Chapter 76: Mission Accomplished, On the Eve of the Chunin Exams
Kadō is dead, and the task of everyone can be said to have been completed by half, but Kakashi and others still need to protect Dattebayo's safety until the bridge is built. However, Maito Gai has not been idle these days, why? It's actually very simple. Because... Maito Gai envies Kadō's wealth, so he brought his summoning beast - the Sky Eagle, flying around everywhere, and every time they found one of Kadō's companies, there would be a considerable income.
"This is the last one, huh. Task complete. Although that bastard Cardo doesn't care about consequences when doing things, now that they're all dead, this wealth can be used for something meaningful instead. Alright, Tianying, we can leave now." Meng Ling looked at the 'Golden Mountain' in her Chaotic Color Jade and had an idea.
These days, Mu Leng has been a great help in the bridge-building work. In this task, Mu Leng indeed helped a lot. Firstly, it was his active performance in battle, and after Kado's death, Mu Leng brought back a large amount of supplies from afar, under the guise of 'waste utilization'. However, Kakashi already knew that Mu Leng had actually been going to fetch these things over the past few days.
"Well then, let's take our leave here." Kakashi said calmly in front of the completed bridge.
"Uh-huh, so remember to come here often!" Dakina said with a smile.
Immediately afterwards, Naruto and Hinata's tearful scene unfolded...
————I am that gorgeous dividing line————
After the mission in the Wave Country, it had already been a week since everyone returned to Konoha. During this time, Team 7 didn't have any stimulating missions, and each time Kakashi and Might Guy would rest on the sidelines while the three genin executed the tasks, making them busy with joy. When Naruto asked Kakashi in discontent why he and Might Guy could rest, Kakashi only replied indifferently.
"This is also one of your practices, you must accumulate experience in completing tasks well at this stage."
Meng Ling's answer was even simpler.
"Back then, I didn't seem to have as much free time as you guys do!"
And today, as usual, Meng Ling and others started their task according to the original 'plan', and today's task flow is - weeding, picking up trash, and walking the dog.
Without exception, Naruto was always the most unfortunate one. First, he was beaten by that woman for pulling out the medicinal herbs she had painstakingly planted. Then, while picking up trash, he almost fell off a waterfall. Finally, he was blown away by the defensive measures in the Trap Forest.
"It's your own fault for being so arrogant!" At this time, Sakura and Sasuke were supporting the heavily injured Naruto on either side. Although Sasuke didn't say anything, Sakura still spoke up with great dissatisfaction.
"Hmph, what a troublesome guy!" As soon as Sasuke's words left his mouth, Naruto immediately started his rampage, but was stopped by Sakura.
"If you mess with Sasuke again, I won't be polite!" Sakura said fiercely.
"Recently, team spirit is really lax!" Kakashi said lazily.
"That's right! You're the one who's undermining team spirit, Sasuke! All you care about is showing off on your own!" Naruto said indignantly to Sasuke, who was just about to leave.
"That's your fault, idiot. If you don't want to owe me a favor... (turning his head sharply towards Naruto with an extremely serious expression) ...then just become stronger than me." The atmosphere between the two became even more intense after Sasuke said that. But in no time at all, Sasuke seemed to be thinking of something and revealed a serious expression.
"Well, it's about time to disperse. Next, I still have to go submit the report for this mission." Kakashi said immediately after hearing a flying eagle's cry in the sky.
"Well, I'll go first then." After saying that, Sasuke was about to leave when Sakura chased after him. After being scolded by Sasuke, she walked over to Naruto in a daze.
And on Naruto's side, the Konoha Jonin Corps also made their appearance after a series of pranks. Seeing this, Mei knew what was going to happen next and used Instant Body Technique to head straight for Ichiraku Ramen shop.
In a ramen shop...
"Uncle, Kawahagi sister, long time no see! Please get me a special order of Ninjyara ramen." Just as she entered the door, Meng Ling smiled and greeted them.
"Oh, great star has arrived, what a rare guest indeed." Chouho said with a smile and tease.
"Ah, Meng Ling, you haven't been here for a long time either!" said La Mian Shu (Noodle Uncle) with a smile.
"Please, Irisesister, don't tease me anymore. Besides, if others hear about it, I won't be able to eat noodles again! To be honest, I really miss Uncle's craftsmanship!" Meng Ling said with a smile.
"Alright, got it. Big star, no, Meng Ling, so we'll go prepare then. Please wait a moment." Xiang Pu smiled and started cooking noodles for Meng Ling.
About three minutes later...
"Alright, special Ninja Ramen has arrived." Sagiri smiled and placed a large bowl of ramen in front of Mugen.
