Preparations Before Departure

"Teacher, are you going out?"

Kakashi watched Katsuki pack her bags and asked curiously.

"Ah! That's right, I might have to leave for a while."

Although she said she was packing, she didn't actually have much to take. A few storage scrolls were enough to pack everything in. Katsuki straightened her clothes, put the scrolls away, and everything was packed. That's how efficient ninjas are—they do things immediately without any hesitation.

"Oh, right, Kakashi, please give this to the Principal when you go to school tomorrow." Katsuki handed the completed leave request to Kakashi.

"Huh--? Oh, I see."

Kakashi nodded and accepted the leave request.

"Don't slack off while I'm gone. I'll be checking up on you when I get back. If you haven't improved, you'd better be prepared..." Katsuki said with a smile.

Kakashi shuddered, his eyebrows furrowed, and the half of his face that was exposed was filled with bitterness.

Logically Katsuki is Sakumo's disciple, and Katsuki and Kakashi should be of the same generation. However, Katsuki teaches at the Ninja Academy and also mentors Kakashi in his spare time. Therefore, Kakashi also calls Katsuki "teacher." This relationship is quite complicated, but it is common among ninjas and not uncommon.

Kakashi is very arrogant. He has been exceptionally intelligent and talented since childhood. There is basically no one among his peers who can compare to him. Obito, Asuma, and others are all inferior to him. Might Guy is the type of person who achieves great things later in life, which has led to Kakashi standing out from the crowd at this stage.

Sakumo put in a lot of effort to temper Kakashi's excessive arrogance, but with little success. After all, he was his own son, and it was hard for him to be ruthless.

However, after Kakashi was beaten up three times by Katsuki, he learned his lesson and couldn't be arrogant in front of Katsuki anymore. And most importantly, it was pointless to beat him up, since his father was very supportive.

"Teacher, how long will you be gone this time?" Kakashi asked cautiously.

"Maybe a month, two months, I can't say for sure. This mission is quite complicated, so I won't be back for a while." Katsuki glanced thoughtfully at Kakashi, then said after a moment's thought, "If you want to train here during this time, feel free to come. I don't usually have anyone else here. You can also invite Might Guy and the others. Remember, training alone in isolation is ultimately limited. Sparring with different people is also a great way to train."

Hokage Building.

"Sakumo, I'll have to trouble you with this. Tsunade is holed up in Konoha Hospital, saying her research is at a crucial stage..."

The Third Hokage rubbed his temples, looking rather troubled.

He originally intended for Tsunade to go to the eastern border, but Tsunade refused to go and didn't even bother to come and say hello. Instead, she sent a message directly through the Anbu. Helpless, he had no choice but to entrust the task to Sakumo.

"Leave it to me!"

Sakumo readily agreed without the slightest hesitation, even though he had only returned to the village two days prior and had not yet had a proper rest.

Looking at Sakumo who readily obeyed orders, the Third Hokage sighed inwardly. If only Tsunade and Jiraiya could behave properly. One had been hot-tempered since childhood, and his noble birth had made him accustomed to ignoring orders. The other was naturally wild and untamed. He could serve dutifully during wartime, but once peacetime arrived, he would disappear without a trace.

In short, they are two problem children.

"By the way, Sakumo, do you think it's safe to let Katsuki go to the Land of Water alone? Although he seems very confident, I still think it's too risky. He's your disciple, what's your opinion?" the Third Hokage suddenly asked.

"Since he wants to go, then let him go. My opinion is that it's up to him." Sakumo replied very quickly. "I haven't been able to give him any guidance for the past four years. In fact, his strength should have surpassed mine long ago. Besides, he's not a child anymore; he already has independent judgment."

"Huh? Even you say so? Is that kid really that good?" The Third Hokage asked in surprise.

"Hmm... Lord Hokage, words are meaningless. Just watch patiently. That kid has never disappointed me before, and I believe he won't have any problems this time either."

"Haha, you little rascal, good, good, I'd like to see just how powerful this kid is now." The Third Hokage laughed heartily.

There was still some lingering doubt about Orochimaru's statement alone, as Orochimaru was still relatively young and prone to making mistakes. However, with Sakumo's assurance added to the weight of the statement, the Third Hokage's worries lessened considerably, and he even began to look forward to Katsuki's performance.

"Sakumo, this time when we go to the eastern border, you can choose a few more Jonin to accompany us. Take a look, this is a list of Jonin the villages recently. If you see anyone you like, just say so." The Third Hokage took out a roster from the drawer and handed it to Sakumo, who was standing in front of the table.

He reached out and took the list, Sakumo examining each name on it.

······ Hizashi Hyuga, Aburame Shibi ······ Dan Katō ······

Familiar names flashed before his eyes. Sakumo had led his army on numerous campaigns, and most of the Jonin in the village had served under him. Apart from a handful of people on this list, he recognized everyone else.

"Hizashi, Shibi, Nawaki, Otoha, transfer these four young men to me. They can be used to train with the Mist Ninja." Sakumo handed the list back to the Third Hokage, clicking his tongue with a hint of regret. It was a pity that Minato wasn't on the Minato, but there was no way to force such things.

Having mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, Minato is now a big celebrity in the village. Compared to Mizuki, who has been quietly teaching for the past two years and has faded from most people's Katsuki, Minato is like the rising sun in the sky, his fame almost catching up with the Sannin. However, the price he has paid for this is endless missions. One mission after another has almost made his legs break. Just last week, he took on an S-rank mission and couldn't spare the time. Therefore, the list includes Nawaki Otoha, but not Minato.

This is something that can't be helped. Minato never gave up on his dream of becoming Hokage and worked tirelessly for it. Although Nawaki was also very hardworking, he wasn't as driven as Minato. After all, their circumstances were completely different. Compared to Minato, who came from humble backgrounds, Nawaki naturally had a huge advantage.

"Four? Isn't that a bit too few?" the Third Hokage asked.

"That's quite a lot. I estimate that it will be difficult for the Mist Ninja to fight this time. If that kid Katsuki really goes on a rampage in the Kirigakure, then... the Mist Ninja, the Mist Ninja won't have a good time. I'm worried that they won't have the strength to fight again. It would be a waste of time if they made a wasted trip." Sakumo said with a smile.

"So confident?"

"Certainly."

Sakumo's answer was full of confidence, showing even greater confidence in his own disciple than in himself.

"It's good that you have confidence. Confidence is a good thing. Then I'll wait here for your good news, master and disciple."

The Third Hokage concluded.