Although it's an A-Class task, Namikaze Minato thought carefully and realized that it didn't seem to involve any battles between ninjas.
The only thing to be cautious of is to avoid ninjas from the Hidden Sand Village on the way, but Sarutobi Hiruzen already considered this and assigned two reconnaissance-type ninjas to Namikaze Minato's team.
As long as they avoid the Hidden Sand Village, they could complete the task smoothly.
After Kakashi and the other three left, Sarutobi Hiruzen also entrusted Namikaze Minato with a deeper mission, which is to investigate whether Loulan was supporting the Hidden Sand Village.
If the minister of Loulan indeed harbors great ambition, he is likely to get involved in the war.
If such a tendency is found, eliminate him and completely seal the power of the Dragon Vein; currently, Sarutobi Hiruzen doesn't know whether the Hidden Sand Village is aware of Loulan's Dragon Vein. If they know the power can drive puppets, the Hidden Sand Village would certainly be interested.
There was another A-Class task assigned solely to Namikaze Minato, which was to gather intelligence on the Hidden Sand Village.
If Uchiha Yoichi and Uzumaki Minami were still on the mission, Sarutobi Hiruzen had considered handing it over to them.
But now, considering all factors, Namikaze Minato, who knows the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, is more suitable, as long as he doesn't get entangled with a large group of ninjas, his safety can be assured.
After Namikaze Minato received the task, he bid farewell to Sarutobi Hiruzen, but as he was about to leave, he stopped, scratched his head, and asked Hiruzen: "Lord Hokage, there's another matter I need to report to you...."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said kindly, "Minato, go ahead."
"It's about Kushina, the last time you gave her the training method for becoming a Perfect Jinchuriki, it sparked a lot of insight for her. Recently, she's been continuously trying to control the Tailed Beast Chakra and has made substantial progress...."
Namikaze Minato spoke at length, always talking about how hard Kushina was working and how much progress she had made.
Sarutobi Hiruzen secretly sighed; with several Anbu watching over Kushina, he knew exactly how much she was training each day.
Finally, Namikaze Minato continued, "Lord Hokage, I'm leaving the village for a long-term mission, and Kushina might be very lonely, can she go to Konoha Hospital to seek her clan members?"
"Is that so, it's my oversight, neglecting Kushina's feelings..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said apologetically, seeing this, Namikaze Minato quickly waved his hand and said, "No, it's not related to you, Lord Hokage, previously it was also for the village's sake, but now Kushina has made quite a bit of progress in controlling the Tailed Beast Chakra, there shouldn't be a repeat of the previous incidents."
"I'll speak with Anbu, to expand Kushina's range of activity within the village, but areas too far like the Forest of Death are still off-limits, after all, Kushina's safety is of utmost importance."
After thinking for a moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen told Namikaze Minato that merely allowing her activities to be expanded to Konoha Hospital was somewhat petty, so he'd let her move within the village, at most assigning a couple more Anbu to follow.
Now Kushina has indeed made progress, gradually becoming proficient with the Tailed Beast Cloak, although she can only keep one tail and remain conscious, it's much better than before, at least showing hope of seeing the Jinchuriki's Tailed Beast Transformation.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage."
Namikaze Minato, with a joyful expression, thanked him and then prepared to return and share the good news with Kushina.
——————————————
"Teacher, why did you suddenly dispel your Shadow Clone just now?"
When Uchiha Yoichi's Shadow Clone arrived at the mission location, Yuhi Kurenai approached and asked.
"There was a small incident just now, but it has nothing to do with you guys, how's the mission going..."
Before Uchiha Yoichi finished speaking, Yuhi Kurenai drew a Kunai and threw it at his face.
But such an attack posed no threat to Uchiha Yoichi, who merely extended two fingers, swiftly inserting them into the circle at the end of the Kunai chain, commenting, "Haven't you learned from the last lesson yet..."
Before he could finish speaking, the Yuhi Kurenai before him suddenly transformed into Hyuga Satomi, who charged at him quickly, both hands glowing with Chakra, launching a Gentle Fist strike at Uchiha Yoichi.
"Oh, a Transformation Jutsu to lower my guard? Not bad, you finally used your brains..."
While he spoke, Uchiha Yoichi threw the two Kunai backward.
The Kunai, in mid-air collision, instantly altered trajectory, just colliding with the shuriken thrown by Chishima Ichihiko.
The front Kunai collided with the first shuriken, triggering a chain reaction in mid-air, continuously causing collisions, finally blocking all the shurikens.
Meanwhile, Hyuga Satomi also struck fast at Uchiha Yoichi, who deflected the attack with a hit to her wrist, redirecting the trajectory, while casually critiquing,
"Don't rush to attack vital points; during an assault, consider the enemy's response, and reveal your intentions only when you have a sure kill..."
With that said, Uchiha Yoichi then attempted to grab Hyuga Satomi's wrist.
However, the Byakugan girl suddenly formed a seal, and with a "poof," transformed into another person, revealing a hint of cunning in the red pupils, as the suddenly appearing Yuhi Kurenai completed the seal.
"Substitution switch?"
"Teacher, you lost, Naraku Observation Jutsu!"
Illusion Technique activated!
Uchiha Yoichi's face suddenly turned dazed, looking no different than if he had fallen into an illusion.
Seeing this, Yuhi Kurenai jumped with joy, turning around to her teammates hidden in the woods nearby, saying, "Satomi, Ichihiko, the strategy succeeded!"