Joining the unit tasked with capturing the Eight-Tails had stirred up a gale in the Konoha that had finally settled down.
No matter how detailed the newspapers' accounts were, they couldn't compare to the firsthand stories of those who had been there. For a time, countless villagers dreamed of riding alongside Lord Hokage across the Land of Fire, carefree and bold, to capture a Tailed Beast.
"You want to go?"
The setting sun shone into the Konoha Ninja Academy office. Kaku set down the newspaper in his hands and looked at his clansmen before him, his voice grave.
Setsuna said nothing, only nodding silently. After all, it was a difficult request to make while everyone was caught up in the excitement. He said stiffly, "Our squad has always performed very well in the Police Force."
"Then you should go talk to Sasuke."
Kaku set down the newspaper. Hearing the commotion in the hallway, he picked up the teacup on his desk, blew away the steam, and took a small sip.
Setsuna regretted it deeply.
He shouldn't have started off with such official-sounding talk. Now Kaku was treating this like a matter of business.
Glancing at the teachers around them as they organized their papers and prepared to leave, Setsuna lowered his voice. "Minister Sasuke is always busy. He doesn't have time."
"Am I not busy too?"
Seeing that the office was empty except for the two of them, Kaku suddenly raised his voice and demanded an answer.
With a grim expression, Setsuna reluctantly raised his hand and held up three fingers in front of him.
"Actually, there was an opportunity recently. I just can't remember what it was."
Seeing Kaku play dumb, Setsuna shakily raised his remaining two fingers, then opened his palm and gave it a heartfelt shake in