Important Mission and Lost Youth!

Hidden Leaf Village. Google Search Reading

Inside the Hokage's Office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen raised the pipe in his hand to his lips and took a deep drag. With a smile on his face, he spoke softly.

"This mission is extremely important, both to you and to the village, Setsuna, Kakashi! Do you understand?"

Seeing that Kakashi beside him had already made up his mind to accept, Hyuga Setsuna could only look helpless beneath his Rabbit Mask.

He looked toward Sarutobi Hiruzen and asked.

"Lord Third, may I ask who we are protecting on this mission?"

Hearing Hyuga Setsuna's question, Sarutobi Hiruzen's face showed hesitation and conflict. In the end, he shook his head and said.

"You'll find out when you carry out the mission in a few days. I can't tell you yet!"

"What you need to know is that this mission is important—very important to the village. Do you understand?"

After hearing this, Hyuga Setsuna already understood what Sarutobi Hiruzen meant.

A mission that Sarutobi Hiruzen repeatedly stressed was important to the village probably involved those people in the Land of Fire.

Then the target of this mission should be a noble's child, or perhaps even the daimyo's child?

Of course, it could also be the nobles themselves, but the more likely possibility was the Land of Fire daimyo's child. As for the daimyo himself, that was impossible.

If the person being protected on this mission were the daimyo, it would never fall to Hyuga Setsuna and Kakashi.

If the mission target really was the Land of Fire daimyo's child, then it was no wonder Sarutobi Hiruzen was so conflicted.

If they completed this mission, the Land of Fire daimyo would surely be very satisfied with Sarutobi Hiruzen, perhaps even supporting him in certain decisions afterward.

Then Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Land of Fire daimyo must have reached some kind of deal through this mission. He just did not know what chips each side had obtained.

But it was probably related to support for the Hidden Leaf Village.

Though countless thoughts flashed through his mind, Hyuga Setsuna still answered together with Kakashi on the surface.

"Understood, Lord Third! ×2"

After receiving their answer, Sarutobi Hiruzen's stern expression softened, and a smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a sip of tea, then happily drew on his pipe again before saying with a chuckle.

"Since you understand, go get some rest. This mission will be carried out within the next few days!"

"Yes! ×2"

As Hyuga Setsuna and Kakashi left, the smile on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face gradually disappeared. He walked to the window.

Looking at the bustling village beneath the dusk and the statues atop the Hokage Monument, anticipation flashed in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes.

On the bustling streets of Leaf Village.

Hyuga Setsuna and Kakashi had already removed their respective masks.

What left Hyuga Setsuna caught between laughter and tears was that Kakashi was still wearing a face mask after taking off his mask!

Hyuga Setsuna teased him.

"Kakashi, I really didn't expect you to still be wearing a face mask after taking off your mask!"

Hearing Hyuga Setsuna's teasing, Kakashi's face beneath the mask remained as calm as ever.

Clearly, he had grown used to being teased whenever he took off his mask during this period. It had been embarrassing at first, but after gradually getting used to it, he could now simply ignore it!

Seeing Kakashi's indifferent attitude, Hyuga Setsuna found it boring as well. Kakashi had clearly gotten used to it by now.

So, after saying goodbye to Kakashi, Hyuga Setsuna set off for home.

As he walked home, Hyuga Setsuna kept responding to everyone who greeted him. After all, his current boyish appearance was indeed rather adorable.

Looking at the sky beneath the dusk, a faint light flickered in Hyuga Setsuna's eyes. This mission should be quite interesting.

The future of the Shinobi World had already undergone tremendous changes with his arrival, like a butterfly effect.

He was really... a little eager for the days ahead!

On the way home, Hyuga Setsuna unexpectedly spotted two figures he had not seen in a long time.

Seeing Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma Sarutobi beside her, Hyuga Setsuna wore a warm smile as he greeted them.

"Kurenai, Asuma, long time no see!"

Hearing that familiar voice, Kurenai Yuhi, who had been walking down the street, froze for a moment. Then she turned toward Hyuga Setsuna with a delighted expression.

