Chapter 58: The Plot Begins, Swirling Maelstrom

  Six days later, Meng Ling woke up from his week-long meditation as usual. Although these practices were no longer of much use to his current strength, he just liked that extremely quiet feeling.

  The so-called spiritual cultivation requires two things: one is to cultivate the body, and the other is to cultivate the mind. Meng Ling's current strength has already reached the pinnacle of the "Soldier's Book", and all that's left is to find the remaining volumes of the "Tian Dao Jiu Duan" to continue cultivating. However, even so, Meng Ling's current mental state is still far from sufficient. To cultivate one's spirit, one must achieve a state of no thoughts and no desires, only then can one unleash their greatest power. Although anger can sometimes give people immense power, the essence of Meng Ling's strength does not lie in that. As a spiritual cultivator, she values calmness and tranquility above all else. Of course, anger can bring her immense power in an instant, but at that moment, she would also be an existence that has lost all reason, unable to control her own power. At that time, Meng Ling could be said to be a killing machine, indiscriminate of friend or foe. It's precisely this way, that when Meng Ling is in such a state, she may very likely harm her own companions, or even fall into madness herself.

  So, Meng Ling's physical training has come to an end, and now it's time for her to cultivate her mind.

  "Ah, it should be today, I suppose. I wonder what Naruto's progress is like now, but that's all within my expectations anyway. The plot should start from today onwards. Sigh... speaking of which, not having moved for a week has made my body stiff." Meng Ling flipped over and stood up, stretched her already developed slender figure, and began washing up. She was planning to take a look around the streets of Konoha village, after all, she hadn't left this room since returning a week ago. Today should be a good day to reward herself for not eating for six consecutive days."

  Meng Ling's first choice destination was naturally the famous 'Ichiraku Ramen Shop' in Konohagakure.

  About three minutes later, Meng Ling appeared beside the Yile Ramen shop, looked at it and still saw the unchanged store. Meng Ling smiled and pulled open the canvas to walk in.

  "Shōbu sister, would you mind getting me a bowl of special Ninjutsu Ramen?" Meng Ling found a seat and sat down. Smiling at the still busy girl, he said.

  "Oh, it's almost fine. Huh? Are you... Meng Ling? You've returned to the village?" Chouho asked somewhat tentatively.

  "Oh? How did you recognize me this time, Irisesister? I remember last time you didn't have much of an impression of me." Meng Ling asked with a smile.

  "Alas, don't you know? Meng Ling, don't you know? Look at this!" As she spoke, Xiang Pu pointed to a poster on the facade of the noodle shop.

  "What...what is this?" Meng Ling looked at the poster.

  Above is a girl with pink hair, her hands are in a praying gesture, her eyes are lightly closed, standing quietly on the lake surface as if listening to the breath of nature. And at the bottom of the poster is this line of text.

  "Guardian Angel - Shen Ruyue Mengling."

  "Huh?" Seeing this, Meng Leng was somewhat surprised, but in her heart she was greatly shocked. She seemed to have completely forgotten what she had done over the past year.

  "It seems I need to be more careful from now on, this isn't a good thing." Meng Ling thought to herself.

  "Meng Ling, can you help me with something?" At this time, Xiang Pu smiled and brought the pulled noodles in front of Meng Ling.

  "What's wrong, Irisesister?" Meng Ling asked with a smile.

  "You're quite famous now, so..." At this point, Xiao Pu took out a pen and paper and placed them in front of Meng Ling. "Can you give me an autograph?" Xiao Pu asked with a smile.

  "Alas, it's really 'people fear fame and pigs fear strength', Elder Sister Kawahagi." Meng Ling said with a bitter smile.

  "So, the signature?" Sagittarius asked tentatively.

  "Alright, alright, but don't go spreading it around, Sister Chongpu. That would be troublesome for me." Meng Ling smiled as she took the paper and pen, signing her name before adding a small "Haru" on the side.

  "Alright, I know, Meng Ling. Consider this bowl of ramen on me today, thanks." Chou Hou said with a smile.

  "Thank you then, elder sister Ayame." Meng Ling said with a smile.

  "Hey, Naruto, why did you have to go and do something like that?!"

  "What happens today will definitely cost you."

  Just then, Meng Ling heard a commotion coming from outside the noodle shop.

  "What's going on?" Meng Ling looked out of the store with great curiosity.

  "Hmph, you few, can't even accomplish something like that! But I can do it! I'm extremely formidable!" Just then, on a rooftop not far away, two Konoha ninjas were chasing after a youth with orange-yellow short hair and six cat-like whiskers on his face, who was carrying a paint bucket and wearing goggles on his forehead.

