Missions and Leisure

Sakumo suddenly raised his head, as though he had made up his mind.

"I..."

The Third cut him off, his voice grave.

"Sakumo, don't answer just yet."

"This mission is extremely dangerous. You might not make it back alive."

"Think it through before you give us your answer."

Danzo frowned, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes, though he said, "Yes, think it over carefully. This might be your last chance."

"And your teammates have already agreed to join. You..."

The Third slammed a hand on the desk.

"Enough, Danzo. Say no more. Let Sakumo decide for himself."

Sakumo looked torn, as though the decision was agonizing.

In truth, it was all an act.

He was calmly analyzing the situation.

On the surface, Third-sama didn't seem to want him to take the mission.

But who knew whether he and Danzo were playing good cop, bad cop?

After a long pause, Sakumo asked, "May I know what the mission involves beforehand?"

The Third nodded.

He took a scroll from his drawer and handed it to Sakumo.

"This mission is unusual. You'll understand once you read it."

Sakumo took the scroll.

One glance at the intelligence, and he understood what the Third meant.

"This is...!"

The Third nodded slightly.

"Yes. It's the same target as your last mission. He's left his territory again."

Sakumo's expression darkened.

Anyone who could force Konoha's White Fang to return empty-handed was no ordinary opponent.

Even when he had caught the man off guard last time, he had failed to kill him.

Now that the target was on his guard, the mission would likely be far more difficult.

Silence fell over the Hokage Office.

At last, Sakumo sighed and dropped to one knee.

"I, Sakumo, will go."

The Third sat behind his desk, smoking.

Smoke curled around him, obscuring his expression.

"Understood. Go home and prepare."

After Sakumo left, Danzo said with a chuckle, "Hiruzen, I don't understand what you're worried about."

"The mission may be difficult, but with Hatake Sakumo's wits and strength, it should only take a little extra effort."

The Third turned toward him.

He stared at Danzo without expression, an unreadable look in his eyes.

"Let's hope so."

His old friend's gaze made Danzo uneasy. His expression grew a little strained.

"Heh. I have business to attend to at Root, so I'll be going."

In the classroom, Kisuke paced back and forth at the front like a walking sleeping pill.

Obito's head swayed from side to side as his mind began to drift.

Seeing Obito about to doze off, Kisuke's temper flared.

"O—bi—to!"

A piece of chalk flew through the air and struck Obito square on the head.

To be fair, a ninja's aim was no joke.

"Ah!"

Obito sat bolt upright and looked at Kisuke, feeling wronged.

Sir, throwing chalk at me like a shuriken is one thing... but did you have to put Chakra into it?

Kisuke snorted.

"Some students get one good result and immediately let it go to their heads. That sort of attitude won't do."

Obito was speechless.

Mr. Kisuke, you might as well just say my name.

After giving Obito a brief scolding, Kisuke resumed the lesson.

Obito listened for a while, then checked out and let his mind wander.

Back in his previous life, while taking English listening exams, he had learned one thing.

Some words were only meant for people who understood them.

...The system hasn't even given me a mission. Why work so hard?

After class, Obito took Rin's small hand as usual and said with a grin, "Lin-chan, it's the weekend. Let's go out to eat. My treat."

Blushing, Rin pulled her hand away.

"Obito-kun, there are so many people watching..."

"Lin-chan~"

At that moment, Rin was all Obito could see.

He could feel the affection between them growing by the second.

Pink petals seemed to drift through the air.

A tender, hazy mood blossomed between them.

But just then, a voice broke in at the worst possible moment.

"Ahem. Mind if I come along?"

Obito turned with a dark expression and saw a laid-back Pineapple Head.

He narrowed his eyes and glared at Shikaba.

Uh...

Shikaba felt uneasy.

Did I do something to offend Obito?

Annoyed that the mood had been ruined, Obito said, "Sure, but you're paying for yourself."

Shikaba scratched his head.

"Uh... of course. I could treat you both, if you like."

Obito's expression instantly brightened into a radiant smile.

"Oh, I couldn't possibly... What are you planning to treat us to?"

Shikaba said, "...Barbecue."

The three of them arrived at a barbecue restaurant.

The young woman at the entrance brightened and bowed slightly.

"Welcome! Please come in!"

A flash of snowy white caught their eyes.

Obito and Shikaba swallowed at the same time.

That kimono is way too loose, Shikaba thought.

Looks can be deceiving. She has the face of a sixteen-year-old, but a thirty-six-inch bust... That was Obito's thought.

The young woman led them inside.

"What would you like to order?" she asked from up ahead.

Shikaba thought for a moment. "Three signature barbecue sets, please."

The young woman glanced at Shikaba, sounding a little puzzled.

"Are you sure you only want three? Three sets might not be enough for the four of you."

Shikaba and the others were even more puzzled than she was.

"Four? Aren't there only three of us?"

No way...?!

All three widened their eyes and turned around as something occurred to them.

A black-haired girl in sunglasses stood behind them, looking hurt.

Obito slapped his forehead in frustration.

"Damn it. How did we forget Ayako?"

Rin's expression was complicated too.

"Yeah. We all agreed to come eat together, but..."

But for the life of us, we couldn't remember Ayako was there, Shikaba finished in his head.

He turned to the young woman. "Sorry for the trouble, but could we have four signature barbecue sets? Thanks."

"Of course. Please take a seat. Your barbecue will be right out," she replied sweetly.

The four sat down at a table.

The fragrant barbecue arrived soon after.

They chatted as they ate.

Rin put down her fork and asked thoughtfully, "Come to think of it, does anyone know what Kakashi's been busy with lately?"

"I haven't heard from him in ages."