The Ninja from Hidden Mist have finally arrived in Konoha.
This time, the Ninja from Hidden Mist still showed Hiruzen Sarutobi respect, after all, it was a joint pursuit squad formed by Konoha and Hidden Mist.
Yuuki received the notification and came to the Hokage Building.
This was the first time Yuuki had seen Hiruzen Sarutobi since his defeat on the Battlefield.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's already short stature, coupled with his slightly hunched posture, made him appear even smaller; Yuuki naturally didn't know that Hiruzen Sarutobi's back was bothering him.
However, the Hiruzen Sarutobi at this moment gave Yuuki the feeling that he was noticeably more aged than before, with many more age spots and wrinkles on his face than at their last meeting.
Power is indeed a good medicine!
Yuuki couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
Looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi's frail appearance, Yuuki wondered if, with his continuous erosion of the Hokage's power, Hiruzen Sarutobi would even live long enough for Orochimaru to execute the Konoha Crush Plan as in the original story.
He also wondered if Hiashi could accept Hiruzen Sarutobi dying of old age; he probably couldn't.
In stark contrast to Hiruzen Sarutobi was Yuuki, who, with a slight smile and full of vitality, spoke up.
"Hokage-sama!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi still maintained a kind expression and immediately responded, though his voice was much older than before.
"Chief Yuuki, the Hidden Mist personnel for the joint pursuit squad have arrived. I'll introduce them to you."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
Yuuki had actually already seen the two people standing in the office and had guessed who they were from their appearances.
However, one of the three made Yuuki feel a bit strange.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was already immune to Yuuki's polite formalities; this was a guy who could talk just as much as himself.
If he were to respond, the two of them could spend half a day on idle chatter.
"This is the leader of the Hidden Mist team this time, Zabuza Momochi, but he will not join the pursuit squad; he will only stay for a period in the early stages and then return to Hidden Mist Village."
Hiruzen Sarutobi introduced a masked Ninja without eyebrows, and Zabuza also nodded slightly to Yuuki.
"Yuuki-kun, please take good care of the Ninja from Hidden Mist in the future."
This was the strange part for Yuuki; logically, Zabuza should have defected after failing to assassinate Yagura, so had he been pardoned now?
However, Yuuki was already used to the Ninja World's plot becoming fragmented.
Just seeing Zabuza couldn't help but make him think of Haku, and he wondered if Zabuza had managed to get Haku by now.
Yuuki's personality dictated that he wouldn't underestimate Zabuza just because he was the 'small boss' outside the Novice Village .
Polite words came naturally to him.
"So it's Mr. Zabuza, known as the Demon. With Mr. Zabuza's strength, which far surpasses mine, I imagine becoming a captain would be more than enough."
"I hope Mr. Zabuza can point out any shortcomings in the team during his time with the pursuit squad."
Yuuki's reason for doing this was simple: Zabuza was an honest person, and if he could fool one, he would; why wouldn't he want free labor?
And sure enough, as soon as Yuuki finished speaking, Zabuza's eyes changed a little.
Zabuza, who had been wandering and avoiding pursuit, was found by Mei Terumī and the Anbu not long ago. After learning the truth about the Bloody Mist, Zabuza was persuaded to return to Hidden Mist Village.
To show their importance, Yagura and Mei Terumī directly appointed Zabuza as the Anbu Chief, which thrilled Zabuza.
And as the leader of this mission, Zabuza had been repeatedly instructed before departure to be respectful to Yuuki.
Having learned about Yuuki's strength through various channels and heard about the Uchiha's arrogant nature, Zabuza was already mentally prepared.
Yuuki's words at this moment directly made Zabuza's heart surge, as he knew his own strength.
The nickname 'Demon' was merely obtained by killing a group of Ninja Academy students; how could his strength compare to Yuuki, whose reputation had spread throughout the Ninja World?
Therefore, Yuuki's flattery made Zabuza, who had originally planned to stay in the team for a few days, punch in, and then return, completely change his mind.
