Konoha's Mission Master

Yakumo wondered to himself, given how much the Uchiha clan values ​​the Sharingan, is it really possible to fake one's death and escape?

Success is only possible if a corpse with the exact same face and appearance is prepared, or if a special opportunity arises, but the probability of this is infinitely close to zero.

There is no doubt that Masako Mori possesses Uchiha blood, but Yakumo has great doubts about the claim of "faking her death to escape." Unfortunately, he can only ask so far; if he asks any further, it will reveal his inexplicable knowledge of the Uchiha clan.

Just as Yakumo stepped into the classroom, the location of the battle in the alley was discovered by members of the Anbu, and the Anbu leader arrived at the scene shortly afterward.

Chapter 19 Danzo VS White Fang

The Hokage Building, currently the tallest building in Konoha, represents the supreme power of the Hokage of Konoha, and also represents the Hokage's determination to protect Konoha before all its inhabitants.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the Hokage's meeting room was somewhat tense, and the matter began with a report that had been given half an hour earlier.

"Reporting to the Hokage, the Mist Ninja spy has been silenced by an unknown force, but I found traces of ANBU-supplied concealment powder and corpse-dissolving liquid on the battlefield. However, all ANBU members were found to be in normal locations yesterday, and the corpse-dissolving liquid and concealment powder in the item pack were not lost or damaged."

"Unknown ninjutsu...the effects are 95% compatible with Vacuum Ball."

"When the secret service was searching for spies yesterday, they encountered obstruction from a third-party force, and all those captured committed suicide inexplicably in prison."

As Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the report, his expression gradually darkened. He knew very well that the evidence White Fang had cited clearly pointed to... the Anbu training department, which was Root.

He also enjoys the same special supplies provided by the Anbu, and it is well known that the Vacuum Ball is Danzo's signature ninjutsu. He even knows that Danzo has used Root to do many dirty tricks over the years, but he did not expect that Danzo would be so bold as to collude with spies from enemy countries!

Not long after, Danzo, with one eye wrapped in bandages and a gloomy expression, pushed open the door to the Hokage's office.

The remaining single eye scanned the entire conference room, and even the hidden agents subconsciously looked away at that moment.

He exuded the aura of a superior without any restraint, and even Hiruzen Sarutobi would tense up and treat him with caution when he arrived.

Ambition is like a burning flame; it makes one strong and youthful.

Even though Danzo was nearing 50, he walked with a steady gait and exuded an aura that sent chills down one's spine. Hiruzen Sarutobi, on the other hand, grew increasingly frail and aged.

But this powerful pressure had no effect on Hatake Sakumo. He stood there quietly, like a majestic mountain range, or even more like a sharp blade with its edge fully exposed.

Hiruzen Sarutobi handed the intelligence gathered by the Anbu to Danzo. A few minutes later, Danzo slammed the documents on the table and stared at Sakumo Hatake, speaking in a cold voice.

"This is slander, a baseless accusation!"

"Lord Danzo, the Anbu are only responsible for investigation... not for uncovering the truth." White Fang answered calmly, though his tone lacked respect despite addressing him as Lord Danzo.

"Back when I was fighting against the Second Generation Lord, you were still a baby boy, probably suckling at your mother's breast!"

Danzo's words were cleverly worded; seemingly a rebuttal to White Fang, they also reminded Hiruzen Sarutobi of their past friendship and camaraderie.

As expected, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression softened slightly.

"Lord Danzo, a true strongman never displays his power by releasing his aura, and a true hero never flinches in the face of battle." White Fang's calm reply struck Danzo's deepest sore spot.

Danzo considered that moment of hesitation in front of the Second Hokage a lifelong disgrace.

"White Fang! You... shut up!" Danzo suddenly stood up, his face bloodshot, his single eye filled with ferocity and killing intent.

"If... Lord Danzo wishes to spar, White Fang is ready to oblige at any time." White Fang's tone remained calm, and one could even say that he completely ignored Danzo's roar.

"you……"

"Alright, alright, Danzo, you're so old, why hold a grudge against a junior?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said, acting as a peacemaker.

"Hmph." Danzo snorted coldly and sat down again.

"Since there is no direct evidence, let's leave it at that. However, the list of personnel in the Dark Guard training department needs to be handed over to the Dark Guard for their use."

When Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, it was practically a decision on how to handle the matter.

Danzo stormed out of the Hokage's office, his killing intent toward White Fang at an all-time high. He could submit only a portion of the personnel roster, but he would inevitably face a shortage of manpower when doing things in the future.

Originally, the entire Root was his private army, but now half of it is under the control of the Dark Division. Although he still has command authority, it is not as convenient as before to carry out his mission.

He suffered in silence about this matter; he did indeed have contact with that spy, and he did indeed order people to interfere with the secret service's search yesterday.

But he wasn't the one who was silenced...

He still thought the spy had returned to the Land of Water with the message he had given to the Mizukage.

…………

On the other hand, Yakumo was unaware that someone had already taken the blame for his death as a spy, and he was currently planning how to get more corpse-dissolving water and invisibility powder from Kakashi. These were essential tools for murder and robbery.

Should we just be honest?

It seems like a good idea. After all, he has already revealed his strength to Kakashi. As long as he doesn't reveal his Water Bullet, it doesn't count as a reveal. Besides, practice makes perfect.

In the afternoon, Yakumo once again pulled Kakashi into a familiar dark corner, his expression somewhat ingratiating.

"What's going on this time?" Kakashi asked helplessly. He couldn't understand why Yakumo always dragged him into such a dark corner whenever something happened. It was easy for people to misunderstand... wasn't that a good thing?

"Corpse-dissolving liquid and trace-dissolving powder..."

"Got it, I'll give it to you tomorrow." With that, Kakashi turned and left impatiently, leaving Yakumo standing there, completely bewildered.

