What is the rank of the mission the Hokage is executing?

Some artistic girls like rainy days because they imagine phrases like "I'd rather get rained on than find an umbrella I like" with a high-class vibe, or melancholic sentences such as "I like standing in the rain when it rains, so no one will notice I'm crying."

Yet, Konan, who was full of artistic flair, felt nothing for the rainy weather. She stood on the rooftop, the rain hitting her body. The Akatsuki uniform, black with red clouds, looked unusually clean on her. Only Konan could pull off that kind of look within the entire Akatsuki organization. It wasn't like Itachi's reserved nature, or Sasori's solitude, nor Deidara's arrogance.

After standing for a while, countless white papers floated from Konan, forming a pair of wings that lifted her. She landed slowly on the same mountaintop. She loved this place; on the opposite cliff, a single orchid swayed in the rain.

A figure leaped from afar, landing behind her and kneeling on one knee. He bowed respectfully and shouted, "Divine Messenger Lord!" Konan knew this person's name was Honma. He was originally a warrior from the Land of Rain, and after Nagato defeated Hanzō, he surrendered along with the rest of the troops.

"What's the situation with the disaster victims?" Konan's voice remained cold.

"The Prime Minister of the Land of Fire arrived six days ago with a large amount of grain and has pacified the victims. However, he was assassinated shortly after arriving in Muchuan County. The Prime Minister is unharmed, and the assassin escaped. Five days ago, the Prime Minister mobilized the disaster victims to work together. They plan to dig a river to completely solve the flood disaster..." Honma kept his head bowed. After Konan asked, he reported everything one by one, seemingly without any intention of hiding anything.

"Did you find out who was responsible?" Konan asked with a slight frown.

"No," Honma shook his head. "The Prime Minister investigated for two days and dropped it. We suspect... we suspect it might be remnants of Hanzō's forces."

"Hanzō..." Hearing the name, Konan's heart ached. Although Nagato had avenged Yahiko, the dead were dead and would never return. She said coldly, "Continue investigating. Dig out these rats!"

"Yes!" Honma nodded vigorously. Konan then spread her paper wings again and left.

Before Tamamachi Seiyo arrived, Ming Jing had already led the disaster victims in building public restrooms and bathhouses, while also organizing everyone to clean up the camp. He had been assigned to investigate the assassin, but there had been no progress over the past few days. Ming Jing hadn't paid much attention to it; after all, his energy was limited, and if the assassin failed this time, they would surely try again. As for Hizashi Hyuga? He was still in the prefectural office "comprehending"...

On the sixth day, Tamamachi Seiyo, whom Ming Jing had been waiting for, finally arrived. When the old man alighted from the carriage, Ming Jing hurried over and grabbed him, saying excitedly, "You're finally here!"

"Haha, finally!" Tamamachi Seiyo nodded understandingly. Ming Jing had promised to lead the disaster victims in digging a canal, but they hadn't started after nearly a week, causing some unrest among the people. Now that Tamamachi Seiyo had arrived, everything could finally get back on track, so how could Ming Jing not be happy?

Just then, Asuma also walked up and looked at Ming Jing, saying with emotion, "We sped up our journey and arrived a little ahead of schedule. Fortunately, the journey was smooth, with no bandits or ruffians bothering us."

"Thank you for your hard work, Captain," Ming Jing said gratefully.

"It's nothing. I hope we didn't delay your plans," Asuma shook his head.

"How could you delay them? You've arrived at the most opportune moment!" Ming Jing smiled. He turned to look at Tamamachi Seiyo and asked a bit sheepishly, "Are you feeling up to it, old sir?"

"No problem!" Tamamachi Seiyo stopped his granddaughter from speaking and patted his chest confidently.

"Good, let's go survey the terrain first. We'll start however you say!" Ming Jing nodded happily. Now was not the time for pleasantries.

Thus, Tamamachi Seiyo, Asuma, Tamamachi Kiki, Ming Jing, Qing Yan, and a local elder set off. They first climbed to a high vantage point to survey the area. Tamamachi Seiyo held a map and ruler, measuring and sketching on the map from time to time. Ming Jing didn't understand these professional matters; he only cooperated with the local elder to answer questions when Tamamachi Seiyo asked about the terrain.

The group climbed all the surrounding mountains of Muchuan County, except for one outside the county. By evening, Tamamachi Seiyo had not returned, instead measuring wind speed and direction on the mountaintop. By the time he finished, it was already midnight. They hurried back to the prefectural office, and Ming Jing immediately had food brought out. The group ate without any pretense, grabbing whatever they could.

"Phew... Actually, I've been to Muchuan County before and done measurements. Today was just to verify and see if anything had changed over the years. The good news is that the terrain hasn't changed much. The bad news is there's a large mountain in front of the river channel," Tamamachi Seiyo said after they had eaten their fill.

"You mean we have to move a mountain?" Ming Jing also put down his chopsticks and asked.

"Yes, a mountain seven hundred meters above sea level," Tamamachi Seiyo nodded.

"What about a detour?" Ming Jing frowned. Who in this world could do that? The shut-in in the Land of Rain could, but why would they help you?

"Then we'll have to replan the river channel," Tamamachi Seiyo replied.

Ming Jing felt too tired today and didn't have the energy to discuss it further. He said, "How about this: you first finalize the previous river channel plan and start construction. We'll take a look at that mountain, and if it's really impossible, we'll detour!"

"That's no problem, but we need to hurry! I estimate we'll face it in about half a month," Tamamachi Seiyo said, dipping his finger in water in his cup and drawing on the table.

"Alright! Everyone is very tired today, so let's get some rest! We have a lot of work tomorrow. Thank you all for your hard work during this time," Ming Jing nodded and said to everyone. The group finally showed a bit of reserve, stating that it was all their duty, before being led away to rest by several clerks.

Ming Jing had arranged rooms for these people. Asuma's room was diagonally opposite Hizashi Hyuga's room; it was best for these two not to meet for the time being.

The next morning, as soon as it was light, Ming Jing dragged Asuma out. Before leaving, he called Yamashita Taiji and told the old man that the canal project had been fully entrusted to Tamamachi Seiyo and that he should cooperate fully. Yamashita Taiji naturally had no objections; the two old men worked together quite efficiently.

Ming Jing, Asuma, and Qing Yan walked together. When they reached the foot of the mountain, Asuma asked, "Ming Jing, what's your plan? This mountain is indeed a bit of an obstruction!"

"Let's go up and take a look first! By the way, with the Hokage's strength, could he blow up this mountain?" Ming Jing asked on a whim.

"That..." Asuma thought about it. If the Third Hokage were ten years younger, he might actually be able to do it! However, using ninja power for something like this wasn't entirely wrong, but it felt a bit strange!

"Haha, let's just go up and take a look!" Ming Jing smiled, not minding Asuma's awkwardness. The three of them climbed to the summit and immediately understood why Tamamachi Seiyo was thinking of leveling the mountain. It was because on the other side of the mountain was a hilly terrain, which only needed a little modification to become a river channel.

"Captain, what rank of mission do you think would be appropriate if we asked the Hokage to come and blow up this mountain?" Ming Jing asked Asuma.

"Stop joking. The Third Hokage is an old man; how can he leave Konohagakure?" Asuma rolled his eyes.