Ling had some guesses, estimating that Black Zetsu had made a move, and there must be some conspiracy, likely targeting her.
She thought about her life, walking on thin ice; as soon as she transmigrated, she faced the big boss Orochimaru, and after finally tricking him, she had to face Danzo's manipulation.
After she used a small trick to get rid of Danzo, she then had to face the final boss like Black Zetsu; if she hadn't been good at preserving her life and planning before acting, she would have died a hundred times over.
"Ling, Konoha has no one left to use right now, but there are two important missions that need to be done. Your sensei had no choice but to call you."
The Third Hokage tapped the ash from his pipe, refilled it with tobacco, and then a flame appeared on his finger to light the pipe, though he still couldn't hide his fatigue.
Ling grumbled internally about Hiruzen Sarutobi; he called her over when he needed something, then cast her aside when he didn't. He didn't let her take any credit, but there were plenty of dangerous, top-secret missions.
Ling didn't respond, curious to see what else this old geezer could pull off. She, Uchiha Rei, wasn't easily fooled; she was still busy trying to bring Tobirama back to the living world.
The Third Hokage exhaled a puff of smoke, waited for a long time without hearing a sound, and couldn't help but peek at her sideways, grumbling internally about how difficult his disciple was to trick.
"Ahem, Ling, the frontline urgently needs provisions. The Daimyo has specially allocated a batch of provisions, and a powerful individual is needed to go to the capital to coordinate, and then escort them to the frontline."
He truly couldn't find a suitable candidate. The Sannin and Minato had all been dispatched to the frontline, and it wouldn't be safe for other Elite Jonin to escort these provisions.
The main reason was the current chaotic war; Konoha was still being targeted by everyone. Iwagakure and Sunagakure showed signs of allying, while Kumogakure seemed to have chosen to ally with Kirigakure, leaving Konoha isolated.
In the three-way battle, the enemy's Kage-level experts outnumbered Konoha's. If even one Kage-level ninja were to attack the logistics and provisions, their entire supply would be wiped out.
"I can go, but I have conditions. First, I'll go alone. Second, give me half a month's vacation."
Ling would go by herself. She had many sealing scrolls; she could put all the provisions into the sealing scrolls, then put the scrolls into the Adamantine Bracelet's alternate dimension, and a Flying Thunder God would get her there quickly.
"Half a month! Alright, but you can't refuse if there's an urgent mission."
The Third Hokage thought there were no pressing missions, so giving Ling a vacation was fine. Anyway, at a critical moment, Ling, who possessed the Will of Fire and considered the bigger picture, would also help.
Although Ling was a bit lazy, the missions entrusted to her were always completed efficiently, without him having to worry. This was also why he tolerated some of Ling's unruly behavior.
"This is the mission credential, and also a letter of thanks from me. Give them both to the Daimyo."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took out two papers from the drawer: one was the mission credential, and the other was a sealed letter. He also casually stamped the mission credential.
Ling took them and intended to leave. The sooner she completed it, the sooner she could Edo Tensei Senju Tobirama. She presumed he must miss life in the Ninja World very much.
"Ling, wait a moment. There's one more thing: an accusation from the Third Mizukage, saying that the Uchiha have controlled the Hidden Mist's Elder General and stolen Hidden Mist intelligence, demanding that Konoha hand over the culprit."
Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally didn't believe the Third Mizukage's nonsense, but there's no smoke without fire. Intelligence agents in the Hidden Mist Village sent back a secret message saying that the Third Mizukage was actually the one being controlled by genjutsu.
And in the Ninja World, besides the Uchiha and Kurama clans, who else possessed such powerful genjutsu ability to hypnotize a Kage? No matter how he looked at it, the Sharingan was more likely.
"Sensei, you don't actually believe the Mizukage's nonsense, do you? You should know that even Chiri cannot control a Kage from a distance."
Mangekyo Doujutsu can indeed control a Kage-level individual for a period, but it requires frequent replenishment, and the controlled Kage's own strong mental energy will also diminish the Mangekyo Doujutsu.
"Of course, I didn't believe it, but according to intelligence, the Third Mizukage might indeed have problems, because Yagura of the Hidden Mist Village has allied with many families, preparing to overthrow the Third Mizukage."
At this point, the Third Hokage sighed a little. Was this restoring order or a coup? This matter in the Hidden Mist Village undoubtedly set a bad precedent.
"So? The Hidden Mist Village is isolated, so it's not easy to investigate, and even if it's investigated, it's not that important."
Ling knew that the Third Mizukage was controlled by Uchiha Madara. For Konoha to send people to the Hidden Mist Village, the difficulty was not ordinary.
"The Hidden Mist Village is now allied with Kumogakure. Although they are at war with Iwagakure and Sunagakure, Konoha is even more of a targeted objective. If the Hidden Mist Village can be thrown into internal strife, then perhaps the situation will improve."
The Third Hokage naturally didn't care whether the Mizukage was controlled or not. What he cared about most was always how to end this war.
"It's very difficult, but it can be tried. Although many families are dissatisfied with the Third Mizukage, the forces supporting the Third Mizukage are even larger. It requires balancing and intensifying contradictions."
Sending someone to give Old Man Madara a hard time is also a good idea. In short, Madara shouldn't have an easy time, Ling thought.
"Shisui has activated his Mangekyo, right? What do you think about sending him? The Mangekyo can not only read intelligence but also control some important figures to achieve objectives, and it can also investigate the truth of that rumor."
The Third Hokage was a bit indecisive. In his opinion, Shisui was the most suitable candidate. Although young, he had already activated his Mangekyo, and his strength potential was evident.
The information about Shisui's Mangekyo was provided by Uchiha Rei, so its reliability was not low. Sending Shisui could also test the intelligence of Shisui's Doujutsu.
"No, Shisui cannot use his Mangekyo right now. Activating the Mangekyo at a young age puts immense pressure on both his mind and body. If he uses it, he will develop the Bloodline Limit disease.
Moreover, each time the Mangekyo Sharingan is used, its power decreases, and repeated use will lead to blindness. Shisui's current age simply cannot withstand a single use of the Mangekyo.
I have sealed Shisui's Mangekyo. This will ensure that Shisui is not afflicted by the Bloodline Limit disease before he comes of age, and it will also prevent the Mangekyo from affecting Shisui's mind."
Ling was truly afraid that the Third Hokage would revert to his old habits and start fearing and ostracizing the Uchiha again, so she had to reveal some of the Mangekyo's drawbacks. Otherwise, Hiruzen Sarutobi would likely lose sleep.
"Is that so? Shisui has high potential; he cannot be cut short like this. Then I'll consider others."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was well aware of the Mangekyo's information. His sensei, Senju Tobirama, was an Uchiha expert, and he knew that what Ling said was true.
He truly couldn't rush things like this. In the future, when Uchiha Rei becomes Hokage, she will need some powerful assistance. Although he might not live to see that day, he couldn't fail to plan ahead.
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered who to send to the Hidden Mist Village. For a moment, he truly couldn't find a suitable candidate. He couldn't command Uchiha Naori, and the Kurama clan also had no one who had awakened their Bloodline Limit.
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