The Fourth Hokage Has Returned

Konoha.

After a long journey, the group returned to Konoha. Having experienced such a trial, Yang Xing finally realized how harmonious and beautiful the village truly was.

The bustling pedestrians, the noisy shops, the familiar environment, and the familiar scents all allowed Yang Xing to take a deep breath and relax. This land was truly wonderful.

The air was sweet, the environment was beautiful, and there were those long-lost, prosperous shops.

And, and... there were even a few beauties he didn't recognize!

Damn, Konoha really was rich in resources; even the beauties were so...

"Alright, let's head to the mission assignment office quickly."

"Yeah, wait, let me take another look, just one more look." Being dragged along, Yang Xing was clearly dissatisfied: "Kakashi, while I don't think there's anything wrong with you being reserved, I do think it's wrong of you to want others to become reserved along with you."

Kakashi: "..."

Kakashi expressed deep skepticism that this guy was really the hidden expert who had wiped out five elites in ten minutes.

Regardless, the group successfully passed through the shopping street and arrived at the Konoha mission assignment office.

As Yang Xing and the others approached, the ninja responsible for issuing missions was clearly still there. Seeing them arrive, his eyes lit up, and he raised a hand to call out: "Hey, perfect. Kakashi, you're finally back."

He rushed over in a hurry, clearly having something to say.

The look on the man's face left Kakashi puzzled: "What's wrong?"

"Just a moment ago, the Fourth Hokage returned. He's at the Hokage Office right now. He told us that as soon as you arrived, you were to go to the Hokage Office immediately." The urgent delivery of these words caused the expressions of Yang Xing and his companions to shift.

"The Fourth Hokage is back?" The group exchanged glances and, without a second thought, immediately rushed toward the Hokage Office.

At the very center of Konoha stood the tallest building, the Hokage Office, the symbol of the village.

This was also the base of the Anbu, the seat of the Council of Elders, and the residence of the village's representative, the one who held the title of Hokage.

In short, the Hokage Office was the pride of Konoha.

The guards were strict. Passing by those ninjas in cat masks, Yang Xing realized this seemed to be his first time entering the building.

Facing this legendary Hokage Office, he still felt a fair amount of curiosity.

Looking around, he followed behind Kakashi, heading toward the Hokage's office.

The staircase was long. After walking for several minutes, Yang Xing, who hadn't been paying attention to what was ahead, almost collided with someone.

"Hey, brat, where are your eyes?"

Stopping abruptly, Yang Xing quickly stepped back. The person who had suddenly appeared in front of him had caught him off guard.

The girl, full of spirit and wearing her hair in a straw-colored ponytail, looked clearly annoyed. She was only a couple of years older than him, and her lithe body, wrapped in a crisp long-sleeved outfit, made him wonder if her physique matched her actual age.

She stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at him angrily.

However, one area in particular caught Yang Xing's attention. That certain part was clearly quite voluminous; one hand wouldn't be enough to grasp it—it would definitely take two. And it was so firm and charming.

The girl with the straw-colored ponytail lowered her head, a murderous glint flashing in her deep, narrow eyes: "Hey, what are you looking at?"

"Nothing!" This girl wasn't very cute. Even though she had such a pair of lethal weapons, she felt too cold, so it was better not to provoke her. Having snapped out of it, Yang Xing used all his might to tear his gaze away from those high-damage assets.

Though he spoke without blushing or missing a beat, the way he had been staring just moments ago, eyes nearly popping out of his head, meant it was impossible for her not to have noticed. Even a blind person would have sensed it.

As soon as Yang Xing spoke, the girl's face changed, and without a word, she grabbed him by the collar: "You guy, you were clearly looking at me with lecherous eyes just now, and now you're trying to deny it?"

"I'm very sorry, I have never used lecherous eyes. I would like to solemnly declare that from the very beginning, I was only looking with an appreciative gaze."

"You brat, are you looking for a beating?"

Seeing her raise her fist, ready to strike, Yang Xing prepared to use the Substitution Technique. Before he could, however, he heard a shout.

"Anko, calm down." A younger female ninja frowned at the girl with the straw-colored ponytail: "Let him go. This guy is a student of the Fourth Hokage; don't use that tone with him."

"Him? Well, fine. Brat, watch yourself!" Although reluctant, the fiery girl calmed down upon hearing he was from the Fourth Hokage's class.

Yang Xing, having heard the girl's name, was stunned.

Anko? Anko Mitarashi. Damn, no wonder she was so well-endowed.

Truly, her future was limitless. Forget it, this chick was trouble; better to look less.

"Alright, the Third and Fourth Hokage have been waiting for us for a long time. Let's go in together." Clearly, besides Anko, there were other ninjas present. Though he didn't recognize them, judging by their similar ages, they must have been from another team.

The leading female ninja was likely their instructor.

Kakashi and the others, not paying much mind, opened the door to the Hokage's office and walked in first. Yang Xing followed closely behind, being the last to enter.

As for why, it was because Anko, with her straw-colored ponytail, was still glaring at him.

It wasn't like he had done anything other than look at her chest for a few seconds from a distance; did this chick really have to be so furious? It's not like I actually grabbed them.

Feeling annoyed, Yang Xing glared right back.

Unexpectedly, the brat dared to glare back at her. Anko clenched her fists, secretly marking Yang Xing's face in her mind.

Before Yang Xing could notice, several people had already arrived inside the room.

Seeing Kakashi, that very familiar voice rang out: "Kakashi, you've arrived. You weren't injured, were you?"

The Fourth Hokage stepped forward, his face showing a hint of concern as he scanned the members of his team; it looked as though he had rushed back in a hurry this time as well.

"Mm." Facing the Fourth Hokage's concern, Kakashi nodded and said quite calmly, "Everything has been resolved. Actually, there is a matter I would like to report to Lord Fourth Hokage."

"I am already aware of the situation. It is a relief that you are all unharmed after this mission." Patting Kakashi on the shoulder, the Fourth Hokage appeared to let out a sigh of relief.

This, however, left Kakashi puzzled: "You are aware?"

"Yes, I noticed anomalies when I went to the border. Several Anbu chunin were sacrificed. Although we captured a few ninja, some key figures managed to escape; they are likely the vanguard of the Land of Earth." The Fourth Hokage's gaze was profound. It seemed he had uncovered a great deal, and his expression was somewhat grim as his eyes swept over the group once more, eventually settling back on Kakashi.