Together with the previously notorious reputation during his Chunin days, which has diminished significantly, those former teammates who sullied Uchiha Yoichi's name now walk with their heads down, afraid to be seen.
As he walks through the village, Uchiha Yoichi can garner some admiring glances from the women.
But Uzumaki Minami, trailing behind him, is able to accurately discern the 'enemy's' gaze, and fiercely glares back.
The two soon arrive at the Hokage Building to submit their task. Seeing yet another A-Class task flawlessly completed by Uchiha Yoichi, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration—these are truly rising stars.
Sarutobi Hiruzen is aware of Uchiha Yoichi's team configuration; among the four, two are merely to make up the numbers, often staying in the Uchiha Clan Land without venturing out, and Uzumaki Minami is not a combat ninja.
In other words, over the past year, Uchiha Yoichi has single-handedly completed nearly all A-Class and S-Class tasks.
Such task efficiency, talent, and strength, along with the gradually rising fame in the village, have led Uchiha Yoichi to grow to a point where he can no longer be ignored.
He must quickly be made to feel the Will of Fire and stand on the side of the village.
Sarutobi Hiruzen puts down his pipe and smiles at Uchiha Yoichi, saying, "You've done really well, Mr. Yoichi. I knew this task wouldn't stump you. Will you be taking on another task soon?"
"Not recently. I haven't really rested much this year, planning to take a break."
Uchiha Yoichi shakes his head and says that he has already done enough tasks, and the fame gained from completing tasks has almost reached its peak. Next, he needs to earn greater fame in a war.
His current fame is about the same as Namikaze Minato's; both need a war—without the accolade of 'war hero,' no matter how many tasks completed, it falls short of being a Hokage Candidate.
"Taking a break, huh? That's good. It's been a tough year for you... But Mr. Yoichi, since you're resting, how about considering becoming a Jonin leader?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly recalls this matter. If Uchiha Yoichi continues to choose tasks, it would be hard to persuade him since, compared to leading Genin, A-Class and S-Class tasks are obviously more important.
But since he's planning on resting in the village, he might as well take on the role of a Jonin leader to experience a mentor-student relationship. Protecting one's disciples is also a crucial part of the Will of Fire.
"I'm not suited to be a Jonin leader, Lord Hokage. Let's forget about this matter."
Uchiha Yoichi refuses without even thinking, finding leading Genin less appealing than leading Kakashi and his clansmen; it's more straightforward.
"Mr. Yoichi, your abilities are well-recognized within the village, and lately, with increasing friction with the Hidden Sand Ninja, most Chunin and Jonin have been dispatched to Kikyo Castle, leading to a severe manpower shortage in the village. Recently, new Genin have also graduated..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighs and continues, "Now with the Ninja School graduation approaching, the previous Genin haven't been properly assigned, yet new Genin have joined. Without experienced and strong ninja leaders to impart experience, these Konoha freshmen might..."
"....."
A tricky old man using a painful ploy is really somewhat disgusting; the last time when using the Demon Passport, it should have been handled by getting rid of him!
However, Uchiha Yoichi also figured it out—Sarutobi Hiruzen would certainly find a way to persuade him to lead a team.
"Alright then, I'll ask Lord Hokage to find me two Genin."
"Still, let's make it three, Mr. Yoichi. The policy of three-member teams was determined by the Second Generation Hokage. Currently, the unassigned Genin and Ninja School graduates are just right for arranging into groups of three. If only two are assigned, then one will be left without an assignment."
Sarutobi Hiruzen advises with a smile, then glances at Uzumaki Minami and continues, "As for your teammate, she can be assigned to Konoha Hospital. Lately, Konoha Hospital is also lacking staff, and in ordinary missions led by Jonin, medical ninja rarely need to act..."
After hearing this, Uchiha Yoichi turns his head slightly to look at Uzumaki Minami.
Having been together for over a year, Uchiha Yoichi is not afraid of Uzumaki Minami being lured away by the people of Konoha. Placing her in Konoha Hospital isn't bad; with Minami's unique Chakra and medical talent, after the Third Ninja World War, she might even take over Konoha Hospital.
Uzumaki Minami also nods towards Uchiha Yoichi, indicating that she entirely listens to Uchiha Yoichi.
Thus, Uchiha Yoichi says to Sarutobi Hiruzen, "Alright then, Lord Hokage, let Minami join the medical unit."
"Okay, I'll arrange that. With her abilities, she can become a leader in the medical unit too."
Sarutobi Hiruzen says with a smile. After a year, they finally reached an agreement.
"Regarding your subordinates, Mr. Yoichi, once the list is arranged, someone will notify you."
"Understood."
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After handing over the task, Uchiha Yoichi and Uzumaki Minami head back to the clan land.
Since the unlucky draw of the [Divine Tongue] a year ago, in the following year, Uchiha Yoichi hasn't drawn any useful abilities.
Out of twelve abilities, eleven are essentially useless, and the only useful one involves the tongue.
[Shennong]: After tasting, can swiftly and precisely analyze the components and production process.
Uchiha Yoichi used this ability to help Uzumaki Minami master the composition of dozens of poisons, and the price was his tongue being numb for a long time; even just tasting and quickly spitting it out, with rinsing, he still experienced burns from the poison a few times.
The poisons in the Ninja World are quite different from ordinary ones; some insidious poisons are even targeted at Chakra. But this skill isn't entirely useless; at least it significantly enhances Uzumaki Minami's detoxification abilities.