Who are you calling a stable boy?!

Zheng Jingyi raised his hand.

"Don't make wild guesses just because you see Xiao Duzi. What kind of water platform is Xiao? What kind of water platform do I have with Lao Lan? We're really not familiar with each other."

Upon hearing this, Minato glanced at Kakuzu.

Seeing that Kakuzu had already sat back down and continued playing Go with Aizen, seemingly oblivious to everything else, he frowned.

"...I understand. So, Mr. Zheng Jing, what is the purpose of your sudden visit to Konoha Village?"

"Hey! It's nothing serious."

Zheng Jing waved his hand, raised the tip of his stick slightly, and pointed at the weasel that was still standing there.

"I'm just here to meet this kid's family. From now on, he'll be following me, Old Zheng, to cultivate. I reckon he'll be gone for quite a while, so before he leaves, I should let his parents know what's going on, right?"

"...?"

Minato's eyes widened slightly as he looked back and forth between Zheng Jing and Itachi, finally asking Zheng Jing, "Does that mean... Mr. Zheng Jing, you've taken Itachi as your apprentice?"

"what?"

Zheng Jing was also taken aback.

"Wrong, wrong! I, Old Zheng, didn't take him in! I only let him cultivate here for a period of time, so that if anything goes wrong, I can settle the karma on the spot."

Minato was completely confused and went to check on Itachi Uchiha, but there was still no reaction from him.

I neither agree nor disagree.

He just stood there, without even raising his head.

"Here's the thing, and I've explained it all to you, the head of Konoha. It wasn't for nothing that I, Old Zheng, waited patiently for so long."

As he spoke, Zheng Jing called out to Itachi.

"Come here, come here, let's go!"

"and many more!"

Seeing Zheng Jing carrying a stick and about to come over, Shuimen quickly called out.

"What? Is there anything you don't understand?"

Zheng Jing stopped, scratched his cheek, and muttered something.

"No way! I, Old Zheng, was once the most handsome boy in the Youth Palace's junior host class. My pronunciation is definitely clear..."

“What you’ve said… I think I understand, Mr. Zheng Jing.”

After considering for a moment, Minato continued, "But I can't let you enter the village like this."

"Oh? That's true. Konoha has a certain foundation in the ninja world, so it's not surprising that they have a lot of rules."

Zheng Jing nodded.

"Tell me, how much more trouble do you want?"

When Zheng Jing asked him this question, Shui Men was a little stumped.

It's not that Konoha can't let outsiders in; during the Heping era, many important figures from other major ninja villages visited Konoha. But to enter, they all had to go through various procedures.

But Zheng Jing's origins are truly unknown.

Intuitively, Minato wanted to let Zheng Jing in.

However, as the Fourth Hokage, he cannot rely on intuition to do everything.

Especially since the other party's target was clear, pointing directly at the Uchiha clan, even Minato hesitated for a moment.

"I do have a proposal."

An aged voice came from behind the water gate.

"Sandaime-sama?"

Minato looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with surprise as he slowly approached.

The Third Generation nodded slightly to Minato, then stood with his hands behind his back and looked at Zheng Jing.

“Itachi is an excellent child. If he intends to train outside and strengthen himself, how could the village not support him?”

"However, every Konoha ninja is a child of Konoha, and as the Hokage, I have a responsibility to care about their growth and future."

"Your Excellency Zheng Jing, I believe you can understand that this feeling is no different from that of a parent."

"So, since you want to guide Itachi's training, you certainly won't hesitate to show off your superior skills to Itachi's parents, so that we can rest assured, right?"

"Oh?"

Zheng Jingyi raised an eyebrow.

"Old man, from what you're saying, you want to see what Old Zheng is capable of?"

"How could I dare? I just wanted to make a bet with you."

"Oh? What are we betting on?"

"We will send one of our people to spar with you. If he is fortunate enough to defeat you in even a single move, we ask that you rescind the request for Itachi to accompany us."

"Oh?"

Zheng Jing laughed.

"Alright, alright! Whoever you send, I, Old Zheng, will take them all!"

He grinned and pointed the stick at the water gate.

"Watergate = SAN, how about we have a go at it?"

Minato had already understood the meaning of the Third Generation.

This is indeed a good method.

Under the guise of a friendly spar, they can not only bring back Itachi without completely breaking ties, but also find out what tricks the mysterious monster assassin Zheng Jing has up his sleeve.

Although they haven't fought yet, Minato could sense that Zheng Jing's strength was extraordinary.