He must perform well in the squad and not disappoint Yuuki-kun, who thought so highly of him!
At the same time, a question arose in Zabuza's mind: why did this refreshing young man make Lord Yagura and Senior Mei Terumī seem a little fearful when they mentioned his name?
Zabuza was an honest person and naturally wouldn't engage in verbal sparring; he simply nodded vigorously and said,
"Yuuki-kun, don't worry, I will observe the team carefully and ensure there are no weaknesses!"
Hearing Zabuza's reply, Yuuki sighed with emotion, Zabuza was a truly sincere person, really taking himself as the team captain. Very good, employees should think from the boss's perspective!
Hiruzen Sarutobi, standing beside them, was speechless. Was this the S-rank rogue Ninja from Hidden Mist from before? Where was the threat in this simpleton's demeanor?
Hiruzen Sarutobi expressed that he also wanted such an excellent Ninja, but thinking of Uchiha Itachi in this team, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that he wasn't doing too badly either.
Itachi's presence made Hiruzen Sarutobi's mood turn from gloomy to cheerful, and he happily pointed to another teenager, about ten years old, saying,
"This is the youngest Ninja in the Hidden Mist team this time, two years older than Itachi, whom Yuuki-kun recommended, but he is a rare genius Ninja, Hohzuki Mangetsu."
"The reason for this special introduction, I imagine, is the same as Yuuki-kun recommending Itachi—to specifically use this opportunity to cultivate excellent juniors. Yuuki-kun needs to be careful not to let them undertake overly dangerous missions."
Yuuki nodded without hesitation, giving three consecutive affirmations.
"Hokage-sama, and Mr. Zabuza, please rest assured, leave it to me, no problem."
Yuuki naturally understood that these young ones were generally out to see the world and gain some experience.
Yuuki just hadn't expected Hohzuki Mangetsu to be two years older than Itachi, which meant he should be around Kabuto's age.
Hohzuki Mangetsu naturally understood the rules; he just listened quietly to the conversation without interrupting.
And after Yuuki agreed, Hiruzen Sarutobi directly dismissed them.
"In that case, Chief Yuuki, please make yourself at home."
Yuuki saw that Hiruzen Sarutobi was still not giving up and wanted to engage in some 'PY' (political maneuvering) with Hidden Mist, but Yuuki was not worried at all and left directly.
Clearly, Hiruzen Sarutobi was now willing to try every opportunity, except for taking direct action.
Yuuki, however, was indifferent. Years of being Hokage had made Hiruzen Sarutobi forget that to make others listen to you, you need strength to back it up.
Did he really think that his title as Hokage of Konoha would still be as effective as before after a devastating defeat and public humiliation by Kumogakure?
After leaving the Hokage Building, Yuuki immediately put the Hidden Mist matter out of his mind; anyway, the Hidden Mist Ninja would all appear in his Military Police Force later.
Because he had seen Hohzuki Mangetsu earlier, Yuuki thought of Kabuto.
Kabuto, you must be living a very fulfilling life every day now!
Inside a small room in the orphanage.
Since receiving a large pile of books, Kabuto had not been to the Military Police Force for a long time, almost completely immersed in the ocean of books.
At this moment, Kabuto looked at a thick book in front of him, frowned slightly, and then let out a long sigh.
"Alas~ It really won't do!"
Kabuto then gently took off the glasses from his nose, which Yakushi Nonou had given him seven years ago.
Kabuto meticulously cleaned the glasses bit by bit, then carefully placed them in a box for safekeeping.
Then Kabuto took out a new box from his Ninja tool pouch, opened it, and put on new glasses.
After trying them on with the book in front of him, he showed a satisfied expression.
Afterward, Kabuto once again entered the joyful journey through the ocean of knowledge!
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The story doesn't end here 😉 The next chapter is already up on Patreon, you can read it here: [patreon.com/TripleCrown07]