Return to the Village, Astonishing Rewards! (Please Keep Reading)

"What a pain."

Konohagakure, inside the Root Base.

Danzo looked over the scroll in his hand while his mind wandered to other matters.

Lately, his ears had often been burning, making him wonder whether someone had been cursing him behind his back.

But on second thought, it was perfectly normal for people to curse him. Even if his enemies encircled Konohagakure, there probably still would not be enough of them.

And recently, he had quite a few other troubles as well.

"That Kano."

Kano had been sent to follow Kakashi and seize his Sharingan when an opportunity arose.

Yet, to Danzo's utter disbelief, Kano had actually failed the mission?!

More importantly, he had helped the poisoned Kakashi escape danger. Such open defiance of his orders was absolutely unacceptable!

And that fool had even said things like, "I am not only a member of Root, but also a shinobi of Konohagakure. I should not harm my comrades."

Was he really no longer taking Danzo seriously?

"It seems I cannot count on Kakashi's Sharingan."

Danzo frowned as he pondered. He planned to simply transplant Kagami Uchiha's Sharingan, then impose even stronger control over Kano.

He would need to use both genjutsu and Cursed Seals.

Wood Release was a technique he absolutely could not give up. He could never allow Kano to develop any sense of self!

Besides that, there was also the matter of that brat Hidezawa.

"That little brat has returned too. He seems to be with Hiruzen now. I wonder how things went this time."

Danzo did not know exactly how Hidezawa's mission had gone, but according to reports from informants hidden in Sunagakure, things over there seemed rather chaotic.

"What exactly happened? Is Pakura dead? And what about that Shisui Uchiha?"

Danzo was quite confident in his Root personnel. He felt Hidezawa had not been without a chance of accomplishing all this.

But whether Pakura died was not the key. What he cared about most was Shisui Uchiha, that Uchiha Clan brat.

"Lord Danzo, intelligence has arrived."

Just as Danzo sank into thought, Aburame Ryūma approached and respectfully presented a scroll.

"Mm."

Danzo nodded casually, but when he saw the symbol on the scroll, his brow suddenly furrowed.

Was this from Kabuto, who had been planted in Sunagakure? What intelligence did he have now?

Yet when he opened the scroll and gave it a brief glance, his face immediately darkened.

"That brat came back? Who gave him the nerve? Who allowed him to leave Sunagakure?!"

A Root operative abandoning his assigned position and returning to Konohagakure before his mission was complete was nothing less than betrayal!

But as he considered how to deal with Kabuto, his gaze fell upon the contents at the end of the scroll.

In an instant, his entire body froze.

At the same time, inside the Hokage Building.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stared wide-eyed at the report before him. Then he turned and carefully examined Hidezawa and the other two standing in front of him.

For a moment, he was utterly bewildered.

Such a major mission had actually been completed by these three kids?

After who knew how long, the Third Hokage seemed to finally come back to his senses. After hesitating for a moment, he spoke.

"You completed this mission exceptionally well, but I have a few questions I would like you to clear up for me."

Even he felt a little embarrassed saying that.

After all, Hidezawa and the other two had just returned from the Wind Country, worn out from travel, and they had already explained the mission details.

Yet now he looked as though he had not understood a word. But that only proved from another angle just how absurd this whole matter was!

After steadying himself slightly, he looked at Hidezawa.

"Hidezawa, I heard that you were essentially directing this operation. I would like to hear your thoughts."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Hidezawa nodded readily. He had anticipated this long ago.

Besides, on the journey back, he had already prepared a plan for deceiving those above and below.

"I would like to know how you determined Sunagakure's motives."

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not overthink it and asked directly.

"Also, according to the intelligence, you apparently sent Pakura back alone. I would like to understand more about what happened."

At this question, Shisui and Yugao could not help glancing at Hidezawa, and there seemed to be some dissatisfaction in their eyes.

Hidezawa had carried out the final operation alone, even "blasting" them off to the border of River Country.

Though Hidezawa had not been far away, merely at an oasis near the border, and they had been responsible for providing support.

Still, no matter who it was, they would feel somewhat disappointed and uncomfortable, wouldn't they?

"Actually, Captain Shisui already explained the reasoning quite clearly."

Hidezawa knew that the two of them were somewhat upset, so he could only give an awkward smile before speaking.

"I based it entirely on Pakura's abilities, Kirigakure's logistical supplies, the hatred between them, and of course, the Hyuga Clan incident from a year ago."

"Cough, cough, cough. I understand!"

Before Hidezawa could finish, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately interrupted him with a cough.

The logic was completely sound. Upon careful consideration, Hiruzen could probably figure it out himself as long as he found the key points and references.

But could they perhaps stop bringing up the Hyuga matter?

"As for my meeting with Ebizo, I deliberately allowed Pakura to remain awake, while expressing my thoughts and stance from Konohagakure's position."

Hidezawa nodded, thinking, You were the one who had the Hyuga Clan deliver her, and now you will not even let me mention it?

No wonder no one will save you in the future.

But he did not dwell on it and continued.

"Lord Hokage, I have always believed Sunagakure's alliance cannot be trusted. The person who trained me believed the same.

Since they wanted to use Pakura as a bargaining chip, I felt that absolutely could not be allowed to happen. And by coincidence, we encountered Sasori of the Red Sands.

I told Ebizo that intelligence on Sasori had already been sent back. Once something happened to me—"

"Information on Sasori of the Red Sands would spread throughout the Wind Country. And because you fought Sasori, he was wary of your strength. Shisui and the others had also gone into hiding, so all of you returned safely."

Before Hidezawa could finish, Hiruzen Sarutobi completed the explanation for him. After saying that, he could not help sighing.

This boy was far more outstanding than he had imagined!

Not only could he think from Konohagakure's perspective, but he also possessed remarkable methods. When faced with a situation, he truly dared to think and act!

Even though he was a civilian, he was undoubtedly a genius—a genius with vision and foresight!

At that moment, he felt as though he saw the shadow of the youngest Hokage, Minato Namikaze, in him.

"I need to speed things up. Originally, it was only because of Naruto, but now..."

Hidezawa and the others had performed too perfectly this time. It could even be said that they had far exceeded his expectations!

How could he possibly allow talents like these to remain under Danzo?

Once they joined the Anbu, they would be his people!

"You have worked hard."

With that thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled.

"You completed this mission exceptionally well. Combined with your previous performance, I will grant you better rewards.

Now, go get some proper rest, heroes of Konohagakure!"

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

That single word, heroes, left Shisui and Yugao thrilled beyond measure. Outside of wartime, earning the title of hero was extraordinarily difficult.

Yet this time, they had received the Hokage's personal recognition. What an immense honor it was for them!

Hidezawa was actually a little tired of it, but a look of surprise quickly appeared on his face as the system in his mind refreshed.

Side Quest Completed: Investigate Sunagakure's Secret

Mission Rating: S

Reward Obtained: 8 Free Points

Due to facing an enormous threat and completing the mission far beyond expectations, special reward obtained:

Shinobi World Professor