บท 79: Chapter 79: The Missing-nin of Konoha
"Hmm, in the current Konoha Ninja Village, you are perhaps the only one who can simultaneously subdue these two unruly youngsters."
The Third Hokage smiled. Minato Namikaze wasn't a problem, but Uchiha Homura was arrogant and proud. Even an ordinary jonin wouldn't be able to make him submit easily.
However, Sakumo Hatake was different. Not only did he become a jonin at a very young age, but his extraordinary talent and strength also gave him a reputation among all the major clans in the village. Even the current head of the Uchiha clan held him in high regard.
"But in the previous ninja ability test, Uchiha Homura was just defeated by Minato. If we put them together now, I'm afraid..."
Sakumo didn't finish his sentence, but the Third probably understood. No matter how talented Uchiha Homura was, failing the test was a fact.
"I think you should understand the meaning behind this test organized by the higher-ups in the village. The so-called passing quota is just a gimmick to motivate those kids."
The Third's expression became slightly serious. "I never expected that little Minato would not only protect Kushina Uzumaki but also lead three children of average strength to the end. Surprisingly, Rin Takenouchi even got the open quota."
"Do you mean to revoke her passing quota?" Sakumo asked.
"No, luck is also a part of one's strength." The Third shook his head. "But you and I both know that passing this test is just the beginning of their evaluation. Although I want to use this method to select the elite among them, I don't intend for them to go on a suicide mission. Rin's strength is too lacking."
Sakumo nodded, his eyes revealing some reluctance. He hesitated before saying, "Lord Third, I'm not questioning the decisions made by the higher-ups. I just think this might be too cruel for Minato and the others. It's alright for the likes of Nawaki Senju and others, but those kids aren't even ninjas yet."
"But you and I both know that sooner or later, these youngsters will graduate from the Ninja Academy. What awaits them is an even crueler reality. Rather than letting them go to their deaths unprepared, it's better to give them a lesson in advance. This is a hurdle they'll have to overcome eventually."
There was also a reluctance in the Third's tone, but what could be done?
After all, it was because of his own lack of ability that the peace achieved by the previous Hokages through sacrificing their lives didn't last very long before being broken again.
"Forgive me, First Lord Hokage, Second Lord Hokage," the Third sighed inwardly.
Upon hearing this, Sakumo nodded heavily. "I understand, Lord Third. Please give me the mission."
After saying that, he looked up at the Third, who smiled faintly. "Calculate the timing. Your teammates should be here soon."
"Teammates?" Sakumo murmured.
Knock, knock!
As his words fell, there was a knocking sound from outside, and then the door of the Hokage's office opened. A slender, tall figure walked in.
Sakumo glanced at the newcomer and exclaimed in surprise, "Jun Toriumi?"
This was a beautiful woman with long, straight black hair and eyes as bright as black gems. Her fair skin made her a stunning beauty.
However, this beautiful woman was dressed in standard ninja attire, wearing a Konoha forehead protector. Even so, it didn't detract from her beauty.
"Lord Third," Jun greeted the Third Hokage with a bow, then turned her head and smiled gently at Sakumo.
"Senior Sakumo, it's been a long time," she said with a smile.
"Yes, it has been a while," Sakumo replied.
He hadn't seen the woman in front of him for several years. She was his junior back when he was in the Ninja Academy.
Back then, Sakumo was a prominent figure in the academy, the top student in the entire school. Jun was also a prodigy, though after Sakumo graduated early from the academy, he never saw her again.
Although they had both grown up, he could still vaguely recognize the features from their childhood. That's how Sakumo was able to identify her.
"I didn't expect you to still recognize me," Jun said happily, simply because Sakumo remembered her.
Sakumo smiled faintly, no longer speaking. Jun also knew that this wasn't an appropriate setting for casual conversation.
Both of them turned to face the Third, whose expression also became serious. "Three hours ago, we received a report that Shinzo Kuriyama has appeared within the borders of the Land of Lightning."
Upon hearing his name, Sakumo's expression changed, and he angrily said, "That traitor actually dares to show his face!"
Although the Third didn't show as much anger as Sakumo, his expression was clearly not very good either. "I've heard that fellow is now being treated as an honored guest by the Hidden Cloud Village, and you should know the reason for that."
Jun also spoke at this moment. "No matter how he was once a special jonin of our village and an important member responsible for intelligence gathering, now that he's a missing-nin and the relationship between the ninja nations is tense, it's natural for him to seek protection. Otherwise, if he encounters our people, he won't have a chance to live!"
"Yes, the information he knows is his bargaining chip for staying in the Land of Lightning. But that guy is really bold, not even afraid of the intelligence department of the Land of Lightning going after him."
The Third said. The two people in front of him had no doubt that if Shinzo was here, the Third would kill him directly.
This Lord, despite his kind appearance, showed no mercy towards threats to the village.
"I think he must have obtained the secret techniques of the Yamanaka clan before he defected, which is why he's not afraid of the intelligence department of the Land of Lightning extracting information directly from his memories."
Sakumo's eyes flickered, his words also carrying a chilling killing intent.
"In any case, that guy's existence is a threat to the village. The Anbu agents tracking him have also been eliminated by the Cloud ninja."
The Third's expression darkened like water, his voice heavy.
Sakumo and Jun were shocked. The latter said, "The Cloud Village dares to openly attack Konoha's ninjas? Is this a declaration of war?"
The Third continued, "Although there hasn't been a large-scale war in the Rain Village yet, with the addition of Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru, we already have an absolute advantage in the covert conflicts. At this time, the appearance of Shinzo Kuriyama is undoubtedly a good thing for the Cloud Village."
The two of them nodded.
The Third's gaze was stern. "In any case, we cannot allow such a threat to the village to continue roaming freely. Therefore, I have decided to appoint Sakumo Hatake as the team leader, with Jun Toriumi, Minato Namikaze, and Uchiha Homura forming a four-person squad to infiltrate the Cloud Village and assassinate the missing-nin Shinzo Kuriyama!"
Jun didn't have any particular reaction, only pondering the two unfamiliar names. However, upon hearing this, Sakumo's expression changed dramatically.
"Lord Third, you actually want to assign such a high-level mission to two children?"
(To be continued)
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