Thick Skin Is Practically Invincible!

Uchiha Clan Compound, Clan Head's residence.

"Hmm, you may withdraw."

In the corridor, Uchiha Qiongyue waved his hand expressionlessly.

Before his words had even finished, a figure wearing an Anbu Mask instantly vanished from the spot.

Bang!

At this moment, a bamboo tube filled with water leaned askew and suddenly struck the round pebble at its bottom, emitting a pleasant crisp sound.

Besides this, there was no other sound in the entire courtyard.

"..."

After a long while, Qiongyue gazed deeply at the Hokage Building before turning to a shadow in a corner of the wall and saying:

"Tell Sou that Tobirama Senju has assigned him his first A-Rank Mission. Departure time is tomorrow morning, and the location is the Konoha Village Entrance, where the mission target will be."

As he spoke, he suddenly tossed a Scroll from his embrace. "And this, remember to hand it over to Sou. I believe he will make good use of it."

A hoarse voice came from the shadow: "Yes."

Whoosh!

Immediately after, the black shadow flickered and disappeared from the spot.

"Heh heh..."

Qiongyue chuckled softly, then muttered, "Is this the Anbu? Members of the Police Force promoted just two days ago, and he already knows.

Hmph! Trying to kill off my clan's rising stars with high-difficulty missions, it's not that simple!"

Although that Cloud Village stronghold is a bit tricky, if he has the means I prepared for Sou, surviving should be no problem.

After all, that kid speaks quite nicely.

Sun... loyalty...

Although I don't know why he compared me like this, those words just sound so pleasant. How many years has it been since I've seen such an interesting and sensible young man?

Hmm... he absolutely cannot die.

On the main road of the Uchiha Clan Compound.

"Hey, why are you being so polite with me, kid? That Ten Thousand Taels... that was given to you, gulp... why are you giving it to me?"

Uchiha Ao ate a Rice Ball while dodging the hand Qingyi Lang extended with the Banknotes.

"You bought that Rice Ball just now, so consider this Ten Thousand Taels my meal fee."

"..."

Qingyi Lang froze in place, a wave of emotion washing over him.

He knew Ao was giving it to him because he saw him struggling to make a living while supporting his Sister's family, and he was reluctantly accepting it.

But years of experience had taught him a truth: if one side in a friendship always received favors, the relationship would surely not be as good as before.

With this thought, he wanted to turn back and force the Banknotes back on Ao, but who knew that scoundrel would say something else.

"Mhm, consider that Ten Thousand Taels my betrothal gift for your Sister. I'll come pick up my wife another day.

But... I don't want that troublemaker Gongzhu, I'll leave him to you~

You two, uncle and nephew, go play by yourselves at home."

Although he knew this scoundrel was just talking big again, Qingyi Lang's rough face instantly flushed red, and he cursed loudly:

"Go to hell! You want to marry my Sister without 3.6 million Taels? Dream on!

Take it, take it! Hurry up and take it back!"

However, as soon as he turned around, Ao's figure had already vanished.

"Huh? This Brat left without saying a word."

He looked around, finally gazing at the Banknotes in his hand, and sighed silently.

He wasn't stupid, of course he understood this was his buddy giving him an out.

But... this debt of gratitude was growing, how could he ever repay it?

The other party always joked about his Sister, but it was just talk. If Feilin really married him, that brat would probably run faster than anyone.

"Ah, I'll owe it for now... At worst, I'll repay it with my life!" A resolute glint flashed in Qingyi Lang's eyes.

Watching Qingyi Lang's receding back, Ao smiled and shook his head from a dark alley not far away.

This guy was still so stubborn...

But that was also the point he admired most about him – down on his luck, yet unyielding in his pride!

Many people, after becoming adults, get lost in life. Those who can consistently stick to their original intentions are, in a way, true strong individuals, aren't they?

Gulp!

He swallowed the last rice ball, clapped his hands, and then his gaze drifted to the eaves behind him.

"You've been following me for a while, is there something you need?"

Whoosh!

As he spoke, an Anbu ninja wearing a mask jumped out.

"By order of Tobirama-sama, I am here to give you an A-rank mission request."

He said, throwing a scroll, "The mission details are on here, and after that you can..."