Asuma Sarutobi's expression, on the other hand, changed instantly.

Damn it, didn't Hyuga Setsuna graduate early? How am I still running into him here!

Asuma Sarutobi had been riding high lately. Ever since Hyuga Setsuna had graduated from the Ninja Academy early, no one had disturbed his time with Kurenai anymore.

Although Kurenai still treated him with the same indifference as before, Asuma Sarutobi firmly believed that one day, he would move her heart!

After all, without Hyuga Setsuna getting in the way, he had the advantage of being close to Kurenai at the Ninja Academy!

The moment Kurenai Yuhi saw Hyuga Setsuna, her crimson eyes immediately lit up. She asked him happily.

"Setsuna-kun, it really has been a long time!"

"How have you been lately?"

Hearing Kurenai Yuhi's concern, Hyuga Setsuna replied with a smile.

"I've been doing very well lately. What about you? How does the Ninja Academy feel?"

With a blush on her face, Kurenai Yuhi smiled at Hyuga Setsuna.

"It's still the same as before. It's just that I'm a little unaccustomed to you not being there, Setsuna-kun."

"Is that so? But as a ninja, you have to adapt to everything. Keep it up, Kurenai!" Hyuga Setsuna said with a gentle smile.

With a curious look, Hyuga Setsuna asked Kurenai Yuhi.

"How are Obito and Rin doing, Kurenai?"

After all, Kakashi was no longer in their class. He wondered whether that guy Obito had confessed his feelings to Rin.

Hyuga Setsuna felt that Obito, that idiot, most likely had not. He might even have messed things up.

As though recalling something, Kurenai Yuhi said with a cheerful smile.

"As for Rin, she was a little unhappy after Kakashi graduated. Obito has caused quite a bit of trouble lately trying to cheer Rin up!"

Having gotten his answer from Kurenai Yuhi's words, Hyuga Setsuna wore an expression of "just as expected." He had long known about the complicated relationship among Obito, Rin, and Kakashi.

Hyuga Setsuna turned his gaze toward Asuma Sarutobi, who was wearing a pained expression beside them, and asked with a broad smile.

"Asuma, it's been a long time since we've seen each other. Why are you making such a miserable face?"

"Yeah, Asuma, don't always make that miserable face. No one will like you if you do."

Kurenai Yuhi also looked at Asuma Sarutobi's miserable expression with dissatisfaction and ruthlessly stabbed him in the heart.

Hearing Kurenai Yuhi's words, Asuma Sarutobi forced the corners of his mouth upward into a smile that was not too ugly.

Seeing Asuma Sarutobi like this, Hyuga Setsuna naturally knew the reason, but what could he do if Kurenai Yuhi did not like him?

Finally, after pondering for a moment, Hyuga Setsuna spoke to the two with a warm smile.

"How about this? I'll treat you both to barbecue!"

"I just earned some reward money from a mission recently!"

Hearing Hyuga Setsuna's words, Kurenai Yuhi said awkwardly.

"How can that be? Setsuna-kun, you've only just completed a mission yourself. You still need that reward money to buy necessities. Wouldn't it be inappropriate for you to treat us?"

Although Kurenai Yuhi wanted to spend more time with Hyuga Setsuna, she also had to consider his daily life.

Hearing Kurenai Yuhi's words, Hyuga Setsuna said in a tone that brooked no refusal.

"Kurenai, don't worry. The mission I completed paid very well."

"Even if I treat you to barbecue, it won't cost too much."

After saying that, Hyuga Setsuna took Kurenai Yuhi's hand and headed toward the barbecue restaurant, telling Asuma Sarutobi to follow as they walked.

The moment Kurenai Yuhi's hand was taken by Hyuga Setsuna, she went completely blank, and her cheeks turned bright red.

As for Asuma Sarutobi behind them, he watched their hand-in-hand figures with a bitter expression. Silently, he looked up at the dusk sky, tears of grief flowing from his eyes!

That was my lost youth!!

The second update is here!

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Have pity on this poor child, sob sob sob.