Inside the Hokage Office in the Hokage Tower.
Yagyu and Anko stood in front of the Third Hokage's desk. After spending about half an hour explaining everything, Anko finished recounting the entire encounter with Uchiha Itachi's group, with Yagyu occasionally adding details.
"That's everything that happened during the mission."
After finishing the report, Anko took out the mission report scroll and handed it to the Third Hokage.
"All the information is recorded inside this scroll."
The Third Hokage accepted the scroll and placed it aside.
While smoking his pipe, he looked at the two of them.
"I understand. You've both worked hard on this mission. I never expected that you would run directly into Uchiha Itachi. That part was beyond my expectations… fortunately, you both returned safely."
As he spoke, a trace of lingering fear flashed through the Third Hokage's eyes.
He truly had not expected that such a simple tracking mission would lead Yagyu and Anko to encounter the target directly.
How should that be described?
Was their luck too good?
Or too bad?
Regardless of the answer, the fact that they had returned safely was enough.
And there was no need to question whether the Third Hokage was pretending.
Because there was no reason for him to do so.
Yagyu was someone he regarded as a successor to the Will of Fire.
More importantly, he was a student personally trained by the Third Hokage in recent years.
There was no reason to pretend in this matter.
After all, the image Yagyu had built in the eyes of the Third Hokage and many people in Konoha was that of a pure genius.
As long as he did not cause trouble, there would be no problems.
Returning to the topic.
"Old man…"
Now that the important matters had been discussed, Yagyu glanced at the Third Hokage.
"I think you should pay attention to the meaning behind Uchiha Itachi's actions. Someone like him, gathering powerful rogue ninja as companions, can't possibly be doing it just to form a group to play mahjong."
Hearing this,
The Third Hokage nodded with satisfaction.
"Don't worry. I already have other intelligence. You're still young, so you don't need to worry about this matter for now."
Yagyu simply nodded casually.
He did not say anything more.
To be honest,
He did not want to get involved in too many of the Third Hokage's affairs too early.
Before his strength was sufficient, Yagyu only wanted to act as an executor who judged things according to his own interests.
He did not want to stir up too many complications yet.
"Then I'll go home and rest."
After reminding the Third Hokage, Yagyu prepared to leave.
The Third Hokage nodded without stopping him.
"Go ahead. Rest well. There's no need to rush into another mission. Take some time to digest what you gained from this one."
Yagyu waved his hand to show he understood.
Then he left the Hokage Office.
After Yagyu left,
The Third Hokage smoked quietly for a moment.
Then he looked at Anko.
"Anko, what is your opinion of Sōsuke?"
Hearing this question, Anko did not immediately understand his intention.
After thinking for a moment, she answered honestly.
"Top-tier talent. Top-tier mentality. Top-tier intelligence. Top-tier courage. Most importantly, he has already grown strong enough to stand on his own, and he is a perfect inheritor of the Will of Fire."
At this point,
Anko looked slightly embarrassed.
"This might sound a bit embarrassing… but during this mission, if Yagyu hadn't refused to abandon me and kept protecting me behind him, even if I had managed to come back, I would probably have been seriously injured."
After a short pause, Anko gave her final conclusion.
"Although he's still very young, Yagyu is already a companion who can be trusted."
The Third Hokage nodded.
After glancing at Anko, he said,
"I plan to publicize this mission. The story will be that Sōsuke faced Uchiha Itachi's group alone and successfully brought you back safely. Would you feel dissatisfied about that?"
Anko shook her head.
"It's fine. After all, Yagyu really is stronger than me. And the mission basically happened exactly like that."
As an experienced ninja,
Anko immediately understood the Third Hokage's intention.
He wanted to build Yagyu's reputation and achievements.
She had no objections.
Just as she had said,
Yagyu was stronger than her.
And during this mission, if it hadn't been for him, she might not have survived.
In a way, he had saved her life.
Besides, Anko did not care about credit or fame.
So she naturally had no objections to the Third Hokage's arrangement.
…
Yagyu did not know about the conversation between Anko and the Third Hokage afterward.
Even if he knew, he would not stop it.
Reputation and achievements were exactly what he wanted.
Why would he refuse them?
Putting on an act of false humility?
What nonsense.
To be honest,
Yagyu did not consider himself a good person.
But he wanted to become one.
To put it bluntly,
As a true egoist,
He wanted to gain all the benefits.
And at the same time,
He wanted everyone to praise him as a righteous man.
But that was getting off topic.
Right now,
It was not yet time for Yagyu to reveal his ambitions.
Shopping district.
Entering his family's bookstore, Yagyu immediately saw his mother behind the counter.
"Mom, I'm back!"
After calling out, Yagyu walked directly to the counter.
His mother had been watching the store rather lazily and was almost falling asleep.
When she saw Yagyu, her face lit up with joy.
"Sōsuke, you're back? Was the mission dangerous?"
Yagyu shook his head calmly.
He turned around once in front of her.
"Of course I didn't get hurt."
After carefully checking him over,
His mother finally nodded in relief.
"That's good. After finishing a mission like that, you should rest for a few days. High-level missions consume a lot of energy."
As the wife of a ninja, she understood the mission system to some degree.
She also knew that Yagyu was different from other children.
The missions he carried out were all high-level missions.
Otherwise she would not worry so much.
"Alright."
Yagyu nodded gently.
Looking at his concerned mother, he said,
"I don't have any missions for the next few days. I'll stay home and rest."
Satisfied with the answer,
His mother nodded.
After checking the time, she spoke again.
"You watch the store. I'm going out to buy some groceries. Tonight we'll make a big dinner. Later you should invite Ino's family from next door to come over, alright?"
As she spoke, She had already walked out from behind the counter.
After giving Yagyu a few instructions, she left the shop.
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