Chapter 5 - Report
Not long after Li Yao left, Minato appeared in front of the Hokage Building.
From the office building, the Third Hokage immediately noticed the genius boy with golden hair and a gentle smile always on his face.
The Third Hokage was very clear about Minato's talent.
This was a genius with Ninja talent no less than that of his disciple, Orochimaru.
So he had always paid close attention to Minato, and at this moment, he was a bit curious as to why this child, instead of going home after school, came to him.
Was he here to admire him?
Heh heh… the Third Hokage thought, a smile appearing on his face.
"Little guy, is something wrong?"
Before Minato could get close, the middle-aged Ninja on duty at the entrance of the Hokage Building smiled and asked the approaching Minato.
Minato subconsciously glanced in the direction of his friend's house, then took a few steps forward, and said in a low voice with a somewhat serious expression: "Uncle Domoto, my name is Minato, and I am a student in Class 3, Grade 2 of the Ninja School. I have something important and want to see Hokage-sama, is that alright?"
Minato spoke clearly, quickly stating his identity and purpose, and even called out the name of the Ninja in the guardhouse.
"How do you know me?"
Domoto asked in surprise, while also becoming somewhat vigilant. He wasn't a famous Ninja, not to the extent that any random child would know him.
"I often hear Mugura-kun say that you are a very powerful Ninja, and I've seen you come to the school to pick up Mugura-kun a few times."
Minato patiently explained. He knew that his sudden request to see Hokage-sama would certainly make Uncle Domoto vigilant.
But he was indeed classmates with Uncle Domoto's son, which was a fact.
"Oh, it's you then."
Domoto feigned sudden understanding upon hearing this. In reality, he was usually very busy and had only gone to the school twice in total to pick up his child.
And each time was in a hurry, so he hadn't paid any attention to the child in front of him.
However, with Minato saying that, his vigilance in his heart eased considerably.
"What do you need to see Hokage-sama for?" Domoto asked with a smile, not letting Minato in.
The Hokage wasn't someone anyone could just see whenever they wanted. What if it was an assassination attempt?
So even though Minato was his son's classmate and looked very young, Domoto still couldn't let him in to see Hokage-sama.
Especially for people who weren't Ninja, seeing Hokage-sama proactively required special approval or being brought by a familiar Ninja.
Minato felt secretly anxious upon hearing this. He also knew the procedure for seeing the Hokage, but he couldn't wait to find a familiar elder to take him to see Hokage-sama.
He had already confirmed that his friend, Kimura Yao, must have been in trouble. Even a moment's delay could lead to his friend having an accident, so he had to quickly inform Hokage-sama of the situation and let Hokage-sama take action to ensure his friend's safety.
Therefore, he had to see Hokage-sama as soon as possible.
After thinking for a moment, Minato suddenly lowered his voice and said, "Uncle Domoto, my friend and classmate, Kimura Yao, I am certain he has been controlled by an unknown Ninja."
"Hmm…" Domoto's expression tightened upon hearing this. Looking at Minato's serious face, which didn't seem to be faking it, he also became serious and said earnestly, "Minato-kun, you know that such things cannot be joked about. The appearance of a spy in the Village is no small matter."
Minato explained, "I am serious. I have a Chakra Perception ability that senses changes in Chakra temperature. This morning, I discovered that the Chakra temperature inside Yao's body had changed, coupled with some changes in Yao's daily habits, so I concluded that Yao has been controlled."
Chakra Perception!
Domoto was startled upon hearing this. Looking at the young Minato, his eyes couldn't hide his shock. To possess such precise Chakra Perception at such a young age showed how powerful the little guy's Chakra control talent was.
In the future… Wait a minute!
Now wasn't the time to lament the little guy's talent.
If the little guy's talent was real, then the kid named Kimura Yao wasn't just controlled, but it was possible he had completely changed into a different person.
Because if it was just control, the Chakra temperature wouldn't change.
In other words, a spy had truly infiltrated Konoha.
And this spy had very likely killed a child from Konoha.
Thinking of this, Domoto's killing intent instantly flared up and then receded. He stood up, intending to report the situation to Hokage-sama.
