The requirement of the Nine - Tailed Fox was simple: it wanted to have fun. It wouldn't read anything that wasn't enjoyable. Yue Yan originally planned to let the Nine - Tailed Fox read the works of a so - called 'old rogue from the south of the Yangtze River', but the fox just glanced at it, commented that the protagonist was useless, and then refused to read further.
Fortunately, Yue Yan also disliked sad stories in his previous life. So, his [kage clone] was able to write well - enough stories. However, writing took time. As a result, the Nine - Tailed Fox stayed beside the [kage clone] all day long, reading each word as the clone wrote it.
Yue Yan even suspected that if the [kage clone] didn't disperse when injured, the Nine - Tailed Fox would whip the clone to write faster.
This fulfilled Yue Yan's dream from his previous life of standing behind his favorite author with a small whip, urging for updates. Now, the author was just his own [kage clone].
Although the Nine - Tailed Fox didn't have a strange behavior like some "immortal emperors", it was almost the same. Besides constantly saying words like "Damn it!", "What the hell!", "I have an early - morning class!", it was still that proud big fox.
Feeling the hopelessness passed back after the [kage clone] dispersed, Yue Yan could only mourn for it for one second. Why only one second? Because the next second, Yue Yan had to create another [kage clone] to continue writing for the Nine - Tailed Fox.
Seeing the [kage clone] come back to write again, the Nine - Tailed Fox nodded in satisfaction. It sat there, munching on a pack of chips in one hand and a skewer of Rasengan in the other while reading.
The Nine - Tailed Fox now felt that its previous life wasn't a life a fox should live. This is what life should be: reading while munching on snacks. How awesome is that!
On Yue Yan's side, seeing the fox's blissful expression, he couldn't help sighing.
In just a few days, the fox had become an otaku who only knew how to eat snacks and wait for new chapters. He could only sigh that this fox was doomed.
Just as Yue Yan was thinking about these things, a screech of an eagle came. Looking up, he saw a [ninja hawk] used for messaging flying towards him.
This [ninja hawk] was here to inform Yue Yan of a mission. After such a long rest, it was time for Yue Yan to take on a war - related mission.
In the Third kage's office.
When Hiruzen Sarutobi saw Yue Yan, he smiled and nodded.
"How was your recent rest, Yue Yan? I hope I'm not disturbing you."
Hearing this, Yue Yan thought to himself, 'Even if you were disturbing me, could I really say so?'
"Lord Third Hokage, you called me here for a mission, right?"
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled and pushed a piece of intelligence towards Yue Yan.
"This piece of intelligence is from the [Sand Ninja Village]. It says that the [Sand Ninjas] have been in contact with the [Mist Ninjas] recently. Since the intelligence is incomplete, we need someone capable of going to verify its authenticity."
As he said this, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Yue Yan.
"If the [Sand Ninjas] are trying to form an alliance with the [Mist Ninjas], disrupt it. Konoha doesn't have the strength to deal with the [Sand Ninjas] if they return to the battlefield."
After listening, Yue Yan nodded.
"Okay, I'll take this mission."
"Good boy."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Yue Yan with a kind expression. "This is an S - rank mission. It's very dangerous. There's really no one in the village suitable for this mission. Considering that you've fought against the Mist Ninjas and can easily neutralize the highly poisonous substance used by the Sand Ninjas, this mission is perfect for you. Just tell me what you need. The village will meet your demands if it can."
"I do need some supplies."
Yue Yan stroked his chin, thinking about what to take. Then he told Hiruzen Sarutobi. After listening, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no objections and approved everything for Yue Yan with a wave of his hand.
Just as Yue Yan was about to go to the logistics department to pick up his equipment with the document personally written by the Third kage, an old man walked in without knocking. He walked with a cane, half of his face wrapped in bandages, and exuded a sinister aura.
With such obvious features, Yue Yan immediately recognized the man in front of him as the famous Tanzō.
If you want to know how well - known Tanzō is, there's only one way to put it.
If you don't know who invented a ninjutsu, it's probably the Second Hokage. If you don't know who to blame, just blame Tanzō. Nine times out of ten, you'll be right.
Tanzō also noticed Yue Yan who was about to leave. Without knowing what he was thinking, he just let out a cold snort and gave Yue Yan a dirty look.
Even after Yue Yan left the Third kage's office, he was still scratching his head over why Tanzō was so mad at him. He seemed to have never met the man before, nor had he ever had any contact with Root, Tanzō's organization. Who was he showing that ugly face to?
In fact, although Yue Yan had never met Tanzō, Tanzō had seen Yue Yan.
Since Root had its own complete system for training talents, at the beginning, Yue Yan didn't catch Tanzō's attention. Even after graduation and class assignment, the information Tanzō saw about Yue Yan only stated that he was good at Gitai and Mystical Palm Technique, which were of little use to Root.
The next time Tanzō heard news about Yue Yan was when Yue Yan single - handedly wiped out the entire Seven Ninja Swordsmen last year.
Such a powerful and young ninja made Tanzō unable to sit still. In a hurry, he came to the Third kage's office to ask Hiruzen Sarutobi for Yue Yan.
However, by this time, Yue Yan had already become Jiraiya's disciple, which meant he was Hiruzen Sarutobi's grand - disciple. Moreover, Orochimaru also had a very good relationship with Yue Yan at that time.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who knew exactly what kind of person Tanzō was, would never agree to his request.
Even after making it clear on the spot, Tanzō couldn't even do anything to Yue Yan. After all, both Jiraiya and Orochimaru were on Yue Yan's side. If he dared to make a move against Yue Yan, the two of them wouldn't just stand by and watch.
In the end, it ended with Tanzō's words, "You'll regret this, Hiruzen," and Hiruzen Sarutobi's, "Tanzō, I'm the Hokage," a classic exchange.
And the purpose of Tanzō's visit to Hiruzen Sarutobi this time was about Yue Yan's current mission.
"Hiruzen, you should have assigned this mission to my Root. How could you give it to a brat?"
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi just glanced faintly at his former colleague.
"Yue Yan is very capable. I think he can accomplish this mission excellently. That's all."
"But you have to know, the meeting between the Sand Ninjas and the Mist Ninjas won't be that simple. Maybe they'll unite to deal with Konoha."
"I know, that's why I sent Yue Yan. He has the strength."
"What do you mean?"
Tanzō narrowed his single eye and stared intently at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"His achievements of drawing with A and defeating the Eight-Tails, and previously defeating Chiyo and wiping out the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, are more than enough."
"Are you trying to pave the way for the Fourth Hokage?"
Regardless of whether the future Fourth Hokage is Orochimaru or someone else, it's always a power change. Although Tanzō has never heard the saying "a new broom sweeps clean", it doesn't stop him from understanding the principle.
When the Fourth Hokage takes office, Hiruzen Sarutobi can push Yue Yan over to become the Fourth Hokage's confidant. A capable person like that, the new Hokage surely won't refuse. And Hiruzen Sarutobi can still hold considerable power through this connection.
Whether this is really the case or not, Tanzō doesn't know and doesn't want to know. He's already convinced this is the truth.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Tanzō, whose old face was red after just a few words, feeling a bit confused.
But before he could ask, Tanzō turned and left.
"Hiruzen! You'll regret this!"
As if those words had triggered some kind of imprint, Hiruzen Sarutobi blurted out a sentence without thinking.
"Tanzō! I'm the Hokage!"
After the words fell, there was the sound of Tanzō slamming the door hard.