Anko was curious about Yeyu, too. She had heard his name before, but—
She had never met him.
Today was the first time the two had met.
Hiruzen introduced Yeyu to Anko. "I'm planning to have Yeyu accompany you on this mission."
"Don't worry. Yeyu definitely won't hold you back."
Anko gave Yeyu a careful once-over.
She nodded. "Not bad-looking."
As she spoke, she licked her lips.
Watching Anko, Yeyu's mouth twitched. As expected of Orochimaru's disciple. The two of them are exactly alike.
Hearing Anko, Hiruzen felt a headache coming on. "Don't do anything inappropriate. He's still young."
Anko smiled. "What are you talking about, Lord Hokage? What kind of person do you take me for?"
"He's someone you think highly of. How could I do anything inappropriate to him?"
Yet as she spoke, her eyes never left Yeyu.
Hiruzen sighed helplessly. "At least Yeyu is strong enough. Even if Anko wanted to try anything, she wouldn't get the chance."
Of course, Hiruzen assumed Anko was only joking.
After all, she was already twenty-four, while Yeyu was only twelve. There was a twelve-year age gap between them.
Asama Sandayu, who had just thought Anko seemed reliable, suddenly felt a little worried.
"Is she really suitable for this?"
"Could she do something disrespectful to Princess Koyuki?"
There were all kinds of people among ninjas, and Asama Sandayu knew that very well.
Still, they were both women. Though he was somewhat concerned, he thought Anko probably wouldn't do anything too inappropriate.
Hiruzen called Yeyu over. "Yeyu, this is your first mission. Do your best."
Yeyu walked over. He was about the same height as Mitaraishi Anko.
Anko was 1.67 meters tall, while Yeyu was 1.65 meters at the time.
He was two centimeters shorter than Anko.
Anko smiled as she looked at Yeyu standing beside her, but her gaze made him uncomfortable.
It was as if a snake were staring at its prey.
Hiruzen felt helpless. He expected the mission wouldn't go smoothly.
Still, Yeyu was strong enough to handle any problems that came up.
Hiruzen felt reassured.
"All right, go get ready. This is your first mission, so ask Anko what you'll need to prepare."
Yeyu nodded.
Anko smiled at him, her grin a little creepy. "That's right, little Yeyu. If there's anything you don't understand, you can come ask me."
Her voice even had a sinister edge to it.
Yeyu was speechless. "I will."
The three of them left the Hokage Office.
Hiruzen sighed. "I hope things go smoothly. Anko has been influenced by Orochimaru far too much."
After they left the Hokage Building, Anko casually draped an arm over Yeyu's shoulder. They were the same height, so it was effortless.
"Yeyu, you must be pretty strong, right?"
Anko was curious. If Yeyu weren't strong enough, Hiruzen wouldn't have promoted him directly to Chunin, let alone made him his assistant despite all the controversy.
That position was very important, and even came with a certain amount of authority.
It was even more important than being one of the Hokage's guards.
If Hiruzen handed over some of his authority, Yeyu could even become second only to the Hokage.
Of course, with Yeyu's current reputation, he couldn't manage that yet.
Hiruzen wouldn't mind giving up some authority, but Yeyu didn't have enough standing to command respect.
Yeyu said impatiently, "If I weren't strong, how would I have become a Chunin right away?"
He didn't seem humble at all.
But Anko admired his attitude. "You've got some nerve, kid. But you're right. If you weren't strong enough, Hiruzen wouldn't have promoted you straight to Chunin."
"Do you know how hard it is to become a Chunin in peacetime?"
"Unless you're a once-in-a-generation genius like Kakashi, even talented kids have to wait until they're fifteen or sixteen to become Chunin."
"But you became a Chunin as soon as you graduated. You never even served as a Genin, and you became the Hokage Assistant on top of that."
"A lot of people are jealous of you."
"Did you know?"
Anko leaned close to Yeyu's ear.
Yeyu turned his head, his expression calm. "I haven't noticed anyone being jealous of me."
Anko paused, then laughed. "You cheeky brat. You're a bit full of yourself, aren't you? Hiruzen said this is your first mission."
"You've been a graduate for over a month, yet you're only starting your first mission now. Hiruzen really spoils you."
"No matter how talented you are, you shouldn't get special treatment like that."
"Back then, Kakashi was every bit as talented as you. When he was twelve, your age, he'd already become a Jonin."
"He was a legend in our generation."
"You're only a Chunin, but you get to be the Hokage Assistant. No wonder so many people envy you."
Anko looked excited.
She seemed as if she were one of the people who envied him.
But Yeyu knew Anko wasn't envious at all.
She was just curious about him.
Yeyu didn't want to keep discussing it with Anko, so he asked, "What do I need to prepare for the mission?"
Anko didn't press the subject. Instead, she told Yeyu what he needed to bring.
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