The Third Hokage

This time, Mito Uzumaki and Tsunade had left, and the surrounding Anbu had shifted their positions as well. Combined with the arrangements the Kumogakure Ninja had previously made with the spies, they had successfully drawn away the nearby residents.

This made one conclusion easy to reach—the Kumogakure kidnapping had been premeditated and meticulously planned. The delegation negotiations had merely been a smokescreen.

"This must be reported to Lord Hokage for a decision as soon as possible. We'll return to the village immediately and deliver you witnesses and the criminals to him."

Uchiha Hane spoke to Uchiha Gen and the other two with a grave expression.

The consequences of this incident were severe enough to continuously worsen relations between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning, potentially determining the course of war between both sides. It was no longer something the Konoha Military Police Force could handle alone; it had to be decided by the Hokage.

"No need. I'm already here!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice rang out from the edge of the forest.

He wore old-fashioned gray-green armor, held the Adamantine Ruyi Staff in hand, and looked furious.

Orochimaru, Mitokado Homura, and Shimura Danzō stood at Hiruzen Sarutobi's side. Behind them crowded dozens of Anbu and Root ninja dressed in black and wearing masks.

Upon seeing Uchiha Gen, Orochimaru slowly nodded at him. The meaning in his eyes was obvious—well done, you did me proud.

"In this matter, Uchiha Gen, Minato Namikaze, and the Konoha Military Police Force have all performed admirably. You rescued the kidnapped individuals safely and in time, preventing the village from suffering irreparable losses. You have rendered great merit. Everyone who participated in the rescue shall be credited with completing a joint S-Rank Mission."

[ Ding! ]

Uchiha Gen froze slightly.

Well, damn. He had leveled up again.

There was a benefit like this?

No wonder. This counted as an S-Rank Mission, after all. The instant the Third Hokage finished speaking, it was settled on the spot.

Even though it was a joint operation and part of the mission experience had to be shared out, this was still an S-Rank Mission. Moreover, Minato Namikaze and he had contributed the most to it, so they would definitely receive the largest share of experience. It was enough to raise him a level, with plenty left over.

Tch. If something like this happened again, he had to get involved more.

The Third Hokage continued speaking:

"Now, withdraw immediately. The criminals will be handed over by the Konoha Military Police Force to the Anbu for interrogation. The remaining members of the Kumogakure Delegation have all been detained and will be held under the custody of the Konoha Military Police Force. In addition, the Konoha Military Police Force, Anbu, and Intelligence Division will launch a joint operation to search for and arrest spies from other villages hiding within the village."

Order after order was issued. Kumogakure's actions this time had truly enraged all of Konoha's upper echelon—naturally, including that old lady whose status stood even above theirs.

If Kumogakure had truly taken Kushina, she did not dare imagine what would have happened.

Kumogakure's actions showed utter disregard for Konoha's leadership under the Third Hokage, as well as every Konoha Ninja. They had practically been planning to grind their faces into the dirt.

"Hiruzen, leave the interrogation of those people to me. I guarantee I'll dig every scrap of intelligence out of their brains."

Shimura Danzō spoke coldly, his single eye fixed viciously on the Kumogakure Ninja who had been knocked unconscious by genjutsu.

At this time, Danzō, like the Third Hokage, was still in his prime. Aside from his one eye, he still had both arms, and his strength was at its personal peak. He was practically Konoha's strongest man after the Third Hokage.

"Then leave him to you as well, Danzō."

The Third Hokage said in a low voice.

Danzō's character was unquestionably vile, but his skill in extracting intelligence and conducting interrogations was as undeniably professional as his character was bad.

That Kumogakure Ninja soon set a new record, becoming the first ninja in Ninja World history to be escorted by the Konoha Hokage, three top experts at least close to Kage level, nearly twenty Jonin from the Konoha Military Police Force and Anbu, and several dozen other ninja.

That lineup would have been enough to surround and kill even the Third Raikage. For this gentleman to receive such treatment, it could be said that it was well worth it.

"You did well this time, especially in knowing to call for support in advance."

Orochimaru slowed by a few steps and came to Uchiha Gen's side, speaking quietly.

"Orochimaru-sensei, I only acted because I used Sensory Ninjutsu to determine that the enemy's strength should not exceed what I could handle, and because reinforcements capable of arriving at any time were available."

Uchiha Gen replied to Orochimaru.

"Mm."

Orochimaru nodded slightly.

What satisfied him most about this disciple was not how intelligent he was or how great his talent was, but that he was bold while remaining sufficiently cautious.

Knowing when to back down and when to act decisively—those were the important qualities a ninja needed to survive and grow stronger.

Orochimaru spoke with Uchiha Gen for a few more moments, then, after receiving word from the Third Hokage, returned to the front of the group.

Seeing this, Minato Namikaze and Kushina finally found an opportunity to come over.

"Senior Gen, hello. I'm Minato Namikaze, and this is Kushina. We'd both heard long ago of you, the top genius from the previous class."

With a gentle smile on his handsome face, Minato Namikaze spoke to Uchiha Gen.

"Senior Gen, thank you so much for today."

Kushina took a small step back, then bowed to Uchiha Gen somewhat reservedly.

"No need to be so polite. This afternoon, while I was studying Medical Ninjutsu with Lady Tsunade, she and Grandma Mito mentioned you a few times. Given my relationship with them, I wouldn't have left you alone.

"And Minato, you're impressive. You managed to keep up with my Body Flicker and ambush a Kumogakure Ninja so easily. The top spot in your class is probably already yours, isn't it?"

Uchiha Gen showed the two a relaxed smile.

Using mutual acquaintances and compliments was a good way to close the distance with people one had just met.

"Senior Gen, you flatter me. But I'll work hard and learn from you."

Minato Namikaze scratched his head, looking a little foolish as he spoke.

Among the students of his year, whether in theoretical grades or combat drills, he stood alone at the top. It was completely different from Uchiha Gen's class, where three powerhouses had competed for the lead.

For him, claiming the top spot was practically a foregone conclusion.

"Then let me congratulate you in advance on becoming the top graduate, Minato. With your talent, I imagine the village will soon devote all its resources to training you."

Uchiha Gen looked at Minato Namikaze as he spoke.

Minato Namikaze's aptitude was absolutely among the very best in the Ninja World. Especially in the field of speed, he was the best of the best. Before even graduating from the Ninja Academy, he could already barely keep up with Gen's Body Flicker without falling behind.