Hokage Office.
Crossing the threshold, Tōshirō saw a few familiar figures.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru were both present.
A flicker of surprise passed through Tōshirō's eyes.
What's going on today? Why is everyone here?
As Tsunade stepped in behind him, she nonchalantly said, "Teacher Sarutobi, I brought Aokiji here for you."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded slightly. "Thank you."
"What did you need me for, Lord Hokage?" Tōshirō asked casually. "If it's for tea, I won't drink anything cheaper than a million ryo per pound."
Sarutobi was momentarily stunned. "Tea?"
Tsunade coughed, her eyes quickly scanning the group. "Teacher Sarutobi, what did you call us here for?"
Sarutobi clasped his hands together on the desk, flashing a smile that revealed teeth yellowed from years of smoking.
Tōshirō shivered slightly. "I don't think I've caused any trouble lately. If this is about that failed mission, I've already reflected on it."
"Tōshirō , do you want to switch teams?"
Tōshirō's gaze lowered, his tone indifferent. "I think my current team is fine."
"An individual's strength has its limits. As a ninja, you should learn to cooperate with a team."
"I never even wanted to be a ninja."
Sarutobi laughed shamelessly. "Haha, seems you still hold a grudge about me making you a ninja."
"No."
"Tōshirō, with your talent, you shouldn't let it go to waste," Sarutobi said earnestly. "But I know you won't listen to that. Anyway, just meet your new teammates."
"My teammates?"
Tōshirō glanced around. Other than himself, there were only three others present. The answer was clear.
Sarutobi smiled. "You've always said your teammates were holding you back. With these three, you won't have that problem."
Tsunade and the others were surprised and delighted.
They hadn't expected a chance to team up with Tōshirō .
Tsunade, in particular, was overjoyed.
Tōshirō had an inkling of Sarutobi's intentions. He suspected the Hokage wanted to mold him into the next Uchiha Kagami.
Playing along, Tōshirō feigned reluctance. "If it's these three, I have no objections. But I have a question."
Sarutobi tilted his chin. "Go ahead."
"With the four of us, isn't that one too many?"
Typically, a team needed at least one jonin for supervision.
Given their combined strength, any of them could easily pass as a special jonin. But it wasn't standard protocol.
Sarutobi smiled. "Four is just right."
Under everyone's puzzled gazes, Sarutobi pulled a box from his drawer, handed it to Orochimaru, and gestured for him to open it.
Everyone leaned in. Inside was a letter of appointment.
In short, the letter declared Orochimaru a jonin.
In other words, Orochimaru was now the leader of their four-person team.
The news shocked everyone.
Even Orochimaru, the person in question, was momentarily dazed.
Becoming a jonin was a feat many ninjas couldn't achieve in a lifetime.
Jiraiya protested, pointing at Orochimaru. "Teacher Sarutobi, why does he get to become a jonin so early? I don't accept this! You're playing favorites!"
Sarutobi sipped his tea calmly. "This decision was carefully considered. Orochimaru's skills and leadership qualify him as a jonin."
Jiraiya could only grumble, vowing to catch up to Orochimaru soon.
"Congratulations," Tōshirō said, his surprise fading into a sincere smile.
Orochimaru quickly composed himself and thanked him.
Tōshirō draped an arm around Orochimaru's shoulders, grinning. "Looks like I need to give you a promotion gift."
"A simple gesture is enough."
Tōshirō shook his head, serious now. "That's how you think, but not me."
To solidify their bond, Tōshirō planned to give Orochimaru something valuable—something that would ensure his loyalty.
Sarutobi watched Tōshirō with curiosity.
Based on previous reports, Tōshirō was known for treating his teammates poorly.
But ulterior motives seemed unlikely. Tōshirō and Orochimaru had maintained a strong friendship since their academy days.
With these bonds, Sarutobi was confident Tōshirō wouldn't slack off on missions.
Eagerly, he assigned them a simple task—a B-rank mission. With their skills, it would be effortless and safe.
Hearing this, Tōshirō complained, "Lord Hokage, come on! I just joined the team. Can't you let me quietly capture a pet?"
Tsunade teased, "You need to work hard now. Among the four of us, even Orochimaru is a jōnin, but you're still a genin."