"Hey."

Kakashi didn't ask him where the previous batch of corpse-dissolving water was used because of his almost unconditional trust in his friend. Yakumo understood this. As his bond with Kakashi deepened, could he really stand idly by and watch White Fang die?

"Why does Kakashi look so strange?"

"Didn't you know that the Ninja Academy has three sacred grounds?" Masako Mori asked in surprise.

"What three holy sites? Where...?"

"The Grudge Alley, which is responsible for resolving grudges; the first generation's toe, which brings good luck if you touch it; and the confession corner, which represents love."

"Could it be the place Kakashi and I just went to?" Yakumo was completely dumbfounded. Why had he never heard of the so-called three holy lands of the Ninja Academy?

"Yes."

"You have to believe me... I really... don't like Kakashi," Yakumo quickly explained.

"So, who does Yakumo like?" Masako Mori asked with a smile, a hint of cunning in her eyes.

Upon hearing this, Yakumo subconsciously looked at Kurenai Yuhi, who was chatting happily with Sarutobi Asuma.

"It seems like I don't have anyone I like right now."

It's a done deal that Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma Sarutobi will be together, even though Asuma Sarutobi will die young according to the plot, by which time Kurenai Yuhi will be incomparably beautiful.

However, she was already pregnant with Sarutobi Asuma's child at that time. Yakumo believed that many things in this world could be done by others, but it was better to do things like giving birth personally.

"So... Yakumo likes Kurenai Yuhi, right?" Masako Mori suddenly leaned closer to Yakumo and whispered.

Yes...that's right.

Perhaps because he was about to give up, or perhaps because of the trust built up through their shared life and death experiences, Yakumo openly admitted his feelings for Mori Masako.

Perhaps it's not even liking...

...He was simply lusting after her body.

"I would say I used to like him a little bit."

Chapter 20 Heartbeat

Ninja Academy.

Mori Masako noticed the tone Yakumo used when he said he liked her, and her hostility towards Yuhi Kurenai lessened slightly, but she still labeled her as an "enemy" in her mind.

After school, the small group returned to Training Ground 14 to continue their training. Rin Nohara focused on improving her chakra control, Kakashi practiced swordsmanship, and Obito Uchiha practiced the Fireball Jutsu on the side, only to end up blowing black smoke for two hours...

However, before it was completely dark, Yakumo and Mori Masako suggested going home, as there were still some details about yesterday's events that needed to be explained.

The setting sun cast long shadows of the two people, and Obito Uchiha revealed a gossipy smile.

"Are they already together?"

"I feel like it's almost there," Nohara Rin said, looking up. Due to her distraction, the flow of chakra in her hands suddenly became disordered.

"What do you think?" Nohara Rin asked Kakashi.

"Yakumo's heart is filled only with the desire to become stronger." Kakashi said something cryptic, but it represented his point of view... Yakumo currently doesn't develop feelings for anyone.

The two pushed open the wooden door and stepped into Yakumo's courtyard one after the other. Yakumo turned around and carefully closed the wooden door.

“This yard has become quite desolate.” Mori Masako remembered that before Uncle Jing went to the battlefield, this yard was planted with many delicate and beautiful flowers, but now only tenacious weeds and a few single-colored wildflowers remain.

Every summer, the air is devoid of intoxicating floral fragrance, appearing somewhat chaotic and desolate.

"I don't like growing flowers. After all, no matter how many flowers you grow, you can't survive on the battlefield," Yakumo said calmly. Only one's own strength is the foundation for survival in this world.

"Alright, let's not talk about these sad things anymore," Mori Masako quickly interrupted, thinking that Yakumo was talking about Uncle Ino who died on the battlefield.

"Didn't you say you were going to give me a ninjutsu scroll?"

"Come with me."

Yakumo stepped forward, turned the key, and opened the door. A single, inconspicuous hair slowly fell to the ground. Yakumo breathed a sigh of relief; the fact that no one had broken in during the day meant that everything was still safe.

"Come in."

Mori Masako stepped into the room, and the living room was not what she had imagined. There were no dirty clothes or smelly socks, and the air was fresh. Although it was simple, it was very clean.

"I thought I was going to wash your smelly socks for you," Masako Mori said jokingly as she casually sat down on the sofa, glancing around at the room.

"Here you go..." Yakumo pulled out a very ancient scroll from the crack in the sofa, which contained the training method for the Fire Dragon Flame Bullet. But for Yakumo, it was like a hot potato.

"This thing can't be exposed to the light after all, so it will be burned after the cultivation is completed."

“Then I’ll accept it.” Masako Mori took the scroll directly, while Yakumo was slightly taken aback, as if she hadn’t heard the second half of her sentence at all.

"After you finish cultivating... burn it." Yakumo instructed again in an extremely serious tone.

"Okay, okay, I got it." Masako Mori replied with a smile, and solemnly placed the scroll into her ninja tool pouch.

This seems to be the first time I've sat on this sofa since Uncle Jing passed away. Yakumo has become stronger and more independent, which is good. Uncle Jing and Aunt Jing's spirits in heaven should be at peace seeing this scene.

"If anyone asks about what happened yesterday, just say we did take that path, but we didn't meet anyone. Of course, that's unlikely, since the rain yesterday came at just the right time..."

"Want to have a spar?" Masako Mori suddenly asked, her eyes gleaming with eager anticipation.

"Are you even listening?! I'm telling you something very important!" Yakumo emphasized again, suddenly feeling that his childhood friend seemed a bit unreliable... Is it a unique trait of the Senju clan?

“Of course I listened carefully. We did take that path yesterday to get home earlier, but we didn’t encounter anyone,” Masako Mori repeated verbatim.

So...shall we have a spar?