Hokage Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the information Scroll in his hand and nodded with satisfaction:
"Well done, this information is very important to us."
He looked up at the four ANBU standing in front of him, and his eyes especially stayed on Lin Ze for a moment longer.
In two and a half years, the child he specially recruited into ANBU has grown into a reliable fighting force.
Although he is only ten years old, his strength is not inferior to that of many adults Ninja.
'Unfortunately, after all, he is not a child from Konoha...'
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed secretly in his heart, but with a smile of approval on his face:
"This mission is more difficult than expected. I'll give you four days off to have a good rest."
"Thank you Lord Hokage." The four people responded in unison.
Walking out of Hokage Building, Fox patted Lin Ze on the shoulder:
"Boy, you performed well this time. The power of Great Fireball has been increased again."
Lin Ze scratched his head:
"It's okay, maybe it's because the ground is wet on rainy days and the steam effect is more obvious."
Gray Wolf and Night Owl also came over, Gray Wolf said with a smile:
"Aoda, your Fire Release is simply more powerful than Uchiha. If I didn't know your details, I would have doubted whether you had any Kekkei Genkai."
"Just good luck."
Lin Ze answered modestly that after two years of getting along, most of them were joking, and he didn't mind.
After bidding farewell to his teammates, Lin Ze went straight back to the ANBU dormitory, changed out of ANBU clothes, and put on ordinary Ninja clothes.
Although he is only ten years old, long-term exercise makes him look much more mature than his actual age.
Her short silver-white hair stood out in the sunlight, attracting frequent glances from the passing women Ninja.
'It's been two and a half years, time flies so fast.' Lin Ze was walking back to Orphanage with a lot of emotions in his heart.
In the past two years, he has carefully hidden his strength, practicing secretly at night and maintaining the image of a "Taijutsu genius" during the day.
Just as Lin Ze was deep in thought, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Lin Ze!"
He looked up and saw Kurenai Yuhi standing at the door of Orphanage, waving to him.
In two and a half years, the little girl who was always crying became more and more beautiful.
Her red eyes were like the purest gems, and her long black hair was tied into a ponytail, swaying gently with her movements.
Although he is only ten years old, he can already see the shadow of the future master Genjutsu.
"Hong, why are you here?" Lin Ze asked in surprise.
Kurenai Yuhi's pretty face turned red and she whispered, "I passed by here after the mission, so I stopped by to take a look..."
"Hey, Lin Ze, your little girlfriend is waiting for you again!"
Miyamoto Ichirō poked his head out from the yard and teased with a wink.
Rei Uesugi also smiled and answered, "That's right, Hong comes here every week to inquire about your news."
Kurenai Yuhi's face suddenly turned as red as her eyes, and she stamped her feet:
"You, don't talk nonsense!"
Lin Ze also scratched his head in embarrassment.
In the past two years, Kurenai Yuhi has often come to Orphanage to see him, and anyone with a discerning eye can see what the girl is thinking.
But the two of them are only ten years old after all, and smelting copper is illegal~
Lin Ze tried to change the subject. "Um... Hong, have you eaten? I'll treat you to Ichiraku Ramen."
Kurenai Yuhi's eyes lit up and he nodded quickly. "Okay! I happen to be hungry."
Then the two of them walked side by side on the streets of Konoha, talking to each other about the interesting things that happened recently.
Lin Ze listened quietly, nodding occasionally.
'The days of peace are so good...' he sighed in his heart, 'It's a pity that there are not many such days.'
According to the original timeline, Third Shinobi World War will explode in about a year.
By then, the current peace will be completely broken.
"We're here." Hong's voice pulled Lin Ze out of his thoughts.
Teuchi saw the two of them and greeted them warmly:
"Hey, Lin Ze, red, long time no see!"
"Boss, twenty-one bowls of Tonkotsu Ramen, add more barbecued pork."
Lin Ze ordered the food skillfully, twenty bowls belonged to him, and the other bowl belonged to Kurenai Yuhi.
The two sat down in front of the counter. Hong glanced at Lin Ze secretly and asked in a low voice:
"Have you been working hard lately? You look a little tired."
"It's okay." Lin Ze smiled, "It's just an ordinary patrol mission."
'That's weird. Not long ago, Land of Rain border was killing people and setting fires.' He complained in his heart.
This is the life of ANBU. During the day, you may still be joking with your friends, but at night, your hands will be stained with blood.
Lin Ze has gradually become accustomed to this double life.
The steaming Ramen was served, and the rich aroma filled the air.
"I'm starting!" the two said in unison, looking at each other and smiling.
The setting sun shines into the store through the curtains, dyeing everything a warm golden color.
At this moment, wars, conspiracies, and life-and-death crises seemed to have gone away, and only two boys and girls were left enjoying the simple happiness brought by a bowl of Ramen.
The hot Ramen exudes an alluring aroma. Kurenai Yuhi eats it in small bites, looking up at Lin Ze from time to time. Her cheeks are slightly red, and her eyes are full of shyness and joy unique to a girl.
Lin Ze ate the noodles, which tasted as delicious as ever, but his mind was not entirely on the food.
A lot has happened in the past two and a half years.
Among them, there are two items that Lin Ze is more concerned about.
One is--Hatake Sakumo is dead.
It was probably more than a year ago, Konoha 40.
Just like the original work - Hatake Sakumo chose to give up the mission in order to save his companions who were in dire straits.
When the news spread back to the village, there was silence at first.
But soon, all kinds of rumors and rumors popped up like poisonous mushrooms after the rain, quickly permeating the entire Konoha.
Lin Ze has also seen Hatake Sakumo from a distance after one or two mission failures.
The figure of the man who was once as sharp as an unsheathed sword looked a little stooped, and his eyes had lost their former luster. Although he was still calm, under that calmness was indescribable fatigue and... disappointment.
He was once the ANBU captain of Konoha and a hero admired by countless Ninja, but overnight, he was pushed into the abyss by the people he swore to protect to the death.
Lin Ze still remembers that during that time, the atmosphere in the ANBU headquarters was particularly depressing.
Many ANBU members, especially those who had been directly commanded or rescued by Hatake Sakumo, had resentment and injustice in their eyes, but they could not say anything or do anything.
Captain Fox was also particularly silent in those days. Lin Ze could feel that Fox had deep respect for Hatake Sakumo.
'It's... ridiculous and sad.' Lin Ze was eating noodles and thinking silently.
He already knew the outcome, so he wasn't surprised, but witnessing the process with his own eyes gave him a deeper understanding of the darkness beneath Konoha's glamorous appearance.
'Hiruzen Sarutobi... As expected, I still chose to sit on the sidelines.'
Lin Ze knows very well that with the authority of Hokage, it is not completely impossible to suppress or even reverse public opinion.
But he didn't!
Finally, one early morning, news came that Hatake Sakumo committed suicide with a short knife at home.
No suicide note, no explanation.
He ended his life silently and responded to all criticisms in the most decisive way.