A New Mission

Stepping out of the command tent, Sen Chisato headed straight for the ninja unit.

The sky was gradually brightening; the night had passed just like that.

After passing through several checkpoints and entering the ninja unit, he asked a few passing ninjas for directions before arriving in front of a tent.

He reached out and lifted the tent flap. Sunlight quietly spilled inside, and the people within turned their heads to look.

"Kid, why did you run over here? Do you have a mission?" Sarutobi Hakuba rose from his bed, and Hyuga Hihi also looked on with a face full of surprise.

"Where is Old Man Kosuke?" Sen Chisato didn't offer an explanation. After a quick glance, he tossed the mission scroll to Sarutobi Hakuba and lay down on an empty bed.

"The old man went to get some food," Sarutobi Hakuba explained while opening the mission scroll.

"Does the ninja unit not provide food? Do we have to make it ourselves?" Sen Chisato rested his hands behind his head and muttered casually.

"Of course they provide food, but we don't mind eating a little better."

The food provided by the ninja unit wasn't a matter of whether it tasted good or not; it had absolutely nothing to do with being delicious. With Maruboshi Kosuke around, and since he was willing to take the initiative to cook something extra, naturally, no one would refuse.

"By the way, why did Lord Orochimaru send you here?" After reading the mission scroll, Sarutobi Hakuba asked with a frown.

They recognized Sen Chisato's strength; to possess such power at this age, he was a genuine genius.

Precisely because of that, how could they let Sen Chisato just go onto the battlefield? If nurtured properly, this kid would definitely become a powerhouse.

Sarutobi Hakuba couldn't figure it out.

Hyuga Hihi also looked up in surprise, though he didn't say anything.

"Don't ask me. If you have any opinions, please go find Lord Orochimaru." Sen Chisato curled his lip and simply closed his eyes, refusing to speak further.

Sarutobi Hakuba and Hyuga Hihi could see he was in a mediocre mood, so they didn't continue to bother him. For a time, the tent fell silent.

Lying on the bed, Sen Chisato closed his eyes and pondered.

He couldn't quite figure out how Orochimaru had discovered his little secret.

After the last experiment ended, Orochimaru hadn't examined his body.

As for the previous battle, that wouldn't be a reason for exposure. Orochimaru was well aware that he was capable of fighting at that level.

Of course, how he found out was no longer important.

What needed to be considered now was why Orochimaru hadn't taken this opportunity to secretly control him... and how he should respond in the future.

Memories flashed back, and before long, Sen Chisato smiled. Some of his earlier worries gradually dissipated.

The reason Orochimaru had brought his body's secret to light was to keep him in check!

As for why he hadn't directly "reclaimed" him, it was, of course, due to confidence.

The Cold Lord Orochimaru was a very powerful ninja with many methods and great charisma, deeply admired by many ninjas in Konoha.

If Sen Chisato were an ordinary Konoha ninja, even a genius, he would certainly be unable to escape Orochimaru's "lure." It was just a pity that he wasn't.

He was a cheater!

Compared to him, Orochimaru cared more about something else right now: the position of Hokage.

Perhaps Orochimaru didn't yearn for the position of Hokage as much as before, but the power, funds, knowledge, and everything else that the position represented were things Orochimaru couldn't easily give up.

Moreover, even if Orochimaru really wanted to make a move on him, what did he have to fear now?

Even if he couldn't win, it would be easy for him to escape.

As for the future...

"Since he sent me here, I might as well play along. It just so happens that while killing people to collect corpses, I can also gain military merit and prestige. By then, it won't be so easy for Orochimaru to deal with me."

As a legitimate candidate for Hokage, he might even have a chance to sit in the seat of the Hokage, and a very good one at that.

If that day ever came, he could find a reason to start a war. Even if he couldn't become the Hokage, it wouldn't stop him from stirring up trouble behind the scenes.

"It seems I need to take this 'Konoha Ninja' position seriously."

Thinking of this, Sen Chisato completely relaxed, intending to get a good night's sleep.

After three days of traveling at full speed, he was quite tired.

At this moment, the tent flap was lifted again.

