A Sure Bet

Tsukimi and the others crossed the village, dusty and weary from travel, and stopped in front of the Hokage Building.

Summer sunlight filtered through the lush trees and fell across the red-and-yellow building, driving the last of the damp chill from their bodies.

"Kakashi, Obito, Rin." Minato paused and turned to his three students. "The details of the Mount Tenmoku mission are classified. You don't need to take part in the report. Wait here for us."

Kakashi gave a slight nod, his usual dead-eyed gaze calm. He knew the village's mission rules well, and his father often carried out top-secret missions, so he had no objections. Obito understood how serious the matter was too. He nodded readily without making a fuss about going inside. Rin answered softly and stood beside them to wait.

Four people—Tsukimi, Minato, and the two border Ninjas accompanying them—walked into the Hokage's office.

The office was bright and spotless. Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk in his God-Facing Robe, a pipe between his lips. His sharp gaze swept over the group and caught their exhaustion at once, stirring a trace of surprise in him.

Without wasting time on pleasantries, Tsukimi stepped forward and began a clear, orderly report.

He recounted everything: the initial B-Rank Mission to investigate a new poison, their encounter with the Sunagakure investigation team at the poison-making site, their pursuit to the transfer station, and finally the battle on Mount Tenmoku. The others filled in details when needed, leaving nothing out of the report.

"Rasa? I remember him. I believe he's a leader among Sunagakure's younger generation. I never expected him to be so ambitious!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his pipe with his right hand, brows drawn tight. Concern and contemplation flashed through his eyes. Sunagakure had secretly conducted Living Puppet experiments and laid