"C-rank? Isn't that a bit too low, Lord Hokage?"
The ANBU operative was visibly surprised when he saw the mission rank Sarutobi Hiruzen had assigned.
Normally, the Hokage was extremely cautious, always wary of anything unexpected.
But this time, he had designated the mission as C-rank without so much as a warning?
This didn't align at all with the Third Hokage's usual methods. Wouldn't the assigned ninja be walking straight into a trap?
"No buts. Are you questioning my decision?" Sarutobi Hiruzen cast a cold glance at him, his eyes like steel.
"N-no, of course not." The ANBU quickly shook his head, hesitating for a moment before saying, "It's just that... Hideki Moku's intentions don't seem pure."
"That's exactly why I'm sending a standard escort team. It'll force them to stay alert." Hiruzen stared at him for a moment longer before sighing and waving his hand. "Leave this to me. Dismissed."
The ANBU bowed deeply and silently exited the Hokage's office.
The room returned to stillness.
After a long pause—
Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke again as his son, Sarutobi Asuma, entered the room.
"Send this mission to the mission desk. Assign it to Uchiha Genya's team."
"This mission?" Asuma looked surprised.
"It's dangerous." Hiruzen nodded slowly. "That Hideki Moku... he's a threat."
He had spoken to Hideki Moku personally. He knew just how dangerous the man was. That's exactly why he deliberately ranked it as a C-rank.
If Genya accepted the mission, the chances of survival would be slim.
Heh...
The Uchiha clan loves to boast about its strength, don't they? Doesn't Uchiha Kinya still dream of becoming Hokage?
Then let him lose a son first—his only child, no less.
Think of it as a lesson for standing against the Sarutobi clan.
"Yes." Sarutobi Asuma nodded, a flash of excitement and eagerness glinting in his eyes.
He had been waiting for a chance to deal with Uchiha Genya for a while now.
These past few days had been especially frustrating, and now, finally, the opportunity had come.
Uchiha Genya. Since you've provoked me, then you must be ready to face the consequences.
The next day.
As soon as the mission desk opened that morning, Sarutobi Asuma walked in carrying a stack of missions.
At the very top was a mission personally issued by Sarutobi Hiruzen himself.
"Brother..."
On duty once again were the same two poor saps from last time.
When they saw Asuma walk in, they both nodded in greeting.
"These are the missions assigned by the higher-ups for today."
Asuma gave a simple nod, but when he lowered the pile onto the desk, he said casually, "Assign the first mission to Uchiha Genya."
Rustle—
The moment those words left his mouth, everyone nearby turned their heads sharply, eyes lighting up.
Especially the two fools on duty.
Their faces brimmed with excitement.
"Brother, are we really punishing him this time?" one of them asked eagerly.
"Don't make it too obvious," Asuma warned coldly.
"Yes, yes! This time, I'll make sure he pays!" the two men responded, barely able to contain their excitement.
But just as he was stepping outside, Asuma saw Kurenai Yuhi waiting nearby.
He smiled and walked over.
"Kurenai, are you free today? How about we go somewhere and grab a bite?"
This was the last time he would ask her out.
If she still refused to come to her senses, then she shouldn't blame him for what would follow.
"Sorry, I'm waiting for my student to pick up a mission. I don't have time," Kurenai replied flatly, rejecting him without hesitation.
"Alright, then I won't disturb you."
Asuma nodded, turned, and walked away.
But the moment he turned around, his face darkened.
Since Kurenai was so stubborn, then he would no longer show mercy.
Just like his father had said—Konoha had no shortage of women.
He didn't need to stay fixated on a single hairpin.
Kurenai Yuhi was already a dead woman walking.
…
On the other side,
Genya, Hinata, and Shino Aburame had just finished training and eaten breakfast.
At the moment,
Genya was walking at the front, a blade of grass in his mouth and his hands behind his head, looking completely relaxed.
Behind him were Hinata and Shino, both nearly collapsing from exhaustion.
They continued forward like this.
Their destination was the center of Konoha — the mission assignment building.
"Slow down, Lord Konohamaru!"
Just then, they saw a boy about five or six years old running ahead, with a ninja following behind him — likely a bodyguard.
Yo~~ Konohamaru?
Genya couldn't help but glance over a few more times.
In the past, the Third Hokage had kept his grandson well hidden, barely letting him appear in public.
Now that he was probably starting school, it made sense they'd finally see this second... no, third-generation prince of Konoha.
"I don't wanna go to school! I don't wanna learn those boring old ninja techniques!"
Sure enough, just as Genya had guessed, Konohamaru was whining loudly.
"You must go. The Hokage-sama said so!"
The ninja behind him continued the chase, though it was obvious he wasn't running at full speed — just keeping a safe distance.
"If you skip school and the Hokage finds out, he'll definitely punish you!"
It was clear the ninja was trying to coax Konohamaru rather than drag him to the Academy by force.
Genya understood — being a servant under someone important was never an easy task.
"Don't follow me anymore!"
Konohamaru shouted, sticking his tongue out and making a face at the chasing ninja.
But just as he turned to mock him —
He crashed straight into Genya!
"Lord Konohamaru, watch out!"
The ninja behind them shouted in alarm.
Bang!
But it was too late.
Konohamaru fell flat onto the ground.
"Ow—! Who are you?! How dare you run into me?!"
Holding his head, Konohamaru looked up at Genya, eyes full of anger.
No one had ever dared to bump into him before.
"Lord Konohamaru, are you alright?" The ninja behind him rushed forward, helping Konohamaru to his feet, carefully checking him over.
He was terrified that something might've happened to Konohamaru—if something did, the Hokage would have his head.
"You little brat, you bumped into me!" Genya looked at Konohamaru, a smirk curling on his lips. "How about apologizing?"
"I won't! No one has ever dared to bump into me! I challenge you to a fight! I'm gonna beat you up!" Konohamaru glared at Genya, rage flaring in his eyes.
At that moment, Konohamaru was full of arrogance.
Clearly, Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't spoiled him too much over the years. A five or six-year-old bumping into someone and not even knowing to apologize?
"A fight? Sure, bring it on," Genya sneered coldly.
Since the brat wanted to challenge him, Genya would gladly give him that chance.
He had been itching to teach someone from the Sarutobi clan a lesson for a while now. And if that someone happened to be Hiruzen's own grandson, then the old man's reaction would be very interesting.
"Sir, this boy is the Hokage's grandson. I hope you understand what that means." The ninja guarding Konohamaru stepped forward, eyes narrowing coldly.
"Just apologize to Lord Konohamaru, and this will be over."
As a loyal retainer of the Sarutobi clan, he wasn't someone who would bow to just anyone.
But Genya simply chuckled. "And what if I refuse?"
****
Support me on my patreon and read upto 15 early chapters.
https://www.patreon.com/AniScout