Chapter 56: Tuan Cang's Trap, Meng Ling's Choice

  About a week later, Meng Ling and others also returned to Konohagakure under Kakashi's leadership. At this time, everyone was explaining the whole process of this mission to the Fourth Hokage.

  "So, it was Tayuya who defeated and sealed the Seven-Tails?" In the Fire Shadow Hall, the Third Hokage was discussing with Kakashi and others about Tayuya's sealing of the Seven-Tails.

  "Yes, Third Hokage-sama, that's how it is." Kakashi replied with conviction.

  "Alright, since that's the case, let Kakashi and Mei stay for now. The rest of you can disperse." After the Third Hokage gave his orders, the various Jounin and the Fuu siblings from Konohagakure also left the Hokage office one after another, with only Fuu looking back at Mei who was still inside the Hokage office.

  "Alright, now that I've got you all back here, there's actually something very important that I need to hear your thoughts on." The Third Hokage exhaled a mouthful of smoke and spoke calmly.

  "What's going on, Third Hokage?" Kakashi asked somewhat anxiously upon seeing the Third Hokage's strange expression, but Mei Terumi's heart skipped a beat.

  "If I'm ten years old now, then that thing should have happened too." Meng Ling thought to herself.

  "Just eleven days ago, the Uchiha clan suffered a devastating blow. The entire Uchiha family was annihilated, with only one person surviving - a young boy named Uchiha Sasuke and his brother Uchiha Itachi. Not a single person, regardless of age, escaped unharmed." The Third Hokage said with some distress. But Mei Terumi knew that the Third Hokage actually knew the inside story of this incident. He just wanted to find someone to calm his mind now, after all, such a thing was extremely puzzling for the Third Hokage, who had a kind heart.

  "I wonder who the culprit really is?" Kakashi asked further.

  "It should be one of the two remaining members of the Uchiha clan, as mentioned by the Third Hokage - Uchiha Sasuke, said Mei Terumi casually."

  "How did you know?" The Third Hokage asked with a shocked expression.

  "From the words you just spoke, Third Hokage, I already knew that the culprit was Uchiha Sasuke." said Mugen calmly.

  "What?" Kakashi's face was also full of astonishment.

  "The Third Hokage's grandfather was just talking about the Uchiha clan being wiped out with a somewhat calm tone, but when he mentioned Uchiha Madara, his tone completely changed." Meng Ling explained slowly.

  "Are you saying that just because of this, you can conclude that the Uchiha clan's destruction was done by Sasuke Uchiha?" The Third Hokage asked.

  "Of course, it's not just that. The Third Hokage, if one person were to completely destroy the Uchiha clan on their own, it would be absolutely impossible for them not to attract attention from others in Konoha Village. So this must have been done by someone within the Uchiha family itself. Adding this point to what I said earlier, Third Hokage, wouldn't my speculation be reasonable?" Mei Terumi said calmly.

  "Bang Bang Bang"

  "Brilliant, truly brilliant reasoning. With your current abilities, you don't seem like a genin at all. I think even the Hokage wouldn't have thought that such an incredibly strong genin existed." At this time, an old man with a bandaged head and leaning on a cane walked in.

  "Team Taka, what are you doing here? We're in the middle of discussing important matters. Leave immediately." The Third Hokage said with some anger.

  "Heh heh, I came here precisely for the important matter that the Third Hokage mentioned. Does the Third Hokage think that the big matters of Konohagakure don't require someone from the Council of Elders like me to handle?" asked Danzo calmly.

  "The...". The Third Hokage seemed really bad at speaking, just got refuted by Danzo with one sentence and had nothing to say.

  "Alright, Third Hokage-sama, the matter of the Uchiha clan is already in the past and doesn't need to be interfered with anymore. I don't want to interfere either. However, considering Kagami's abilities as a jinchuriki, from today on, it's absolutely impossible for him to continue being a low-ranking ninja. This would completely disrupt the order of things." Tōzai said slowly.

  "What? Is Tuan Cang starting to think of pulling me down into the depths?" Dreaming Leng's heart couldn't help but skip a beat.

  "What's your take on how we should proceed?" asked the Third Hokage, calming himself down a bit.

  "I think we should let Kagami join the Anbu and hone her skills. With her talent, she can definitely become a first-rate ninja." Tōru said slowly.

  "It's indeed like that." Meng Ling's anger was already barely containable, looking at this old man who pretended to be a good person in front of her, now Meng Ling really wanted to punch him flying.

