The Third Hokage's Gift

At Konoha's movie theater, Masayo and Team 3 watched the entire finale of Princess of the Wind and Clouds, The Last Princess!

The plot was simple. The truth behind the Demon King's constant resurrections came out. The mastermind behind the Demon King had lost patience and personally made a move. After Princess of the Wind and Clouds completely defeated the Demon King, she lost all her power.

The mastermind was Princess of the Wind and Clouds' uncle, Kazahana Dōtō. After losing her powers, Princess of the Wind and Clouds fell into loneliness and despair. In the end, together with Konoha's ninja, she defeated her uncle.

"So cool! So amazing! Those are ninja, and all the fights in there were filmed for real!"

"Masayo, that was Konoha's Chunin, right? So incredible! According to the newspaper, that one was a Jonin from the Land of Snow, wasn't he?"

"Damn, that Land of Snow Jonin got completely crushed from start to finish. I heard there was another one who got secretly taken out before he even showed up!"

"Which one was Water Shockwave? Are you kidding me? That power! Such a massive glacier got completely flooded!"

"The Water Release scene was shaking so badly! I heard everyone on set was scared stupid!"

"Even the Ninja Academy is showing this movie now!"

Masayo and Team 3 hid themselves away in a corner. Unlike Team 3, who were excited and completely immersed in the film, Masayo remained utterly unmoved and even wanted to laugh a little.

The plot really was slightly better than before, but it was still the same old thing. Masayo had considered it before: if he had no talent as a ninja, he could become a plagiarist director or screenwriter instead. His writing might not compare to the true literary masters from his memories, but he was confident it was better than Jiraiya's.

"The scenes and story involving me already make me the male lead. Senior Guy, Neji, Rock Lee, and Tenten, your roles were supporting parts too. Since it involved a country, this mission's difficulty could be considered S-rank."

Masayo began calculating how much money he, Might Guy, and the others should receive. Kazahana Koyuki had told him about the rates for certain actors. He could not care less if others got cheated; that was their own business. But if it involved him, Masayo would not back down.

After leaving the theater, Masayo brought Team 3 to the Hokage's Office. The Third Hokage and two high-ranking advisors were there.

"You're back. This mission was truly hard on you all. Hmm, the weapon on your back?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi wore a kindly smile. His aged appearance stood in stark contrast to Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu beside him, both of whom had cold, displeased expressions. Seeing the longsword strapped to Masayo's back, he asked curiously.

Are these the elder advisors? I shouldn't have any grudge with them, should I? They're glaring like I owe them money. Are they sick? Or is the Third Hokage planning to play the bad cop, good cop routine?

Masayo could not help thinking that, but he quickly dismissed it. Hiruzen Sarutobi knew what sort of person he was. There was no way he would try to deal with him using such a tactic. In that case, there was only one possibility: these two high-ranking elders really disliked him.

Masayo did not have many thoughts about that. It was perfectly normal. Everyone had people they liked and disliked; no one could make everyone like them. Take Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. After living in Konoha for so long, Masayo had even heard residents say they disliked the Fourth Hokage.

"Lord Hokage, after returning, we discovered something very interesting. Princess of the Wind and Clouds actually featured us in the movie. What an honor, right?"

Masayo's words made Hiruzen Sarutobi raise an eyebrow, but he said nothing. He quietly watched Masayo, waiting to see what he was about to say. After suffering such a huge loss, given Masayo's personality, if they did not give him something, all of Konoha would probably know about it. He really would make a scene.

"Team 3 and I, along with Senior Guy, are truly honored to become symbolic representatives of Konoha's image. Lord Hokage, Elders, you have no idea what hardships we went through. It was enough to make anyone who heard it grieve and anyone who listened weep!"

Masayo wore an indignant expression. "No matter what mountains of blades or seas of fire lay ahead, no matter what darkness and greed lurked in hiding, we endured it all. Only then was Princess Koyuki able to successfully reclaim the throne of the Land of Snow."

The corners of Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth twitched. Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura beside him did the same. If they had not watched the movie too and learned that the Land of Snow's ninja had been crushed by Masayo's group from beginning to end, they might really have been fooled by him.

"You truly worked hard, Guy and Masayo. This mission has been classified as an S-rank mission. Aside from the mission reward, there is also the portion of payment that belongs to you as actors."

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that Masayo might say something even more outrageous if he kept going. He was afraid he would have nightmares later. Rumors about Masayo and Kazahana Koyuki were spreading everywhere, and now he was talking about darkness and greed. Was he taking a roundabout way to mock him?

"Sigh!"

Masayo's expression froze. Had Hiruzen Sarutobi known he would make a fuss? Had he prepared everything in advance? Damn, Masayo had even been about to bring up how ninja wages could not be withheld.

"S-rank! We completed an S-rank mission!"

Tenten cheered excitedly. This was a major achievement added to a ninja's record. Many ninja would never come into contact with an S-rank mission in their entire lives.

"Teacher Guy! An S-rank mission! I completed an S-rank mission!"

"Lee, you truly are my proudest disciple!"

"Mm..."

Even Neji Hyuga's usually indifferent face revealed a smile he could not suppress.

All the arguments Masayo had prepared were swallowed back. With things like this, he had nothing more to say.

Just as Masayo finished handing over the mission and was preparing to leave with Might Guy and Team 3, Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped him.

"Masayo, wait a moment. I have something to discuss with you. Guy, you may all leave."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's words put Masayo slightly on guard. What did this mean? He had sent away Team 3 and kept only Masayo behind? And there were also these two ice-cold elders. What were they planning?

Masayo became wary. He could not figure out what Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to do. He had not done anything to betray Konoha! Besides, during the Fishbeam Village incident, they had recovered Hiruzen Sarutobi's lost wallet. They could be considered grasshoppers tied to the same rope!

"Yes, Lord Hokage. We will take our leave!"

Might Guy left the Hokage's Office with Tenten, Neji Hyuga, and Rock Lee, leaving only Masayo, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura.

Masayo glanced at Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu. He did not underestimate them just because they were old, but compared with Hiruzen Sarutobi, they seemed far inferior in both strength and methods.

"Masayo, this Princess of the Wind and Clouds movie has completely exposed you to the public eye. Though, with your strength and your performance after Might Guy became seasick, you are already fully qualified to become a Jonin."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's words made Masayo quickly shake his head. "Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Lord Hokage, but I am still far from ready. I still have many shortcomings. Let me finish my time at the Ninja Academy before promoting me to Jonin, Lord Hokage!"

Masayo did not think he was so impressive just because he had soloed Kazahana Dōtō and Nadare Rōga. The only reason he could defeat those two Jonin-level opponents without taking a scratch was because he knew their techniques in advance. If both sides had been on equal footing and neither knew the other's techniques, how could he possibly have fought so easily?

"You are still you, Masayo. Since that is the case, I will give you a gift as well. I believe in you. At your current level, I believe there will absolutely be no problem."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's words filled Masayo's face with question marks. A gift? What exactly was he going to give him? Hiruzen Sarutobi looked so mysterious, and judging from Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's expressions, they were equally curious. Clearly, they did not know what gift Hiruzen Sarutobi intended to give him either.