Rewards and Honors

"Has the system upgraded?"

Ye Liang was somewhat surprised.

In his view, the system was nothing particularly impressive. Although Ye Liang had learned many S-rank Ninjutsu through it, S-rank Ninjutsu were really just that.

Take Shinra Tensei, for example. While it was highly versatile, it required a massive amount of Chakra to support it. With his Jonin-level reserves, he could use it at most around ten times.

And even then, its power could not kill an ordinary Special Jonin. Like Orochimaru, whom he had encountered right after crossing over—even if Ye Liang exhausted all his Chakra, he could only severely injure him!

Therefore, S-rank Ninjutsu merely gave him another option.

For a ninja, Chakra and combat experience were the true hallmarks of a strong fighter!

Ye Liang's Nine-Tails Chakra and Sage Mode were his real core strengths, but he had earned both through his own efforts. The system had merely saved him the time of learning Ninjutsu.

"I wonder if this upgrade will bring any useful functions?" Ye Liang looked forward to it.

After cleaning up the battlefield, Ye Liang returned to Konoha with the main Hokage force.

This battle had been brutal!

Minato Namikaze had died in battle!

A great number of Konoha Jonin had lost their lives in this battle. Earlier, when Uchiha Madara had attacked the village, many buildings had also been destroyed. All in all, this small battle had nearly wiped out Konoha's savings of the past ten years!

Hokage Office.

Several Special Jonin were discussing post-disaster relief efforts.

Ye Liang looked around to the left and right, only to find that all of them were unfamiliar faces. Standing among them, no one came over to strike up a conversation with him.

"Quiet, all of you!"

At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi entered the office and took a seat. His expression was rather grave, clearly showing that he was in a poor mood.

"Everyone, although we defeated the invading enemy this time, we also lost many elites. Even Minato tragically fell in battle."

"What! Lord Minato died?"

They had not witnessed Minato use the Reaper Death Seal.

"Yes. He used up his own soul to seal the Nine-Tails!"

Everyone's expressions immediately turned unnatural.

If only ordinary Jonin had died, they would not have been so distressed. But a Fourth Hokage had died, and that caused many of them to grieve deeply.

In fact, Minato might not even have been older than some of the people below, but everyone had seen his character for themselves. Quite a few of them had even been saved by him during missions!

Seeing the scene before him, Hiruzen Sarutobi could guess what they were thinking.

"Everyone, though Minato is gone, his wife and son remain. I believe his will shall surely be inherited by his descendants. Perhaps ten years from now, another Minato will emerge!"

"That's right, Naruto is still here! The boy is already three years old this year. With his talent, he will definitely restore the Namikaze family's glory!"

Everyone's mood immediately improved considerably.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled. Seeing that he had achieved his goal, he turned his gaze toward the wisecracking Ye Liang.

"You two, come in."

At his sudden call, a woman holding a child walked in.

"What's going on?"

Everyone looked toward the door and immediately recognized the woman who had entered.

Wasn't this Lord Minato's widow?

They were extremely curious. With Lord Minato dead, Kushina should have been arranging his burial. Why was she here?

"Lady Kushina, so you were outside? Please rest assured, from now on, I, Ibiki, will take good care of you!"

"Lady Kushina, if you face any financial difficulties, I will take care of you as well!"

Although the Jonin did not understand, they still voiced their loyalty one after another. Yet Ye Liang sensed that something was off.

Did that idiot Sarutobi just look at me?

His mind was meticulous, so he naturally noticed Hiruzen Sarutobi's subtle movement.

"Kushina, the days ahead will truly be hard on you." Hiruzen Sarutobi said this, then had Kushina stand beside Ye Liang.

The ninja all found this strange.

"Ye Liang, you rendered great service by killing Uchiha Madara this time. I also heard that you voluntarily became the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. That truly puts us old men to shame!"

"In terms of merit, you, Ye Liang, have contributed the most! In terms of character, you are also among the finest! I originally intended to have you inherit Minato's will and become the Fifth Hokage, but you are a ninja from Otogakure. That truly puts me in a difficult position."

"The Fifth Hokage?"

Ye Liang felt that this was rather inexplicable. He did not know why Hiruzen Sarutobi would say such a thing, but Ye Liang, born among the people of China, was well versed in the ways of Old Schemers!

In these turbulent times, forget being Hokage—even if they offered him the Land of Fire's daimyo position, he would not take it!

It was too damn dangerous!

His eyes blinked nervously, but Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled.

Kid, I knew you were interested in being Hokage. But don't expect me to give it to you. I'll first trick you into leaving that lousy Otogakure!

With that thought in mind, he continued.

"Therefore, after much consideration, I have decided not to give you the Hokage position for now. Instead, I will first grant you the status of a Guest Elder of the Land of Fire."

"Whew." Ye Liang let out a breath.

Guest Elder was good!

Guest Elders were part of Konoha's council of elders. They held no actual power, so there was no danger, yet they would be respected wherever they went!

Moreover, as far as Ye Liang knew, Konoha Guest Elders could get reimbursed for food and drinks within the village!

That was very important!

He relaxed slightly, but Hiruzen Sarutobi noticed that movement as well!

"Haha, I knew you found it regrettable!"

"Regret gives people motivation!"

For businesses, dangling an enormous carrot before capable subordinates was a commonly used tactic.

Hiruzen Sarutobi understood this principle well!

"Ye Liang, don't underestimate the position of Guest Elder. It is actually a lucrative and cushy job, and Konoha values you greatly! Of course, if one day you truly leave Otogakure, I will absolutely pass the Hokage position on to you!"

"All right, but I have no plans to leave at the moment," Ye Liang said.

His tone was calm. Even if he was overjoyed, he could not show it—that was the bearing an expert should possess!

The others wore strange expressions, all thinking that Ye Liang was dissatisfied.

To them, although Ye Liang had rendered great service, he was still from another village, and they were somewhat exclusionary. Thus, when Hiruzen Sarutobi first said he wanted to make him Hokage, they had been extremely worried.

But after realizing that the Third Hokage was merely being tactfully polite, they immediately jumped in.

"Lord Ye Liang, please do not underestimate the position of Guest Elder. Though it carries no real authority, it is already more prestigious than being Jonin like us. And all current Guest Elders are elders from the previous generation who retired from service. You are the first one to hold the position at such a young age!"

"That's right! Lord Ye Liang, this is Konoha's way of treating its guests! We will never look down on any guest who has shown kindness to Konoha!"