Konoha.
Inside the Hokage's Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen raised the pipe in his hand to his lips and took a deep drag, then spoke softly with a smile on his face.
"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's expression beneath his Rabbit Mask was full of helplessness.
He looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen and asked.
"Lord Third, may I ask who the protection target of this mission is?"
Hearing Hyuga Setsuna's question, Sarutobi Hiruzen wore a hesitant, conflicted expression before finally shaking his head.
"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 those words, Hyuga Setsuna had already understood what Sarutobi Hiruzen meant.
A mission important enough for Sarutobi Hiruzen to repeatedly emphasize its importance to the village was probably connected to those people in the Land of Fire.
Then the target of this mission should be the child of a noble, or perhaps even the child of the daimyo?
Of course, it was also possible that the nobles themselves were the targets, but the most likely possibility was still the Land of Fire daimyo's child. As for the daimyo himself, that was impossible.
If the target of this mission had been the daimyo, it would never have fallen to Hyuga Setsuna and Kakashi to protect him.
If the mission target really was the Land of Fire daimyo's child, then it was no wonder Sarutobi Hiruzen had been so conflicted.
If they completed this mission, the Land of Fire daimyo would surely be very satisfied with Sarutobi Hiruzen. He might even support Sarutobi Hiruzen in certain future decisions.
That meant Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Land of Fire daimyo had likely reached some sort of deal over this mission. He just did not know what bargaining chips each side had gained.
But it was probably related to support for Konoha.
Although countless thoughts flashed through his mind, Hyuga Setsuna still spoke 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 corner of his mouth.
Sarutobi Hiruzen took a sip of tea, then contentedly puffed on his pipe again before saying with a chuckle.
"Since you understand, go rest. The mission will begin within the next few days!"
"Yes! ×2"
As Hyuga Setsuna and Kakashi left, the smile on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face gradually disappeared. He walked over to the window.
Looking at the bustling village beneath the dusk sky and the statues on the Hokage Monument, a light called anticipation flashed through Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes.
On Konoha's bustling streets.
Hyuga Setsuna and Kakashi had already removed their masks.
What left Hyuga Setsuna both amused and exasperated was that even after Kakashi removed his mask, he was still wearing a face covering!
Hyuga Setsuna teased him.
"Kakashi, I really didn't expect you to still be wearing a face covering after taking off your mask!"
Hearing Hyuga Setsuna's teasing, Kakashi's face beneath the covering remained perfectly calm.
Clearly, he had grown used to being teased after removing his mask during this period. It had been embarrassing at first, but after getting used to it, he could simply ignore it!
Seeing Kakashi's indifferent attitude, Hyuga Setsuna found it boring. Kakashi had obviously gotten used to it by now.
So, after saying goodbye to Kakashi, Hyuga Setsuna set off for home.
As he walked home, Hyuga Setsuna responded to every person who greeted him. After all, his current boyish appearance really was quite adorable.
Looking at the dusk sky, a faint light flickered in Hyuga Setsuna's eyes. This mission should be quite interesting.
With his arrival, the future of the Shinobi World had already undergone enormous changes, like a butterfly effect.
He was truly... looking forward to the days ahead.
On his 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 smiled warmly and 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, meanwhile, changed instantly.
Damn it, didn't Hyuga Setsuna graduate early? How am I still running into him here?!
Recently, Asuma Sarutobi had been riding high. Ever since Hyuga Setsuna graduated from the Ninja Academy early, no one had disturbed his time with Kurenai anymore.
Although Kurenai still treated him as indifferently as before, Asuma Sarutobi firmly believed that one day, he would move her heart!
After all, with Hyuga Setsuna no longer getting in the way, he had the advantage of being close to Kurenai at the Ninja Academy!
The instant Kurenai Yuhi saw Hyuga Setsuna, her red eyes lit up as she happily asked.
"Setsuna, 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. What about you? How does the Ninja Academy feel?"
Blushing slightly, Kurenai Yuhi smiled at Hyuga Setsuna.
"It's still the same as before. It's just that I'm a little unused to you not being there anymore, Setsuna."
"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 expression, Hyuga Setsuna asked Kurenai Yuhi.
"How are Obito and Rin doing, Kurenai?"
After all, Kakashi was no longer in their class. He wondered whether Obito had expressed his feelings to Rin.
Hyuga Setsuna felt that idiot Obito probably had not. He might even have made a mess of it.
As though recalling something, Kurenai Yuhi said with a cheerful smile.
"As for Rin, she's been a little unhappy since Kakashi graduated. Obito has caused quite a lot of trouble lately trying to cheer her up!"
Having gotten his answer from Kurenai Yuhi's words, Hyuga Setsuna wore an expression of complete understanding. He had long known about the complicated relationship between Obito, Rin, and Kakashi.
Hyuga Setsuna turned his gaze toward Asuma Sarutobi, who was wearing a bitter expression, and asked with a broad smile.
"Asuma, we haven't seen each other in a long time. Why are you making such a miserable face?"
"That's right, Asuma. Stop making that sour face all the time. No one will like you if you do."
Kurenai Yuhi also looked at Asuma Sarutobi's miserable face with dissatisfaction, ruthlessly stabbing him in the heart.
After hearing Kurenai Yuhi's words, Asuma Sarutobi reluctantly pulled at the corners of his mouth, forcing out 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?
After pondering for a moment, Hyuga Setsuna smiled warmly at the two of them.
"How about this? I'll treat you two to some grilled meat!"
"I just earned some money from missions recently!"
Hearing Hyuga Setsuna's words, Kurenai Yuhi said somewhat embarrassedly.
"How could you do that? Setsuna, you've only just completed missions yourself. You still need that 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 allowed no refusal.
"Kurenai, don't worry. The mission I completed paid very well."
"Even if I treat you two to grilled meat, it won't cost 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 became completely dazed, and her cheeks turned bright red.
As for Asuma Sarutobi behind them, he watched the two walking away hand in hand with a bitter expression. He silently looked up at the dusk sky, tears of grief streaming from his eyes!
That was my lost youth!!
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Have pity on this poor child, sob sob.
Before you continue