  "Is that Naruto...?" Mengl looked up at the Hokage monument in Konohagakure, only to see that the originally clean monument had been painted with a large flower face.

  "As expected..." Seeing Naruto coming towards him with a big grin, Meng Long couldn't help but smile, it seemed that this time Naruto could finally get some proper exercise.

  Three figures flew past Meng Ling's side, but Meng Ling saw that Ming Ren was hiding in front of the wooden wall in front of him.

  "Heh heh, it seems that Naruto still has some brains after all." Meng Ling said with a soft smile as she stared straight at the spot where Meng Ling was hiding.

  "Haha, two idiots." Naruto removed his disguise, but didn't notice Mei Terumi not far away, looking at the two Jonin who had already gone far away, scratching the back of her head and saying with great satisfaction.

  "Hey, Naruto!"

  "Whoa......" A loud shout came from behind, and Naruto was startled. And at this time, behind Naruto's back, it was none other than Naruto's teacher - Hatake Kakashi.

  "How did you suddenly appear here, Iruka-sensei?" Naruto asked discontentedly.

  "What are you doing here at this critical time?!" Iruka pointed at Naruto and questioned.

  "It seems that the story has already begun now." Meng Ling saw Iruka take Naruto away, and then returned to Ichiraku Ramen shop, continuing to eat his ramen.

  ————I am that gorgeous dividing line————

  In the afternoon, Meng Ling was on the rooftop of the Huo Ying Building, looking out at the scenery of Konoha Village. Seeing this very peaceful village, Meng Ling really couldn't imagine that not long after this, it would become a very unstable battlefield.

  "Huh? Isn't that Naruto?" Meng Ling looked at the two people who were talking about something on the Fire Shadow's Yan Rock.

  "It seems that Naruto is now living a life that isn't so happy, but at least it's peaceful." Meng Ling said with a smile to herself.

  "But I don't want an ordinary life either, and I don't want to be treated like a monster." Ming added silently in her heart.

  "That's great! I'll work hard!" At this time, a excited voice came from Yan Yan's direction.

  "It's probably tomorrow, isn't it... Naruto is going to take the graduation exam... " Yumei smiled, "...and that thing should be done too," Yumei's face suddenly darkened.

  "This time, let me take a good look at the contents of the Sealing Book." Meng Ling said lightly, turning and leaving the Fire Shadow Sky Platform.

  At night, Meng Ling also followed the development of the plot and came to a ramen shop. At this time, Meng Ling not only saw Hu Die busy inside but also saw two people eating ramen on the side.

  Umika Haiya and the protagonist, Nazuna Tsuchiya.

  "Uncle, give me a bowl of special Ninjutsu ramen." Looking at the two Fire Shadow characters sitting next to him, Meng Ling smiled and said, to be honest, this was still Meng Ling's first time seeing Naruto and Iruka up close, just like in the original work, and he couldn't help but feel curious.

  Then, Mei Ling sat beside Naruto and the others eating ramen noodles, listening to Mei Ling and Iruka's conversation.

  "Dattebayo." Iruka spoke up first.

  "Huh?" Hearing Iruka talking to him, Naruto responded vaguely while still savoring the delicious ramen.

  "Why are you doing that on the mountain? Don't you know who the Fourth Hokage is?" Iruka asked.

  "Of course I know!" Naruto said slowly after finishing the ramen soup in his bowl. "Basically, those who receive the title of Hokage are the village's first-rate ninjas, right? Among them is the Fourth Hokage, a hero who saved the entire village from the Nine-Tails' attack." Naruto's eyes were filled with admiration.

  "So, why?" Iruka asked.

  "One day I'll get the title of Hokage and then I'll surpass all the previous Hokages! And then, I'll make everyone in the village acknowledge my strength!" Naruto said firmly.

  "But, teacher, could you help me out?" Naruto said with his eyes narrowed.

  "Want another bowl?"

  "Hmm, no, may I borrow the wooden forehead protector on your head?" Naruto asked with his hands clasped together in a slightly pleading tone.

  "Ah, this? No way, no way. This thing can only be given to you after you graduate from school, it's a symbol of adulthood. You'll have to wait until tomorrow." Iruka adjusted his forehead protector and said to Naruto.

  "Penurious ghost."

  "Huh? Haha, so you took off your goggles?" Iruka asked with a smile.

  "Another bowl." Seeing his own wish unfulfilled, Naruto decided to open his mouth wide like a lion today.

  "Hehe, it seems that Naruto is still quite spirited now." Ming Ling smiled as she looked at Naruto beside her, thinking to herself.

  "Although some are greedy, just tomorrow's test you can't pass, otherwise I won't have a good way to take a look at the Sealed Book." Meng Ling ate special ninja ramen while planning tomorrow night's plan.