In the Hokage's office.
"You want to be assigned for an infiltration or assassination mission?! Tell me, what's actually going on with you? This isn't a trifling matter!"
When Yoichi was summoned, he word-for-word uttered his plans to Hiruzen, who was profoundly baffled by this ridiculous request.
"Yes, Hokage-sama. I simply desired to take this opportunity to hone and improve outside. Believe me, I am not joking when it comes to my life."
Same concerns, different form of statements. Yoichi sensed Hiruzen's regard for him yet he couldn't resist being indifferent and serious about this new leap of faith towards his future.
"Why can't you just stay here and be together with them? There are a lot of things Konoha has in store for you as a talented child! Tutors, resources, and a peaceful life are here!"
Hiruzen persuaded the child to shift to a good path, a totally plausible and dream-like condition without any worries for the future.
Like any other person outside Konoha would gladly seize this moment in a heartbeat. As a Hokage, a soft spot for children remained even though he suffered a lot from the brutality of war.
In his mind, Yoichi wasn't capable or even qualified to take such a risky mission. However, it appears that the child was absolutely determined from the look on his solemn countenance.
"I'm very thankful for the Hokage's recommendation... Regardless of that, I still wanted to take a mission. Preferably in the Land of Lightning's domain or close to it." Yoichi replied, adamantly declining with a decision.
Anything Hiruzen told him felt alluring to anybody else. Nonetheless, his life went peacefully and serenely modest.
Yet only in the life-and-death troubles with his life on the line did he consider himself to be thinking and feeling enthralled at the moment.
Call it rash or impulsive, but that's the way he perceived all along. He saved himself from the bottomless maw of the abyss only to return once more as if like a madman.
A diamond in the rough. How fitting.
Hiruzen thought, lowering his head.
Without any pressure, how could a jagged diamond shine?
"Are you honestly sure? These types of missions are time-consuming and even if you actually complete the task, there'll be a lot of shinobi trying to chase you and kill you!"
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, staring at the child's indifferent expression.
"I'm willing, sir!" Yoichi yelled.
"Very well. Take and read it."
After Hiruzen took a deep breath, he then pulled a drawer into his desk and threw a blue scroll into Yoichi's hands.
Unfurling the scroll, Yoichi read the mission with a frown on his face, very mindful of the information given to him.
Assassinating a grown woman within the confines of Kumogakure... Oohh, this will be a tough nut to crack.
The mission of Yoichi is as follows:
1.) Find Kaedehara Yumiko and kill her with no definite duration.
2.) If the shinobi killed her, nothing must indicate Konoha's involvement to some extent.
3.) Investigate the current condition of Kumogakure's economy and forces within the Land of Lightning.
"You have only 3 days to formulate so get ready to prepare and organize yourself. I hope that it'll be successful in your favor." Hiruzen's face softened.
This kid was truly one of the best when it comes to mentality, the only pressing matter was that the child was a part of the Uchiha Clan.
"Thank you for the opportunity! I must be going now."
Yoichi kept the scroll and departed from the office with excitement shining in his eyes.
Walking in the hallway, he actually encountered Danzo, who was walking in the opposite direction.
Once their paths intersected, Danzo's eyes revealed a malice that Yoichi's Battle Instinct discerned yet he just ignored it and walked away from the Hokage's Building.
'Danzo wouldn't do anything for now. He's still in his prime while I'm in my juvenile years. I'll see what I can do when I'm a little bit stronger."
To Yoichi, Danzo was just another replaceable being. From the things he had done in the show, Yoichi could say that this Danzo guy deserves to die before he might wreak havoc.
However, that time wasn't right now.
"What did you give him?!" Danzo stormed in, seething with resentment.
"A mission. He wanted to take a task right now rather than wasting time here." Hiruzen puffed his pipe, then blew away the smoke from his mouth.
"Are you out of your mind?! Don't tell me that you still hope to fix these already broken relations with that wicked Uchiha Clan! They are just using you to gain reputation!"
"They are citizens of Konoha! Don't be too captivated by your hatred, Danzo!"
The stillness began to shift at an outrageously heated pace as Danzo and Hiruzen quarreled for a moment.
Both sides had different ideologies.
One strictly leaned towards pacifism while the other forcibly adapted into extreme authoritarianism.
Like two sides of a coin, these contrasting principles could not meet on equal footing. Otherwise, an ideal clash between the two would turn sour and then be unable to reach a proper conclusion.