Konoha's genin are the strongest, aren't they…
Tōshirō shrugged indifferently. "Doesn't matter."
Tsunade suggested, "Why don't you participate in the Chūnin Exams? With your strength, it'd just be a formality. After becoming a chūnin, your rewards will increase accordingly."
"Trying to trick me into getting promoted again? No way. I just want to stay a genin forever."
Tōshirō said disdainfully, "The higher the ninja rank, the more tasks you have to do—especially the Hokage, handling all that crap every day. Just thinking about it is terrifying. Only an idiot would want to be Hokage."
The so-called "idiot" turned dark with frustration. "Well, this idiot has a mission for you. Don't be ungrateful."
Amid laughter and chatter, the four accepted the mission and set out immediately.
The mission was simple: just a straightforward escort task.
- Mission Details:
• Name: Kōzuki Momonosuke
• Occupation: Host
• Age: 28
"Wait for me a second; I need to handle something."
Tōshirō had promised to take care of Mikoto but suddenly received the mission.
He ran to the park and found Fugaku, asking him to look after her in the meantime.
Fugaku's face fell. He'd become a babysitter.
"This was unexpected! Don't complain."
After calming Fugaku and Mikoto, Tōshirō ran home and changed his clothes. In Konoha, he wore attire with the Uchiha crest.
But when traveling, he avoided wearing it to prevent unnecessary trouble.
That crest represented his abilities.
He wasn't dumb enough to wear such obvious clothes outside.
After changing, Tōshirō headed towards Konoha's gate.
Seeing that Tōshirō had delayed the mission just to change clothes, Tsunade complained, "Are you treating this mission like a vacation? You even changed clothes! How irresponsible can you be?"
Tōshirō, unfazed, didn't bother explaining. Just then, he noticed a stranger nearby.
The man looked around forty, with black hair tied in a topknot, a goatee, mismatched eyes, and a fierce expression.
Tōshirō asked, "And this is…?"
He recalled the mission target was about 28 years old. Why did this guy seem so old?
"I'm Kin'emon," the middle-aged man introduced himself. "I'm Momonosuke-sama's assistant. He's still working in the Flower Capital. We need to go there first, then escort him to his destination."
Wait, what was his name again?
Kin'emon?
Honestly, hearing that name and "Momonosuke" made Tōshirō want to groan. He half-expected someone named Kaido to show up and hit him with a Lightning Style: Thunder Bagua...
Seeing Kin'emon's puzzled expression, Tōshirō smiled awkwardly. "Something on my face?"
"No, nothing. I'm Tōshirō . Sorry for the delay—I had some personal matters to handle."
Judging by Kin'emon's patience, he had probably been waiting for a while.
"It's fine."
Despite his fierce appearance, Kin'emon was surprisingly easygoing.
Tōshirō thought this mission might be an easy one after all.
The four followed Kin'emon toward the Flower Capital. On the way, they encountered a group of bandits. Tōshirō effortlessly defeated them and clapped the dust off his hands.
Kin'emon praised, "Your teammate is quite strong…"
Orochimaru grinned. "Of course, Tōshirō-kun is a member of the Uchiha clan."
Tōshirō frowned, glaring at the chatty Orochimaru. He made a mental note to tell him not to reveal his surname unnecessarily.
The Uchiha name was too famous. Once people knew it, most of his abilities were exposed.
But he let it slide this time. They'd just teamed up, and Orochimaru didn't know better yet.
"A member of the Uchiha clan? You're an Uchiha?" Kin'emon's face darkened.
Tōshirō was puzzled. "Is there a problem?"
"Can you remove this person from the team immediately?"
Upon hearing Tōshirō admit he was an Uchiha, Kin'emon's attitude did a 180-degree turn. His expression turned hostile, full of animosity.
What's going on?
Did I accidentally offend you?
It felt like he had slaughtered Kin'emon's family or something…
Orochimaru patiently asked, "If it's convenient, could you explain why?"
Kin'emon's face was stern. "We have a grudge against the Uchiha clan. As for the details, I'm afraid I can't say."
We?
Tōshirō narrowed his eyes slightly. It seemed Kin'emon wasn't the only one with a problem against the Uchiha. Maybe there were more.
He felt like slapping himself. He should never have thought this mission would be easy.
(End of Chapter)
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