"You've arrived?"
Inside the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the three of them—Hidezawa, Yugao, and Shisui—with a kind expression.
"How are things? Have your recent rest and team building gone well?"
"Thank you for your concern, Hokage-sama. We are getting along very well."
Uchiha Shisui bowed slightly as he spoke, though he felt somewhat unnatural saying it.
Whether it was because, in truth, although they had met these past few days, most of the time it was Hidezawa and Yugao practicing swordsmanship while he trained separately, with little true team bonding… or because he had actually questioned Hokage-sama's decision once, this present 'well-intentioned lie' made him deeply uneasy.
"That's good."
Hiruzen already knew the true state of their team, but he did not expose it. The birth of bonds took time. He would not be impatient, neither with Shisui nor with Hidezawa.
He was determined to resolve the Uchiha issue. Although suspicion had entered his heart after the Nine-Tails Incident, he would never sink into Danzo's kind of subjective judgment. He also knew the Uchiha were not completely united, and perhaps, in the future, he could rely on Shisui to ease these troubles.
As for Hidezawa, his entry into the Anbu had not been pure—he carried Danzo's orders with him. But in their last operation, facing Orochimaru, he had protected his teammates and even confronted Orochimaru directly. That initiative had left a great impression on Hiruzen.
Moreover, there was Naruto's situation. He would never allow Danzo to harm the boy. If Hidezawa remained in Anbu, Hiruzen would naturally find ways to sever Danzo's influence over him.
"This time, I have a mission for you, a dangerous mission. I hope you are mentally prepared."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
Hidezawa and the two others answered in unison. Hiruzen stood, spreading a map across the table.
"For this mission, I hope you can go to the Land of Wind."
'Land of Wind?'
Hidezawa's expression immediately stiffened. The Land of Wind was nothing but barren desert and howling sandstorms. A land where the Daimyō constantly cut the village's funding, leaving the Kazekage to dig for gold just to keep Sunagakure afloat.
He really couldn't muster any goodwill towards such a place. Still, wasn't Kabuto currently lurking there? That suited him just fine.
"I think you all know Sunagakure is our ally," Hiruzen continued, "but our ally is currently engaging in dangerous behavior."
He tapped the map with his pipe.
"According to reliable intelligence, shinobi from Kirigakure have appeared in the Land of Wind and have begun harassing Sunagakure. At the same time, Iwagakure also seems to be moving troops southward.
These two villages are likely to enter direct conflict. That conflict will affect us. If we also consider Kirigakure's involvement, the situation grows even more dangerous. For Konoha's sake, I hope you three can go and ascertain the true situation."
Conflicts between the Five Great Villages were never isolated. Now, with Sunagakure, Kirigakure, and Iwagakure stirring in the Land of Wind, Konoha—situated at the very center of the continent—could not help but be concerned.
If matters escalated beyond control, as Sunagakure's ally, Konoha could very well be dragged in. And at this moment, Konoha was weak and in transition. Preparation was essential.
"We understand."
The three nodded together. Regardless of the underlying meaning, Konoha could not afford to be blindsided.
"Also, you must be cautious of Sunagakure itself."
Hiruzen's tone hardened.
"Though they are our ally, they share little with us. After the last war, they committed many wrongs, and they only allied with us because they lost. Remember that trust does not exist between us."
Indeed, if trust did exist, there would be no need for Anbu to handle this. Diplomacy would have sufficed.
"We will be careful."
The three nodded again, understanding just how troublesome this mission truly was.
"Then you may go and prepare."
Hiruzen sat back down, exhaling a long sigh of smoke.
"Originally, I intended to send Kakashi with you. Unfortunately, new traces of Orochimaru have surfaced, and he has gone to investigate. I apologize for not providing reinforcements, but I believe you can handle this mission and return safely. I will await your return in Konoha."
Though spoken calmly, his words moved Shisui and Yugao deeply.
Even Hidezawa, cynical as he was, had to admit that Hiruzen's Anbu was utterly different from Root. Root's doctrine was, 'If you fail, return with your head.' Here, it was, 'Protect yourselves. I will wait for you.'
It might be a painted promise, but it carried warmth and trust. Danzo could never compare.
'No wonder he can be Hokage.'
Hidezawa muttered the thought to himself as they left the office. Soon, they disbanded to prepare, agreeing to meet again at nightfall.
[Obtained New Mission]
[Investigate Sunagakure's Secret]
On his way home, Hidezawa glanced at his mission panel, mulling it over.
"Kirigakure's harassment… Iwagakure moving south…"
The sense of déjà vu gnawed at him. Then, suddenly, he understood.
'Wait. Isn't this the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, selling Pakura of Scorch-style to Kirigakure to buy them off? That way, he can focus on fighting Iwagakure for control of the borderlands.'
Pakura—he remembered her clearly. A kunoichi much like Uchiha Madara in a sense: overwhelming offense but fragile defense. She had been riddled with kunai until she looked like a porcupine. Madara, on the other hand, had calmly chatted with Black Zetsu as his heart was gouged out.
'So that's the event this mission ties into. That means it's actually simple enough… but the system hasn't settled yet. Which means I still need to follow through.'
It was at that moment he stopped, eyes narrowing toward the shadows.
"Very sharp. It seems you haven't slacked off since leaving Root."
A figure emerged from the darkness. Hidezawa's brow twitched. Of all people—it was Aburame Tatsuma, Danzo's loyal shadow. One of those who had first lured him into Root, standing side by side with Danzo and Orochimaru.
"Danzo-sama knows you are heading to the Land of Wind. He has a mission for you."
Tatsuma held out a scroll, his tone as flat as ever.
"The details are inside. Danzo-sama awaits your report."
"I understand."
Hidezawa accepted it, then suddenly frowned.
"Am I going alone? Can I request reinforcements? The Land of Wind isn't our territory. If someone like Kinoe could join me—"
"Hmph. Don't you have your Anbu teammates?"
Tatsuma's snort was cold. His sunglasses hid his eyes, but Hidezawa could feel the killing intent beneath them.
"Kinoe has other duties. Do not disappoint Danzo-sama."
With that, Tatsuma turned and left, not sparing him another glance. Hidezawa stared at his retreating back, lips twisting.
"Kakashi is on Orochimaru's trail. Kinoe has a mission elsewhere. Could it be…"
He shook his head and hurried home. Locking his door, he unrolled the scroll.
The contents made his face twist into something between disbelief and rage.
"You old bastard. You've gone too far this time!"
[Obtained New Mission]
[Eliminate Pakura of Scorch-style]
*****
Support me on my pat reon and gain early access to my creations.
https://www.pat reon.com/RroY28 (remove the space)
You can access up to 30 advanced chapters.