Recalling Jiraiya and Itachi

Knock, knock, knock.

A knock at the office door interrupted the conversation between Tsunade and Shizune, and the two quickly separated to busy themselves with their own tasks.

"Come in."

"Master, did you call for me?"

"Ah, Kimura Takuya, wait a moment. I have a mission for you, but there are others coming as well."

Kimura Takuya, who had been feeling a bit guilty, let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this and headed straight for the office's reception area, flopping onto the sofa with a thud.

Seeing Kimura Takuya's exhausted state, Tsunade couldn't help but show her disdain.

"Ugh! Young people need to show some restraint. A youth who doesn't know the value of his gold will, in his old age, mmph!"

"Lady Tsunade, what strange things are you teaching Takuya again?"

Shizune was quick to react, covering Tsunade's mouth before she could say anything truly shocking.

Seeing that Takuya didn't react, Shizune pulled her hand away and took a closer look.

"He's asleep?"

"Baka, this kid definitely didn't do anything good last night. Hey, kid, I called you here for a mission, not to sleep."

Tsunade was fuming, rolling up her sleeves to give him a punch.

However, just as she raised her fist, Shizune blocked her with both hands.

"Lady Tsunade, please let Takuya rest.

Ever since he learned the Shadow Clone Technique, he has sent clones to the hospital every single day, staying for the entire duration, even keeping them there through the night.

Since his clones started stationing at the hospital, the mortality rate for all critical trauma patients has dropped to zero!

Even terminal illnesses that were previously incurable have been healed by him.

Within the hospital, they have started calling him the 'Undying Miracle Healer'!

His reputation is likely destined to surpass your own!"

Tsunade was stunned, remembering how her hemophobia prevented her from treating bleeding patients, and then comparing that to her disciple's medical ninjutsu.

That medical ninjutsu—the Flesh Substitution Technique.

It was truly a genius technique, a panacea capable of curing any physical ailment.

It was a pity that neither she nor Shizune could learn it.

Thinking of this, Tsunade couldn't help but feel a sense of defeat.

Damn it, even I couldn't learn it!

What kind of monster is this guy?

Not only did he develop a universal medical ninjutsu.

In the last half-month, he also learned over a dozen forbidden techniques from the Scroll of Seals.

And, as an afterthought, he learned all of her own ninjutsu.

Yes, just as an afterthought.

"Ah, I'm truly sorry, Master. It took me three days to learn the ninjutsu on the small scroll. I spent all my time on the techniques in the Scroll of Seals, so I could only learn this small scroll on the side."

Recalling the kid's exact words, Tsunade felt a wave of discouragement.

What happened to having low ninja talent?

Tsunade looked at Kimura Takuya, and seeing him with his eyes closed in enjoyment, she knew he was faking sleep.

Shizune was performing medical ninjutsu to help him relax.

Baka, I haven't even enjoyed that treatment myself.

A greeting from outside the door interrupted Tsunade's petty jealousy.

"Lord Hokage, you summoned Team 3—is there a special mission for us? Lee, do you see? Only a man who works hard will be entrusted with important tasks!"

Might Guy finished his loud greeting to Tsunade and turned to lecture Lee behind him.

He even gave a thumbs-up, flashing a smile that was blindingly bright.

Lee was instantly inspired and mirrored the expression.

"Hai! Guy-sensei, I will work even harder!"

"Sigh, here we go again."

Tenten, standing behind them, covered her forehead with one hand and stepped a few paces away, signaling that she didn't want to be associated with those two.

Neji watched coldly from the side, unfazed by the spectacle.

However, he caught a glimpse of Kimura Takuya on the reception sofa, actually receiving treatment from the Hokage's attendant.

Startled, Neji immediately activated his Byakugan to inspect Kimura Takuya's "injuries."

The result, naturally, was that after staring for a long time, they saw nothing at all.

They were merely astonished by the amount of chakra Kimura Takuya possessed, which had actually increased significantly since last time.

Tenten was also drawn by Neji's gaze, and upon seeing it was Kimura Takuya, she was surprised to find him still receiving treatment.

"Takuya, are you alright? Lady Shizune, how did it come to this?"

"Rest assured, Takuya is fine; he is just a bit exhausted."

"Ah, right. I'm fine, I just dozed off for a moment."

Feeling the attention of everyone in the room, Kimura Takuya felt too embarrassed to continue sleeping. He rolled over, sat up, greeted the others, and waited quietly for Tsunade to issue the mission.

"Now that everyone is here, I will announce the mission.

Recently, several major incidents have occurred in the village.

Former Hokage advisor Shimura Danzō has passed away, and Root has been disbanded. I have newly assumed the position of Hokage, and the Anbu has yet to be fully reorganized.

The various nations have long been restless regarding Konoha, and now we have discovered that the S-rank missing-nin Orochimaru has infiltrated the village to stir up trouble.

Just this morning, Anbu reported that other mysterious powerhouses are hiding within the village, their motives unknown.

All of these factors have led me to decide to recall many elite ninja currently on missions abroad to return and defend Konoha.

The others are easy enough to handle; their mission locations are clear, and a squad of Anbu can be sent to retrieve them.

However, there are two special individuals whose whereabouts are uncertain, and they require someone to be specifically sent to find them.

Furthermore, you must persuade them to return to Konoha."

"Persuade?"

Might Guy asked in confusion. This was an order from the Hokage; for Lady Tsunade to use the word "persuade" was strange—could it be that these two would actually refuse a direct order from the Hokage?

"That's right, persuade! These two individuals not only have special identities but are also immensely powerful, and both are shouldering important missions.

However, their missions were self-imposed, not orders from the Hokage.

Therefore, whether my command can bring them back to Konoha depends entirely on how you persuade them."

Tsunade then handed the files on Jiraiya and Uchiha Itachi to the group and explained the mission details.

"I see. Lord Jiraiya is tracking Orochimaru. Since Orochimaru has suddenly returned to the village, it should be easy to persuade him to return.

As for Uchiha Itachi, he is undercover in a mysterious organization?

Normally, there would be no need to recall him, but because of Orochimaru's infiltration, Itachi's identity might be exposed? So, we must recall him before he is truly compromised?

I understand, Lord Hokage."

Might Guy nodded, indicating he understood the mission objectives.

He then gave a thumbs-up.

"Rest assured, Lord Hokage, our elite Team 3 will absolutely complete this mission!"

"Wait, I haven't finished speaking! Kimura Takuya will accompany you. Your squad lacks a medical ninja, and this mission could be very dangerous."

"Ha! That's great! Takuya, I finally have you to accompany me on my path of youthful passion!"

The others didn't react much, but upon hearing Tsunade's words, Lee ran over and hugged Kimura Takuya tightly.

The latter struggled to break free, pinning the restless Lee down and rendering him unable to move.

"If there are no further questions, then I leave it to you! Go quickly and return safely."

"Yes!"

After the group acknowledged the order, they dispersed to return home and pack, planning to depart later that morning.

Kimura Takuya, however, found his original plans disrupted by this sudden mission.

Orochimaru and Sasori were in the vicinity of Konoha; originally, he could have researched ninjutsu while keeping an eye on them during his downtime.

But now, with a sudden mission—and a mission that required him to search the world for people—not only was his training schedule interrupted, but it would also be difficult to continue monitoring the progress of Orochimaru and Sasori's research.

Once those two made any suspicious moves, Kimura Takuya would be unable to respond quickly.

"I have to drive those two away first!"