This judgment was made not only because Zheng Jing easily subdued dozens of village ninjas and captured Itachi, but also because Minato had actually considered launching a surprise attack to subdue Zheng Jing during their conversation.

But whenever he had such a thought, Minato felt as if he were in a swamp, his hands and feet being pulled by some invisible force.

He knew that it was an instinct honed through years of battlefield experience that was giving him a warning.

This feeling is no less than when I first met the Abby brothers from Kumogakure...

It was precisely because he realized how terrifying Zheng Jing would be as an enemy that Minato hesitated.

He could not allow such a person to freely enter and leave the village, and he was even less willing to easily engage in a battle with such an opponent in the village.

In this situation, the proposal from the third generation gave Minato a slight sense of relief.

At least, all he needs to do next is defeat the mysterious Zheng Jing in the realm of friendly sparring—

"Minato is highly skilled and has excellent disciples; he is indeed a good candidate."

Just as Minato was about to respond, the Third Hokage smiled and spoke.

"However, I would like to ask you to spar with me here."

"Sandaime-sama?!"

Minato couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent, his gaze fixed intently on Zheng Jing.

"Hey."

Zheng Jing chuckled softly.

"Old man, you've got guts."

He carried the golden cudgel and gestured towards the forest.

"Then let's practice."

"Very well, please follow me, sir."

As he spoke, the third generation leaped into the forest.

"Old Lan! I'll be right back."

With a laugh, Zheng Jing grabbed his staff and jumped after the third generation's retreating figure.

An old man and a young boy, resembling two monkeys, leaped through the dense forest surrounding Konoha. Before long, they were already two or three kilometers away from the entrance of Konoha Village.

That's about it, let's leave it here.

With their minds made up, the three generations stopped in their tracks.

"Is this it?"

Seeing the three generations jump down from the tree, Zheng Jing also landed.

"Hey, if you run a few more steps, I'll really think you're trying to stall for time."

"You flatter me."

He grabbed the robe and lifted it open, revealing Hiruzen Sarutobi wearing only light armor underneath.

"So--"

Zheng Jing clasped his hands together.

"DOMO, Hiruzen Sarutobi = SAN, Desu the Demon Slayer."

Although he didn't know where this etiquette originated, since it was meant as a friendly exchange, Hiruzen Ninja chose to return the greeting.

"DOMO, the monster slayer, I am Hiruzen Sarutobi."

Then, Zheng Jing slammed the golden cudgel on the ground and stretched out his hands toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Since this is a friendly exchange, come on, let's shake hands."

Chapter 183: Here, this is what you call professional.

Looking at Zheng Jing's outstretched hand, the third generation remained expressionless, but hesitated in his heart.

Generally speaking, the first clash between ninjas is, in a sense, a contest of intelligence gathering abilities.

Finding information about him, Hiruzen Sarutobi, is not difficult.

But he knew very little about the monster assassin in front of him.

The two locked eyes, and a battle was about to break out. At this moment, how to deal with the mysterious opponent's every move was of paramount importance.

"......it is good."

The third generation reached out their hands.

For a ninja, extending their vital hands so unguarded might be seen as a sign of sincerity.

The four hands clasped together, the youthful palms brimming with vibrant energy, made the elderly feel their own aging simply by touching them.

Nothing terrible happened as the three generations had imagined. After shaking hands, Zheng Jing simply let go of Zheng Jing's large hands.

Then, the third generation saw Zheng Jing turn around, seemingly without any fear of being attacked, and walk back to his original spot with his back to him, picking up the stick and carrying it on his shoulder.

"Come."

Zheng Jing smiled and waved, looking at the third generation.

Seeing this, the third generation lowered his head, shook his head, and chuckled softly with a frown.

"Heh...you've really been underestimated..."

Before he could finish speaking, the Third Hokage formed hand seals, mobilized his chakra, and launched a preemptive strike without hesitation!

He puffed out his cheeks, facing Zheng Jing.

Breathing fire!

The Third Hokage unleashed a Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet. Three fire dragons, formed from chakra, spiraled out, each taking a different path, and hurtled towards Zheng Jing from three directions.

"Hey!"

Zheng Jing grinned, raised the staff with one hand, and flicked his wrist. The staff flowers bloomed, alternating between real and feints, as if he had simultaneously struck the heads of the three fire dragons in an instant.

At this point, the three roaring fire dragons exploded instantly. Just as the scorching fragments were about to fly out, they were caught by a gust of wind and shot into the sky.