"Dinner is ready." An old, kind voice rang out; Maruboshi Kosuke had returned.

Sen Chisato immediately opened his eyes and leaped up from the bed, staring expectantly at the pot in the old man's hands. "Is it time to eat?"

"Uh, yes, it's ready to eat." Maruboshi Kosuke lifted the lid, and a burst of steam surged out, carrying an enticing aroma that spread through the tent.

"Wow, it smells so good!" Sen Chisato rubbed his stomach, a bright smile on his face. "Smelling this, my stomach has started growling."

Although he hadn't gone hungry over the years, following Orochimaru meant that delicacies were completely out of the question.

After all, he was an experimental subject; nutrition was the most important thing, and taste was not a consideration at all.

The food Maruboshi Kosuke made was incomparable to what ordinary people could produce; to Sen Chisato at this moment, it was more tempting than the corpse of a Jonin.

More importantly, he now needed to start building an image in the hearts of the Konoha ninjas.

"Haha, after all, we are on the battlefield, and there isn't much to eat around here. I only found some mushrooms and such; I hope you all don't mind."

Maruboshi Kosuke held his head and chuckled happily, then asked with a puzzled look, "By the way, Sen Chisato, why are you here?"

"I've been transferred to Hakuba's squad. I'll be counting on you to look after me from now on, old man... especially when it comes to the food." Sen Chisato had already started eating, completely ignoring everyone else.

"Hey, hey, hey, no matter what, I'm your captain now. At least call me 'uncle' or something." Taking the bowl handed over by Maruboshi Kosuke, Sarutobi Hakuba said helplessly.

"Don't worry, when you die, I'll definitely bury you with my own hands." Sen Chisato looked perfunctory, showing not a shred of respect for this captain.

If the crime of killing a teammate weren't so severe, he truly wouldn't mind sending Sarutobi Hakuba and Hyuga Hihi to their graves himself. If it were possible, he would much rather be in a squad with just Maruboshi Kosuke.

The old man had previously been willing to risk his life to protect him and could even cook for him; his intimacy level was maxed out, and his utility was maxed out.

What use were Sarutobi Hakuba and Hyuga Hihi to him?

Oh, wait, he shouldn't think like that right now. Sen Chisato secretly reminded himself.

"Are all the brats these days so impolite?" Sarutobi Hakuba looked helpless.

If it were any other brat, he would definitely have taught them a lesson.

But this brat was a disciple of Lord Orochimaru and a genius to boot; he would surely become a pillar of Konoha in the future, so he couldn't even bring himself to scold him.

Besides, even if he wanted to teach him a lesson, he wasn't necessarily capable of doing so... Thinking of the strength Sen Chisato had displayed earlier, Sarutobi Hakuba felt a bit melancholy.

"Captain, you should eat a bit more." Hyuga Hihi suddenly spoke up.

"Hm?"

Sarutobi Hakuba glanced at him in confusion, then looked at the black pot, which was nearly empty. The culprit was Sen Chisato.

Watching Sen Chisato eating like a madman, the corner of Sarutobi Hakuba's eye twitched. "This is too exaggerated! You brat, leave some for me!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a ninja suddenly burst in.

"Lord Hakuba, traces of Sand Ninja have been discovered near the camp. The command center has ordered your squad to go out and intercept them. The other squads have already departed."

Sarutobi Hakuba frowned.

Logically speaking, they had only arrived at the camp today; unless there was a large-scale battle, they shouldn't be mobilized.

However, a ninja only needed to follow orders, especially during wartime. He didn't have the standing to question the command center's orders.

"I understand."

He quickly finished the food in his bowl, and the moment he stood up, he had already switched into the mindset of a ninja squad captain.

Scanning his squad members, he commanded, "Check your gear."

Hyuga Hihi silently opened his ninja tool pouch, Maruboshi Kosuke quickly cleaned the black pot and strapped it to his back along with his ninja sword, and Sen Chisato also drew his blade to inspect it.

A minute later, Sarutobi Hakuba gave the order: "Mission clear. Move out."

"Yes!"

The four of them rushed out of the tent.