Konoha's Mission Master

Yakumo quietly grasped Mori Masako's wrist with his right hand. Mori Masako's body stiffened slightly, but she leaned against Yakumo instead.

Due to entering puberty, Masako Mori's height has increased rapidly in the past six months, and she is now close to 1.5 meters tall. Her waist is very slender, and it can be easily wrapped around with one hand.

"Meow~"

Milkball jumped onto the bench and lay down next to the two of them, falling asleep again. Its fur, which had become charred black from the battle a while ago, had become snow-white and smooth again, and its amount of fur had become even more astonishing.

Yakumo closed his eyes.

"Stop messing around, let me check your body."

Green life energy slowly seeps into the body.

Thanks to his heightened intelligence, Yakumo was able to discover even more of the hidden details within Mori Masako's body.

Under conditioning... his gradually strengthening body, and the completely suppressed Yin Release chakra, seemed to be harboring some kind of powerful energy.

That was a sign of the Sharingan's evolution.

The Yin Release chakra, which has been suppressed for many years, is now accumulating power.

"This is bad...this is going to be terrible."

If the Sharingan successfully evolves, the energy of Yin Release chakra will surely double in a short period of time to continue to contend with Yang Release chakra, and then Mori Masako's body will become an even more intense battlefield.

"Try to stay calm during this time," Yakumo advised.

Okay... I understand.

Masako Mori glanced sideways. Sunlight fell on Yakumo, making her entire body appear as if it were plated with gold, and the fine downy hair on her face was clearly visible.

At that moment, Masako Mori quietly raised her head.

*Smack*

The sneak attack was successful.

This time, Yakumo didn't dodge. There's an old saying that goes, "If you can't resist, just lie down and enjoy it. If you feel uncomfortable, it's because you're not used to it... After all, practice makes perfect."

A gentle breeze brushed against his face, and Yakumo suddenly felt drowsy.

From the moment Yakumo became the main commander and led the Konoha army in their withdrawal, his nerves were constantly on edge, and he dared not relax for even a moment. For two whole days, Yakumo was not only a scout but also a vigilant guard...

"I'm going to take a nap."

Yakumo's breathing gradually became steady.

This time, he did not create a shadow clone to guard against him. This was the first time in many years that Yakumo had entered a state of sleep without any defenses. Mori Masako looked at Yakumo, who had fallen into a deep sleep almost instantly, and a look of heartache appeared on her face.

Quietly lay Yakumo down.

He let Yakumo's head rest on his lap.

Fortunately, the bench was long enough that Yakumo could lie down comfortably.

As time passed, the sun began to set in the west.

Yakumo stretched and opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Mori Masako's clear black and white eyes, her long black hair draped over his chest, and he could even... sense her subtle breathing.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

Yakumo sat up, feeling incredibly relaxed in both body and mind. Even the worries in his heart seemed to dissipate with the wind, and his whole being felt as if it had been cleansed by some kind of magical energy from the inside out.

"...It's only four hours, why don't you sleep a little longer?"

"No need..."

Yakumo stood up. The sun was already close to the horizon, and it was time for dinner. Waves of hunger swelled in his mind as he thought about eating.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Of course... this is the best sleep I've had in years."

Without hesitation, Yakumo expressed his truest feelings.

Upon hearing this, Masako Mori smiled with joy.

"If you like... you can do it anytime."

"what?"

"A lap pillow...a lap pillow, you idiot Yakumo."

Masako Mori blushed and spoke with some annoyance.

"No need for that."

Yakumo glanced at Mori Masako without making a sound. Her legs were becoming increasingly slender and straight, truly deserving of the description of being well-proportioned.

"Let's go eat."

"Great."

The two walked hand in hand through the streets of Konoha.

The smile on Yakumo's face gradually disappeared.

A few meters in front of the two, a thin, even somewhat emaciated figure suddenly appeared, with wrinkles around his eyes and a completely white beard.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"wait for me."

Yakumo withdrew his right hand and in a few blinks he was close to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Yakumo... I'm so sorry to interrupt your date with your girlfriend... I wanted to ask you about Orochimaru. I hope you can understand my concern for my disciple."

Yakumo nodded almost imperceptibly. He could understand Hiruzen Sarutobi's expectations for Orochimaru. Hiruzen Sarutobi had even considered recommending Orochimaru to become the Fourth Hokage.

"Of course... but to make a long story short..."

"He has already defected."

"The document I handed to Uncle Hatake contained all the intelligence I had and some of my speculations, including Orochimaru deliberately delaying the battle and offering his blood as a sacrifice to the evil god... In the end, a life form similar to a tailed beast descended upon the ninja world, and that monster killed more than 500 Iwagakure ninjas and more than a dozen Konoha ninjas."

Hiruzen Sarutobi lowered his head in deep thought, his body reeking of cigarette smoke, as if he had been smoking for hours in some kind of airtight space. He had pieced together most of the truth from the testimonies of the Anbu and eyewitness ninjas.

However, there is still one thing that Hiruzen Sarutobi doesn't understand.

"Orochimaru had a conflict with you before he left, and I want to know what you two talked about inside the tent."

"It's very simple. Orochimaru wants me to defect with him and research the art of immortality together."

Yakumo answered without hesitation.

"A wrong path, a wrong path indeed! How can anyone in this world live forever? Even the Sage of Six Paths, the founder of the Ninja Sect, could not achieve it..."

Yakumo remained silent, his mind quietly recalling other things.

After getting the answer he wanted, Hiruzen Sarutobi had already planned to leave, but unexpectedly, Yakumo asked a question.

"You really didn't know about Night Fury's scheme against me?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was taken aback for a moment, then immediately spoke.

"I really didn't know."

"I do not believe."

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a half step back, staring into Yakumo's eyes.

"Then what do you want?"

"Uncle Hatake... did a great job in this war, didn't he?"

"Of course, I admit... I'm not as good as him."

Hiruzen Sarutobi answered somewhat modestly.

“Since… the young man has already done very well and can shoulder the responsibility of Konoha Village, why don’t you go home and enjoy your retirement?”

Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat bewildered.

"Why don't you... retire?"

Yakumo spoke calmly.

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi has stepped down as Hokage, he still has some supporters in Konoha Village. He is also a member of the Konoha Elder Council, and although his status is not as high as that of the Hokage, he is still very important.

"Is this really necessary?"

"I don't believe you knew nothing about the Night Fury's actions."

"Yakumo said in a deep voice."

"But I... I really didn't know!"

"But I don't believe it..."

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat helpless.

At this point, he realized that no matter how much solid evidence he presented, he could not gain Yakumo's trust.

No matter how you explain it.

He just doesn't believe you.

A sense of powerlessness suddenly rose in Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart. He lowered his head and looked at his thin, age-spotted hands, letting out a somewhat dejected sigh.

"I agree to this. After the peace talks conclude... I will resign."

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned and walked away slowly, his back view filled with loneliness.

"By the way, Orochimaru is in great danger right now. I advise you... not to rush out of the village to look for him... otherwise... he might kill his own master."

Yakumo kindly reminded Hiruzen Sarutobi of his retreating figure.

Their hands were linked together again.

Yakumo smiled, as if he had only done a trivial thing, and the two walked side by side toward the delicious-smelling barbecue restaurant.

on the way home.

Masako Mori seemed to remember something.

"By the way, You Gu Qianxue came to see you recently, it's just that..."