Why Not?

Hearing Kakashi's words, Lin Yan immediately became displeased.

What? No money?

"Sorry, I won't do this task. You guys go ahead and do it yourselves."

Lin Yan shook her head decisively.

How could I possibly work for free?

Lin Yan's decision left everyone speechless. Kakashi, Itachi, and Shisui were all at a loss for words, and everyone's gaze turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Ha ha ha ha..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed heartily, seemingly unperturbed by Lin Yan's words.

He looked at Lin Yan and smiled kindly, "Lin Yan, you are not a ninja from our Konoha Village, but Foreign Mercenary. Of course, we will give you normal pay for carrying out missions for us."

"For this mission, you'll be paid the average reward for an S-rank mission, but you'll only get paid after you complete the mission."

Hiruzen Sarutobi certainly didn't really need Lin Yan to escort him.

With Kakashi, Itachi, and Shisui escorting him to the Land of Fire Daimyo's Capital, his journey was practically foolproof.

Unless it's a large-scale, all-out attack by the enemy.

Otherwise, they would be in absolutely no danger.

That's why, at this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi still insisted that Lin Yan come along, and was even willing to give her a reward.

Of course, it's because Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to further test Lin Yan to see if he would pose a threat to Konoha.

If Lin Yan is indeed a spy, then he might turn against himself in this operation.

After all, killing himself would leave Konoha without a leader, causing them to face even more trouble when they were already severely weakened.

The Third Great Ninja War was triggered by the disappearance of the Third Kazekage of Sunagakure.

This shows just how huge a crisis can occur when a ninja village loses its leader.

What is the average reward for an S-rank mission?

Upon hearing that there was money to be made, Lin Yan immediately snapped out of her daze and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with delight.

"One million five hundred thousand taels."

"That's what Hiruzen Sarutobi said."

"Wouldn't that be equivalent to the reward for thirty B-level missions?"

Lin Yan was pleasantly surprised.

Meanwhile, Shisui, Itachi, Kakashi, and the others who were standing nearby felt a stirring in their hearts upon hearing this.

They are all elite ninjas who have carried out more than one S-rank mission.

Therefore, it is clear that the average reward for an S-level mission could not possibly be only 1.5 million.

It's now quite obvious that the three generations of adults are playing tricks on Lin Yan.

However, of course, the three of them couldn't expose Hiruzen Sarutobi's lie in front of him.

"Hahaha... Since you've agreed, let's continue our journey."

A sly glint flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.

What he and the other members didn't know was that Lin Yan actually knew exactly how much the reward for an S-level mission was.

However, Lin Yan also did not expose Hiruzen Sarutobi's lie.

Just treat it as a trip for fun.

You get paid for traveling.

There's even a chance to win these guys' trust.

Why not?

Lin Yan and her group of four, along with Hiruzen Sarutobi, headed towards the Land of Fire Daimyo's Capital.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, Lin Yan, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Kakashi, and the others who were following behind also stopped in their tracks.

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't speak; he was confused about the situation.

However, this wasn't the first time Itachi and Kakashi had encountered something like this.

The last time they were on a mission with Lin Yan, Lin Yan also stopped suddenly while walking and said there were enemies lying in ambush.

At this moment, the two naturally connected the dots and thought of this situation.

"What's wrong?"

Shisui looked at Lin Yan and asked.

Are there enemies?

Itachi quickly glanced around but found nothing unusual.

"Looks like the Third Hokage's head is quite valuable..."

Lin Yan smiled knowingly.

Upon hearing his words, Kakashi, Itachi, and Shisui exchanged puzzled glances.

They then all looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"My head might actually be worth some money."

Hiruzen Sarutobi gently adjusted his straw hat and responded with a hint of teasing.

At this moment, Kakashi slowly gripped the hilt of the short sword from his back.

Shisui and Itachi also wore expressions of serious readiness.

The three of them formed a triangular formation, protecting Hiruzen Sarutobi inside.

Everyone cautiously observed their surroundings.

"Don't worry, the enemy is still far away."

"Don't be so nervous."

Lin Yan smiled.

These words stirred something within Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shisui.

Kakashi and Itachi exchanged a glance instinctively.

The first two people were unaware that Lin Yan possessed such extraordinary perception.

The latter two had already witnessed Lin Yan's abilities, but they were still very surprised to see them again.

"I didn't know you had such amazing sensory abilities!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed.

"When the body's abilities are developed to their limit, one can obtain power that is beyond the comprehension and imagination of ordinary people."

"Many people in our Land of Sea can do this."

"Some people can even use their perception to briefly predict what will happen in the near future."

Lin Yan, who seemed carefree, revealed her secrets to the four people in front of her without reservation.

Upon hearing his candid words, a strange light flickered in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes.

Kakashi, Shisui, and Itachi were all hearing more detailed information about Lin Yan's abilities for the first time.

All three of them were surprised and incredulous.

"They actually revealed information about their abilities willingly...?"

"Is he genuinely indifferent, or is he overconfident? Or perhaps he doesn't realize that the leakage of his own information is a serious crisis?"

Kakashi's eyes flickered as he stared at Lin Yan, silently thinking to himself.

Itachi and Shisui shared similar thoughts.

As their interactions deepened, they learned more about Lin Yan and found him increasingly peculiar.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled slightly and said, "Hmph... It seems you were right after all, Lin Yan."

"There are indeed people heading this way."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's words sent a chill down the spines of Kakashi, Itachi, and Shisui beside him.

They clearly hadn't expected that the Third Hokage's sensory abilities were so strong.

Because at this very moment, none of the three of them had discovered anything.

"No wonder the Third Hokage is called the 'Professor of Ninjas,' he truly deserves to be the strongest Hokage in the current dynasty."

Kakashi thought to himself, full of admiration.

"They're here!"

"There are twelve targets..."

Itachi then issued a warning.

"Not twelve, sixteen in total, Itachi!"

As Shisui corrected Itachi's judgment, his eyes instantly transformed into the Mangekyo Sharingan.