Irrational

"Re... refuse?" At those words, the Third Hokage, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura all froze. They had never expected Chiba to refuse this appointment. This was even the first time such a situation had occurred.

Even Danzo, who had kept his eyes lowered and his expression as still as an ancient well, suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Chiba. Clearly, he too had never imagined Chiba would refuse.

This child... honestly...

At that moment, as they looked at the resolute Chiba, the Third Hokage, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura all felt indescribable surprise.

Then Utatane Koharu's expression turned cold. "Refusing the Hokage's appointment—what exactly are you trying to do?"

What was Chiba thinking? She could not understand it at all. A troop commander—this was the goal countless outstanding ninja strove for. To a ninja, it was also an honor, a recognition from the village.

Many talented ninja might never receive such an honor in their entire lives. Yet at the age of ten, he had the chance to reach a height others could never attain in a lifetime, and he was actually refusing this honor.

Did he not understand what it meant to become a troop commander?

He was the youngest troop commander in Konoha's history. There would likely never be another child like him in the future, nor could there be one like him. In other words, he might remain the youngest troop commander in Konoha's history forever.

He might even, like the Hokage, be remembered by future generations as a legend.

And if he did not care about such empty honors, then with this child's sharpness, he should still understand that the village intended to cultivate him with great effort. This child had always worked hard to improve himself. He should know that this was the village