I Am Also Protecting Konoha

In the cold winter, pure white snowflakes fluttered down, wrapping the entire Konohagakure in a thick quilt. Sparse pedestrians on the road had snow piled on their hair, all hurrying past.

The aroma of Ichiraku Ramen on the street had already permeated the ordinary morning, soothing the hungry stomachs of early risers.

"Uncle Ichiraku, another bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen," Senba, sitting in the corner, devoured the ramen in front of him like a storm, then happily awaited the arrival of his next bowl.

Because they had rushed back overnight, most people in Konohagakure were still asleep. Since Teacher Genma had to submit a mission, he had arranged to go eat Sukiyaki with the three of them the day after tomorrow, and to distribute their rewards then.

After bidding farewell to Senba, who was in a hurry to go home and take care of his sister Uchiha Yue, the two of them came directly to Ichiraku Ramen to fill their already empty stomachs. A man living alone was indeed generous, deciding to eat out on a whim.

At this moment, there were only a few scattered customers in Ichiraku's shop, so the extra-large Tonkotsu Ramen was quickly delivered to Senba.

Just as Senba was happily slurping his ramen with pickled cucumbers, Iruka next to him still had more than half of his ramen left. His mind was still replaying Genma's words.

"Iruka, you can't hold others to your own standards. Senba's behavior is already very restrained. You haven't been on the front lines of a battlefield, so you don't know the darkness of human nature. I know this might be a huge shock to you, but you must understand that even the most lush tree needs to be rooted in the earth, enduring the nourishment of darkness."

"Moreover, all of Senba's actions have not violated the village's rules. Both we and the merchant guild that commissioned the mission are very satisfied with them. They have already proposed in the mission report that they hope to sign a long-term escort work agreement with Konoha in the future. And you are the only one with objections."

"If you continue like this, you will eventually part ways with Senba, or as you yourself said, once you accumulate enough merit and become a Chunin, you can apply for a ninja teacher position. That might be a better fit for you."

These words floated in his mind all the way, causing some confusion in his heart. He always felt that Senba now had a different sharpness about him, unlike when they first formed a team, when he would back down from trouble.

"Senba," Iruka called out softly, still looking down, his chopsticks constantly picking at the ramen.

"What is it, Iruka?" Senba put down his empty bowl, took out a tissue to wipe the soup from the corner of his mouth, and then waved to Uncle Ichiraku. The latter, with a smiling face, acknowledged him and turned to start preparing another large bowl of ramen. He liked children who ate with such gusto.

"Do you remember what kind of person you wanted to become when you became a ninja?"

"Someone who can die of old age," Senba said earnestly while chewing on a crunchy pickled cucumber.

But you said back then that you wanted to become a ninja like the past Hokage, who would protect the Will of Fire of Konoha. Iruka thought with some sadness, watching Senba happily accept his new bowl of ramen and begin to slurp it down like a storm.

"Living to old age and protecting Konoha are not mutually exclusive," Senba said, as if he knew what Iruka was thinking. After taking a large gulp of the delicious broth, he looked at Iruka.

"Iruka, I grew up in Konoha. Every blade of grass and every tree here makes me feel very comfortable. The ramen and grilled meat here bring me great joy. Therefore, I must live to old age in Konoha. If anyone tries to disrupt or destroy Konoha, I guarantee I will make them pay tenfold."

"To achieve this, I must train hard. As long as I don't violate the village's rules, isn't it good for me to find ways to collect resources and improve my strength?"

"Therefore, I am also protecting Konoha. What's the difference?" Senba said, slurping another mouthful of noodles and taking a sip of the broth. So comfortable.

Although he felt that Senba's words seemed to be missing something, Iruka pondered it and found that what the other person said actually made a lot of sense. Was he being too stubborn?

Feeling his thoughts becoming even more confused, Iruka could only nod silently, then quickly finished the ramen in front of him.

Watching Iruka's retreating back, Senba shook his head slightly and continued slurping his noodles.

I really don't have a talent for Talk no Jutsu. Iruka's personality is more suited to being a ninja school teacher.

After watching Iruka leave, Senba suddenly felt his appetite diminish. After finishing his ninth bowl of ramen, he got up and walked towards the Senju Ancestral Home. He wanted to check on his grandfather's condition and also see Grandma Senju. She probably had a lot to ask him.

In the vast expanse of snow, Senba's figure gradually disappeared. The cold wind howled, carrying snowflakes, burying the clear footprints.

"Kusagakure attacked? Leader killed? Suspected Kirigakure assassination squad responsible? Just last night?"

Genma Shiranui looked at the document in his hand with a question mark. They had just been in the Land of Grass last night.

"That's right. Our reconnaissance personnel in the Land of Grass witnessed it from afar using their sensory ninjutsu and transmitted the news back through special means."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, with his back to him, seemed to be admiring the snowy scenery outside the window as he relayed the intelligence from the spies to Genma Shiranui.

Genma Shiranui didn't quite understand the Hokage's meaning. As a mere Special Jonin, he didn't think he was qualified to offer opinions on such matters.

"After Kusagakure is severely damaged, there will be a brief lull in commissioned missions from the Land of Grass. Ōnoki and I are very eager to acquire the missions from the Land of Grass," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, sitting back down in his seat, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes.

"Originally, missions within the Land of Grass were about fifty percent held by Kusagakure, with Konoha and Iwagakure splitting the remaining fifty percent. Now, with the commission report you brought back, the Shirakawa Merchant Guild is willing to sign a long-term escort mission with Konoha. This will allow us to legitimately enter the Land of Grass and take over Kusagakure's share of missions. This alone is enough to make Ōnoki anxious."

At this point, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but smile. He knew Ōnoki too well; that guy would never initiate a major war first. He was completely the opposite of the Raikage.

With that thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly handed the mission file to an ANBU member before turning back to Genma Shiranui. "For this mission, I've decided to upgrade its rank. You will be rewarded as if it were a B-rank mission. Based on your performance, if you complete another B-rank mission, Senba and the others can apply to become Chunin."

"Thank you, Lord Hokage. I will take my leave now."

Watching Genma Shiranui's retreating back, Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe and placed it to his lips, recalling another piece of intelligence from the reconnaissance personnel regarding the death of a samurai named Tetzō.

"It seems I was overthinking things. It's good this way; becoming the next Tsunade is not a bad thing."

As he let out a sigh, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face showed a hint of disappointment.