Boom~!
Namikaze Minato stopped moving, breathing slightly heavily, but his face was brimming with uncontrollable joy.
He had done it!
He had defeated the Third's Shadow Clone!
Although the Third's Shadow Clone had not used any particularly powerful ninjutsu, Namikaze Minato was still overjoyed!
That was Konoha's Third, the strongest person in the entire village!
Defeating his Shadow Clone proved that Minato's recent efforts had paid off once again!
The Third himself looked at Minato with a hint of approval. "Not bad, Minato! You passed. Your reaction speed and command of the Flying Thunder God are more than enough for this mission!"
"Thank you!! Lord Hokage, you're too kind. You were going easy on me—" Minato scratched his head sheepishly—
"Talent is talent. There's no need to be modest." Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a chuckle, then his expression turned more serious. "Remember, gather at the village gates in three days. This mission is no trivial matter. Make thorough preparations."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!" Minato immediately wiped the smile from his face and answered solemnly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction and said nothing more.
Since Minato also possessed the Flying Thunder God technique, he would have no fewer than two guards this time who could teleport over long distances!
Even if they truly encountered some enemy, he could have the two boys take him and flee, or have them cover each other's retreat—
And—Sarutobi Hiruzen cast Minato a discreet glance.
If Hiroki truly fell into an ambush and died, Namikaze Minato might be a more suitable candidate for the next generation of Hokage—
He was equally gifted, and for now, his personality seemed far better than Hiroki's—
But in terms of strength, he was still far inferior to Hiroki!
"In any case, keep up the good work! Continue working hard!"
"Yes, Lord