Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 276 Minato's White Bandaged Hand

Konoha, Hokage's office building.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, wisps of smoke rising from his pipe.

On the table in front of him lay a mission assignment document, the paper of fine quality, the seal bearing an unfamiliar family crest—the mark reserved for the Loulan royal family.

"500 million taels..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a smoke ring and thought to himself, "This is no small sum."

Actually, he originally wanted to refuse, after all, the ninja world was in chaos and wars were raging on multiple fronts.

Especially the ninjas of the Land of Rain, although Tsunade was there to oversee things and they had also formed a cooperation with their own ninjas.

However, Konoha still faces considerable pressure. We need to allocate some of that pressure to the sea and also guard against a sudden sneak attack from the Sand Village.

Of course, these are all minor issues. The most important thing is the Takigakure Village, which has not yet made a move, and the strategist Shiraki, whose strength is unknown.

"But this money can indeed solve Konoha's immediate crisis!"

Soon after, the door was pried open, and four figures dressed in Konoha ninja uniforms walked up to him.

The young man at the head of the group was tall and slender, with short, golden hair that shone with the sunlight.

It was Minato Namikaze, who had long since recovered from his injuries and been promoted to Jonin. Compared to two years ago, he was now much more composed.

Although his face remained gentle, his blue eyes revealed a sharpness that seemed out of place with him.

Besides that, the outline of a bandage could be vaguely seen under the sleeve of his left arm.

It wraps from the wrist all the way to the shoulder, completely covering the entire arm so that the skin color is not visible.

Behind him stood three boys and girls, who looked to be no more than ten years old.

On the far left is Sarutobi Asuma, the second son of the Hokage.

He was already a head taller than his peers, with a senbon stick dangling from his mouth and his hands in his pockets, looking quite nonchalant.

Although he's not very old, he already has a light stubble on his chin, whether from his own stubble or genetics, it's unclear. It's said to be to imitate his father's look when he was young.

In the middle is Kurenai Yuhi, with long black hair draped over her shoulders, and a composure in her red eyes that belies her age.

She stood quietly, her hands folded in front of her, appearing to be the most well-behaved of all the disciples.

The one on the far right is a black-haired boy with delicate features and a cold expression.

His collar was turned up high, covering the lower half of his face, revealing only a pair of blood-red eyes. Putting aside everything else, just looking at his appearance, he was exactly like an Uchiha.

His name is Uchiha Mamoru. He is a member of a collateral branch of the Uchiha clan and the only Uchiha member in Minato's team.

Yes, the Watergate team has changed a lot.

Compared to the original story, Kakashi Hatake became a Jonin earlier and already had a mentor when he met Minato Namikaze.

As for Obito Uchiha, he's far too weak; he's still playing ninja games at school.

Fugaku Uchiha losing his Mangekyou Sharingan actually made Hiruzen Sarutobi feel more at ease. For everyone's benefit, he was willing to let the Hokage lineage have another Uchiha disciple.

And this Uchiha Mamoru was a genius handpicked by the Uchiha clan.

"Minato, you've arrived!" Hiruzen Sarutobi greeted him with a kind smile.

He then pushed the mission assignment letter onto the table and said, "News from the ancient Loulan Kingdom indicates that the seal on the underground dragon vein has loosened, causing problems with the Loulan Ancient City's barrier, making it unable to provide effective protection and preventing the generation of clean water sources."

This time, the Queen of Loulan sent an envoy, specifically requesting that you carry out this mission.

"Roll call?" Minato Namikaze raised an eyebrow slightly. Although he had been active in the ninja world for the past two years, he did not have much fame outside of Konoha.

This country, Loulan, which he had never heard of before, had heard of his name and insisted on inviting him to visit.

This seems very suspicious!

"Minato, this commission is substantial, a full 1 million taels. Normally, you would receive 50%, but since this was a special assignment, I've decided to give you 70%."

"Don't worry, Third Hokage, we will definitely complete the mission." As soon as he heard that there was money to be made, Sarutobi Asuma immediately leaned forward.

"Asuma is already a ninja, it's time for him to grow up!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a wry smile, "Minato, this kid has always caused you a lot of trouble."

"No, he's very talented. It's just that he's been neglected in his upbringing."

Minato Namikaze turned and smiled gently, then said, "Third Hokage, we accept this mission. We will ensure its completion."

"Alright, in that case, let's tentatively classify it as S-rank."

After bowing, Minato Namikaze turned and led three disciples toward the door.

Just as he was about to walk out of the gates of Konoha, a familiar figure passed by him.

His signature long black hair, simple and neat vest, and a pair of six-shaped earrings all proved the identity of the person who came: Orochimaru.

Orochimaru's gaze fell on Minato's bandaged left arm, his voice hoarse and languid, "Oh my, our Jonin Minato is really diligent. Over the years, the frequency with which you've taken on S-rank missions is almost on par with ours."

"How is it? This arm I gave you... works great, doesn't it?"

Minato's expression remained unchanged, his blue eyes as calm as still water.

He bowed slightly, his tone respectful yet distant: "Thank you for your concern, Lord Orochimaru. Please don't trouble yourself with my affairs."

After saying that, he straightened up and walked past Orochimaru with his three disciples.

Orochimaru didn't stop them; he simply leaned against the wall and watched the four figures disappear at the end of the corridor.

The smile on his face gradually disappeared, and his gaze changed from being amused to being bored and pathetic.

"Those insignificant fools bound by Konoha will never see the greatness of the world!"

At that moment, Sarutobi Asuma, who was walking at the very back, suddenly turned around.

He stuck out his tongue at Orochimaru, made a face, and held his chin high, looking arrogant.

"Hehehehehehe—"

That expression was so smug, like that of a child who hadn't grown up.

Just then, a flying insect wobbled past him, almost touching his nose, but Asma was completely unaware.

Soon after, the insect landed in front of Orochimaru and transmitted its voice.

"Orochimaru, there's something wrong with your ninjutsu. I need you to come and fix it."

There's a problem? How could there be a problem with my ninjutsu!

He can hear others say that he is a bad person, that he is ruthless, or that he is cruel and heartless.

But he absolutely cannot hear anyone criticize him for providing ninjutsu that is problematic, especially the complete version that he has not tampered with.

"This must be a lie. Shiraki-kun, just say you want to see me, why make up excuses?"