Senior, Are You Questioning the Hokage?

Konoha-style swordsmanship, no matter how you looked at it, was actually part of Taijutsu.

Hidezawa's system also had a very interesting trait.

That was, as long as powers belonged to the same system, once he mastered them or received them as rewards, he could directly integrate them and wield them at the strength of his current level!

It was like his Water Release and Earth Release. Once his level rose, any new techniques he learned could be used at the same level of strength.

Looking at it that way, his cheat really did seem incredibly powerful, but the key issue was—

Free Points were difficult to obtain and depended entirely on mission difficulty. He truly was the perfect example of "a towering building starts from the ground, and whether you rise or fall depends on yourself"!

After all, one slip-up and he might end up dead.

"Still, the abilities I got this time are pretty interesting."

Hidezawa's mission reward this time had come through Uzuki Yugao, allowing him to obtain some of his senior's abilities as well.

"Crescent Moon Dance, Hazy Night, and Konoha-Style Rapid Slash?"

The first two were fine, but the last one left him completely baffled. He seemed to remember it being from some pay-to-win game?

Still, it did not matter what they were. What mattered was that these abilities could further diversify his combat power.

And if he included the mission rewards Hiruzen Sarutobi had promised him, then was this not a huge boost for him?

"What's wrong?"

Walking through Konohagakure's streets, Yugao—now changed into fresh clothes—looked at the somewhat distracted Hidezawa with confusion and asked softly.

"Why do you seem so absent-minded?"

"It's nothing. I was just thinking about the injured teammates and those who never came back."

Hidezawa immediately shook his head and put on a sighing expression. His words made Yugao ponder for a moment before she spoke seriously.

"This is the fate of the Anbu. We should have long since been prepared for it, because we are the ones standing at Konohagakure's forefront."

"I understand, Senior."

Hidezawa hurriedly nodded along. He had no desire to be lectured about ideals, so he immediately echoed her words.

"We walk in the darkness and serve the light. That is the Anbu!"

"Serving the light... that is the Anbu."

Yugao was somewhat moved upon hearing that. Did those simple words not perfectly explain the meaning of the Anbu?

She realized that this young man who had only just joined the Anbu seemed to understand it even better than she did!

After all, she and her upperclassman Gekko Hayate had joined the Anbu two years ago. How could she still be inferior to a junior who had just joined?

Thinking of that, Yugao became a little gloomy. Fortunately, Hidezawa was not a gloomy person.

With him leading the conversation, they soon found plenty of common topics, and the atmosphere quickly livened up. This also allowed Hidezawa to get a better understanding of his senior.

For example, she liked viewing flowers, was passionate about blade techniques and swordsmanship, and had various opinions about friends who had joined around the same time as them.

In short, Yugao spoke earnestly, while Hidezawa listened with great interest.

"When there's a chance, I'll definitely ask you to teach me some swordsmanship, Senior. I hope you won't hold back."

"Of course. Also, just call me Yugao. But while we're working, use my codename."

The two chatted and laughed all the way. Yugao was especially delighted to learn that Hidezawa was interested in swordsmanship as well.

Before long, they arrived at the Ichiraku Ramen stall.

It was probably past mealtime, so there were not many people around. However, Hidezawa unexpectedly spotted a blond little boy standing beneath the eaves nearby.

The kid rubbed his hungry stomach while glancing toward Ichiraku Ramen.

"That brat."

Yugao frowned when she saw the little fellow. Clearly, she did not know much about Naruto either.

Like many people in the village, she more or less harbored some feelings of disgust toward him.

"What's wrong with that brat?"

Hidezawa knew exactly what this was about, but he deliberately blinked and asked.

"Haven't you heard the rumors?"

Now it was Yugao's turn to look at Hidezawa in confusion. She said solemnly,

"According to the rumors, that kid is the incarnation of the demon fox. He was the culprit behind the disaster five years ago!"

Five years ago, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox had appeared and brought endless calamity to Konohagakure. Not only had the Fourth Hokage and his wife died, but many ninja and innocent civilians had perished as well.

It could only be said that Obito truly understood how to "repay kindness."

"Then, if he's the incarnation of the demon fox, why is he still allowed to remain in Konohagakure?"

Hidezawa blinked with a curious expression. Yugao froze, then only spoke after a moment, full of righteous conviction.

"Th-that's because Lord Hokage is merciful and simply doesn't wish to concern himself with that brat."

"Is that so?"

Hidezawa put on an expression of partial understanding before asking doubtfully,

"But even if Lord Hokage is merciful, he can't disregard the safety of the other residents and keep such a danger around, can he? What if he suddenly loses control one day?"

"This..."

Hidezawa's words immediately left Yugao speechless. For a moment, she did not know how to answer.

She wanted to say that there were still the Anbu, Konohagakure's many ninja, and the Third Hokage, but the words died in her throat.

She had seen Konohagakure's devastation after the Nine-Tails' attack and had attended the Fourth Hokage's funeral. She understood just how dangerous the demon fox was.

Then why had Lord Hokage continued to let him remain in Konohagakure?

Seeing Yugao's expression, Hidezawa immediately understood that, at her rank in the Anbu, she probably did not know much about Jinchuriki.

The same was true at Hidezawa's own rank. Danzo had not arranged for him to deal with anything involving Jinchuriki either.

But he was a transmigrator, after all. Besides, as an old hand, he knew that since he already knew, what was there to fear?

He was not one of those lunatics from the Uchiha clan!

He was a loyal, Konohagakure-serving, "humble public instrument of society"!

Besides, Danzo would probably be delighted for him to come into contact with Naruto.

"So, Senior, don't question the Third Hokage's wisdom."

Hidezawa very familiarly patted Yugao on the shoulder, then blinked and smiled.

"Rumors are only rumors. As Anbu, we must always believe in Lord Hokage. Senior, you don't think Lord Hokage would let Konohagakure fall into danger, do you?"

"Th-that naturally wouldn't happen. Also, just call me Yugao..."

Yugao hesitated for a moment. Whether it was Hidezawa's overly familiar behavior or his words, she had been drawn into deep thought.

She had no idea how to refute him now, because any rebuttal would seem like "questioning Lord Hokage," and for an Anbu, that was far too improper!

Yet the rumors she had heard for years still left her somewhat uneasy. Hidezawa, however, did not care about any of that. He had already pulled Yugao straight toward Naruto.

Naruto had yet to notice anyone approaching. He was troubledly counting the coins inside his shriveled Frog Purse.

But at that moment, a boy's voice sounded beside him.

"Huh? Why is there so little? It's not even enough for a bowl of ramen."

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