After finally entering the Hokage Tower, he couldn't help but let out a deep sigh.
"Sigh, so hard..."
"Isn't the enthusiasm overwhelming? You'll get used to it."
Kakashi, who happened to be coming out of the office, patted his shoulder.
"Kakashi-senpai? What are you..."
"Been resting enough lately, time to go back to work..."
Kakashi said with a smile. "Training alone isn't enough. Shinobi need to experience enough real combat to improve faster."
"Takumi, even though you're ahead of me now, I'll catch up to you before long."
Sasuke looked at Takumi with determination, expressing his resolve.
'Even though there's a huge gap between us now, it won't stay that way forever!'
'I will definitely catch up to you, then find that man and kill him!'
"That's right, I'll catch up to you too! And the one who'll become the next Hokage is me!"
Naruto also shouted loudly, his bright blue eyes very serious.
"Naruto, forget about it, how can you compare to Takumi-kun!"
Sakura gave a hard push, sending Naruto flying far away, landing in a disheveled state.
Then Sakura grabbed Takumi's arm, her face full of reluctance.
"This mission might take a while, you must wait for me to come back, Takumi-kun."
"What mission are you going on?"
Takumi was a bit curious.
Because of his appearance, Orochimaru didn't place the Cursed Seal of Heaven on Sasuke.
Naturally, there was no plot of Sasuke being tempted by Orochimaru and then Shikamaru leading a team to chase him.
So Takumi was curious.
What mission would Sasuke and the others take on at this time.
"It's an escort mission, escorting a female film star."
Kakashi said with a smile. "As for the specific details, I won't say."
'A female film star?'
'Kazahana Koyuki?'
'So that's the mission.'
"Okay, I understand."
Takumi nodded, watching as Kakashi and the others left, then walked towards the Hokage's office door.
Just as he was about to push the door open, he suddenly heard someone inside mentioning his name.
His outstretched hand paused.
'That voice sounds familiar...'
'Asuma?'
'Why is he talking about me?'
Takumi was puzzled, but his intuition told him Asuma definitely wasn't saying anything good about him.
He pressed his ear against the door to listen carefully.
Sure enough, Asuma really wasn't saying anything nice.
Inside the office.
Asuma leaned forward with both hands on the desk, looking down at his father, Hiruzen.
"I admit, Takumi's strength is indeed very strong, even stronger than us Jonin."
"But is it appropriate to hastily promote him to Elite Jonin? Is it suitable?"
"He's only twelve years old! What will people from other villages think of our Konoha's Jonin?"
"Won't they think the threshold for becoming a Konoha's Jonin is too low?"
"Takumi's strength is sufficient, I admit that, but the number of missions he's completed is too few, and his experience is severely lacking."
"I believe Takumi currently has no qualifications to assume the duties of an Elite Jonin. He should train for a few more years first."
Asuma adopted a series of aggressive stances, his gaze serious.
But anyone with eyes could see this was out of jealousy.
And the reason for the jealousy naturally related to Kurenai.
Who in Konoha didn't know Asuma was pursuing Kurenai?
But Kurenai had always ignored him and paid great attention to Takumi instead.
Of course,
The intimate relationship between Kurenai and Takumi was currently unknown.
Asuma was also unaware.
But he was just very unhappy.
Why does the woman he likes keep revolving around that kid?
It's not fair!
"Hmph!"
Hiruzen let out a cold snort, a flash of cold light in his eyes. "I am the Hokage. Making appointments is my duty. You have no right to criticize here."
Hiruzen held back on his words, but inside he was cursing Asuma to the heavens.
'This damned brat, how dare he speak ill of Takumi-kun!'
'Even if you're my son, it's unforgivable!'
'Not to mention, back when I was trapped by Orochimaru, you, this unfilial son, were also watching from the sidelines, with no intention of stepping in!'
'A son like you, I wish I'd never had you!'
"Old man, you actually...!"
Asuma was utterly shocked.
He never expected his father to speak to him like that.
He was just stating facts, but Hiruzen was showing such a domineering attitude.
It truly baffled him, making him wonder who's Hiruzen's real son here?!'
Knock, knock, knock.
Just then, the timely sound of knocking eased the tense atmosphere between the two.
"Come in."
Hiruzen composed his expression, resuming a gentle smile.
Takumi pushed the door open, paused naturally upon seeing Asuma, then nodded and said, "Good morning, Hokage-sama. Asuma-senpai."
Hearing this, Hiruzen immediately shot Asuma a look of disdain.
'Look! Look!'
'What a polite child!'
'Now look at you!'
'So useless!'
Hiruzen looked at Takumi with satisfaction, then gave his own son a scornful glance.
"Morning."
Asuma replied reluctantly.
"What brings you here today, Takumi-kun?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to Takumi, a kind smile on his face.
Takumi inwardly marveled at Hiruzen's skilled face-changing technique.
Just moments ago, he was looking at Asuma with disdain.
Now looking at Takumi, his expression changed instantly.
'This ability to switch faces...'
'It seems I still had a lot to learn!'
"It's like this. I've been staying home for too long lately, so I plan to take on a mission to continue training myself."
Takumi gave a random excuse.
"The Chunin Exams just ended, and your body just recovered. Why not rest a few more days?"
Hiruzen wore a concerned expression. "Besides, the village has enough manpower. You can rest more. For the village right now, your recovery as a hero is the most important!"
"How could that be!"
Takumi said with righteous determination. "As an Elite Jonin of Konoha, even though I was just promoted, I must fulfill my corresponding duties. Otherwise, how could I be at ease?"
"As Shinobi of Konoha, we must contribute to Konoha's development. How can we stagnate or even start enjoying life early?"
"This is an insult to my Shinobi Way! Please, Hokage-sama, assign me a mission!"
Hearing this,
Not only Hiruzen, but even Asuma was stunned.
'This... this is Konoha's most celebrated man?'
'After experiencing such a major event, he didn't rest for a moment, but immediately threw himself back into missions!?'
'What kind of spirit is this?!'
Sarutobi Hiruzen in his office chair looked deeply moved, speechless for a long time.
He seemed on the verge of tears.
Takumi's dedication was indeed something an excellent Shinobi should possess.
However, he was reluctant to let Takumi undertake dangerous missions.
But simple missions likely wouldn't satisfy Takumi either.