Shitsuya stood Infront of a large blue memorial stone.
The stone had hundreds of names carved on it and new names were added every day.
Staring at the names of his former colleagues, Shitsuya couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped his lips.
'After dying for the village this is your promised reward. Your name imprinted in small letters on a rock nobody cares about. I'd give it 10 years before all the owners of these names here are forgotten, transformed from memories of fallen heroes and loved friends to just dusty words on a stone.'
Shitsuya's ear twitched as he heard footsteps behind him, looking back he saw the third Hokage in his white robe.
Bowin slightly, Shitsuya greeted him, "Lord third."
Hiruzen lifted his hand in greeting and walked to stand next to Shitsuya as he also gazed at the rock.
"I see you came here to pay your respects, sorry to disturb you." Hiruzen said as he places a palm on Shitsuya's head.
If Shitsuya dislikes the gesture he did well not to show any of his displeasure.
"Yes, did you also come here to visit a friend? Lord third." Shitsuya asked feigning interest.
Hiruzen nodded and pointed at a name at the top of the stone, it read Kagami Uchiha.
'This old bastard is using his dead teammate to get closer to me using our shared clan.'
"Kagami Uchiha... Was he your friend lord third?" Shitsuya asked as he looked up at Hiruzen with innocent eyes.
"Yes, but not just a friend, he was a dear comrade who saved me many times, even though we had different last names he was like a brother to me." Hiruzen spoke emotionally.
"How did he die?" Shitsuya asked while fiddling with his fingers.
"He died to deliver valuable information that saved the village, if not for his sacrifice the village might not exist." Hiruzen said.
'This shameless monkey....'
"It's his sacrifice and the many sacrifices of all the Shinobi in the hidden leaf that insures the safety and happiness of the next generation."
"Shitsuya." Hiruzen placed a hand on Shitsuya's shoulder as Shitsuya looked up at him.
"I have a mission for you, it's something that only you are capable of doing." Hiruzen spoke solemnly.
'So this is what you're after? I'll hear it out first if it's some suicide mission you'll have to do a lot better than just a flowery speech.'
"What is it lord Hokage." Shitsuya stared at Hiruzen intently.
Seeing Shitsuya's intense gaze, Hiruzen nodded to himself before speaking, "The ones that attacked your team were ninjas from the hidden in the mist village, I'm afraid your team isn't the first or last to be targeted by such teams."
"I want you to join the hidden mist village's academy and become a ninja there and warn the village of any such attacks in the future." Hiruzen spoke and stared intently at Shitsuya.
He saw hesitation in his eyes before his gaze hardened and he nodded, "I will do my best for the village lord Hokage."
Patting Shitsuya's head Hiruzen spoke, "I'm glad to see that you have inherited Kagami's will, go and inform your family that you will be leaving the village on a secret mission for a long time, you will leave the village in after tomorrow."
Shitsuya nodded and left, Hiruzen watched him leave before staring up at the memorial stone, his thoughts unknown.
****
'That piece of shit.' Shitsuya cursed
As Shitsuya was a mere genin, rejecting an important mission from the Hokage himself could have a very bad outcome.
Even so if Hiruzen had sent him to some small country he would have most likely used Mitsuki to reject the mission.
Luckily he was sent the hidden in the mist village to pose as a Shinobi, this mission could be a great opportunity as not only was the hidden mist famed for their prowess with water Jutsu which Shitsuya knew nothing about.
It was also famed for the seven ninja swordsman of the mist who wielded legendary blades with such great prowess it was said that they could bring down an entire country.
If Shitsuya did well he might be able to snag a legendary sword for himself, elevating his strength to that of an elite Jonin.
Before leaving However, he had some preparations to do.
After informing his family of his mission, he wasn't surprised by their reactions.
His grandparents accepted it easily while his mother was opposed to it.
"The hidden mist is too dangerous! Dad can't you do anything?!" Kurumi plead to her father hoping he could do something.
"In normal circumstances I would agree, the mist regularly purges any spies that infiltrate within a few weeks but Shitsuya's case is different. As he is only 7 they aren't likely to suspect him and after he graduates normally from the academy he'll be at a lot less risk." Mitsuki spoke and then took a puff out of his pipe.
"Useless old man!" Kurumi scowled before slamming the table and getting up.
"Where are you going?" Her mother asked.
"I'll talk to the Hokage myself, he can find someone else." Kurumi said before leaving the house.
Mitsuki shrugged before leaving and his wife sighed before doing the same.
*******
Kurumi came back later that evening, a lot calmer, it seemed she changed her mind.
'That old man is really good with his mouth.' Shitsuya thought.
*****
The next day, Shitsuya informed Minato that he would be leaving on a mission for a long time.
Minato hugged Shitsuya tightly and made him promise that he would come back safely.
'Sometimes I almost feel bad for fooling such a kind child.' Shitsuya shook his head before leaving.
Next he invited Kushina to dinner at his house, although she was nervous to meet his family which only increased as she met his grandparents who never spoke a word during dinner time.
She was very happy to meet his mother However who was delighted that he brought a friend over for the first time.
After dinner ended, Shitsuya walked Kushina back home, before bidding her goodnight he told her that he would be leaving the village for a mission.
"How long will you be away?" Kushina asked.
Shitsuya looked down, "I don't know it might take years before I come back."
Kushina bit her lips and asked,"Is it going to be dangerous?"
"Probably." He answered with a shrug.
Kushina suddenly hugged him, Shitsuya clenched his fist but didn't resist.
"Promise you'll come back safe." Kushina looked up at him.
"I promise, please visit my mother often I don't want her to get lonely." Shitsuya said as he patted her head.
"Ok." She nodded.
'I'll have to burn this shirt later.' Shitsuya thought.
'Hopefully her love for me will fester in my absence as she grows closer to my mother.' Shitsuya hoped.
Shitsuya understood that love was fickle although she might yearn for him after he leaves she might also forget about him, that's why he wanted to build a relationship between her and his mother.
It would at least make her feel guilty if she ever thought of finding someone else while he was away.