Chapter 77: Feijian's Mission

"Sorry, you can't take on A-rank missions for now."

At the Task Gathering Hall, the staff looked at the three of them with a hint of apology.

"What are you saying? How could we possibly be unable to take it?!" Tuan Cang couldn't help but retort: "With our squad's strength, not only A-rank but even S-rank missions are within our reach!"

Indeed, a team of one Jonin and two Special Jonin can accept S-rank missions, though whether they can actually complete them is another matter.

Xiaochun Zhuanqin subconsciously looked at Lian Ye, "Lian Yejun, what should we do now?"

Lian Ye frowned and looked at the staff, "May I ask why we can't take A-rank missions?"

"Sorry, Renya Jonin," the staff said with a smile, "I didn't make it clear before; you can't take not only A-rank missions but any missions above C-rank either."

Lian Ye's mouth twitched, "So that means we can only take D-rank and C-rank missions?"

"That's right," the staff said.

"You have us, esteemed Jonin, doing C-rank missions?!" Tuan Cang narrowed his eyes, "It seems you're deliberately giving us trouble..."

As he said, powerful chakra erupted from Tuan Cang's body.

Other ninja in the Task Main Hall, seeing this, began whispering among themselves.

Lian Ye silently watched without speaking, feeling that something was off.

The Task Gathering Hall wouldn't arbitrarily prevent them from taking missions, and the only one who can intervene is the one in the office.

I have no idea what that kid Madara Uchiha is up to.

The staff member, just an ordinary person, broke out in cold sweat when faced with Tuan Cang's pressure.

"This... this is Lord Feijian's decision, you... if you have any issues you can go find Lord Feijian."

Hearing that, Tuan Cang immediately retracted his chakra and a smile blossomed on his face,

"So it was the teacher's decision... Sorry, I misunderstood you."

Lian Ye raised an eyebrow, showing a "just as I thought" expression.

He knew it was Madara Uchiha's doing, but had no idea what that kid was selling in his gourd.

"Let's go, we'll find him and ask about the situation."

Lian Ye said, leading the two away from the Task Gathering Hall.

On the way, Xiaochun Zhuanqin couldn't help asking, "Lian Yejun, why does the teacher do this?"

Lian Ye shook his head, "Who knows."

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang wore a thoughtful expression, "Could it be that the teacher has important matters to entrust to us?"

Saying that, the three fell into silence.

"Uncle, what do you mean by this?"

In the Hokage Office, Lian Ye, puzzled, looked at Madara Uchiha, who was bent over handling documents.

Tuan Cang and Xiaochun stood behind Lian Ye, equally baffled.

Madara Uchiha didn't answer immediately; he finished reviewing the documents in his hand before looking up at the three.

After a moment of silence, Madara Uchiha slowly spoke, "For the time being, don't go out on missions; I have important matters to entrust to you."

"Teacher, please give us instructions," Tuan Cang said.

Hearing that he would be given important matters, Tuan Cang became extremely excited.

The teacher entrusting them with important matters undeniably shows his trust in them, or perhaps trust in himself.

Otherwise, why wouldn't the teacher give the mission to Ri Zhan and his group, but to them instead?

Gaining the teacher's trust, does that mean the future Hokage Position could fall onto one's own head?

Could it be... that the Genjutsu Lian Ye performed is about to become reality?

Thinking of this, Tuan Cang grew even more excited, his face eager as he looked at Madara Uchiha.

Although the specific details of the mission haven't been disclosed, he is already eager to complete it.

A hint of bewilderment flashed in Lian Ye's eyes, not quite understanding Tuan Cang's actions; the guy seemed overly eager.

Seeing Tuan Cang's reaction, Madara Uchiha nodded approvingly.

Tuan Cang, seeing this, became even more excited.

The teacher's move clearly acknowledges me!

The Hokage Position is secured!

"Teacher, what is the mission content?" Xiaochun Zhuanqin asked.

Tuan Cang glanced at Xiaochun Zhuanqin, a cold sneer in his heart.

This stupid woman also wants to compete with me for the Hokage Position?

How laughable!

In his view, after the teacher retires, the Hokage Position will definitely fall to us disciples.

And the most powerful successors would naturally be only him, Lian Ye, and Ri Zhan.

As for the others, they pose no threat at all.

That's what Tuan Cang thought in his heart...

He even believed Lian Ye could never become Hokage, given his Uchiha lineage, with the events of Madara Uchiha still fresh in memory.

Under these circumstances, Lian Ye's status is almost unrelated to the Hokage Position.

But he couldn't gauge the teacher's attitude toward Lian Ye, so he listed Lian Ye as one of the competitors.

"I need you to help me complete..." Madara Uchiha stated the mission details.

The three, upon hearing the mission, wore strange expressions.

Lian Ye's mouth twitched; it seemed the kid had successfully developed Impure Earth Reincarnation.

Otherwise they'd absolutely never let them do something like this…

"This mission is top secret; we must absolutely not let the Fifth Person know!" Qianshou Feijian said with a solemn expression.

"Understood!" the three replied in unison.

"All right, you may go carry out the mission now," Qianshou Feijian waved.

Lian Ye and the two others left the Hokage Office.

————————

Night fell, and darkness shrouded the desolate field cemetery.

Crows occasionally let out one or two mournful cries, adding to the gloom.

Three masked men in black stood amid the mass graves, listening to the whispered mutterings of the surrounding grave mounds.

"Lian Yejun, are we really going to do this?" Xiaochun Zhuanqin asked softly.

"Will we be punished for this…" Zhi Cun Tuan Zang muttered, "I also don't know why the teacher wants us to do this."

Lian Ye sighed helplessly, "Enough talk, let's dig."

Speaking so, he swung the iron shovel in his hand and began excavating the tomb.

The task assigned by Qianshou Feijian was to dig up other people's graves and collect the dead's bones.

Naturally, anyone buried here was strong in life.

Because this was the main battlefield of the great ninja clans during the Warring States Period, countless strong warriors perished here.

"Uchiha Lianye, what do you think the teacher's purpose is in doing this?" Zhi Cun Tuan Zang asked.

"How should I know? Keep digging," Lian Ye rolled his eyes, swinging the iron shovel swiftly.

Being called here to loot graves was already irritating, and this guy keeps asking all sorts of questions—if I actually told you, you still wouldn't get it…

Tuan Cang saw that Lian Ye had no intention of conversing, so he shut his mouth and worked earnestly.

"We shouldn't agree to such heartless deeds in the future," Lian Ye said, still feeling an eerie chill behind them.

At that moment, from afar, Xiaochun Zhuanqin shouted:

"Lian Yejun, this looks like someone from your Uchiha Clan."

Lian Ye's mouth twitched; damn, they even ran into a senior.

ps: It's on time today, hehe