In Konoha: I will spread the will of conquest throughout the ninja world.

The missions carried out by the ninjas were classified.

In theory, finding cats, cleaning ditches, and driving away wild animals all fall into this category.

However, just like how politicians' promises often differ from reality, no one will pay attention to these kinds of tasks.

The Hatake family is not a traditional ninja family; their ancestors were samurai, and they differ slightly from ninjas in some details.

Since his ancestors had all transitioned from samurai to ninjas, it was perfectly reasonable for him to use his authority a little more.

He was mainly helpless.

As his strength increased, the missions he undertook became more and more important, and their difficulty rose sharply.

Although the original team members were all elites among Konoha's best, they were not enough to fully handle the current mission intensity.

There aren't many ninjas in Konoha who can keep up with him; they are basically the top tier.

However, most of those ninjas had their own duties. Orochimaru focused on research and was elusive. Tsunade frequented gambling dens and occasionally went to Konoha Hospital to give guidance. Fortunately, she remembered that she was the hospital director. Poor Vice Director Kimura's hair was thinning day and night due to his dedication.

Jiraiya?

He's just drifting around outside. If his teacher weren't the Third Hokage, his actions alone would have warranted a traitorous ninja warrant.

Other Jonin also have their own affairs. Konoha is a gathering place that is called a village but is actually a city. There are people to handle all aspects. Becoming a Jonin is not only about strength and status, but also about bearing certain responsibilities.

If they need to go out on a mission, they can only send out a few Jonin partners who are available.

Therefore, Yuuka Ushiro, a special individual with considerable combat strength and free time, became the most unique person in Konoha.

He's very strong, but he hasn't graduated yet, and he won't become a ninja after graduation.

Such combat power surprised all the ninja clans, and the Hokage was so anxious and frustrated that he, at his advanced age, managed to act like a young man.

"You can call me if I have time."

Teaming up with Sakumo Hatake is both convenient and beneficial for Isogen.

The missions that Konoha's White Fang needs to carry out involve enemies of considerable quality, making it worthwhile to put his will of dominance into practice.

Even when he wasn't part of the team, he would often go out and try things out on his own.

Seeing that Isogen had agreed, Hatake Sakumo breathed a sigh of relief.

Having experienced the brutality of war, his view on geniuses like Isogen was that the best approach was to realize their talents as quickly as possible.

After all, you can't go far in this cruel world without enough strength.

The Hatake family went through a difficult period when they transitioned from samurai to ninjas.

The chaotic ninja world showed no mercy to the already small Hatake clan.

From a senior's perspective, he hoped that Isogen could transform his talent, which was comparable to that of the Sage of Six Paths reincarnated, into a power sufficient to protect himself and those he cherished.

Sakumo Hatake mentally labeled himself as having successfully completed the mission, and continued.

"Isogen-kun, what are your thoughts on the unexplained explosions that have been frequently occurring in the Land of Fire over the past two years?"

"I did it," Isogen said matter-of-factly, tilting his head in confusion. "Didn't you all know that?"

"..." That's why I asked!

Clearing his throat, Hatake Sakumo spoke in a consultative tone: "The thing is, because of this matter, there are many small countries bordering the Land of Fire, such as the Land of Grass, the Land of Rivers, the Land of Rain... The daimyo of these small countries often send letters to the Hokage."

"Eh, is that true?"

"Yes, the Hokage is very troubled by this," Hatake Sakumo nodded.

Wu Zixian slammed his fist on the table, furious: "This is outrageous! I'm going to blow them all to bits!"

Sakumo Hatake was terrified. He pounced on Isogen-jō's shoulder and shook his head faster than Kakashi's rattle.

"Think it over, Myogen-kun!"

"Let's let them off the hook since they're always so eager to pay!"

His tone carried a hint of seduction: "Besides, they're all annoying Hokage, isn't that a good thing?"

"Too."

Fifty strings sat back down.

Sakumo Hatake breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, I have a habit of observing, which is why I was able to calm Fifty String down. Otherwise, if Fifty String had started to take action, it would have been a waste if several nobles hadn't died in this wave of attacks, given the deterrent effect he had created.

Ninjas cannot leave the village without a legitimate reason. Ninjas who have reached a certain level of strength generally will not break the rule that they cannot attack nobles. Ninjas who covet nobles generally do not have the strength to do so.

Isogen is not a ninja, nor does he want to join the ninja ranks. He has strength beyond that of ordinary ninjas and has no respect for nobles, making him a natural counter to nobles.

It's completely a bug.

The idea that the nobles were angered enough to issue a commission and recruit ninjas for retaliation is utter nonsense.

Who in the entire ninja world doesn't know that Konoha is the leader of the Land of Fire?

They dare to post it, but no one dares to respond.

Unless they go to other major ninja villages to issue commissions, now that three years have passed since the war, the relations between the major ninja villages have gradually eased. Being able to get money while also sending away a genius from Konoha is a win for all ninja villages.

Unfortunately, this path was cut short by the fifty strings of the zither.

The nobleman who wanted to do this had just put it into action when he ran into Fifty Strings, who came to collect protection money.

Isogen didn't kill him; he was just a child, and the bloodshed and violence had nothing to do with him.

He was merely a newly minted medical expert who used his outstanding professional skills to help that nobleman open a door to a new world, and incidentally rid him of three thousand worries.

It's something that comes easily to me anyway.

Multiple factors combined to forge Fifty Strings' renowned reputation in aristocratic circles.

Hatake Sakumo looked at Igarashi Yoka, who was completely unconcerned and pondering what to eat next, and shook his head helplessly.

I was initially worried that Wu Xian would be under immense pressure at such a young age, but as time went on...

As it turns out, Wuzhixian had no enemies.

"That's settled then. Call me if you need anything." Isogen jumped off the chair and casually grabbed Kakashi, who was clinging to the doorway.

"Kakashi, can I play with you for a while?"

Hatake Sakumo, as usual, ignored his son's pleading eyes and took a sip from the small wine glass on the table.

"Lord Hokage, the task you assigned me is... half complete."

……

Meanwhile, Orochimaru was also searching for Yuuko Senju. When he finally found her, a tense and exciting tournament was unfolding right before his eyes.

"Go, Kakashi! Use the dump truck charge!"

Kakashi, with his back to Yuuko, subtly awakened his Byakugan.

It's beneath a ninja village's dignity for a child to headbutt someone like that, to be a future ninja.

And why should I listen to you and fight like a summoned beast?!

Might Guy, who was a few months younger than him, had the completely opposite attitude.

"Hey! Kakashi, let's have a youthful showdown!"

It's clear that Might Guy, who hasn't experienced the will of the Leaf Village's Overlord, has been burning with youthful brilliance since childhood.

"Wu Shixian-kun has such refined tastes."

Isogen watched the Pokémon battle on the field, muttering, "Orochimaru-san, when are you going to get a Pokémon?"

"...You've found the results of your investigation." Orochimaru stated his purpose directly, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"The person is indeed in the Land of Grass, but how did you know that, Myogen-kun?"

"Never mind that, get ready to work."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.