Whoosh!
At this moment, an Anbu Ninja wearing a white and red fox mask instantly appeared, moving with a speed like Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique).
Domoto didn't even notice.
Only Minato reacted in that instant, his body responding, his legs slightly squatting, his hands subtly moving towards his pockets, ready to jump and take out a kunai to fight at any moment.
"As expected of the genius Hokage-sama values!"
The fox-masked Anbu Ninja's eyes narrowed upon seeing Minato's instantaneous reaction. He actually kept up with his Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique); what fast reaction speed.
The Anbu Ninja's heart trembled, and at the same time, he couldn't help but secretly praise Hokage-sama's discernment. This reaction speed alone surpassed most Ninja in the Anbu.
It should be known that the Anbu was a group of people who constantly faced life-and-death situations; if their reaction speed wasn't fast, they wouldn't survive.
Therefore, to be able to surpass many Anbu Ninja in terms of reaction speed showed how formidable the talent of this Minato Namikaze was.
This also made the appearing Anbu Ninja believe a few points of what Minato said.
"Follow me, Hokage-sama wants to see you."
The Anbu Ninja said, giving Minato a deep look, then disappeared using Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique).
"Go, little Minato."
Domoto said. Hearing the Anbu Ninja's words, he knew that Hokage-sama already knew everything that had just happened, so he wasn't surprised.
Hokage-sama was always surrounded by Anbu guards.
The exact number was unknown, but their Chakra Perception ability was definitely very strong.
He and Minato were right in front of the Hokage Building, very close to Hokage-sama. It was likely that an Anbu Ninja had been watching this spot the moment Minato arrived.
"Thank you, Uncle Domoto." Minato said, then walked into the building.
"Follow me." A shapely Female Ninja walked out of the Hokage Building, leading Minato to see Hokage-sama.
Minato followed behind the Female Ninja, and the two quickly arrived in front of the Hokage's office on the second floor.
"Knock knock! Knock!"
After knocking, the Female Ninja called out, "Hokage-sama."
"Come in."
A very magnetic male voice came from inside the room. It was impossible to tell if he was young or old, but it was very powerful.
The Female Ninja pushed the door open, and Minato followed behind her.
"Hokage-sama, I've brought him."
"Hmm, you may leave."
The Third Hokage waved his hand, and the Female Ninja retreated, closing the door behind her.
For the upcoming conversation, she needed to be excused.
In the office, the Third Hokage was already sitting back in his Hokage chair, with two Anbu Ninja standing on either side behind him, wearing masks and with katanas strapped to their backs. One of them was the fox-masked Anbu Ninja who had just gone down to call Minato.
"Hokage-sama…"
Minato clenched his fists, gripping the hem of his clothes, suddenly feeling a little nervous and uneasy.
This was the first time he had faced Hokage-sama so formally.
He felt that the current Hokage-sama was much more imposing than the Hokage-sama he had seen at the Ninja School entrance ceremony, making him stutter a little for a moment.
"No rush, speak slowly."
The Third Hokage had a kind smile on his face, and his calm demeanor eased Minato's nervous mood.
Hoo… After taking a deep breath, Minato recounted in detail his interactions with his friend today and how he had determined that his friend was being controlled.
As Minato spoke, the Third Hokage's eyes grew sharper, and killing intent permeated his heart.
Kimura Yao's parents were personally selected by him to join the Anbu. For ten years, they had diligently served him and Konoha.
Now, only a few days after sacrificing themselves on a mission, someone had dared to target Kimura's son. This was unforgivable.
"Hokage-sama, please hurry and save Yao," Minato said anxiously after finishing.
"How strong is your Chakra Perception ability?"
The Third Hokage did not respond to Minato's request, but instead wanted to see how strong Minato's Chakra Perception ability was, so he specifically asked, "Can you sense how many Ninja are in the Hokage Building right now?"
"Twelve," Minato blurted out.
The Hokage's Anbu guard squad had six people, two people on rotation in the downstairs guardhouse, three people in the second-floor secretary's office, and one person at the archive room door. A total of twelve people. As soon as he approached the Hokage Building, Minato had sensed the Chakra emanating from these people.