For the Forest Senju, Konoha was a far vaster forest. Now, after the Second's sacrifice, this Ninja Sect that had founded the Hidden Leaf Village had chosen to integrate itself into its village in a more thorough, more extreme way.
The mighty Senju had actually made such a choice. In a sense, it showed that the current clan head of the Senju Clan was a conservative who lacked ambition, had little sense of glory, and was exceptionally patient.
The Senju had changed like this just after the Second died. From the perspective of a bystander who loved to watch a spectacle, one might have sighed...
The next generation really was worse than the last.
But who could have guessed at the inner turmoil and pain of the clan head who had made this decision? She had even prepared herself to endure endless pressure, criticism, and reproach. Anyone capable of making such a decision was certainly not weak or timid at heart... Though she seemed nothing like the First Hokage or the Second, she shared something with those who came before her: deep down, she had the same steadfast, powerful heart.
A soft knocking came from outside Hanyu's door. The sound and rhythm weren't hurried, but they urged the person inside to open the door quickly.
Hanyu had rested well the night before, so he had woken up early. The moment he heard the knock, he went to the door. When he opened it, he found Sanshao, the director of the Sanatorium, standing outside.
"Change into these clothes, then come with me." Before Hanyu could even greet her, Sanshao swiftly handed him a bundle and then closed the door again.
Hanyu didn't understand—not why Sanshao had brought him clothes, but her attitude and the hour. Dawn had yet to break; it was still early, and Sanshao seemed somewhat anxious.
He unwrapped the bundle. Inside was indeed a set of clothes, complete with everything from a shirt to shoes. Hanyu took off his hospital gown, pulled out the clothes, and put them on. The thick fabric was suitable for the season and kept him warm. It was tightly woven and stretchy, and whatever the style, the outfit was comfortable to wear. The only problem was that, apart from the lack of the iconic flak vest, it looked just like a ninja's combat uniform.
In fact, it didn't just look like one.
After setting aside the clothes and shoes, Hanyu found two smaller pouches in the bundle. He opened them. The long, narrow one held four Kunai, while the pouch designed to be worn at the waist was full of Shuriken. Several different kinds of pills had also been sorted into separate compartments... It was obvious these were things used by ninjas.
Hanyu had no choice but to imitate the ninjas he remembered and strap the two pouches to himself. Once he had quickly prepared, he left his room again.
Sanshao looked him up and down, then simply nodded without comment. She gestured for Hanyu to follow and hurried off.
It seemed the matter really was urgent. Hanyu had no idea where she was taking him, but she gave him no chance to ask, so he could only follow along obediently.
Soon, Sanshao led Hanyu to a large, circular building. He remembered that this was Konoha's administrative center, where the Hokage's office was located. After they arrived, Sanshao led him through a winding series of corridors to an office where some department was based. The people inside fussed over Hanyu for a while, and when they were done, he left clutching an identification document bearing his name and the number "001050."
"Sarutobi is reorganizing Konoha's forces and registering and assigning numbers to all the Konoha Ninjas, including himself. The measure has only just begun. For one thing, there aren't many ninjas in the village right now; most are away on missions. For another, we got here early, so we received a fairly low number. You were just a little unlucky, though—otherwise, you could've gotten a number under one thousand." Seeing Hanyu clutch the paper with a puzzled look, Sanshao explained.
Could the Acting Hokage's campaign to reform Konoha really reach an outsider like him?
"Teacher Sanshao, do you mean I've been registered as a full-fledged ninja?" Hanyu asked, steeling himself after he understood. Now that he knew he had chakra, he didn't mind becoming a ninja, but... this was all far too rushed.
He had no ninja skills, yet he'd become a ninja. If he was sent to the battlefield next, what would someone like him be called?
The answer was cannon fodder.
Hanyu didn't mind becoming a ninja, but he did mind becoming cannon fodder.
"That's right. And next, you'll be coming with me on a mission." Sanshao's explanation sent things in the very direction Hanyu had feared most.
It was clearly an urgent mission. Even as they spoke, neither of them slowed their pace. Though it was still very early, Konoha was already bustling in the dawn light. Before long, Sanshao and Hanyu reached the village gate.
A team was already waiting for them there.
"Is this everyone?" Sanshao asked as she brought Hanyu over to the group.
Before anyone answered, Hanyu studied two of their faces and gradually remembered who they were—Mitokado Homura and Kagami Uchiha.
He was secretly startled. The lineup of this team was far too impressive.
But apart from those two important figures, another child stood behind them. Judging by his build, he couldn't have been more than ten. He wore black from head to toe, with only his eyes showing... His heavily concealed appearance reminded Hanyu of the spy who had appeared outside his hospital-room window two nights ago.
"Yes, Lady Sanshao," Mitokado Homura replied, stepping forward.
"It's a very reasonable lineup. I represent the village's 'sincerity.' The two of you will handle the negotiations, while the Genin child represents our lack of any intention to fight. He is our 'goodwill.'" After looking over the members of the mission, Sanshao explained.
It wasn't unusual for young ninjas to go to war, but who would bring a child along on a high-intensity combat mission? So her explanation did make some sense.
"Then I'm just dead weight, aren't I? There's no need for me to be involved, is there?" Hanyu really wanted to ask. Without him, the team would be the standard four-person ninja squad. So why drag along a greenhorn like him, who couldn't even take care of himself on the battlefield?
But he couldn't ask that. He had no place speaking up here.
"Since we're all ready, we can set out now."
"Lady Sanshao, you really don't have to take this risk." Kagami Uchiha finally couldn't help urging her. Even now, he still hoped Sanshao would change her mind.
But Sanshao firmly shook her head. "We aren't going to fight. Besides, how could we change the mission roster at this point?"
"But today is..." Kagami Uchiha tried to say more, but she cut him off with two brief, emphatic words.
"Let's go." With that, Sanshao set off along the road out of the village.
Kagami Uchiha and Mitokado Homura exchanged glances. They could both see the wry smiles on each other's faces, and then they had no choice but to follow.
Behind them, Konoha grew even more restless...
It wasn't only because this mission was so dangerous. Today was the funeral of the Second, who had died and left not even a body behind.
No matter what, Sanshao should have stayed in the village.
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