Konoha: Intentionally losing to Hinata at the start

With only four ninjas—three Jonin and one Special Jonin—the Third Hokage was indeed somewhat uneasy, and he couldn't afford to suffer too much loss for Konoha.

These ninjas are basically top-tier Jonin in Konoha; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them pillars of the village.

Therefore, the Third Hokage wanted to be on the safe side, but since the others were out on missions, some ninjas still needed to stay behind to guard Konoha.

Just then, the Third Hokage looked at Kakashi and said, "Kakashi, how about letting Yu Ming go with you?"

Before Kakashi could answer the Third Hokage's question, Uzuki Yugao said, "No, Hokage-sama, Yu Ming is only a genin right now."

"It would be too dangerous to send him."

Kakashi, Guy, and Yamato all nodded in agreement with Uzuki Yugao's words.

However, the Third Hokage smiled and said, "But I think his strength may already be greater than yours, Uzuki Yugao. Now we need someone to make up the five people, which will be beneficial for this mission."

Uzuki Yugao and Kakashi strongly disagreed.

So he spent a few minutes explaining to the Third Hokage, who finally used his authority as Hokage to say, "Alright, I know you don't want him to participate in this mission, but Yu Ming's strength has already reached the required level. Now he just needs some training to grow. This is an excellent opportunity."

"If he can complete the mission this time, his name will be on the list of Chunin this year."

Kakashi and Yugao Uzuki originally wanted to try again, but the Third Hokage had already made his decision.

Even Yamato and Kai were somewhat helpless; they didn't want Yu Ming to participate in this mission.

After accepting the mission, the four of them left the Hokage Building and went to the back mountain of Konoha.

Yu Ming has been found.

Yu Ming, who was cultivating, was incredulous when he heard that he was to participate in this mission.

Looking at Kakashi's incredulous face, he exclaimed, "No way! I'm just a genin, and you want me to carry out an S-rank mission? Is the Hokage getting senile?"

Since there was no third-generation surveillance, Yu Ming spoke directly.

Kakashi also said with a sigh, "I've already spoken to the Hokage, but he said your strength has reached the level of a Chunin or even a Special Jonin, and you're perfectly capable of handling this mission. He just wants you to go and gain some experience. There's no use in saying anything to him."

"If we complete this mission, you can become a Chunin this year. This is the exchange the Third Hokage is giving you."

Yu Ming's lips twitched slightly. "I don't need to at all. I want to become a Chunin. Can't I take the exam myself?"

Kakashi and Yugao Uzuki also felt somewhat ashamed.

Yamato then said, "I don't want Yu Ming to participate in this mission at this time either. It's too early for you. The Hokage said that after the main mission is successful, you can become a Chunin today and you can also look at the Forbidden Techniques Book and choose an S-rank ninjutsu from it."

Yamato is actually on the side of the Third Generation, but he is also on the side of Yu Ming.

This was meant to ease tensions between the Third Generation and Yu Ming, and to prevent Yu Ming from misunderstanding the Third Generation.

After all, Yamato became the captain of the Anbu after Kakashi left, so Yamato was still on the Third Hokage's side.

However, he was also very concerned about Yu Ming's matter, so at this moment, he was actually in a very difficult position.

At this moment, Uzuki Yugao said, "Yuming, you're the one who brought this up. Do you have any better way to kill them?"

Kakashi, Guy, and Yamato were all stunned, staring at Uzuki Yugao. "What? Yu Ming told you about this?"

Uzuki Yugao nodded. "Yes, I came to find Yuming earlier, intending to talk to him. I felt very upset. After I told him about this, he analyzed that those people might have used that kind of medical ninjutsu."

"Don't forget, Yu Ming's medical ninjutsu is even better than the director of Konoha Hospital."

The three looked somewhat helpless. "Yu Ming, you should know the opponent's weaknesses very well, right?"

Yu Ming shook his head. "Don't overthink it. They really don't have any weaknesses. If you want to kill them, you can only beat them. It's unlikely that you can find their weaknesses."

Kakashi thought for a moment and asked, "Is it true that the director of the Konoha Hospital said that if their Jonin unleash their power, they can possess Kage-level strength?"

Yu Ming nodded. "Yes, they will basically be promoted one level, so if we want to kill them this time, we may have to face three Kage-level ninjas and five Jonin."

These words completely stunned Yamato and Kakashi. "How could this be? Currently, no one among us who possesses the power of a Kage except for Guy has it."

The difference between a Kage-level ninja and an elite Jonin is significant.

Kakashi knows best.

If Guy were to open the Eight Gates, he could possess Kage-level power. However, Kakashi, Yamato, Yugao Uzuki, and Yuuki are at most only elite Jonin level.

What's the point of fighting now?

Furthermore, it's still unknown whether Kai can open the seventh gate of the Eight Gates Formation.

Even Kakashi didn't know; he only knew that after Guy opened the Eight Gates, he should have Kage-level strength.