"Wait!"

Sou "slapped" the mission scroll aside, displeased. "Don't ninja take missions voluntarily? Besides, I'm not a ninja in the village's Anbu, nor am I a direct guard for Hokage-sama. I should have the right to refuse."

He had finally managed to secure a position in the Police Force. From now on, besides dealing with Danzo's challenge and the upcoming Shinobi World War, he planned to lie low in the village and slowly improve his strength.

As for mission requests, he had already decided: unless he reached Kage Level, a dog wouldn't take them!

No, even dogs wouldn't!

"..."

The Tiger Mask Anbu glanced at the mission scroll that had been slapped away, speechless for a long time. It seemed Tobirama-sama had guessed correctly; this kid actually dared to refuse.

However, fortunately, Tobirama-sama had also made arrangements for what to do if something like this happened before he left.

He originally thought he wouldn't need it, but he never expected to have to persuade this kid like this:

"Tobirama-sama said that if you accept this mission, you will be rewarded with a Wood Release Ninjutsu from this scroll. Additionally, after you complete the mission, you can choose one of Hashirama-sama's Wood Release techniques."

"..."

Sou silently picked up the mission scroll, gave a thumbs-up, and bared his white teeth.

"This is youth! I accept this mission!"

Dogs won't accept, but I will!

Putting aside the strength of Wood Release for now, this was crucial for awakening his Wood Release Cells and he had to get it!

Moreover, he was Tobirama's secret spy. He believed Tobirama wouldn't send him on a suicide mission. This would also be a good opportunity for him to practice the few Wood Release techniques he had obtained outside the village.

"Alright, the mission request is now effective. Please arrive at the mission location on time."

With that, the Tiger Mask Anbu disappeared from his spot.

The Anbu's operational style is just like this: swift and decisive.

Whatever the Hokage tells him to do, he does it. If he's told to kill an entire family, he kills an entire family.

"What about you?"

Sou retracted his gaze and silently placed the mission scroll into his embrace. However, he didn't turn to leave. Instead, he looked towards a nearby shadow.

"Is there something you need from me?"

Before he finished speaking, a ninja in a Black Cloak and White Mask emerged from the shadow.

"..."

The Black-Clad Ninja slowly walked out, offering no reply, merely watching the direction the Anbu had departed.

He watched for a long time but still didn't speak.

"Hey, if you don't say anything soon, I'm leaving."

Sou looked the other up and down strangely. This attire had never appeared in the original work.

At first, he thought it was a ninja accompanying that Anbu. He hadn't expected it to be an organization he'd never seen before.

Could there be a hidden organization in the Village?

And are they all mute?

"Alright, that Anbu has gone far away."

Seeing Sou about to leave, the Black-Clad Ninja suddenly retracted his gaze, looked back at Sou, and said, "My intention is the same as that Anbu's, but I represent the Qiongyue Clan Leader."

As he spoke, he threw out a scroll and was about to continue.

Smack!

"Are you kidding me?"

Sou batted the scroll away with a slap, his eyes showing dissatisfaction:

"Are you all treating me like a trash can? Piling missions onto me. I remember the rules of the Police Force: one mission per month. Tell the Clan Leader I'm not taking this mission. Give it to someone else."

With that, he turned to leave.

"..."

The Black-Clad Ninja stared at the scroll on the ground, speechless for a long time. Then, he looked at Sou and said with a strange tone, "The mission the Clan Leader sent is the same mission as the one the Anbu mentioned."

As for this scroll... it should be the Clan Head's life-saving method for you. Of course, if you don't want it, I can take it back..."

Sou's footsteps paused. Then, like an Evil Dragon pouncing, he instantly snatched the scroll from the ground into his embrace. While carefully putting it away, he said with a solemn expression:

"No need for Brother to take it back. It's too tiring to carry back, don't let it weigh Brother down.

Also, please thank the Clan Head for me!"

"..."

The Black-Clad Ninja seemed moved by Sou's considerate words. He remained silent for a long time, then looked at Sou deeply before silently turning and leaving.

Confident in his extensive knowledge, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly at this moment.

The thick skin of this Clanmate was the strongest he had ever seen!