A Complete Victory

The Land of Fire, Konoha.

Inside the Hokage Building, in the Hokage's office.

It was rare to see the Fourth Hokage and even the Lord Third gathered together.

The GOOGLE search TWKAN

showed how important this mission report was.

Standing before them were Yang Xing and Anko's two groups.

Yang Xing and the others had completed their mission and returned to Konoha within two days.

They had arrived in the afternoon, and everyone was exhausted. After resting for one night, they were summoned to the Hokage Building early the next morning.

Seeing this lineup, Yang Xing could tell that the details of the mission had already been reported.

In any case, no one knew about the Sharingan, so there was nothing to worry about.

The Fourth Hokage was the first to break the silence. His handsome face was lit up with a smile. "Incredible work, Kakashi. You've done a great service this time."

Minato Namikaze beamed as he patted Kakashi on the shoulders with both hands.

Kakashi looked a little awkward. "No, Yang Xing did everything. I didn't really do anything."

"Hmm, Yang Xing?" Minato Namikaze turned to him in confusion.

The Lord Third was looking at the once-unremarkable young man, too.

Yang Xing hadn't expected the Lord Third to be there. It was the first time he'd ever seen the old man.

Though the Lord Third couldn't really be called an old man. He was still fairly young.

As everyone's gazes settled on Yang Xing,

the female Jonin stepped forward at just the right moment. "Fourth Hokage, four Chunin and eight Genin were taken out by Yang Xing during this mission. And three Jonin were also eliminated thanks to Yang Xing working with the Aburame Clan."

Silence fell.

Minato Namikaze snapped out of his daze and looked at Yang Xing, his expression complicated.

"You're saying the entire mission was Yang Xing's doing?"

For some reason, as Minato Namikaze spoke, he kept his eyes on Kakashi.

Kakashi nodded, his gaze serious.

Only then did Minato Namikaze seem to understand. He looked Yang Xing over again, his eyes now carrying a hint of caution.

Before he could ask anything, someone pushed open the office door.

The newcomer stepped lightly inside.

"Excuse me." He was neither servile nor arrogant, but it was impossible to read the expression beneath his sunglasses.

It was clearly the Aburame Clan head, Shibi Aburame, with his taciturn manner.

"The Aburame Clan head, huh? You're just in time." Minato Namikaze's eyes lit up, and he laughed. "The mission at the front line was made easier thanks to the Aburame Clan. Thanks for your hard work."

"Not at all." Shibi Aburame noticed Yang Xing and shook his head. He began earnestly, "This time, we really have him to thank—"

"Ahaha!" Yang Xing cut him off, brushing it aside with a laugh. "Uncle, you got here so quickly. If you hadn't been there last time, those ninjas from the Land of Earth would've been a real handful for me to deal with alone."

"That's not right. Those people—" Shibi Aburame tried to explain.

But he wasn't good at talking, and couldn't figure out how to put it.

That only made the Fourth Hokage reflect. He watched Shibi Aburame closely, the solemnity on his face gradually fading.

"Oh, I see. So Yang Xing and the Aburame Clan head joined forces to take care of them. In any case, Yang Xing did a great job this time." Minato Namikaze's expression settled. It seemed he'd misunderstood and thought the Aburame Clan head had helped Yang Xing accomplish everything.

Of course, that was exactly the impression Yang Xing wanted to leave, so he didn't explain further.

→

Minato Namikaze took this in, then turned to Kakashi and the others, his eyes brightening. "Thanks to you, the initial attack didn't reach Konoha. Kakashi, Rin, and Obito—you all did great!"

"It was nothing." Unlike Rin Nohara, Kakashi and Obito wore strained smiles.

Minato Namikaze looked puzzled. He was about to ask what was wrong with the two boys,

but Yang Xing cut in, bringing him back to the conversation. "Minato-sensei, it wasn't just us. The Aburame Clan took care of all the reinforcements in the Land of Earth's rear. And the other members of the Water Flow Clan would've been a lot of trouble for us if Uncle Sunglasses and his clan hadn't dealt with them."

"Right, right. How could I forget that?" Minato Namikaze said with a smile, reminded by Yang Xing.

"The Aburame Clan was indeed the most important contributor to this mission." After giving the Aburame Clan an approving glance, Minato Namikaze turned to the Lord Third, who had remained silent. "What do you think, Lord Third?"

The Lord Third finally spoke. His weathered face turned toward Shibi Aburame, and his distinctive voice carried a note of gravity. "Hmm. Kakashi and the others did well, too. But the Aburame Clan's defenses were indispensable. They completely stopped the Water Flow Clan. We truly have their Insect Technique to thank."

"You honor me, Lord Third." Shibi Aburame bowed slightly, his gaze flicking toward Yang Xing.

He didn't understand why the boy had spoken up for him, but Yang Xing had certainly helped the Aburame Clan this time.

He'd have to thank him properly later.

At this point, Yang Xing knew that he wouldn't be able to avoid some trouble.

As the others began discussing the mission,

someone looped an arm around Yang Xing's neck.

Seeing Minato Namikaze's captivating smile, Yang Xing felt his backside start to itch.

Whenever this guy smiled, it meant trouble.

"By the way, Yang Xing, don't leave when we're done here. Come with me to the back of the Hokage Building. Don't even think about running off." Minato Namikaze whispered in Yang Xing's ear, careful not to let Kakashi and the others hear.

"Sure." Yang Xing nodded helplessly and sighed. "Ah, I'd been hoping to get back and spend time with my adorable girlfriend."

At that, Minato Namikaze looked confused. "You have a girlfriend? Since when?"

"How would Minato-sensei know? I'm still working on it. Besides, I'm surrounded by a bunch of gloomy guys every day. How could I possibly get a girlfriend?"

Minato Namikaze's face darkened completely. "You brat. Do you really not want to talk to me that much?"

"Well, if Minato-sensei really wants to talk to me, I don't mind helping soothe your lonely heart." Yang Xing sighed again, then reached up on tiptoe and patted Minato Namikaze on the shoulder. "I understand. You're the sort of person who gets so lonely you want to die if you don't have someone to talk to."

Minato Namikaze: "..."

What did he mean, "want to die"? And what was this "sort of person"?

Minato Namikaze wanted to complain. He really did. But this was the Hokage's office, so he had to suppress the urge and manage a strained smile. "I've always thought you were an arrogant little brat, but you're certainly interesting. Anyway, don't take too long. Don't worry, I won't keep you long."

Yang Xing pursed his lips, nodded, and said no more.

Several people noticed the two whispering, and their expressions varied.

"Hey, don't you think the Fourth Hokage is actually more concerned about Yang Xing?"

"Is that so?"

"Kakashi, I know you understand." Obito folded his arms and nodded. "Well, I can understand how you feel, too. You're upset that Yang Xing stole the title of Minato-sensei's favorite disciple, but you have to understand—Hey, at least wait for me to finish before you walk away! You jerk!"