For a moment, Kakashi felt that this mission was too difficult.

It's simply impossible to complete.

Chapter 52

Yu Ming laughed and said, "Not necessarily. Although they possess Kage-level chakra and their taijutsu may also reach Kage level, their combat experience may not be as good as our Kakashi-sensei. After all, you are also elites among Jonin, so this mission is not impossible for you."

"It is very dangerous."

Kakashi could only think that way, since they had already been assigned this mission by the Third Hokage.

Uzuki Yugao looked at Yu Ming with some apology, "I'm so sorry, Yu Ming, for dragging you into this."

Yu Ming smiled and said, "Sister Xi Yan, although I also think this matter is indeed very unpleasant, it has nothing to do with you."

Yu Ming knew very well that Uzuki Yugao had definitely refused the Third Hokage's request regarding this matter.

Even Kakashi, Yamato, and Guy all refused.

However, it seems that over the past month or so, the Third Hokage has roughly figured out Yu Ming's strength and knows that Yu Ming's strength is at the level of a Jonin.

This mission was actually a test for Yu Ming, to see if he was worth training.

Yu Ming could guess what the Third Generation was planning.

He was indeed a little annoyed.

He really didn't care about the Third Hokage's training. He was going to die in a few months. Yu Ming felt that things might be more lenient during the Fifth Hokage's time.

By that time, he would have no need to hide his strength at all.

However, Yu Ming can only follow Kakashi and the others on ninja missions now, so his refusal is almost meaningless.

Kakashi looked at Yu Ming and patted him on the shoulder. "I'm sorry, as your teacher, I can't protect you in this matter."

Yu Ming sensed Kakashi's shame.

Yu Ming raised his head, looked at Kakashi, and smiled calmly, "Don't worry, Kakashi-sensei. Although I didn't really want to participate in this mission, I have to say that this mission has indeed been of great help to me."

"And I'll surprise you when the time comes."

"Haven't you always wanted to know what kind of power I have now?"

Kakashi was stunned for a moment after hearing what Yu Ming said, and then felt even more guilty. "Even if I die on this mission, I will make sure nothing happens to you."

Yu Ming could sense that Kakashi was absolutely sincere in what he said.

Yu Ming smiled and said, "Don't say that, Kakashi-sensei. How will you know I'm not as good as you then?"

Yu Ming said this in a joking tone.

Yamato, Kai, and Uzuki Yugao didn't seem to care much.

But Kakashi pondered for a moment and said, "Maybe."

He had always known that Yu Ming had not shown him the full extent of his power.

However, Kakashi never wanted to investigate, and he wouldn't ask unless Yu Ming showed it to him.

Yu Ming looked at Uzuki Yugao, thought for a moment, and took out a small bottle.

"Sister Xiyan, this is a healing medicine I prepared myself. It will be good for you if you take it."

Yu Ming poured out a green, translucent pill from the small bottle, like a gemstone.

"This pill is made from many precious medicinal herbs. After you take it, your body should be able to fully recover from the damage."

Uzuki Yugao paused for a moment, looking at the pill in Yu Ming's palm.

Just by looking at its appearance, Uzuki Yugao already knew how precious this pill was.

Furthermore, one could sense a strong chakra fluctuation emanating from the pill's surface.

"This is so precious."

Before Uzuki Yugao could finish speaking, Yu Ming placed the pill in her hand. "Only when your body is fully recovered can you unleash your true strength, which will provide us with greater protection."

Uzuki Yugao is definitely the weakest of the five.

Therefore, Yu Ming hopes that she won't hold him back.

I just can't say it too explicitly.

Uzuki Yugao's strength is only that of a special jonin, not even as strong as a regular jonin. If she is injured, she will really be a complete hindrance.

After hearing this, Uzuki Yugao didn't hesitate and took the pill.

Kakashi laughed and said, "You actually brought this out. That's rare."

Kai and Yamato were also somewhat incredulous, "You actually dared to use this medicine."

After plugging the small bottle, Yu Ming put it in his ninja tool bag and smiled, "Don't overthink it, I don't have much left either."

These healing pills are indeed very rare, extremely rare. Yu Ming only managed to refine six pills in three years.

He gave one to Yamato, Guy, and Kakashi, and now he's given one to Uzuki Yugao.

There are only two left.

Moreover, the resources required for this medicine are extremely precious; he spent 50 taels of silver to refine these six healing pills.

This healing pill has only one ability: to repair the body.

As long as there is still a breath left, eating this can immediately save a life.

It can also keep the body's functions intact for up to a month, making it immune to all poisons.

The efficacy of this drug was also tested by Yamato once.

Once, during an S-class mission, he was surrounded by enemies and almost died. It was after taking this pill that he fully recovered, killed the enemies surrounding him, and completed the mission.

When she tried to get another one from Yu Ming, Yu Ming refused to give it to her.

He himself didn't have much left either.