Danzo Appears!

Qingyun rushed over immediately.

"Are you feeling better, Yoshihime?" Qingyun asked with deep concern. After all, this purple-haired girl was a character who did not exist in the original story, and as a transmigrator, he felt it was only natural to look after her.

After hearing Qingyun recount the details of the battle, Yoshihime finally nodded.

"It was a close call, but I'm fine now. Let's head back to Konoha quickly!" Yoshihime said.

"Are you sure there's no problem?" Minato asked.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of her," Qingyun said.

White Fang also nodded, and then he and his squad set off toward Konoha.

Along the way, Yoshihime spoke much less; she seemed to be blaming herself, perhaps afraid that everyone would hold her responsible.

There were no issues during the return journey, and the four of them soon arrived back in Konoha.

"Alright, let's go submit the mission report together, and then I'll treat everyone to a meal. No excuses this time," White Fang said. Although he was usually stern, he was in a great mood; the mission had been completed perfectly, and he had witnessed the progress of his students.

Everyone should have been in high spirits while submitting the report and heading off to eat, but an unexpected situation arose during the debriefing.

As soon as they entered the Hokage's office, a masked man rebuked them: "White Fang, why did it take so long? Do you not understand the importance of the mission?"

White Fang replied: "One of my students fainted, so we stayed a few extra days for the sake of her health."

"That is the truth, Danzo. White Fang did nothing wrong." The person who spoke was, naturally, the Third Hokage.

The man who had come in looking for trouble was none other than Danzo, the leader of Konoha's Root.

The man before them, with his eye bandaged and leaning on a cane, was the villain of Konoha: Danzo.

This guy gave off a very cold and sinister vibe. Even though the Third Hokage had already spoken, he showed no intention of letting the matter go easily.

"Excuse me, forgive my ignorance, but you didn't even go on the mission. To put it bluntly, you're just an old geezer, so what right do you have to blame others here?" Qingyun, fearing nothing, retorted directly at Danzo.

Danzo was visibly moved, and the Third Hokage was stunned.

It had been many years since anyone had dared to talk back to Danzo; only a child like Qingyun would dare to confront a Hokage advisor in such a way.

"You brat, do you not even recognize me? I am Danzo, an advisor of Konoha, an elder of Konoha. How dare you speak to me like that!" Danzo was clearly very displeased.

White Fang immediately said: "Lord Danzo, he is just a child. Why bother lowering yourself to a child's level?"

"Danzo, I think we should just let this matter slide. They only rested a few extra days because a subordinate was injured. Besides, don't forget the significance of this girl, and don't forget what this team represents."

The Third Hokage reminded Danzo. Yoshihime was a wielder of Wood Release; although its power was not yet great, she was the only one left in the ninja world with that ability.

As for Minato Namikaze and Qingyun, there was no need to even mention them. Minato was a genius of the ninja world who, in the original story, would become the Fourth Hokage.

Qingyun was even more exaggerated; at only four years old, he possessed terrifying and broken strength. It was inevitable that he would become a titan of the ninja world in the future.

Danzo walked slowly toward Qingyun and said: "Kid, I know you are very powerful, but you haven't fully grown yet. You need a better environment, and that is an environment I can provide for you."

"As long as you take me as your master."

Danzo's words almost made Qingyun laugh out loud.

Is there something wrong with my brain if I take Danzo as a master? Besides, I've already taken the Third Hokage and White Fang as masters. To take Danzo as well would be pure insanity that needs treating, Qingyun thought to himself.

Danzo, assuming Qingyun was considering the offer, struck while the iron was hot: "Don't worry, I will train you well."

"Danzo, I don't want to. You are far worse than Sarutobi and White Fang-sensei."

Qingyun rejected Danzo very directly once again. Having been slapped in the face like that, Danzo's expression was naturally very ugly.

"Hehe, Danzo, don't go snatching my student just because the little guy is a genius," the Third Hokage said with a faint smile, then turned to ask: "What do you two think?"

"This time, Sarutobi is right."

"Give them some room to choose for themselves. Not everyone is suited for development in Root, Danzo."

The people who spoke had gone unnoticed until now; an older man and woman were also sitting in the Hokage's office.

"Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu." Qingyun recognized them immediately. These two, like Danzo, were elders of Konoha. Whenever Danzo wanted to badmouth the Third Hokage, he usually sought their support.

However, it seemed they weren't quite that rigid yet.

"The two of you are absolutely right. Seeing you reminds me of my own grandparents," Qingyun said, knowing exactly how to talk. The older couple was naturally very pleased, making them even less inclined to let Danzo snatch Qingyun away.

"Hmph! Let the Third Hokage educate him? We shall see what the final result is." Danzo flicked his sleeve and left the Hokage's office in a huff.

The Third Hokage smiled at Qingyun and White Fang.

"Don't blame Danzo; that's just how he is."

"Of course," Qingyun said, not taking it to heart.

After giving a detailed mission report, the Third Hokage pondered for a moment and said: "You completed the mission well. In that case, let's change the rules a little."

"From now on, you won't just be doing Genin-level D-rank missions; you can also take on Chunin-level C-rank missions. Furthermore, if you are interested, I can also assign you Jonin-level B-rank missions."

The Third Hokage's words excited Qingyun. Ninjas not only received payment for completing missions, but they also earned points for taking down opponents.

Qingyun could use those points for draws. Once he obtained those rewards, he could become even stronger. The higher the mission rank, the faster he would grow!

"Thank you, Lord Third Hokage." The Third Hokage nodded and said: "By the way, since White Fang and I took you as a student, we haven't really taught you much. Come find me tomorrow; I would like to instruct you myself."

"White Fang, don't take any missions for this week. Take some time to instruct Qingyun as well. I will also tell Jiraiya to instruct Minato. As for you, Yoshihime, you should learn from White Fang as well."

Hearing the Third Hokage's words, Qingyun felt very stirred. If he could be taught by the Third Hokage, his strength would surely advance by leaps and bounds, though his true power primarily came from the Devil Fruit System.

If he didn't use those fruit abilities and relied solely on ninjutsu, Qingyun knew he would certainly be no match for the Third Hokage.