I don't own solo leveling or Naruto
...
"Alright"
...
Itachi woke up the very next day to Izumi nagging to him about why he became a hunter.
The reason she knew this was because the Hunter Association released the results of the newly evaluated hunters and Itachi was the only A-rank among 236 people.
Naturally, the news was dominanted by Itachi's unique position in the hunter society as the youngest amoung them.
———
The headlines in the news were as follows:
"'Slumber Kid Turned Hunter'"
"'The Youngest A-rank Has Finally Awoken From His Slumber'"
"'A Sleeping Powerhouse, Awoken'"
There were many more similar headlines all through out Japan. They all made reference to either his age, Eternal slumber status or his rank as a hunter.
———
Itachi didn't let this uproar faze him, because he was used to this type of attention in his previous life as a Hidden Leaf ninja and as an infamous rouge ninja.
"I didn't think it was a big deal," Itachi said deflecting the true reason why he became a hunter, he knew it would make Izumi blow up even more.
"Big deal! Of course it's a big deal, my precious son doing a dangerous job like being a hunter after being on the verge of death for 2 years!" Izumi shouted in concern. "I just got you back...please don't let me lose you again," She continued in an even quieter voice.
Itachi stood still for moment staring at Izumi as if recalling a fond memory of his, he was recalling memories of his own mother that caused him to say, "I'm sorry mother, I promise I'll be careful," whilst poking her forehead with his index and middle finger.
Izumi just looked back at Itachi with a watery sheen in her eyes shouting, "As if that is supposed to reassure me!" Itachi just laughed at her lightly saying, "Sorry, but this is my path from now onwards,"
...
A few hours later Itachi was in the Association building ready to collect his license at the collection desk. They told him to wait for a few minutes, in the waiting room, since he was early. He planned on raiding a dungeon as soon as he was done there.
Out of the corner of his eyes he saw two people at the door of the waiting room having a conversation that he couldn't help but overhear.
"Hey...there's that kid over there," A man in grey armor said in a whispered tone to another in some kind of red armored martial arts gi.
"What kid?" The red clad martial artist questioned in a louder voice, but not by much.
"That slumber kid from the news. Don't you read?"
"Oh yeah, isn't he some high ranking hunter now?"
"Yeah, he must be some cocky little brat if he thinks he can raid dungeons like we do,"
"For sure, I bet he'll be running scared at the sight of a D-rank goblin," They both laughed at the last statement as Itachi walked past them.
Itachi heard of the two C-rank hunters, sensing their mana levels, he couldn't be bothered by the opinions of people who didn't matter. He has grown very used to having hate thrown his way. He moved forward unbothered by their banter into the hallway leading to the collection desk.
He was met with Mai and another tall, skinny man with grey slicked back hair on his way to the collection desk. They were both wearing black suits with nametags on their black blazers.
"Yo! Itachi, how's it going?" Mai asked casually with a grin on her face.
"Fine, I'm just here to collect my license and head out raiding," Itachi replied politely.
"Aren't you a little young to be doing dungeon raids?" The grey haired man questioned with his smooth, melodic voice.
Itachi just raised a brow at the man, silently wondering who this man was.
"Don't mind this chump! He's just jealous a kid like you stronger than him, hehe!" Mai interjected with a teasing glint in her dark brown eyes.
"What are you on about?" He questioned with a irritated voice. "I just don't advise someone so young to enter dangerous situations like the gates, it will reflect poorly on us and the hunter community as a whole if he dies," He concluded with a seriousness in his silver eyes.
"Thanks for your concern, but it is unwarranted. I can take care of myself," Itachi responded as if he was stating a fact.
"I believe you after hearing you bested Mai in combat," The silver eyed man replied smoothly.
"Hey! I was holding back the whole time, so does it even count!" She shouted at him in protest.
"My name is Shin, I'm an agent of the Monitoring Division in the Hunter Association," Shin said completely ignoring Mai's outburst.
"Monitoring Division?" Itachi questioned with a briefly confused expression.
"Yes, the Japanese government only has so much control over hunters as they don't have the power to oppose them if they ever went out of control with their powers and the Association know this fact," Shin explained. "The Monitoring Division exsits to keep hunters in check so that they do their job of protecting the citizens of this country by the clearing gates," Shin continued in very business like tone. "This is important, because without us the whole country will fall into chaos as the hunter guilds fight for supremacy and influence in the political sphere between each other," He finished.
Itachi looked at him and then replied, "I see... but it seems your division is a bit redundant because of Draw Sword Guild gaining monopoly over the S-rank hunters in the country," commenting on the information he learned from the books he has read and studied.
"Boring! Just go get your license and have fun! Don't mind this pansy, if you ever need anything I'm always here," Mai interjected again while pointing to herself, making Shin very irritated.
Itachi only nodded with a slight smile on his face as he went to do just that. Mai's personality was a bit much for Itachi sometimes but, it did remind him of his best friend Shisui at times.
...
After collecting his license and heading out into the world, Itachi realized that he would be calling Mai very soon.
'Booking for gates is troublesome without a guild,'
"Hn," Itachi grunt in frustration.