Chapter 50 – A Heart Full of Schemes
Damn, is this old man for real…?
He was going to have Mitarashi Anko protect him? And the threat they were protecting against was Orochimaru?
Old man Third Hokage, aren't you the least bit worried that Anko might get abducted by Orochimaru instead?!
"Genma, go and summon Mitarashi Anko."
However, the Third Hokage paid no attention to Izaya's internal grumbling. He had already returned to his desk and ordered Shiranui Genma to fetch Anko.
As for Izaya…
He stared at the pale blue sky outside the window, a complex mix of frustration and helplessness flashing across his face.
It was clear he couldn't wrap his head around the Third Hokage's bizarre decision. He had given such obvious hints; the old fox must have guessed that the "uncle" he mentioned was Orochimaru. From the brief change in the Hokage's expression when he described Orochimaru's appearance, Izaya was certain the Third Hokage knew the murderer's identity.
So then… why on earth would he assign Anko to guard him?
What is the Third Hokage thinking…?
Is he planning to use the master-student bond to redeem Orochimaru?
Or is there some other scheme?
In an instant, several different theories flashed through Izaya's mind. But after careful consideration, he felt he might be overcomplicating it.
"Lord Hokage, did you summon me for a mission?"
Just as Izaya was lost in thought, Mitarashi Anko arrived at the Hokage's office. After greeting the Third Hokage, she noticed Izaya standing off to the side. A flicker of curiosity crossed her face, and she quietly sidled over to him.
"Hey, Izaya, do you know why Lord Hokage called me here?" she asked in a hushed, curious tone.
"Maybe… there's a mission…" Izaya didn't know how to explain, so he could only shoot a pleading look toward the Third Hokage.
"How mysterious…" Seeing the wry smile on Izaya's face, Anko didn't press further. She just left him with a reminder—"You still owe me several servings of dango, don't forget!"—before walking over to the Hokage's desk.
Seeing the unusually solemn expression on the Third's face, Anko hesitated for a moment before asking formally, "Lord Hokage, do you have an assignment for me?"
"Yes, there is indeed a mission," the Third Hokage replied without hesitation, nodding. He then pointed a finger at Izaya, who was still standing in the corner. "Your mission is to protect this boy, Izaya."
"Protect him?" Anko was taken aback. "But… isn't he already under the protection of three ANBU?"
"They're dead," the Third Hokage stated flatly.
"Dead?!"
It was at that moment that Anko realized the situation was far more serious than she had imagined. The relaxed demeanor she had moments ago vanished, replaced by palpable tension.
She took a deep breath, a flicker of shock in her eyes. She was aware of the previous security detail assigned to Izaya. Three ANBU chūnin, all capable, with rich mission experience. One of them was even strong enough to be a jōnin, only held back by a lack of sufficient mission credits. The other two were also considered top-tier among chūnin. In a direct confrontation, even an average jōnin would struggle to gain an advantage against their coordinated defense.
And now, the Hokage was telling her they were all dead. How could Anko not be shocked?
"Is there a problem?" the Third Hokage asked, seeing her prolonged silence.
"No problem!" Anko straightened up, pushing aside her turbulent thoughts. Her expression returned to its usual determined calm. "Mitarashi Anko accepts this mission!"
As for Izaya… he felt an indescribable discomfort.
This Mitarashi Anko…
If he were being honest, his current thought was that it was less about Anko protecting him, and more about him potentially having to protect her.
In terms of pure combat ability, thanks to the snake-style ninjutsu she learned from Orochimaru and her incomplete Cursed Seal, Anko's fighting power was comparable to some average jōnin. This was also why, in the original story, she eventually became a Special Jōnin.
But right now, the current Anko was genuinely no match for him.
And so… Izaya felt an inexplicable pressure.
The old man Hokage couldn't possibly be…
Suddenly, a bold idea flashed through Izaya's mind.
One was a person of interest to Orochimaru. The other was Orochimaru's former favorite student. Connecting the dots, it wasn't hard to guess what the Third Hokage was thinking…
Izaya glanced back at the Third Hokage. Apart from the solemnity on his face, he detected a hint of deep contemplation in the old man's eyes.
Seeing this, Izaya had basically figured out the real reason the Third Hokage had assigned Anko this mission.
Bait…
"The Third Hokage is planning to use Anko and me as bait to lure Orochimaru out…"
At first, it was just a suspicion. But when the Third Hokage promptly ushered them out of the office after Anko accepted the mission, Izaya became convinced of the truth.
What an old fox…
After silently cursing the Hokage, Izaya didn't linger. He left the Hokage's office with Mitarashi Anko.
…
However, not long after Izaya and Anko had departed, Shiranui Genma, who had remained silent by the Hokage's side the entire time, finally spoke. "Lord Hokage, it seems… Izaya has noticed something."
"Let him notice. This is an opportunity. Having the two of them take some risks is worth it."
"Lord Hokage…" Genma didn't know how to respond. After a long pause, he asked, "Is it really Orochimaru?"
"If it is, all the better. If it isn't, it doesn't matter," the Third Hokage replied, his gaze fixed on the distant landscape of Konoha. He then gave Shiranui Genma a direct order. "Mobilize all available jōnin and above in Konoha. Have them lie in ambush around Izaya's residence and await my command!"
…
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