Planning to Settle Scores After the Fact?

Seeing that Yun Yan was still sitting there without making any further moves, Kakashi became impatient and grabbed his arm, pulling him outside.

"Yun Yan, stop dawdling! Come with me quickly! We can't keep the Lord Hokage waiting!"

Yun Yan was extremely annoyed, his face full of black lines, and he used his strength to resist Kakashi's pulling:

"Kakashi! Let go of my hand! And now! What kind of behavior is this, pulling and tugging at each other in broad daylight?"

"And besides, I haven't paid yet! At least let me pay first, okay? Let go of my hand!"

Upon hearing Yun Yan's words, Kakashi seemed to snap out of a daze and somewhat embarrassedly released his hand.

After stretching his arm, which Kakashi had just pulled, Yun Yan glared at Kakashi with deep resentment, then took out some change from his pocket and placed it on the counter.

The uncle Teuchi witnessed the whole scene and Ayame were also a little stunned. The father and daughter didn't know how to react.

Ayame was the first to react. She quickly accepted the money from the counter and gave Yun Yan a sweet smile:

Thank you for your patronage. Welcome to visit us again!

Yun Yan nodded, casually put the mask back on his face, and said politely to Ayame:

"The taste is as good as ever, I will definitely come again."

"Hey, stop dawdling, let's go!"

Kakashi couldn't hold back any longer, and without saying a word, he dragged Yun Yan out of Ichiraku Ramen. The two of them flashed and quickly ran towards the Hokage Building.

Just as Kakashi dragged Yun Yan to the vicinity of the Hokage Building, sure enough, Anbu Ninja responsible for relaying messages from inside the Hokage Building was standing on a rooftop. This Anbu Ninja was looking around, clearly searching for something.

When the Anbu Ninja saw Kakashi and Yun Yan arrive together, he breathed a sigh of relief and quickly went to greet them.

"You two are here! Where did you run off to?"

Never mind, the Lord Hokage wants to see you two now, probably to ask about your mission. You'd better hurry to the Hokage's office to see Lord Hokage."

Kakashi had anticipated this and knew that the Anbu Ninja was looking for them, so he nodded repeatedly.

"Alright, we'll go see the Lord Hokage now."

Yun Yan stood beside Kakashi, clutching his stomach with a helpless expression.

"Kakashi, doing strenuous exercise right after eating isn't good for your stomach."

Kakashi couldn't hold back any longer. Several tic-tac-toe symbols appeared above his head, and he roared furiously at Yun Yan:

"What do ninjas care about their stomachs?! When they're on important missions, don't they use Military Rations Pill to take care of things?!"

Yun Yan remained calm.

"Military Rations Pill may not taste good, but they don't upset your stomach."

"Enough with the nonsense! Come with me directly to see the Lord Hokage!"

Kakashi couldn't take it anymore, so he dragged Yun Yan into the Hokage Building, released his aura to say hello, and then disappeared into the Hokage's office.

As expected, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat behind his desk as always, appearing calm and composed.

Upon entering the Hokage's office, Kakashi immediately Hiruzen Sarutobi:

"Lord Hokage, Yun Yan and I have returned after completing our mission."

Yun Yan wouldn't bother to Hiruzen Sarutobi; he simply Teuchi greeting.

"Yo, Lord Hokage."

Seeing Yun Yan's appearance and personality, Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips twitched slightly.

Sure enough, this kid hasn't changed at all; he doesn't become any more respectful just because he's back from a mission.

Oh well, I was mentally prepared for this kid's personality, so I can't be too harsh on him in many ways.

Then, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression softened, and he began, in the capacity of a benevolent Hokage, to formally question Kakashi and Yun Yan:

"Oh, Kakashi and Yun Yan."

You've completed your mission and successfully escorted the Kumogakure delegation back. Well done!

However... the reconnaissance mission you two carried out on the border seems to have undergone quite a change.

I did not switch your reconnaissance mission to an offensive one, nor did I instruct you to commit massacres in the Lightning Country. I clearly remember telling you to remain cautious and restrained.

