Take Me Along

[Eliminate the bandit gang at the Land of Fire border: roughly fifty ordinary bandits, five Rogue Samurai, and two Rogue Ninjas from the Land of Wind. Mission rank: A. Recommended for three or more First-Rate Ninja.]

"Stop messing around, Hiruzen. This mission is very difficult."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, held back by Danzo, was still baring his fangs and struggling to break free, but Kagami's words gradually calmed him down.

Kagami had always been dependable within the team, and everyone trusted him deeply.

The group exchanged glances, then stepped forward to inspect the Mission Scroll. Just as Kagami had said, it really was difficult!

While everyone wore solemn expressions, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "The mission is difficult, but the few of us work together with perfect coordination. As long as we proceed carefully, there won't be any problems."

Hearing that, the middle-aged ninja who had just snapped at him could not help but raise his head and look at the boy before him.

It was as though he had suddenly become a different person.

That was precisely why, despite Hiruzen Sarutobi being so carefree and reckless, no one disliked him.

Because whenever they carried out missions, Hiruzen Sarutobi was often the most reliable one, and he was also the leader of this team.

Though Danzo and Hiruzen were evenly matched in leadership ability, Danzo lacked something that only Hiruzen possessed in the entire team.

"Hiruzen is right. We're already comrades with flawless coordination. A small mission like this can't stump us."

Koharu encouraged them from the side. As the only female ninja in the team, her strength was no less than anyone else's.

Meanwhile, Torifu Akimichi ate while encouraging his companions. He was not good with words and could only express his current feelings by stuffing himself with food.

Over time, his teammates had come to understand his food language.

"Big Brother, what are you doing?"

Chisato's sweet voice came from the crowd behind them, and Kagami Uchiha briefly thought he was hearing things.

But then he saw his younger sister and Torikaze squeeze through the crowd.

"Chisato, Torikaze, why are you two here? We're about to leave on a mission."

Kagami was surprised to see his sister here. At this hour, they should have been training under Lord Hokage.

Chisato said with a grin, "Hehe, Lord Hokage had something to do today. He only taught us a few moves in a hurry before letting us go."

Even if Lord Hokage was busy with government affairs, he should have sent a Clone to teach his disciples, right?

However, Kagami figured that since Lord Hokage had allowed them to leave, he must have had his reasons, so he did not dwell on it.

"Fine, then. Did you two come to see me about something?"

Chisato gestured toward Torikaze with her lips. "Torikaze wanted to come. I just followed him."

Kagami felt rather helpless upon hearing that. His little sister was practically becoming Torikaze's tagalong.

She had never acted this way around children her own age at home. All he could do was give Torikaze a thumbs-up.

"Brother Kagami, are you going on a mission? Can you take me along?"

The moment those words came out, not only Kagami Uchiha but also Chisato and everyone else were stunned. Did this little brat even know what he was saying?

"Quit talking nonsense. Not only is there no way I'd take you, but even if you did come along and something happened to you, Lord Hokage would skin me alive!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted at Torikaze.

But this was not a whim of Torikaze's. Ever since the system notification had triggered a new Chaos Event last night, he had been considering it.

Over the past two days, Torikaze had wandered around the village several times. Whenever he saw someone suspicious, he would deliberately pass by them.

Yet even after touring all of Konoha, he had not triggered a single Chaos Event!

There was not even one Spy in Konoha, yet Uchiha Setsuna's threat was right before him. He could only find a way to earn Tranquility Points.

He wanted to see whether bandits, Rogue Ninjas, and the like outside the village could trigger Chaos Events.

Otherwise, he would not have wanted to go out on a mission even if someone paid him! Wasn't sleeping comfortably at home far better?

"What would it take for you to let me go? I'm not joking."

Hiruzen Sarutobi became serious as well. Torikaze did not sound as though he was joking, and the atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

Chisato tugged on Torikaze's sleeve from the side. "Torikaze, are you okay? Why do you suddenly want to go on a mission? You could have to kill people!"

Torikaze merely nodded. He had killed people before. Once there had been a first time, it made no difference whether he killed more or fewer.

"Don't be nervous, Chisato. I just want to go out and train a little. Big Brother Hiruzen won't hurt me."

Hearing that, Chisato relaxed slightly. She really had not liked the scene just now.

"Hey, hey, hey, don't talk as if we're about to set off! There's no way I'm agreeing to this!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude was firm. In his eyes, a six-year-old child like Torikaze should be protected within the village!

If even children were being sent out on missions, it would go against the First Hokage's ideals! It would be no different from sending children onto the Battlefield!

"Then how about we have a match? If my strength earns your approval, take me along. If not, I'll never pester you again."

Torikaze's attitude was extremely resolute. If he missed this chance, he had no idea when the next one would come.

Recently, most of the Mountain Bandits had been eliminated. The fleeing bandits had run to the Land of Fire border, gathering around several samurai and ninjas to form a small group.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi wiped out this group directly, the Land of Fire would remain very peaceful for some time.

And missions in other countries could not trigger Chaos Events, so Torikaze could only shamelessly cling to this one chance.

Though he could not be sure things would turn out as he imagined, if he did not try, there truly would not be even the slightest possibility.

Torikaze finally understood what it meant for money to be hard to earn and shit to be hard to eat. Of course, by money, he meant Tranquility Points.

"Huh?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was a little dumbfounded. Why was this kid so persistent? Was he really trying this hard just to eliminate some Mountain Bandits? Could there be someone he held a grudge against among them?

Chisato had completely given up. Whatever happened, happened. She did not want to be shocked anymore.

She believed it was because Uchiha Setsuna had ambushed Torikaze last night that he was so determined to go out and train!

Otherwise, how could Torikaze, who was usually so easygoing and known as Calm Bro, act like this?

"Kid, are you serious?"

"Of course. I'm not joking."

Seeing that Hiruzen truly seemed ready to settle things with Torikaze, Utatane Koharu spoke up to stop him.

"Hiruzen, why are you joining him in this nonsense? He's still just a child!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled. "Don't worry, Koharu. I won't hurt him."

Unlike Hiruzen Sarutobi's brimming confidence, Kagami had a faint feeling that this mission might truly gain one more person. He could not help but think, Hiruzen, don't get careless and lose.