Tricked by the Third Hokage

Chapter 16: Played by the Third Hokage

Shimiya Aoba, who was earnestly tidying up the room, thought one thousand ryo was a lot. But for a ninja, even the lowest-ranked Genin could toss that out as pocket change without a second thought.

Because an ordinary D-rank mission—one requiring no combat and carrying no danger—paid between five thousand and fifty thousand ryo...

And the minimum reward for an S-rank mission was over one million ryo!

So a thousand ryo for living expenses meant nothing to Mikawa, who was already a Special Jonin. If not for Aoba being so young, handing over a few tens of thousands would have been no more than the pay from a handful of D-rank missions.

Of course, Mikawa probably hadn't taken a trash mission like a D-rank in a long time.

Inside the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was gazing warmly at the young man before him, filled with great relief.

After Orochimaru's defection and the successive departures of Jiraiya and Tsunade, he was grateful that so many other outstanding individuals were still shining brightly. Among them, one had become a figure who struck fear into the hearts of enemies, always reminding him of the Sakumo of days past...

"Minato, have you prepared your speech for tomorrow? I know you dislike this kind of formality, but the inauguration ceremony for the next Hokage isn't just about saving face. It's also a crucial move for Konoha to demonstrate its strength to the other great nations. I imagine those lurking in the shadows, eager to make a move, will think twice once they see the famed 'Yellow Flash' take the seat of Hokage."

Hiruzen deliberately teased him in a jesting tone, making Minato Namikaze, standing before him, feel quite embarrassed.

But there was another reason he hadn't voiced: aside from feeling that he was no longer up to the task, he was also eager to step down and pass the torch as a way to give an account to the many who had sacrificed for Konoha and to the other great nations, hoping to hasten the end of this war that had engulfed the entire shinobi world.

Since his teacher's teacher had put it that way, Minato couldn't argue further. He simply nodded, indicating that he would prepare earnestly and not bring shame to Konoha.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

Seizing the opportunity, Minato took his leave. "Then I'll head back and prepare."

"Mm. Give my regards to Kushina. It's been so long, and she hasn't come to see this old man."

Minato let out an awkward laugh, then vanished with a Flying Thunder God Technique.

Only then did a look of melancholy appear on Hiruzen's face. The Uzumaki Clan had always been a thorn lodged in his heart. Though they had rescued Kushina back then, the fact remained that they had betrayed their ally and failed to stand by them.

Even though those in the know had long buried this matter, so that few knew the so-called truth, every time he saw that iconic red hair, his guilt deepened by a fraction. Perhaps he really wasn't fit to be Hokage.

"Come in!"

Having recomposed himself and restored his usual dignity, he called out. The person waiting outside to report pushed the door open and entered—it was Mikawa, the Special Jonin who had just left Aoba not long ago.

"Lord Hokage."

"Oh, it's Mikawa. How is that brat settling in?"

Mikawa hesitated for a moment, but gritted his teeth and chose to report honestly. "My apologies, Lord Hokage..."

After listening to Mikawa's account, Hiruzen sank into thought. His original intention had been to use the warmth of a family to subtly change the boy, molding him into an excellent talent who would one day give everything for Konoha.

This was the best plan he could conceive after confirming the boy's identity was genuine and his background clean.

After all, based on the surveillance reports submitted during this period, the boy's already immature mentality had taken a severe turn after everything he'd been through. He not only showed a tendency toward violence but was also unruly and vengeful—hardly in line with the so-called 'Will of Fire.'

He just hadn't expected that not only did the little brat have a mind of his own, but even the 'task assignee' he had sent was starting to develop his own opinions.

"Mikawa, you can't treat this as just a mission. The war has only temporarily ceased. The Cloud ninja's stance is still unclear. Don't you want to see your clan continue?"

At the mention of his clan's continuation, a look of sorrow flashed across Mikawa's face, but it was quickly replaced by resolve.

"I'm sorry, Lord Hokage. Mikawa has let you down."

Hearing Mikawa still say that, Hiruzen knew he couldn't force the matter any further and could only sigh.

"Go back. I'll arrange for someone else to handle Shimiya Aoba."

"But..."

"What? Is there something else?"

Having already achieved his goal, Mikawa could have said no more, but after a moment's hesitation, he spoke up for Aoba. "I think it's best not to force this matter. I can tell that the kid is extremely resistant to being adopted. It might backfire instead."

Hiruzen was not a stubborn man; if anything, he was rather soft-hearted. Otherwise, he wouldn't have repeatedly allowed Danzo to stir up trouble, nor would he be constrained by the so-called Konoha high council advisors. The two Hokage before him had ruled with absolute authority, and no one dared to talk back in their presence.

This was both a strength and a great weakness.

After thinking it over carefully, Hiruzen felt Mikawa had a point. But Shimiya Aoba's troublesome personality still left him uneasy.

So he pondered for a moment and spoke. "How about this: I can agree to let him live on his own, but you'll need to be his guardian. If he causes any trouble, you'll be responsible for handling it. Also, the village's finances aren't great right now, so there won't be any subsidies. You'll have to figure out his food and lodging yourself. However, once he turns six, all tuition and fees for the Ninja Academy will be waived. What do you think of that plan?"

Mikawa's long face immediately fell!

What the hell was the difference between this so-called 'guardian' and adoption?

Aside from not having to bother with discipline on a daily basis, he'd still have to pay for food, clothing, and shelter. If the kid caused trouble, he'd be the one to clean it up. This was just the same thing with different wording!

As for the waived tuition...

Oh, thank you so much. How generous!

Mikawa could guarantee that even if the brat didn't have a single ryo to his name, the Lord Hokage would still make sure he went to school. Otherwise, wouldn't all the effort spent so far have been wasted?

Once the boy had shown his talent, everyone who cared about Konoha would want him to become a capable ninja one day, repaying the village for nurturing him.

So... had he fallen into a trap?

The Lord Hokage was getting craftier with age...

A string of irreverent thoughts were buried deep in Mikawa's heart.

Damn it!

Old fox!