner level, can be upgraded to Hashirama-level through training).]
"Holy crap! I've hit it big!"
Wood Release! And it's Wood Release that can be upgraded to Hashirama-level!
This is a Bloodline Limit that can rank in the top three of the entire Ninja World!
In Yin-Yang Release, the Yang Release's physical manifestation is the power of Wood Release!
"Wood Release: Cutting Technique!"
The moment he obtained Wood Release, the hand seal sequences for all Wood Release Ninjutsu appeared in Ye Chen's mind.
He just needed continuous training to gradually master these techniques.
Ye Chen couldn't help but use a Wood Release Ninjutsu, and instantly, a surge of Chakra was drawn from his body.
Over a dozen thick, sharp thorns grew from inside the training post in front of him, turning it into a hedgehog.
"So strong! This feels great!"
Seeing his power suddenly increase by such a large margin, Ye Chen was on cloud nine.
"And my Wood Release can be upgraded!"
"Eventually, I can become as powerful as Hashirama Senju!"
With a burning heart, Ye Chen began to fantasize about sitting atop a giant wooden figure's head, using Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands.
The scene of countless giant hands striking out, smashing his enemies into meat paste one by one.
That would be so satisfying!
This is Hashirama Senju-level Wood Release!
Can Yamato's 'Three-room, One-living-room Technique' even be called Wood Release?
Pfft!
Yamato: "Where are your manners?"