Iron Gates~Iron Windows~Iron Chains~ (Please Vote!)

The 39th chapter: Iron Gates~Iron Windows~Iron Chains~ (Please Vote!)

Inside the Hokage Office, Minato sat alone with his eyes closed, no one knowing what he was thinking about.

After a long while, he suddenly opened his eyes and called for his assistant.

"Notify the two advisors...and Danzo as well. We'll hold a meeting in an hour. Also, send a small team of Anbu to reinvestigate the destruction of Tachibana Village. Don't overlook any suspicious points."

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

Only after his assistant had left did Minato turn and look out the window, muttering, "I hope I'm just being overly cautious."

Clearly, the sudden appearance of this medicinal-bath formula had aroused some suspicion in him.

Although he wasn't a suspicious person, for the sake of the village's safety, it was still necessary to be more cautious.

No one knew what had happened during the meeting except the participants.

But Danzo, who had received a "warning," looked somewhat gloomy.

He admitted that he often stopped at nothing to achieve his goals, but a mere formula wasn't enough to tempt him. Besides, he had no use for it.

However, once the village began selling it, Root would naturally be able to receive a sufficient quota, and he could use this opportunity to demand more funding.

For something that benefited the village while also bringing him advantages, he naturally had no reason to oppose it.

He was merely somewhat displeased. After all, the credit would still go to Minato, the Hokage.

As for the kid who had provided the formula, Danzo hadn't taken him seriously at all. Perhaps he really had gotten lucky and found it. Perhaps he had ulterior motives. But what did any of that have to do with him?

If the reinvestigation revealed nothing wrong, then so be it. But if something did go wrong...that would be even better!

Then he could use the opportunity to make trouble!

Before taking action, Danzo always assessed the risks and what he stood to gain. If he ultimately concluded that it was worth it, he would definitely take the risk and give it a try.

Clearly, in Danzo's eyes, that kid wasn't worth making a move against.

Whether it was the formula he had handed over to the village or the Kekkei Genkai that had made Danzo lose interest after one glance, neither was enough to excite him.

Besides, Minato and the retired Hiruzen definitely wouldn't let him run wild. For the position of Hokage, what he needed now was to lie low and bide his time.

To wait quietly for the perfect opportunity...

Meanwhile, after leaving the Hokage Building and bidding farewell to Jonin Mikawa, Aoba began wandering around the village.

Clearly, today's gains had put him in a good mood.

As he walked, he passed through the busy streets and unknowingly arrived near Hokage Rock.

Looking up at the enormous, lifelike statues of the successive Hokage carved into the cliff, as well as the statue of the Fourth Hokage that had just been completed over the past few days, he felt a strange sensation in his heart.

This was Konoha's iconic landmark, as well as a spiritual symbol.

To the people of the village, it seemed that merely looking up at this place gave them tremendous motivation.

Although he wasn't a true Konoha native and had even come here with other goals in mind, he still sighed repeatedly whenever he stood beneath it.

If he hadn't started with such a hellish opening and been cheated by that lousy system, perhaps one day he could have his own likeness carved here for future generations to admire!

Just imagining it made him feel thrilled...

Perhaps it had sensed his current mood. The lousy system, which occasionally sprang back to life, appeared once again to make trouble!

Ding!

Bronze-class Death-Seeking Mission issued!

Mission Name: The Fifth Hokage Arrives!

Description: Leave a statue of yourself on Hokage Rock and have the people admire it.

(Thinking about it is nothing compared to taking action! Go for it, young man!)

Requirements: The statue must reach at least a passing level of completion (it must not be smaller than 1:1 scale), and the words "Fifth Hokage Shimiya Aoba Arrives" must be left behind and seen by at least one hundred people.

Time Limit: Seven days

Mission Rewards: Bronze Treasure Chest x1, Beginner Skill Card x1

Mission Failure: Iron Gates~Iron Windows~Iron Chains~

What the actual hell?!

I only imagined it for a moment!

Aoba had never expected that merely feeling the slightest bit envious would cause the lousy system to issue such a death-seeking mission!

