"There is a difference. If I can't win, I'll run," Hyuga Arin said very seriously.
Danzo's face darkened.
Who exactly made this guy a ninja?
What kind of ninja thinks about running when facing danger? Aren't they supposed to risk their lives to complete the mission?
"You are a ninja!!" Danzo shouted.
And this didn't match Arin at all.
You're the guy who assassinated the Kazekage alone—and succeeded.
And now you're saying you'd run?
Do you hear yourself?!
If the Kazekage heard this—
He'd probably jump up in the Pure Land screaming, "Is this guy insane?!"
"My life is more important than being a ninja," Arin said without shame. "Though not many people can make me run."
Most ninja struggled between mission and comrades.
For Arin—
Neither mattered more than his own life.
Of course—
He usually had plenty of trump cards.
In the entire ninja world, only those who could completely overpower him would force him to retreat.
Like Uchiha Madara.
Or… Uchiha Madara.
At the moment, that was about it.
Hatake Sakumo clearly didn't fall into that category.
Arin simply didn't have absolute confidence in beating him.
He had only said it casually—
But Danzo demanded an explanation.
Arin looked at Danzo helplessly.
Danzo nearly choked on anger.
Bang!
He slammed his hand onto the desk, taking a deep breath to calm himself.
Talking strategy with this kid was a mistake.
"So, are we going after Hatake Sakumo?" Arin said eagerly. "You weaken him, I'll kill him."
Now that sounded like the Arin he knew.
Danzo rubbed his temples. "I said ruin him—not kill him. He's an important combat asset of the village."
Danzo wanted to become Hokage—
Not the Hokage of a crippled Konoha, but one at its peak.
He didn't want Sakumo competing with him.
Hiruzen had held the Hokage position long enough.
It was time for him to step down.
There were already voices in the village calling for a new Hokage.
Currently, those qualified were:
Danzo, Hatake Sakumo, and the Sannin.
The Sannin had enough reputation—
But still fell short of the first two.
And none of them seemed interested in the position.
Danzo, as the power holder behind the scenes, had the qualifications.
But Sakumo's popularity among the people—
Had pushed him to the top candidate for the next Hokage.
"Come to think of it," Arin said, "I'm actually qualified to run for Hokage too."
War achievements, reputation, strength—
He met all the requirements.
Just a bit young.
Danzo glanced at him.
You?
The least likely candidate.
He held too many of Arin's secrets.
Once exposed—
Arin would have zero chance.
Which was exactly why Danzo wasn't worried about him.
Arin rolled his eyes.
If he killed Danzo—
No one would know those secrets.
So what if he killed a few fellow villagers?
And some Uchiha?
Not a big deal.
"If you don't want me to kill him, then why call me here?" Arin said. "I'm only interested in his life."
"All you think about is killing," Danzo said coldly.
How did Konoha raise such a killing machine?
"I already have a plan. I'll need your help when the time comes."
Two years—
That was enough to completely destroy Sakumo's reputation.
So—
He really was getting involved in Sakumo's downfall.
Arin fell into thought.
Should he warn Sakumo in advance?
Might make things easier later.
Danzo narrowed his eyes. "Hatake Sakumo…"
"Danzo-sama, any missions lately?" Arin suddenly asked. "I've been stuck in the village. Can't even go to the hospital anymore. It's boring."
Danzo snorted. "Hiruzen suspended all your ninja duties. Naturally, that includes Root missions."
That damn old man.
Arin gritted his teeth. "Danzo-sama, forget Sakumo. Let's go kill Hiruzen instead."
He actually dared suspend his missions?!
…
"Big bro… you okay?"
Nawaki poked Arin with a stick.
Arin lay on the grass, staring blankly at the trees above like his soul had left his body.
"Don't poke me." Arin slapped the stick away. "That old man Hiruzen suspended all my missions. I've got nothing to do. I'm bored."
Minato, who had been practicing shuriken nearby, walked over curiously.
"Ninja can get suspended from missions?"
Nawaki slung an arm around Minato and whispered, "Big bro Arin is… special. If he takes a small mission, it might turn into a big one."
After all—
With someone that bloodthirsty—
Konoha wouldn't deploy him unless absolutely necessary.
"I'm not that extreme!!" Arin shouted.
Aside from killing a lot during wartime—
He hadn't turned small missions into big ones.
He just killed all the enemies.
Minato blinked in amazement. "That's an incredible ability. Does the mission reward increase too?"
Is that the point?!
Nawaki stared at him. "Are you… naturally dense?"
"He is," Arin answered. Then added, "And so are you."
"Really?" Nawaki and Minato both scratched their heads.
Seeing each other do the exact same thing—
They laughed.
Not dense.
Just idiots.
Arin turned away, refusing to look at them.
Why did he end up with friends like this?
Couldn't he have normal ones?
(A certain classmate once beaten by his dirty tricks: Maybe stop using underhanded tactics and you would've had some!)
"Help—mmph!"
A muffled cry suddenly rang out.
All three immediately looked in the same direction.
Minato frowned. "So it wasn't my imagination."
"Something happened," Nawaki said seriously.
"Finally," Arin muttered, a hint of excitement in his voice.
Both Nawaki and Minato looked at him.
"Ahem." Arin coughed. "What are you staring at? Let's go check it out."
Kidnapped.
Small stature.
Chakra comparable to Nawaki.
Who else could it be—
But Kushina?
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