Contribution Rewards!

Minato Namikaze was absolutely a treasure of a teacher!

Tang Ping had known that from the start.

Setting aside his formidable strength and good personality, the key was that his connections were absurdly powerful.

His teacher was Jiraiya!

That represented the Hokage Faction, Konoha's strongest faction.

His girlfriend, Kushina Uzumaki, was even a leading figure in the field of Sealing Techniques, leagues ahead of everyone else.

Having a team leader like this was simply blissful.

At the very least, Tang Ping no longer had to worry about where to obtain the two kinds of Ninjutsu knowledge he desperately wanted.

After returning to the clan grounds,

he still did not see Uchiha Mei.

Ever since graduating, she had spent more than half her time outside on missions.

If there had been a "model worker" title, she would definitely have earned it.

But there was no helping it!

She had to become a jonin as quickly as possible.

Otherwise, with Danzo outside the clan and Uchiha Xiu within it eyeing the Branch Head position, some "accident" might cause this Uchiha Genius to fall at any time.

Take note.

The new clan head did not target her, the former clan head's daughter, precisely because she had Tang Ping, an "outsider," as her fiancé.

Marrying into an outside clan meant she could become Branch Head without issue, but the position of clan head would be completely out of reach.

That was why her grandfather had arranged her engagement in the first place.

It had been entirely for the sake of her life.

Since she would not threaten his position, the new clan head did not mind displaying his magnanimity. Otherwise, whether Uchiha Mei could even grow up safely would be another matter.

Still, her absence was a good thing.

At least Tang Ping did not have to worry about being disturbed while conducting his research.

And keeping the laboratory in the clan grounds was absolutely safer than anywhere else.

The Uchiha Clan Grounds were forbidden territory for Root.

The Uchiha Clan at this time had not yet been driven to the village outskirts after the Nine-Tails Attack. They were still relatively powerful.

But just as Tang Ping finished sorting the materials he had brought back, he received a summons to the Hokage Office.

The Hokage Office!

Though it was located on the second floor of the Hokage Building, not many people were qualified to go up there.

Even among jonin, not everyone could meet the Hokage.

But Minato Namikaze was certainly an exception.

So after he reported on the mission and handed over that batch of ninja tools, the Hokage's rewards arrived immediately.

Tang Ping, who had long been looking forward to this, naturally hurried toward the Hokage Building.

Along the way,

he saw streets that were even livelier than usual.

The Chunin Exams were about to begin.

Whenever this time came around, the village was at its most bustling.

The nobles and high-ranking figures from various countries brought enormous profits to the village.

That was why the Five Great Ninja Villages competed to host the Chunin Exams. Aside from raising their reputation and displaying their strength, there were very real benefits to it.

Still, the Chunin Exams were not jointly held every year, but once every few years.

This year, Konoha was the host.

He occasionally saw the Military Police Force on patrol, but the villagers all avoided them as though they were snakes and scorpions.

Their reputation was simply too poor!

The Uchiha enforced the law without sentiment and carried themselves with extreme arrogance, so naturally they could not build a good reputation.

More importantly, someone was secretly fanning the flames, spreading all sorts of slander and rumors.

It could only be said that,

when it came to infighting, Danzo was several versions ahead of the Uchiha.

The proud Uchiha, meanwhile, disdained such things completely and showed not the slightest concern.

That proved the saying.

Weakness was not an obstacle to survival; arrogance was.

When Tang Ping arrived at the Hokage Building, he also saw his two teammates rushing over.

"Tang Ping!"

Yamaa Koji, now dressed in a different outfit, nodded lightly in greeting.

As for Kakashi, he naturally wore his usual deadpan expression.

After closing off his heart, it would not be easy for anyone to enter it.

"Let's go. Teacher Minato is waiting for us inside!"

Tang Ping took the lead into the Hokage Building.

The first floor held not only villagers, but merchants as well. The occasional ninja could also be seen coming and going.

But that had nothing to do with them, and they headed straight for the stairway at the side.

The two ninjas guarding the stairs had naturally been notified in advance, and one of them silently led the way.

Even though the building's layout was simple enough that they could not possibly get lost, someone still had to accompany them.

Of course, those from the Hokage Faction could be exceptions.

Before long, they arrived at the Hokage Office.

"Hokage, Team 3 has arrived!"

The ninja leading them knocked and reported.

"Come in!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice sounded from within.

After pushing open the door, the guiding ninja left on his own, with no intention of following them inside.

After all, there was no concern that they would cause trouble in the Hokage Building.

Though they had not encountered anyone along the way,

Anbu personnel monitored the building at all times, ensuring that not even a bird could fly in.

Tang Ping and the others entered the spacious, brightly lit office.

The first thing they saw

was the enormous semicircular Hokage desk in front of the transparent glass windows, piled high with documents, and Hiruzen Sarutobi behind it, wearing the Hokage Hat.

Minato Namikaze stood in front of the desk.

"Hokage!" *3

Tang Ping and the others greeted him respectfully.

They did not dare treat the Hokage the way Naruto did in the anime.

He was a Jinchuriki with parents of astonishing standing, so he had special privileges. They did not.

"No need for formalities. You performed well on this mission, so on behalf of the village, I will give you some rewards!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi stated why he had summoned them.

It could only be said that,

there was a reason he had managed to PUA so many people with the Will of Fire.

Being treated this way from childhood, along with receiving occasional benefits, made it difficult not to be brainwashed by the Will of Fire.

"The reward can be a B-Rank Ninjutsu or something else!"

Minato Namikaze added with a smile from the side.

This was the advantage of having their teacher present.

Without his guidance, they would not have known what rewards to request.

But with his reminder, they now knew the upper limit of the rewards.

"Hokage, I hope to receive Secret Pill resources that can improve my physical abilities!"

Kakashi was the first to speak.

He did not lack Ninjutsu at all. His only weakness was himself, making this the best choice.

Because White Fang had committed suicide, the village had not provided any compensation, so Kakashi was severely lacking in resources.

"Hokage, I would like a method to increase Chakra!"

Yamaa Koji took the opportunity to state his request.

Take note, there were many ways to increase Chakra. Otherwise, the Chakra of ninja clans could not possibly far surpass that of civilian ninjas.

And all such methods were core secrets.

Normally, there would be no chance to obtain them.

Making the request now was indeed the best choice.

As for why he did not ask for Ninjutsu?

Because even if Yamaa Koji were given a B-Rank Ninjutsu, setting aside how long it would take him to learn it, its Chakra requirements alone meant he would be unable to use it.

"Hokage, I hope to obtain knowledge of Medical Ninjutsu!"

Tang Ping, who was last in line, stated his request.

Now that he was at least Minato Namikaze's student, asking for some Medical Ninjutsu knowledge was not a problem at all.

There was one point to note.

His obtaining Medical Ninjutsu did not mean the Uchiha obtained it.

This had been mentioned before.

Ninjutsu obtained from the village could not be taught to others without permission.

That was why he dared to ask.

Without that restriction, he would not have brought up a request that had no chance of succeeding even if it killed him.

After hearing what the three wanted, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly and said,

"Very well. You may leave for now!"

With that, he gestured for them to depart.

To him, none of their requests were worth mentioning.

Even the knowledge of Medical Ninjutsu did not concern him much.

As long as they were not given advanced Medical Ninjutsu, it would be fine.

To ninjas, knowledge was not important. What mattered most was Ninjutsu.

Ninjas were like office workers.

They only needed to know how to use the various programs; naturally, they did not care about the knowledge of how to code them.