Privately painting or carving on Hokage Rock was a serious crime!

Never mind that Naruto had scribbled and painted all over Hokage Rock in the original story without anything happening to him. That was because he was the son of the deceased Fourth Hokage! It was because Hiruzen protected him!

Otherwise, how could the punishment have been so light, merely requiring him to clean off his "artwork"?

It was practically a joke!

Try that with someone else!

They'd have you behind bars until you rotted!

And that wasn't even what Aoba found most troublesome. After all, he had just presented the medicinal-bath formula and made a great contribution to the village. Coupled with his young age, Minato's personality meant he would surely go easy on him, treating it as a child's prank. At worst, he would be locked up for a few days before being released.

But the most serious problem was...the carving!

How was he supposed to carve his own likeness in full view of everyone?

Even carving something only 1:1 scale was absolutely impossible!

Every day, patrol teams from the village conducted routine inspections of Hokage Rock. After all, it was Konoha's landmark and couldn't be allowed to suffer any damage.

If he merely painted something, he might be able to exploit a timing gap. But carving it...he would be caught and dragged away in minutes!

And to make matters worse, the lousy system had actually added a time limit this time!

He needed to secretly carve his likeness onto Hokage Rock within seven days without anyone finding out, then write that declaration that was practically begging for death, and finally attract at least one hundred people to come watch the scene...

"I must be insane!"

After realizing how difficult the mission was, Aoba scratched his head in frustration.

How was he supposed to do this?

Just as he was so depressed he nearly spat blood, a familiar voice came from behind him. "Isn't this little Aoba? What, have you come looking for work again? You came too late. Lord Fourth's statue has already been carved. We only need to observe it for a few more days and make sure it settles properly. If you're looking for work, you've come to the wrong place."

An old man dressed simply and carrying a toolbox greeted Aoba with a hearty smile.

"Grandpa Yamashita? I'm not here looking for work. I just happened to be passing by. Hehe, just passing by..." Aoba replied, slightly awkwardly.

Grandpa Yamashita was actually the foreman who had allowed him to clear rubble here back then. Because of that, Aoba held this kind and warm-hearted old man in great respect.

However, his mind was a complete mess now, filled with thoughts of how to replace the statue and deceive everyone. As a result, he seemed somewhat distracted.

"Since you're only passing by, then that works out. What do you think of the Fourth Hokage's statue? Don't flatter me. Tell me honestly." Grandpa Yamashita asked with a hint of pride, like a child who had received a new toy.

What else could Aoba say? He raised his thumb and praised it enthusiastically. "It's absolutely perfect! Amazing! Whether it's the composition or the handling of the details, it's flawless. It's practically a work of art!"

"Oh, more flattery to make this old man happy. All right, I should be heading back. Remember to visit an old man like me when you have time. I can't promise much, but there'll always be room for one more at the table, and I can still introduce you to some odd jobs to earn your living expenses."

"Mm, I'll remember that, Grandpa Yamashita. I'll definitely visit when I have time."

Watching the old man hurry away, Aoba couldn't help laughing. He clearly loved hearing people praise his craftsmanship and compliment his work, yet every time he had to pretend not to care. He deliberately put on a stern face, but he couldn't conceal the smugness and satisfaction in his eyes. What a contrary old man!

However, recalling what Grandpa Yamashita had just said, Aoba felt even more pressed for time.

Perhaps he didn't even have seven days left...

Once the finishing work was complete, all the ropes and scaffolding currently hanging on Hokage Rock would be removed.

Therefore, he had to hurry and complete the mission before the finishing work was done, making use of the existing conveniences!

Besides, he had already come up with some ideas for completing this seemingly impossible mission.

It seemed that he absolutely had to visit Grandpa Yamashita!

P.S. Thanks to Ye Lake Zhuge for the five-hundred-point tip. I'm also asking for recommendation votes! Recently, one big-shot author after another has appeared with a new book. The firepower is too strong, and I'm having trouble holding out. Please support me!