"Haha." The Third Hokage's lips twitched. Was this fate? Back in the day, Kushina Uzumaki had always liked using the crystal orb and his beard to threaten him. He never expected that even after so many years apart, the son she'd given birth to would end up with a personality so similar to Kushina's.
"Grandpa Third, are you going to give me an A-rank mission or not?" Naruto was getting impatient. He really didn't want to waste time on those low-level missions anymore. And every time they walked down the street, people would gossip and point at them like they weren't real ninja at all.
"Well, Naruto, ninjas shouldn't be too impulsive. What you need to do now is train hard. High-level missions aren't something just any genin team can take on," the Third stubbornly refused to budge, determined not to let them go.
"Come on, Grandpa Third, don't use strength as an excuse. You know our abilities well enough, right? Although we might lack experience, when it comes to actual combat power, fully unleashed, we could easily take down Jonin without pressure. If I get serious, even Madara wouldn't be a problem!"
Sakura spoke calmly but stated facts. If she really went all out, at worst she could take Madara down with her while dragging the entire world into oblivion. Thinking about it made her excited.
"Well, Sakura, you must understand that this is how every ninja develops!" The Third patiently explained. "Genin can only take low-level missions. Once your mission experience reaches a certain level, you'll be promoted to Chunin, and then you can handle high-level missions. You've just graduated; you must follow the rules!"
"Puh-lease, Grandpa Third. Why don't you mention how during wartime, many freshly graduated ninjas were sent straight to the battlefield?"
Sakura scoffed. Only a ghost would fall for that kind of nonsense from the Third. In wartime, freshly graduated ninja were typically sent immediately on life-threatening missions. Those with bad luck might even be sent to the front lines as cannon fodder. As Hashirama Senju once said, back in their day, the average lifespan of a ninja was only around thirty years. Children were sent into battle early on.
"To put it plainly, you're just scared we'll end up getting killed, aren't you?"
Sakura knew exactly what the Third was thinking. Naruto was the orphaned son of the Fourth Hokage and also Konoha's Jinchuriki—he couldn't be placed in danger. Sasuke was the last survivor of the Uchiha clan and had Itachi Uchiha, his older brother, watching over him. Although the Third didn't yet know that the Uchiha clan still lived, he knew perfectly well that Sasuke absolutely couldn't come to harm either. As for herself—never mind the incredible miracle-like ability to reverse time—her Wood Release alone would make her a valuable asset to the Third. Although Yamato, under the Third's command, also possessed Wood Release, his techniques lacked the vitality characteristic of the First Hokage's. Whereas Sakura's Wood Release closely resembled that of the First, potentially ushering Konoha into a golden age again. Once Sakura matured, there was no saying she couldn't become another Hashirama Senju. Thus, the Third would definitely not allow anything dangerous to happen to her.
Actually, if possible, the Third would have kept the three of them sealed within Konoha Village forever for cultivation. If anything went wrong while they were on missions outside, he feared even both their mentors and the Fourth Hokage might rise from their graves just to pummel him to death.
Chapter 125: A Mind-Dulling Blow to the Third [Part 2]
"Grandpa Third, you really don't need to worry," Sakura tried hard to convince the Third to let them leave the village, citing Kakashi as a safeguard. "Although our experience is lacking, we still have Kakashi with us. No matter what happens, Kakashi will definitely guide us. If you don't trust us, surely you at least have faith in Kakashi?"
"But Kakashi makes mistakes too!" The Third shook his head without agreeing. "Also, Kakashi's Sharingan costs him a lot of chakra. If he overuses it during a fight against some powerful enemy and passes out, then who will protect you all?"
Unaware of Kakashi's current condition, the Third still assumed things were the same as before—his Three-Tomoe Sharingan constantly burdening him with chakra depletion. Hearing this, Sakura gave Kakashi a pointed look.
"Kakashi-sensei, why don't you show Grandpa Third your eyes?"
"Fine." Quietly, Kakashi lifted his forehead protector, revealing one normal black pupil.
"Kakashi, where's your Sharingan?" The Third immediately stood up. If Kakashi had lost his Sharingan, Konoha would lose a crucial asset—one that had been vital to their defenses for years. Given Kakashi's age, there was no way he could ever truly master the White Fang sword techniques again.
"Don't worry, Lord Third. I can now control my Sharingan freely." Kakashi focused his mind, and his Three-Tomoe Sharingan appeared. Then, as the Third relaxed slightly, the Three-Tomoe instantly transformed into scythe-shaped marks that flowed together seamlessly.
"T-This is...the Mangekyo Sharingan?!" The Third's pupils contracted sharply. He had grown up listening to stories about Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, so naturally, he knew well about the Mangekyo Sharingan. Except for Itachi Uchiha, it had been many years since anyone else was known to have awakened it. How could Kakashi, someone not even born into the Uchiha clan, gain the Mangekyo Sharingan?!
"That's right, this is the Mangekyo Sharingan. With this power, I'm sure Grandpa Third doesn't have much to worry about anymore!" Sakura pointed at Kakashi's eye, then gestured toward herself and Naruto and Sasuke. "Moreover, the reason we want to go outside is mainly to gain more experience and broaden our horizons. We won't be able to improve much by training quietly in the village forever. Ninjas should grow stronger through battle, just like the First Hokage. Had he not gone through countless battles, do you think he could still have become the Ninja God everyone reveres today?"
"That may be true, but—" The Third continued puffing on his pipe, still looking hesitant.
"Grandpa Third, if you still refuse to listen, don't blame me for taking drastic action!" Sakura's expression turned unpleasant. She already knew it wouldn't be easy to get the Third's approval, so she came prepared. If he listened, great. If not, then she'd use her last resort.
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