  "Kill!" Meng Ling's greatest hatred in this life was those who liked to hide knives in their smiles. At this moment, Meng Ling had already activated the ability of the elemental fruit after mutation. Although there was no visible change on the surface, the chaotic divine power inside Meng Ling's body had been fully mobilized.

  "You can't do this, Meng Ling!" At that moment, a voice that was extremely familiar to her echoed in her mind.

  "Is... is that Sister Sally?" At the critical moment, Sally in the spiritual world stirred up the purple aura outside the tower of offerings, causing Meng Leng to wake up from his anger.

  "You should know, Meng Ling, now is not the time for you to lose your temper. With your current state of mind, you should know what methods can be used to avoid this calamity." Sally's voice was very calm.

  "It's true, Sally-nee, I shouldn't have gotten angry in the first place. It seems my training is still far from enough." Meng said, dispelling his chaotic divine power manipulation, and looked at Tuanzang beside him before turning to face the Third Hokage and saying, "Actually, regarding this matter, I agree with the former. I'm indeed no longer suitable to be a genin." Meng said calmly.

  "Yeah, that's how it is. Actually, Meng Ling should have come to the Dark Department..."

  "But..." Meng Ling interrupted Tuan Cang's words.

  "What is it?" asked Tuan Cang with some surprise.

  "But I've already made up my mind, Team Tsuchiya." Meng Ling turned around and bowed to the Third Hokage, then said in a requesting tone: "I'd like to request that the Third Hokage approve me becoming a Jonin immediately."

  "This is already a settled matter." The Third Hokage muttered to himself, having no idea what kind of trick Mū was up to.

  "Also..."

  "Any other requests? What is it?" The Third Hokage had a similar expression as Danzo.

  "I hope that the Third Hokage Grandfather can recommend me to the great Fire Country as one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja." Meng Ling said a shocking sentence.

  "Are you? One of the Twelve Guardians? Isn't it better to join the Anbu and train in secret? You should know, being one of the Twelve Guardians is a very dangerous thing." Tōka was about to jump up.

  "Yes, although going to the dark side for further study is a good idea (good for nothing), but I personally think that what I lack now is actual combat experience. I think being one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja will be the best choice for me." Meng Ling said, and slowly winked at the Third Hokage.

  "Ah, this is indeed a good idea." The Third Hokage understood the look in Merei's eyes and knew that she had made this choice because she didn't want to join the Anbu and become a lifeless machine. He looked at her deeply and made his decision.

  "Alright, Mugino, I'll recommend you to the great name. No, I'll guarantee your appointment as one of the Twelve Guardians Ninja. As it happens, Lady Tsume arrived a few days ago and issued a mission. You can set out with my letter of recommendation and accompany Lady Tsunade tomorrow." The Third Hokage said with a smile.

  "Who did you say it was?" Meng Ling's heart skipped a beat.

  "Mrs. Zhìzhìměi, little tiger has gone missing again these past few days, so Mrs. Zhìzhìměi came here to post a task..."

  "Alas..." Upon hearing this, Meng Leng only broke out in a cold sweat, thinking that the famous madam would spend an unknown amount of money on catching cats within a year.

  "Alright, since things have been decided, I won't say anything more." Tsunade left in disappointment. The only ones left in the hall were Mei Terumi, Kakashi and the Third Hokage.

  "Alas, it seems that my luck has been really bad lately. Three generations of Fire Shadow ancestors." Meng Ling said with some helplessness.

  "But this may be beneficial to your future, after all, actual combat for you is just increasing your own experience. I think when you come back, you will definitely become a good teacher." The Third Hokage said with a smile.

  "What's going on?" Meng Ling was bewildered.

  "You don't know? The stronger the Jonin, at a certain point in time, they need to go teach new Genin. By the time you return, it's probably when a new generation of ninjas appears. At that time, you'll be someone else's teacher." Kakashi explained.

  "Alright then. Fire Shadow Grandfather, this time I'll set the term for being one of the Twelve Guardians as five years." Meng Ling said with a smile.

  "Five years, why must it be five years?" The Third Hokage asked curiously.

  "After five years, I should be fifteen too, it should be better to be a teacher at that time." Meng Ling said with a smile.

  "It's decided then, so be it. Mei Terumi will serve as one of the Twelve Guardians for five years by Danjo's side..." The Third Hokage continued to speak while his hand moved swiftly across the paper, writing away.

  "Alright, Mei Ling, take this letter and you can set off tomorrow. Good luck to you." The Third Hokage smiled as he handed the recommendation letter over to Mei Ling's hands.

  From now on, Meng Ling's five-year life of guarding Rin had already begun at this moment...