So, please explain in detail what exactly happened during the mission."

Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to intend to settle scores later, Yun Yan was somewhat dissatisfied.

Before Kakashi could speak, Yun Yan interrupted first:

"Lord Hokage, what happened? Kakashi's mission report should have already explained it. You should have read the mission report."

As for why I invaded the Lightning Country and carried out massacres there, the reason is quite simple.

Is it a case of "the magistrate is allowed to set fires, but the common people are forbidden to light lamps"?

Are we allowed to let those bastard Hidden Kumogakure ninjas invade our Land of Fire Country, murdering and harming Konoha Ninja, committing such atrocities and bestial acts, but we're not allowed to invade back and kill their people?

The idea of not retaliating when hit or insulted doesn't exist in my vocabulary.

The principle I follow is that I may not repay kindness, but I will definitely avenge wrongs.

If I don't retaliate this time, I'll be resentful, my mind will be clouded, and I'll keep agonizing over it.

Hearing Yun Yan's blunt words, Hiruzen Sarutobi was speechless. For a moment, the old fox didn't know what to say.

Although Yun Yan's words were direct and arrogant, they were indeed very concise and reasonable.

If the other party dares to provoke us, I will retaliate directly. We must avenge every wrong done to us. It's a very simple principle, not some kind of caution or restraint.

Moreover, regardless of the circumstances, although there was a suspicion of disobeying orders, Yun Yan did make a great contribution this time. He counter-invaded the Land of Lightning Country, killed so many Kumogakure ninjas, greatly damaged the Kumogakure's manpower, and forced the Kumogakure to take the initiative to negotiate.

Isn't this a definite achievement? And a truly indelible one!

Even with his thick skin, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't lie through his teeth, nor could he ignore Yun Yan's great contributions. So, at this moment Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat speechless.

Taking advantage of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Yun Yan continued his relentless barrage of attacks:

"Lord Hokage, it's a very simple truth. Kakashi and I just couldn't stand it and wanted to retaliate."

Judging from what the Lord Hokage said, could it be that he plans to settle scores with me and Kakashi later, or even punish us outright?

That's a rather malicious remark.

Instead of rewarding meritorious officials, the government settles scores and punishes them later. This situation is clearly a sign of national ruin.

Konoha may not be considered a country, but its administrative system is very similar to that of a country. No matter what, Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't dare to openly do such a perverse thing.

Therefore, Yun Yan effectively thwarted Hiruzen Sarutobi's intention to settle scores later with just a few words.

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt extremely frustrated, a little angry, and helpless.

Is he planning to settle scores later?

Okay, that seems to be true to some extent, but he definitely doesn't intend to punish them directly. He can't do anything to someone who has made contributions; that's something he can't do.

Ultimately, Yun Yan and Kakashi still disobeyed his orders as Hokage, showing a lack of caution and restraint.

For the Hokage, it is unacceptable for subordinates to disobey orders, so Hiruzen Sarutobi's original intention was to settle scores later and give him a warning.

As a result of Yun Yan's words, this kid's stand-up attack completely shattered Hiruzen Sarutobi's plans.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed helplessly, forced to change his tone and attitude from one of settling scores, his expression softening once more, and he began to shamelessly lie through his teeth:

"Yun Yan, you're joking again. I have no intention of settling scores later, nor do I intend to punish you. After all, you did a good job this time, didn't you?"

I also read the mission report that Kakashi sent in advance, but since many things are only on paper, they are not very detailed.

This conflict between Konoha and Kumogakure, which you two started, is no small matter. It could easily escalate into war and cause even greater chaos if we're not careful.

"Therefore, I must find out all the details of your mission this time, especially the many details of your two actions in repelling the invasion of the Lightning Country and retaliating against the Kumogakure ninjas."

Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi withdrawn his intention to settle scores and instead offered such a high-sounding reason, Yun Yan nodded and said nothing more, only giving Kakashi a look.