Encountering the Pervy Sage

[Squad Leader]

[Name: Itachi Uchiha]

[Rank: Jonin]

[Age: 12]

[Completed Missions: 64 C/D-rank, 13 B-rank, 6 A-rank, 2 S-rank]

[Mission Success Rate: 98%]

[Client Satisfaction: 100%]

At the mission assignment office, a Chunin was stunned as he looked over Itachi's submitted résumé.

Just this record alone was enough to crush most people. He was likely among those standing at the pinnacle of this world.

Why was someone like him here, leading a team? And his subordinates were all Genin.

Could this guy have falsified his record?

But he didn't look like he was lying.

"What? You don't believe it?"

Itachi was slightly displeased by the staff members' reactions. According to Konoha's rules, unless it was wartime, teams could generally be formed freely to carry out suitable missions. Of course, particularly troublesome missions would be assigned to Anbu members like Itachi, or the Hokage would personally appoint certain experts to handle them.

Unfortunately, there were no ID cards or QR codes here.

Hmm?

A tall man appeared before them, wearing a forehead protector emblazoned with the character for "oil." His white hair reached all the way to his waist, and red markings lay beneath his eyes, growing longer as he aged. He wore a red outer robe over brown clothes, wooden clogs on his feet, and armor-like gear over both hands.

He looked a little disheveled, but there was a heroic air between his brows.

Was this the Pervy Sage?

Itachi frowned slightly. By all rights, this man wandered the world and shouldn't concern himself with mundane affairs.

Yet he had returned and appeared here this time. Could he have been summoned back for something special?

"Sir, of course we wouldn't dare question your identity. After all, who hasn't heard of Itachi of the Uchiha Clan?"

The Chunin spoke with utmost respect. The moment he said that, several people nearby suddenly fixed them with sharp, chilling gazes.

A brat from the Uchiha Clan?

Sure enough, the Uchiha had made plenty of enemies in Konoha. Even Itachi was secretly startled.

"Does the Uchiha Clan have no one left? Why are they letting little brats wander around outside? Watch out for bad people. They might scare you little kids into tears in the middle of the night."

Several people walked over from the side, their faces full of provocation. The leader was named Aburame Yamanaka.

As members of the Yamanaka and Aburame clans, they had suffered under the Uchiha for far too long.

Besides, rumors said the higher-ups had secretly joined forces to carve up the Uchiha Clan. As long as they could suppress and bring down the clan, the share of the pie—and even the Uchiha Clan's inheritance—would be enough to make them rich overnight.

Almost no one could resist such tempting benefits.

"Hmph!"

Itachi couldn't be bothered responding to such barking. He simply acted as though he hadn't heard them.

Why would people as noble as them pay attention to such gossip and provocations?

"Sir, based on your current strength, you may choose from these missions."

[Option One: Commission from the Land of Grass—Rank B. A large number of murders have recently occurred within its borders. Rogue ninja are suspected of carrying out a slaughter, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of villagers. The daimyo is willing to pay 400,000 for the culprit to be publicly executed as a warning to others.]

[Option Two: The Daimyo's Concubine—Rank A. Travel to the Land of Wind to take the eldest daughter of a prominent local family as the daimyo's concubine. The journey is long, and a large amount of dowry must be transported and protected. Numerous bandits and spies coveting the valuables may be encountered. The reward will be 10% of the generous dowry.]

[Option Three: Retrieve the Body of an Anbu Ninja—Rank]

Itachi pondered for a moment. These missions really were the most suitable for them. For his team, they should choose option two.

Just as he reached for the mission board for option two, Aburame Yamanaka beside him snatched their choice first.

"Listen up, little brats. You're still wet behind the ears. Hurry home and find your mothers. Don't embarrass yourselves here."

Chishang Nan sneered. Their squad was considered an elite ace team. All of them were Chunin, and they were well-known bounty hunters. They had once completed eight B-rank missions in a single month and had even received praise from the Hokage.

What was so impressive about these little brats? They were just relying on their Bloodline Limit.

And they were acting all high and mighty, ignoring them. How rude. Didn't they know to respect their elders? If this place weren't so crowded, they really would have taught these kids a lesson.

Those Uchiha probably hadn't even awakened the Sharingan yet. They likely got their Ninja Academy Genin headbands through connections.

"How dare you? How can you bully others with your power?"

Hinata Bai rebuked him, wanting to show off a little in front of his goddess. But he suddenly realized that every one of those adults was a head taller than him. An invisible pressure instantly weakened his momentum.

"Please return the mission to us. We were here first, and you can't handle this mission."

Itachi stepped forward, his gaze darkening slightly, though his tone remained polite.

After all, this group of Chunin might have some chance against a Jonin, but that was all. What they needed to do was protect the daimyo's wife and his valuables.

This matter even involved politics. Not the slightest mistake could be allowed.

"Yes, yes, gentlemen, please calm down. This was an error on my part. I'll update the mission scrolls for you shortly."

The staff member hurried over to mediate with an ingratiating smile. He had realized his mistake. By rights, this mission shouldn't have been assigned to these people at all. It should even have been reported to Anbu ninja for them to handle. But then again, Anbu ninja wouldn't casually travel such a great distance just to take on such a tedious mission.

It didn't fit their philosophy of assassination and swift action. Living targets weren't so easy to protect.

"No. I want that mission."

Itachi stopped the peacemaker and walked straight up to face the seven-man team.

In an instant, he formed a hand sign for a duel.

"What? Do you know what you're doing? You dare challenge us to a duel? You're tired of living."

Aburame Yamanaka flew into a rage. None of them had expected this brat to be so bold. He charged forward at once, his sandbag-sized fist hurtling toward Itachi's face.

The attack came so suddenly that no one expected it. Judging by the fierce force of that punch, any ordinary person struck head-on would probably cough up blood and die instantly.

"No!"

The Pervy Sage cried out as well, but he was too far away to stop it in time. He could only watch helplessly as it happened. In the next second, that child would probably be beaten into a bloody pulp.

"Boss!"