"Thanks, I'm starting now!" Meng Ling said with her hands together in a prayer-like gesture, then pulled down her mask and began to enjoy herself quickly. (No choice, if she ate slowly, Meng Ling would be in trouble.)
"Hmm..." Just as Meng Ling was still savoring her snack, a hawk's cry in the sky caught her attention.
"Are all the Jonin gathering? Looks like I won't be able to enjoy this anymore. Uncle, the money is here, I have something else to do, so I'll leave first." As soon as she finished speaking, Meng Leng hastily left. However, she didn't head directly to the Hokage's office, but instead ran towards where Naruto and the others were currently located after scanning with her sensory skills.
————I am that gorgeous dividing line————
Three hours later, in the great hall of Konoha, Kakashi, Hinata and Asuma had all recommended their subordinates to take the Chunin exam, but Iruka had opposed it. However, after Kakashi's rebuttal, the dispute ended with a preliminary examination, but Mei Terumi still hadn't arrived...
"Where's Mei Terumi? Kakashi, do you know where she is right now?" The Third Hokage asked somewhat discontentedly.
"I don't know, after completing the task, they just disbanded directly. I think she'll be here soon." Kakashi also found it strange, according to Mei Terumi's intuition, she should have definitely sensed the summoning of the hawk, so if she was late, then something must have happened to her.
"Ah, you're all here. Sorry, I'm late." At this time, Meng Ling's small head with a mask poked in from the entrance of Huoying Hall.
"Mei Terumi, this meeting is very important, where did you go?" The Third Hokage asked seriously.
"Hmm, heh heh, sorry about that, I just got lost on the path of life." Meng Ling scratched her little head and said with a silly smile. And when they heard this sentence, everyone in the entire Konoha Hall looked at Kakashi who was still reading his book with a look of disdain on their faces.
"Alright, that's all for now. Mei Terumi, you're considered an elite in the Academy, so this time I've decided to have you assist me during the Chunin Exams. After all, these exams won't be easy." The Third Hokage said seriously after a brief pause.
"Is it because the Will of Fire was inherited by that sole survivor of the Uchiha clan? Hokage?" Meng Ling put away his carefree attitude and asked seriously.
"I also guessed you would know this, but this time there can't be any mistakes. After all, Naruto and Sasuke are both in your team, and their importance I'm sure you're aware of." The Third Hokage's expression was extremely serious.
"Not bad, the Third Hokage, the Jinchuriki and that sole survivor of the Uchiha clan are all important, so we can't let our guard down." Just then, a voice that Hyuga Hinata didn't want to hear at all rang out.
"Team Taka, what brings you here?" The Third Hokage asked loudly.
"What's this old thing doing here again?" Meng Ling muttered to herself.
"Can't the Elder Team protect the foundation of Konohagakure? The power of Jinchuriki is indispensable, and that Uchiha survivor is also a force to be reckoned with. When necessary, for the safety of Jinchuriki, we can sacrifice him. So, just in case, I suggest that they are not allowed to participate in this Chunin exam." Tonan said calmly.
"The power of the Nine-Tails within Naruto is indeed important, but the Elder Team still has no right to interfere with Naruto's life. This time's safety will be taken care of by Mei Terumi, so the Elders don't need to worry." The Third Hokage exhaled a puff of blue smoke, though somewhat displeased, he lowered his voice.
"It's fine to protect their safety, but if the elder group of Muyue Village is going to use my companions as weapons and tools, I absolutely won't turn a blind eye." Meng Ling said calmly.
Perhaps it was because Meng Ling's cultivation had surpassed the last time by a lot, this time, Meng Ling did not suppress his own anger like last time, but instead his mind was extremely clear.
"What do you mean by that? Shen Ruyue, you'd better be clear about your own identity. You don't have the right to interrogate the Elder Council yet." Tuan Cang slammed his cane on the ground, saying with great dissatisfaction.
"Is that so? So, Tanso-sama also knows about status and privilege, does that mean you have the right to interfere with other people's lives?" Meng Ling asked.
"This is for the sake of Konohagakure, these sacrifices are necessary." Danzo said calmly.
"Heh heh, Tō no Sama, I have to say, your face is even thicker than the castle walls. If you're really a person who thinks of others, then you should be thinking of sacrificing yourself first, not others." Mei Rin said calmly. But looking at Tō's eyes, there was only disdain. Immediately after that, Mei Rin also didn't stay in the Hokage office, and after greeting the Third Hokage and Kakashi, she left directly...
However, after hearing Meng Ling's words, the crowd in the Fire Shadow Hall looked at Tuan Cang with a hint of disdain in their eyes.
"Hmph, it seems that this little girl will be the biggest obstacle to my becoming the Hokage. I need to get rid of her as soon as possible." Meanwhile, Danzo seemed to have completely ignored everyone's gaze and left the Hokage office with his cane...
