Temptation to Leave the Village

The Uchiha Sen group had barely started settling in after returning home when the Third Hokage sent ANBU ninja San Jingxia to ask about the details.

Today was my first day as an ANBU ninja. I never expected to meet the Third Hokage on my very first day. Sure enough, he was as kind as ever. I have to perform well, complete my mission successfully, become a squad captain in a month, and a division captain within half a year.

At the entrance to the residence, San Jingxia, the ANBU ninja wearing a cat mask, reflected on his grand ambitions.

Whoosh!

He flashed into the front yard, only to be met by Zabuza Momochi's stare.

Holy crap, why is this man so terrifying? Can't afford to provoke him, can't afford to provoke him.

San Jingxia looked toward the far gentler-looking young lady, Haku, and said warmly:

"Um, the Third Hokage has asked Uchiha Sen to come to the Hokage's Office."

Haku led San Jingxia inside, brought him a cup of water, and handed it to the ANBU ninja with a smile.

"Sorry, we just got back ourselves. Lord Sen is washing up in the bathroom. I'll go ask him for you."

Seeing how adorable and considerate Haku was, San Jingxia rose somewhat awkwardly and readily volunteered.

"No need to trouble yourself. I'll go call him myself."

"Um..." Haku had just raised a hand to explain when the ANBU ninja interrupted her.

"I heard Lord Sen's voice. It's no big deal."

Honestly... that's really not the issue... Forget it...

Haku shook her head. After being out all day, she was tired too.

Filled with confidence, San Jingxia arrived outside the bathroom. Sen was singing a bath song.

"I love bathing, my skin feels so good, oh oh oh~"

"Chase away the fleas, no more worries, oh oh oh~"

"Mermaids~ all run away~"

Hmm? What kind of fish was a mermaid?

No, I came here on a mission.

Bang bang bang!

"Lord Sen, are you in there?" San Jingxia asked softly.

"No!"

A crisp voice, accompanied by the splashing of water, reached San Jingxia's ears.

Not here? Then was a ghost talking to me just now?!

Why was everyone in this household so strange? Only that young lady from before seemed relatively normal...

San Jingxia, this is your first mission. Be patient! Go, future ANBU squad captain!

After giving himself a thorough pep talk, he knocked on the door again.

Bang bang bang!

"Um, Lord Sen, the Hokage asks you to visit his office. Please come with me after you're done bathing."

Hmm, respectful tone. There shouldn't be any problem this time, right?

San Jingxia thought to himself.

"Not going. What's so great about seeing some short old man?"

Uh...

No wonder several colleagues had desperately tried to pass this assignment off when I arrived. So this was a troublemaker...

He actually dared to disrespect the Third Hokage like this!

"Um..."

San Jingxia wanted to keep persuading him, but an angry roar came from inside.

"Zoro! Where the hell did you go? Throw this guy outside for me!"

Who was Zoro?

Throw me out?!

I'd like to see who dares!

Just as San Jingxia was about to argue forcefully, he suddenly realized his clothes felt a little tight...

Looking down, he found that his feet were dangling in the air, and a prickling sensation ran down his back.

"Sorry, but I can only ask you to leave."

Better you than me. Sen's words were an imperial decree in this house. Besides, even if Zabuza had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare challenge authority. After all, he'd already been beaten twice...

Whoosh...

A black figure was tossed out of Uchiha Sen's residence.

San Jingxia stared up at the sky.

The moon was so round tonight...

Feeling the wind brush past his ears, just like that afternoon when he'd made his grand vow, he now watched it shatter into pieces. Farewell, my dream...

Hokage Building

"Based on the situation at the scene, it should have been Orochimaru."

Standing before the Third Hokage was Mitarashi Anko, Orochimaru's only disciple in the Hidden Leaf Village. Seeing the agitation in Anko's voice, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, soothed her.

"Hmm... Orochimaru? All right, I understand. Tomorrow is the final round. The village has already deployed additional personnel. You may leave now."

"Yes, Third Hokage."

Seeing that the Third Hokage had already made preparations, Anko turned and left.

Hiss~ Puff~

Taking a light puff from his pipe, Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered to himself.

"Why now? Could Orochimaru's target be the Uchiha Clan? Sasuke or Sen? Forget it, I'll know once I ask later."

Since Orochimaru had been defeated by Sen's genjutsu, there weren't many signs of battle left at the scene. As for the riverbank, the second battlefield, Sasuke and the others had erased every trace in order not to expose their position.

Whoosh!

"Third Hokage."

The ANBU ninja San Jingxia knelt on one knee.

"Hmm? Why did you come back alone? What happened?"

Feeling ashamed, San Jingxia said helplessly:

"I'm sorry, Third Hokage. I failed the mission... Uchiha Sen said he didn't want to come..."

"Mm, I understand. If there's nothing else, you may leave."

He wasn't surprised by Uchiha Sen's attitude. That guy had always been temperamental. As long as he didn't tear down the house, it was fine if he didn't come. Hiruzen could just go over when he got off work later.

Late at night

"Go! That's right, Fire Dragon's Sword Horn!"

Uh...

This guy... He didn't want to come just so he could go crazy at home...

The Third Hokage's face was covered in black lines...

He strolled inside. Zabuza poked his head out from the room, and upon seeing that it was the Third Hokage, turned around and went back to sleep.

Haku, who had been keeping watch beside Sen, stood up respectfully when she saw the Third Hokage arrive in person.

"Third Hokage, you've come."

"Mm."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded without saying much, only looking in confusion at Sen, who was dancing and gesticulating nearby.

"This is?"

Haku immediately explained:

"Er, Lord Sen said he's watching an anime."

Watching an anime?

What was that?

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked around Sen. There was nothing there.

He tested the waters.

"How long has he been like this?"

Haku looked troubled... Unable to gauge Hiruzen Sarutobi's true intentions, she could only grit her teeth and tell the truth.

"Um... about a week or so..."

"Like this every day?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was startled...

Other people only jumped around a couple times when excited, maybe ate something nice and drank a little to celebrate... But when this guy got excited, it was a major event...

He'd casually summon some black Gundam... Who could handle that...

No... With the Chunin Exams underway, it would be better to find an excuse to send him away. There was no need to worry about Orochimaru either. The village's defensive forces were sufficient, and in a couple of days, the Kazekage of the Hidden Sand Village would come to watch as well. Mm... everything was under control.

"Ahem, Hole-Hole Monster, greatest warrior on the planet!"

The Third Hokage said seriously.

"Present!"

Sen sprang to his feet instinctively.

"We've received word from headquarters. Tomorrow, take your squad to the Land of Iron to carry out a mission!"

These words were meant for Haku to hear. After speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned closer and said:

"Hole-Hole Monster, there's nothing going on lately. How about taking a few days off to go have fun? The village will reimburse all expenses. This is special treatment just for you~ I hear the grilled meat in the Land of Iron is especially delicious."

[Ding! Detected that the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, wants to send the host away from the Hidden Leaf Village. Leaving the village will automatically be deemed as abandoning the subsequent progression. Do not agree under any circumstances!]

Uchiha Sen's eyes sparkled as he nodded excitedly.

"Okay, okay~"

[You bastard...]