Sometimes, it's best to leave the job to the experts.
So, he decided not to get involved.
"Orochimaru-sama, this is an urgent message from the village," a member of the intelligence unit suddenly rushed into the command tent, handing over a sealed scroll to Orochimaru.
Everyone in the tent turned their attention to the scroll in Orochimaru's hand.
Without any hesitation, Orochimaru broke the seal and unrolled the scroll in front of everyone.
Nara Hideitsu and Sakumo Hatake didn't try to peek, choosing instead to wait patiently. They knew that if it wasn't confidential, Orochimaru would tell them. If it was classified, it wasn't their place to pry.
Some people knew their boundaries; others, not so much.
Jiraiya, on the other hand, stretched his neck, trying to sneak a look.
Orochimaru shot him a cold glare before laying the scroll flat on the table.
"Everyone, it seems that I won't be able to fight alongside you for a while. The village has ordered me to return immediately for a special mission."
"Are you going back alone?" Jiraiya, who hadn't gotten much of a peek at the scroll, immediately leaned over for a better look.
Sure enough, Orochimaru had been summoned back to the village for some secret mission. And it was just him—no one else was involved.
"Since it's a special mission, it must be important for the village. You'd better pack up and leave as soon as possible," Nara Hideitsu advised.
They all knew better than to ask about the details of a secret mission. Orochimaru himself didn't even know what was waiting for him back at the village.
"Well then, I'll take my leave, seniors," Orochimaru said politely, nodding toward Hideitsu and Sakumo before getting up to leave.
Jiraiya, ever curious, caught up to him as he walked out.
"Orochimaru, how about I come with you?" he asked sneakily.
"Suit yourself. As long as you're not afraid of the old man scolding you or Tsunade beating you up, go right ahead," Orochimaru replied without looking back.
"..."
Damn it.
"Forget I said anything!" Jiraiya grumbled, flipping Orochimaru the finger in frustration.
Not that it mattered—Orochimaru didn't even bother to acknowledge the gesture, which only added to Jiraiya's sense of defeat.
"Make sure to keep an eye on Nawaki for me," Orochimaru added as he left.
"Yeah, yeah! Take care of your own student! I'm not doing it!" Jiraiya shouted after him.
Jiraiya felt completely unappreciated. Why did Orochimaru get to go back to the village while he was stuck out here? Why wasn't he assigned to a special mission too?
This was definitely favoritism from the old man. He was being targeted, for sure.
Despite his complaints, Jiraiya knew he couldn't just abandon Nawaki.
"Jiraiya, where's sensei?" a voice called out.
"Don't ask me. Your sensei ditched you, went back to the village for a mission, and left me here to babysit," Jiraiya replied, his expression sour.
"This is definitely favoritism! Why does he get to do a special mission, and I don't?"
He hadn't been back to the village in a long time, and the thought of it made him want to take a break and "gather some material." The battlefield was nothing but fighting and scheming, and it was getting old.
It had been so long since his last visit to the village, and he wondered if they'd taken down the roof of the bathhouse by now.
Maybe the windows in the women's hot springs had been reinforced with thicker wood. He'd love to check on that…
Watching Jiraiya mumble to himself, Nawaki tugged at Minato's sleeve, whispering, "Hey, Minato, do you think Jiraiya-sensei might be... you know... a little off?"
Nawaki pointed at his own temple, making a circular motion.
Minato rolled his eyes.
"Give me a break. Jiraiya-sensei's fine. It's just his bad habits acting up. Didn't Takuya—say that peeping is addictive?"
"Cough, cough!"
Whoa!
I thought I was ruthless, but Minato, you're even worse!
Nawaki's eyes widened in shock.
"Just don't mention that in front of Jiraiya-sensei, or he'll get mad," Minato quickly added, realizing he might've gone too far.
"Deal!" Nawaki grinned, before shoving a dirty sock in Minato's face. "You wash my socks, and I'll keep quiet."
Minato stared at the smelly sock for a few seconds, completely stunned.
"Are you serious?"
"If you don't, I'll tell Takuya that you had a crush on Mikoto when we were in school. You wouldn't want that, right?"
"Mmpphh!"
Minato had been trying to tease Nawaki, but the young boy panicked and, in his haste, stuffed the sock into Minato's mouth.
Minato's eyes bulged in horror, his entire body shaking as his face turned red.
Oh no...
Realizing what he'd done, Nawaki tossed the sock aside and ran.
"Minato, I'm sorry! Don't—ah! That hurts! You jerk, don't hit me so hard!"
"You little brats."
Jiraiya glanced at the scene of Minato chasing after Nawaki but couldn't bring himself to care.
All he wanted now was to get back to the village, take a break, and do some things he'd been wanting to do.
Who's badmouthing me?
Rubbing his nose, Takuya glanced up at the bright sun. The weather was perfect; there was no reason to feel chilly. Someone must be talking about him behind his back.
Shifting into a more comfortable position, Takuya leaned back against the tree trunk and continued to relax.
"I can't take it anymore!" Uchiha Ryoji suddenly erupted.
He had been enduring this all morning, and now he was at his breaking point.
The three members of Takuya's squad all looked pretty disheveled. Only Aida Sui seemed to be holding it together.
Ryoji and Hyuga Suzune, on the other hand, were desperate to drop the bamboo baskets they carried on their backs and stomp them into the ground, maybe even burn the stinking garbage inside.
Tossing his basket to the ground, Ryoji's forehead veins bulged as he shouted, "Captain, why are we doing this stupid mission? This trash stinks! I'd rather be digging ditches!"
He remembered vowing never to work in the fields again, yet here he was, after just one morning, regretting that decision.
Ryoji would rather be covered in mud than picking up garbage.
"Because it's our mission. If you've got a problem, blame the task distribution team for assigning it to us."
Takuya, thoroughly entertained, wasn't bothered in the slightest. After all, it wasn't his decision to take the garbage-cleaning mission; it was handed down by the mission board.
So, if Ryoji was mad, he should take it up with the mission board. It had nothing to do with Takuya.
"..."
Ryoji clenched his fists, resisting the urge to torch the trash, along with the basket. Grinding his teeth, he muttered, "This feels personal. The other squads are pulling weeds or chasing cats, and we're stuck picking up trash."
"Well said!"
Takuya clapped his hands in mock approval.
"I agree. I think the people at the Hokage's office are targeting us. How about this: when we're done, I'll take you to the Hokage's office, and you can ask the old man yourself why he's giving our squad such terrible missions."
"..."
Ryoji's eye twitched.
Do you think I'm stupid?
Go question the Hokage?
Even Hyuga Suzune, who was struggling with the garbage stench, had no comeback. Complaining to the mission board was one thing, but confronting the Hokage himself? Yeah, that wasn't going to happen.
If their families found out, they'd be in deep trouble.
Takuya, you really have no filter.
Aida Sui couldn't help but chuckle at his captain's boldness.
"You don't have the guts? Then stop whining and get back to work."
**********
Your next goal is 4500 power stones. And if you want more, join me on Patreon so you can read up to chapter 250+ at patron.com/ Emik01.