"As for you, Chizan, there are two options you can choose from now."
"First, although Kumogakure and Iwagakure are currently in a ceasefire, there are constant frictions between the two, and our intel on them is extremely limited."
"After all, infiltrating the battlefield deep in the Land of Rice Fields is too difficult for ordinary people."
"You understand what I mean, don't you?"
Gekko Chizan rolled his eyes mercilessly.
You damn old man, you're so sly. You've practically spelled it out.
What else could he say?
"And the second one?"
"Let's hear it first, shall we?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a slight smile, took another puff from his pipe, then said:
"Although you're now part of the Anbu, you're also still a jōnin of the village."
"Currently, there are quite a number of new genin graduates, but most of the village's jōnin have already been sent to the frontlines. I'd like you to use your time in the village to lead a genin team."
"Of course, if a mission arises, you'll still need to head to the frontlines. As for your students, they won't be involved in the war for now."
Be a squad leader? Don't mess with me!
That kind of exhausting work is better left to Minato and the others.
Once Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, he leaned back in his chair and silently puffed on his pipe.
Based on his understanding of Gekko Chizan, the kid would definitely choose the first option. After all, that brat is a total slacker.
Making him a teacher is already like pulling teeth—half-hearted at best. Assigning him to lead a team? That's practically a death sentence.
But maybe... he didn't quite understand Gekko Chizan as well as he thought.
Chizan was a hardcore safety-first type. If there was a safe way to stay in the back, he would never charge forward!
The moment he heard both tasks, Gekko Chizan understood immediately—this old man was betting he'd be too lazy to take the squad leader role.
That's why he gave the two options together.
Hmph. Rotten old man, truly the worst.
No way he was letting the old man get what he wanted.
"I'll take the second one! Leading a team, huh?"
"I think I'm up to it!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nearly snapped his pipe in half...
He stared wide-eyed at Gekko Chizan, who was now wearing his trademark smirk.
A smirk full of mockery.
"You little brat! Are you deliberately trying to go against me!?"
"Tch, grumpy old man. You want me to gather intel, so I won't! Leading a team? I'll do it!"
The two of them glared at each other—old man versus young punk—neither willing to back down.
"Fine! Then get out there and lead your team!"
"Tomorrow morning at nine. Ninja Academy field. Go meet your assigned class."
"Hmph!"
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's angry face, Gekko Chizan burst out laughing.
"Old man, only an idiot would be excited about a mission. Besides, the friction between Kumogakure and Iwagakure won't ease up anytime soon."
"If things really get serious, I'll go."
"But for now, I'll enjoy some time off."
With that, he opened the door and left.
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched him go, but instead of getting angry, he actually laughed.
"That brat... still as lazy as ever. Oh well."
...
The next morning, Gekko Chizan arrived at the Ninja Academy field early.
He popped the last dango into his mouth, then activated Transparent Release and plopped down at the edge of the stands, waiting for his team to show up.
But very quickly, he was dumbfounded—someone was already there.
And not just anyone—he knew this one well. It was Hatake Kakashi.
Followed shortly by Rin...
"Jeez, it's almost nine o'clock. I get it if the teacher's late, but how is that idiot Obito not here either?"
"Don't tell me he's helping some old lady cross the street again."
Already promoted to chūnin, Kakashi wore a sleek combat outfit with a short sword on his back—he looked like a miniature copy of Hatake Sakumo.
Rin, beside him, smiled gently.
"Come on, Kakashi. Obito's probably almost here."
"But it is surprising that our squad leader isn't here yet..."
Forget Rin being surprised—even Kakashi was thrown off.
In his eyes, jōnin should be incredibly punctual. How did they end up with such an unreliable one?
Another half-hour passed—by 9:30, Uchiha Obito finally arrived.
Panting hard, he saw Kakashi and Rin, then broke into a sprint toward them.
"I... I'm late..."
"I was helping an old lady catch her cat... so I took a bit longer..."
Rin smiled at his words, while Kakashi wore a look that practically said you win.
Seeing Rin smile, Obito immediately straightened his back, determined to show his best side in front of the girl he loved.
"But... where's our squad leader jōnin?"
"Still not here?"
"Running late?"
The three of them looked at each other, then came to the same conclusion—their squad leader really was late.
Little did they know, Gekko Chizan was already watching the three of them in utter disbelief.
No way... why him, of all people, assigned to these three?
Shouldn't it be that bastard Minato?
Holy crap, don't tell me that bastard went to the front lines with Jiraiya!?
So now Minato's team is gone? And it's become Gekko Chizan's team?
Tsk, honestly... it does sound better than "Minato's team."
...
"Our squad leader isn't reliable at all! He's late!"
"Ugh, I was excited for nothing yesterday!"
"I wonder who it is—leading us is an honor!"
"After all, I, Uchiha Obito, am the future Hokage!"
Listening to Obito's self-praise, both Kakashi and Rin were speechless.
Obito was just a living cartoon...
But to be fair, one thing he said wasn't wrong—their squad leader jōnin really was unreliable.
Hearing Obito's complaints, Gekko Chizan pulled back the foot he had just stepped forward with.
This kid! Calling him unreliable? Alright!
He decided to wait a bit longer—see how these brats reacted.
With that in mind, he lay down, began gathering natural energy through Transparent Release, and observed the trio's behavior.
An entire hour passed just like that.
It was nearly noon, and the three of them were at their limit.
"Holy crap, it's almost lunchtime. Should we go eat something?"
"I'm starving..."
The three of them had waited on the field all morning, and their teacher still hadn't shown up.
Obito, who was already late and hadn't eaten breakfast, was now so dizzy his vision started blurring.
Not just Obito—Kakashi and Rin were also starting to feel...