"What kind of joke is this?!"
Aokiji argued fiercely, fighting his case with reason.
Such a strong reaction was entirely expected. Elder Itachi raised his eyelids slightly and said blandly, "Don't get worked up. I'm not sending you to carry out these two missions right away. They're both long-term missions."
Aokiji let out an "oh" as if relieved. "That's more like it."
Wait, more like it my ass.
They were clearly using the tactic of making him despair first, then giving him hope.
Realizing this, Aokiji refused to fall for it. He hurriedly waved his hands, his attitude firm. "No, no. What kind of trash Super S-rank missions are these? One is already enough to make me wish I were dead, let alone two. You're pushing me straight into a fire pit."
Elder Itachi ignored Aokiji's resistance, his tone turning sterner. "Listen to me first."
"Oh."
Aokiji sat properly and decided to hear him out for now.
He could ignore anyone else, but he had to listen to this teacher who had taught him everything he knew.
Besides, he still owed the man a mountain of money.
That was the real reason.
Elder Itachi slowly uttered a name. "Uchiha Madara..."
Hearing that particularly significant name, Aokiji froze. Deep astonishment appeared in his wide-eyed gaze.
Elder Itachi spoke at an unhurried pace. "These two missions both revolve around this man."
Aokiji frowned.
These two missions actually involved Uchiha Madara. No wonder they were Super S-rank.
But wasn't Uchiha Madara already dead in everyone's eyes?
What could possibly concern him and still warrant Super S-rank missions?
Could Elder Itachi know that Uchiha Madara wasn't dead and want him to investigate?
But that only made Aokiji even more confused. Was someone of Uchiha Madara's level really someone a small fry like him could