In the office, time seemed to freeze as Hiruzen and Takeshi looked at each other, stunned by Logan's sudden statement.
The scars on Takeshi's face trembled. Just now, he was thinking about Logan as a potential successor for the position of ANBU Commander. And now, he heard such news not long after.
"Hattori… what did you say?"
Logan calmly met Takeshi and Hiruzen's gazes. He knew that some people would be surprised by his words, "Commander Takeshi, I said I want to resign from the ANBU. I'm done."
"Why?" Takeshi came back to his senses and asked in confusion, "Aren't you still young and full of energy? This is the prime age for a Ninja."
"If there is a reason…" Logan slightly avoided Takeshi's eyes. Over the past two years, he could see that the other party had been gradually valuing him more. After losing Itachi, the best ANBU subordinate in his mind, Takeshi hid his disappointment and worked for Konoha, just like many other simple and lovely ninjas who wanted to protect Konoha and keep their families safe.
As Hiruzen said during the Konoha Crush, Ninjas exert their truly powerful strength to protect something. Protect Konoha and keep their family safe, is what many Ninjas think. Unfortunately, Logan wasn't like them.
Sighing, Logan explained his prepared statement, which was actually very simple, "I have been an ANBU for several years, and I'm tired. I want to take a break.
Tired, just wanted some peace and quiet. Such a simple reason, one that wouldn't even be approved for leave in a company, sounded very unconvincing.
However, upon hearing this reason, Takeshi suppressed the displeasure that surfaced on his face.
After hesitating for a moment, Takeshi automatically thought that Logan had been working silently for several years, and then created countless scenes in his mind. Then, after a while, he said, "I see..."
Indeed, there were quite a few cases in the ANBU where individuals expressed a desire for 'peace and quiet', but it was usually discovered during psychological evaluations or when their lack of focus was evident for a long time, prompting them to withdraw from the Anbu more tactfully.
Hiruzen's expression also softened. Initially, he had asked Logan to provide his original techniques to the village, but the next moment, Logan said he no longer wanted to work for him. It would have been easy to think that Logan was being deliberately difficult, but now it seemed that was not the case.
Seeing that Takeshi was in a state of reluctance and understanding, Logan continued with determination and said to Hiruzen on the side, "It just so happens that Hokage-sama is here today, I hope you can approve it."
The changes in ANBU's personnel will ultimately be reviewed by the Hokage. After Logan finished speaking, he tried to show a bit of vicissitudes of life, but on the inside, he was really nervous.
He will definitely quit ANBU sooner or later, for the reason he mentioned before. As for speaking out today, it's because he saw Hiruzen coming. After all, if the Hokage approves, then the matter is settled directly.
Now, with only three years until Naruto and the others graduated, he knew that the back and forth crossing worlds would officially begin.
Last night, he was called over by Pain using the Magic Lantern Body Technique. After the polite chat ended, they got to the point: his new mission. The new mission he was assigned suddenly turned out to be leaving Konoha and joining the organization's official tasks.
Working as an undercover agent in Konoha and sending out some innocuous information is of little importance to Akatsuki at the moment, and now that Logan's various probation periods have ended, Pain had entrusted him with a mission for the prerequisite of their great plan of peace - collecting money. The task of obtaining a large amount of funds was also handed over to Logan.
Logan had no choice but to accept it. But upon reflection, Logan realized that he needed to leave Konoha anyway if he wanted to quietly enhance his strength without attracting attention. As for sitting around and waiting for Konoha's Year 60 to arrive? It was something Logan couldn't accept.
He would set out within a month without specifying the specific form. After thinking about it, Logan realized that there was no need to announce his defection and leave in great commotion... That would be stupid.
The Forbidden Techniques in Orochimaru's scrolls needed to be mastered discreetly, and learning them while worrying about being discovered would undoubtedly lower his efficiency. Then, there's also the unexpected idea with the Railgun, which is to replaces coins with shurikens...
All of this takes time, and cannot be noticed by Konoha. Resigning from the ANBU and leaving the village is a decision that had to be made.
The atmosphere quieted down, and Logan turned to Hiruzen, with Takeshi also looking towards him.
Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe, exhaling white smoke rings. His fingers rhythmically tapped on the desk for about half a minute before he looked up at Logan and said, "I didn't expect you, Hattori, to bear such pressure internally, while showing no signs externally, while working in the Anbu for these years. It's our negligence as the higher-ups."
"Hokage-sama…" Takeshi wanted to say something. If Logan was 'tired of killing', he was the one directly responsible.
Hiruzen waved his hand with a smile, indicating that it was okay, and continued, "Normally, the Ninjas of Konoha protect Konoha. But at times like these, Konoha has no reason to ignore the feelings of its Ninja."
"Raiden Hattori, I approve your request. However, when the day comes that you reignite the flames in your heart after your break, the doors of the ANBU will be open to you at any time..."
Logan didn't listen to the rest of Hiruzen's nice words. Returning to the ANBU to continue working? Such thing probably would never happen. At the same time, he was also glad that he had joined the ANBU at the beginning, not Root. Otherwise, even if he did have a mental illness, Danzo would never let him go.
After that, there were no more troubles. The three of them had a friendly and happy conversation, and Hiruzen left first. After some guidance from Takeshi, Logan left too.
Before leaving the ANBU's Headquarters, he handed over the ANBU's Captain's credentials, his mask, and ANBU's uniform. He still had a set at home, which he would keep as a souvenir.
After all, it is an item that contains some meaning, heavy in his hands. With this clothes, he had met many people and killed many people. In the past three years, he has completed countless missions for Konoha that, facing life and death situation countless times.
After handing them over, Logan resolutely walked out.
…
Three days later, someone from the Hokage's Office came.
It was about the Scroll of Seals, and Logan had already prepared it. He calmed his mind and followed the person to the Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen was there in person, and they went through several complicated procedures together. Along the way, there were many ANBU guards.
Seeing this, Logan couldn't help but wonder how Naruto is able to steal the Scroll of Seals a few years later.
Arriving at the secret chamber where the Scroll of Seals was kept, the miscellaneous personnel left, leaving only Hiruzen and a few elders. Looking at the massive stack of scrolls covered in seals just like in the original, Logan also began to feel excited in his heart.
Hiruzen and several elders looked at each other solemnly, their hands glowed with Chakra, and they began to lift the seals on the Scroll of Seals.