Kosuke, I Have a Mission for You

"Shao Nan, this is a token of your big brother's affection. You and Tsunade too—getting married and having a child without even telling the village!"

After saying that, Danzo pulled an extra-thick stack of cash from his sleeve and handed it to Shao Nan!

"Big brother, this... this wouldn't be right. I'd be so embarrassed!"

Though Shao Nan said he did not want it, his hand swiftly accepted the cash and tucked it into his clothes.

"What's wrong with it? Besides, this is my wedding gift for you and Tsunade. How could I be careless about something like that? Right, Shao Nan?"

"Right, we definitely can't be careless. Hey! Big brother, you have no idea.

"To save money, Tsunade invited Uncle Teuchi from Ichiraku Ramen to be the chef for tomorrow's banquet. One bowl of ramen per person!"

Upon hearing that, Danzo realized Hiruzen Sarutobi had not been lying when he said they would only be eating ramen at Tsunade's house tomorrow. They really were having ramen?

Forget it, what they ate was not important! It was only a formality. What mattered was that he finally had someone supporting his rise to power!

This was a very good beginning!

"Then I won't disturb your family dinner any longer, Shao Nan. See you tomorrow!"

After saying that, Danzo leaned on his cane and left directly.

At that moment, the fragrant scent of grilled meat drifted out from inside the house. Catching the smell, Shao Nan strode inside.

"Honey, what delicious food did you make?"

"Watch that mouth of yours. You'll eat whatever I make. Are you trying to be picky?"

"Yeah, Dad! Mom's meat is super delicious!"

Chino held a huge piece of grilled meat in her hand and took big bites, yet her words were still perfectly clear.

The next day.

Several Anbu had gathered inside the Hokage Building.

The captain of the jonin forces, Nara Shikaku, was also there. Behind him stood Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Choza.

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke. "Where is Maruboshi Kosuke? Why hasn't he arrived yet?"

An Anbu replied, "Lord Hokage, Uzuki Yugao has already gone to invite Senior Kosuke. He should be here soon."

Just then, a kindly voice came from outside the door.

"Hiruzen, the last time we met was when the Fourth Hokage was still alive."

An elderly man entered, carrying an iron pot on his back and walking with a slight hunch.

"Kosuke, you haven't changed at all! I called you here this time because I have a mission for you."

"After all, you're the only one suited for this mission."

Konoha's three great clans, Ino-Shika-Cho, were all stunned upon seeing the old man.

Akimichi Choza: Senior Maruboshi Kosuke!?

Yamanaka Inoichi: It seems this matter is far from simple.

Shikamaru Nara: Is it because of these Chunin Exams?

Maruboshi Kosuke narrowed his eyes and asked Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Did something happen to the village, Hiruzen?"

"I'm not sure whether anything will happen, which is why I asked you to come out!"

"Your mission is to participate in these Chunin Exams and keep an eye on someone for me."

Kosuke frowned. "Has a troublemaker infiltrated the examinees?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of smoke. "Perhaps! Your mission is to stick close to an examinee named Shao Nan Senju."

Upon hearing that, everyone felt as though they had heard that name somewhere before.

Akimichi Choza suddenly shouted, "Lord Hokage, isn't Shao Nan Senju the one who defeated you yesterday?"

Nara Shikaku covered his forehead and shot Akimichi Choza a look, signaling for him to stop talking!

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately choked on a mouthful of old-man smoke.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Kosuke laughed. "Hiruzen, before you became Hokage, you had never lost. Yet after becoming Hokage, you've just kept losing!"

"Kosuke, I was your teacher too. Can't you be a little less blunt?"

"Hahaha, I heard a little about it yesterday too. I just don't know how this Shao Nan Senju compares to Lord Hashirama."

"Kosuke, all I can say is that they are exactly alike. You could say he's Lord Hashirama at around twenty years old. Moreover, his Wood Release secret techniques rival Lord Hashirama's."

"He's that strong? Then why participate in the Chunin Exams? Wouldn't it be better to become Hokage directly?"

"It's a long story. He's the man Tsunade found. The two are already married and have even had a daughter."

Everyone present froze as though they had heard some earth-shattering news.

Only the two old men, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Maruboshi Kosuke, remained completely calm.

Maruboshi Kosuke said, "Tsunade got married? After all these years, she finally came to her senses!"

Then he continued, "Hiruzen, do you think this Shao Nan Senju could possibly be related to that Five Kage Summit back then?"

"Cough, cough, cough!!!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately began coughing loudly, signaling Kosuke not to continue.

"So that's how it is. I understand, Hiruzen. Then I'll go meet this Shao Nan Senju!

"Hiruzen, I'll be heading back first. The ninja academy is closed, so this genin can only water flowers to pass the time!"

Yamanaka Inoichi was speechless and could not quite understand this Senior Kosuke.

Maruboshi Kosuke was a man who had fought alongside the Second and Third Hokage, and even the Fourth Hokage had once bandaged his wounds.

The Second Hokage had personally taught him Water Release, while the Third Hokage had taught him ninjutsu.

Furthermore, both the Second and Third Hokage had acknowledged that he possessed jonin-level strength.

Yet because he had made a mistake during a mission, he had refused promotion to jonin for that mistake and remained a genin his entire life.

Nearly every formidable figure in Konoha had dealt with him. He was a true Konoha veteran; calling him a legendary ninja would not be an exaggeration.

After Maruboshi Kosuke left, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Have your clans prepared congratulatory gifts? With Tsunade's personality, if your gifts aren't substantial enough, she might make some trouble!"

Nara Shikaku said, "They were enough originally, but after hearing that Tsunade is married, it seems they're not enough anymore!

"We have to give wedding money at the very least! She even has a daughter, and we haven't accounted for the baby's one-month celebration yet! Sigh, women truly are troublesome."

While Nara Shikaku was still lamenting, a prominent figure from Konoha appeared in the office.

The newcomer wore a black face mask and a Konoha forehead protector tilted over his left eye.

He was accompanied by two boys and a girl.

It was none other than Konoha's strongest rookie team, Team 7.

Their leader was Kakashi.

The students were the blond brat and savior of the Ninja World, Naruto!

On Naruto's right stood that pretentious guy, Uchiha Sasuke. Naruto's true love, Uchiha Sasuke.

And that girl, Sakura!!!!!

"Lord Hokage, we have returned after successfully completing the Land of Waves mission!

"However, my students are somewhat dissatisfied and would like an explanation from you."

Then he continued to Naruto, "Well, Naruto, I can only help you this much. The rest is up to you."

Naruto took large strides forward, his face full of anger. "Old Man Hokage, let me tell you, the only reason this mission could be completed was because I showed off my great power!"

Uchiha Sasuke stood to the side with both hands in his pockets and said disdainfully, "Idiot!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored Naruto and instead asked Kakashi, "Did something happen?"

Kakashi recounted everything that had happened during the Land of Waves mission in full detail.

"Then raise the mission difficulty by one level!"

After whining for a while, Naruto finally got his wish and left laughing happily with Uchiha Sasuke and Sakura.

"Kakashi, since you're back, come with me somewhere now!"

Kakashi was surprised. "Lord Hokage, where are we going? Is there a mission?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand. "It's not a mission. As for what it is, I'll tell you on the way. Shikaku, Choza, Inoichi, let's go!"

Kakashi had just returned from a mission and had not even had time to rest before Hiruzen Sarutobi dragged him away!

The five of them walked down the street.

"What? Tsunade got married?" Kakashi was shocked!

"Lord Hokage, I haven't prepared a gift yet! Is it appropriate to go directly to Tsunade's house?"