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Peaceful.
However, accidents always arrive when they are least expected.
Just as he was enjoying a leisurely afternoon, a figure abruptly appeared in front of him.
"Maruyama Kifu, the Hokage has summoned you."
The visitor was an Anbu ninja wearing a mask. After speaking in a low voice, his figure blurred and he vanished as if he had never been there.
'Sarutobi Hiruzen wants to see me?'
Kifu was slightly stunned. Why would the Hokage personally summon a Mortician with such low presence?
Was this not a bit too much attention?
Inevitably, a scene from the last time he smoked with Asuma flashed through his mind.
"(Ssss)" (Inhale). "Kifu, you really should go out more. If you stay cooped up here, you are going to get rusty."
"(Fuuu)" (Exhale). "What does a kid know? You do not understand the happiness of an adult."
"(Fuuu)" (Exhale). "You are only a few years older than me, yet you act like an adult! Do you not know that war is likely coming? If you go to the battlefield like this, how will you survive?"
"(Ssss)" (Inhale). "I will just survive while holding onto the corpses."
The two of them spoke while surrounded by clouds of smoke.
He did not feel it then, but he realized it now.
It was definitely Asuma!
As long as Asuma mentioned his name a few times in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Hokage would remember him. With a memory that could recall every name in the village, the Hokage would definitely remember this Genin who was about to rust away.
He scratched his head in frustration.
What could he do? The Hokage wanted to see him. It was obviously impossible not to go.
He dropped his cigarette butt on the ground and crushed it thoroughly with his foot. He then turned and walked toward the Hokage Building.
Chapter 9: I Did Not Expect You to Be This Kind of Hokage
The last time he visited the Hokage's office was over half a year ago.
At that time, he was still following his lead ninja to complete missions.
The moment he stepped into the office, Kifu immediately sensed the change. The atmosphere was completely different from his last visit. It felt tense and oppressive.
Furthermore, a man leaning on a cane sat in a chair on one side of the office. Just by sitting there, he gave off a sinister feeling.
Danzo!
"..."
Kifu truly did not want to have any interaction with a man like Danzo.
'You do not bother me while I touch corpses, and I will not bother you while you harm the innocent. Let us mind our own business.'
However, given the strength and status Kifu possessed, Danzo should not have his eyes on him. They were still far from having any meaningful interaction.
Many thoughts flashed through the mind of Kifu. Finally, he reached a conclusion. He was only scaring himself.
While he was lost in thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke in a deep voice.
"Kifu is here."
"Lord Hokage."
Kifu greeted him respectfully. He stood in place with a dull expression and waited for orders.
Sarutobi Hiruzen held his pipe and tapped it lightly on the table. He looked at Kifu with a serious gaze. Suddenly, he spoke.
"...Smoke less with Asuma."
"..."
Kifu looked at the pipe in the hand of Sarutobi Hiruzen. His lip twitched. However, he still responded.
"Yes."
It made sense. As the youngest son of the Hokage, Sarutobi Asuma was his own flesh and blood. How could the Hokage not know whom his son interacted with or what he did every day?
It seemed Asuma did not sell him out. Instead...
'Does Sarutobi Hiruzen think I am leading his son astray? Is he going to make things difficult for me?'
'I did not expect you to be this kind of Hokage!'
Sarutobi Hiruzen did not comment on his answer. He only asked another question.
"How has your training been lately? Have you fallen behind?"
Kifu tried to guess his intentions. He spoke cautiously.
"I have not gone on a mission in a long time. The work in the Mortuary is also quite busy. I am afraid I have become a bit rusty."
He truly had not practiced much. Sarutobi Hiruzen should have known this.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at Kifu for a long time. He could not help but sigh softly. Then, he spoke in a gentle tone.
"The ninja world is not peaceful lately. You cannot let your training slip. I have a mission that I must entrust to you. It is a matter of necessity."
As expected!
He was going to make things difficult!
Kifu had clearly stated that he had not trained well and his strength had declined. Yet, the Hokage still wanted to assign him a mission. If this was not making things difficult, what was?
Kifu swallowed hard. "Wha... What mission?"
'If you dare send me to the front lines now, I will dare to curse at you. Do you believe me?' Kifu secretly decided.
Sarutobi Hiruzen did not answer immediately. He simply waved his hand.
The office door opened again. Three ninjas in full gear entered.
Kifu recognized one of them. Silver hair, drooping eyes, and a pretentious mask. Who else could it be but Kakashi?
"Lord Hokage," Kakashi said.
Kifu saw him, and Kakashi naturally saw Kifu as well. Combined with the mission, Kakashi understood the intention of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Sarutobi Hiruzen massaged his temples as if he had a headache. He looked over the four people.
"The Kakashi Team has another vacancy due to the last mission. After thinking it over, I decided only Kifu is suitable. After all, you and Kakashi are quite familiar with each other."
They were indeed quite familiar.