"Do what you want, Hiruzen! I'll talk with Koharu and Homura and consult them. What a joke of a leader you are!" Danzo threw a contemptuous glare, leaving with his exasperated temper.
"Then leave, you arrogant man! I'll cut your spending in half, let's see how you can be agitated about this!"
Hiruzen slammed his desk until his body slumped into his chair, fully exhausted from dealing with Danzo's overbearing philosophy.
Sensei... What am I doing wrong?
Looking at the clear sky, Hiruzen couldn't resist being reminiscent and falling into a contemplative state.
2 Jōnin and 6 Chūnin should be enough to annihilate that damn brat! I must make arrangements as quickly as possible!
On the other hand, Danzo's murderous glare flickered, huffing out loud while walking to the Council Building near the Hokage's sophisticated edifice.
...
...
...
"Where did you go man? We've been waiting for a long time!"
After he took his mission, Yoichi went home to see Jiraiya along with Tsunade and Orochimaru, hanging out at his house unattended.
"I have been assigned to a mission."
Hearing this, the three were stupefied.
"What?! Don't tell me..." Tsunade slightly trembled, pointing at Yoichi.
"Yep, I'll be gone for a while and finish this assignment." Yoichi informally said, casually taking a cup of water with a shocking revelation on their face.
"Isn't that a little bit unwise?"
Orochimaru remarked, tilting his head at Yoichi's whimsical decision.
"Take me with you!" Tsunade yelled.
"I–I just can't believe it... You've just got a mission while all of us were training here! I'm so envious!" Jiraiya threw a tantrum.
"It's my decision, alright? Furthermore, there's nothing here to learn. Sure, what I learned here was top-notch. But being here won't change the fact that we still need experience and understanding of the world itself!"
Soon, the disorganized and incoherent questions made Yoichi shake his head before he spoke up.
"But can you please take me with you?" Tsunade nudged Yoichi's arm.
"No, just stay here and train." Yoichi directly refused to give in.
*Whack!*
"Idiot!" Tsunade punched him in his arms, pouting and extremely upset.
"I swear I'll also take a mission when these lessons are over! Just wait, Yoichi... I'll definitely be free and research without any restrictions!"
Jiraiya raised his arms, speaking up with a tinge of determination and lecherousness in his face.
In contrast, Orochimaru merely glanced at Yoichi.
Though both of them had a lot of similarities, Orochimaru inwardly admitted that Yoichi became the foundation of this chaotic relationship.
The thing is Yoichi's presence made the camaraderie between the three form a deep cohesion with each other.
Like a sticky glue, the bond wasn't that deep yet the rapport miraculously happened thanks to Yoichi's evident intervention.
"Well then, shall you all go now? I need to prepare for a bit." Yoichi scratched his head, troubled.
"No! We'll enjoy these remaining days first before you leave!"
In a matter of seconds, Tsunade's arms forcibly pulled him outside with her gorilla strength, rushing out into the streets.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru followed suit, unable to understand Tsunade's rash thinking but they came after them.
What a pain... Hahaha, guess I should make the most out of it. Yoichi thought, shaking his head.
For the remaining 3 days, Yoichi hadn't been able to even practice due to the three's insistence, pulling him outside each morning and hanging out together as friends.
Fishing, researching, and all sorts of stuff had been done in that matter of 3 days. Yoichi was comfortable as the three pulled him into different kinds of events or occasions around Konoha.
The time passed quickly for all the people around while Yoichi felt it was a great experience, a memory that was worth remembering.
________________
(Current Progress)
[Realm: Muscle Tempering Realm]
[Heavenly Demon Posture: (Perfection) 123/1000]
[Mountain Crushing Fist: (Great Success) 45/500]
[Lightning Spear Thrust: (Great Success) 28/500]
[Phantom Steps: (Great Success) 86/500]
[Secret Technique: Face Changing (Small Success) 84/300]
[Tickets: 1 Prismatic, 0 Gold, 0 Silver.]
[Attributes]
「Charm: 11」
「Soul Power: 16」
____________
Daemonic_Dragon, Din_, and TwinLoongs, thank you for the power stones, Senior Brothers! I'll use them for the sake of my Writing Dao!
Thanks, everyone! Add the fanfic to your collections and comment if you like to do it! Anyways, see ya! XDD!