Konoha's Mission Master

Chapter 59 Once

Kakashi has been defeated.

Although he had other methods he hadn't used, defeat was defeat, and there was no need for any excuses. Kakashi and Yakumo re-formed the reconciliation seal.

"I didn't expect... you're so much better than me."

"I only won by a small margin," Yakumo said modestly, putting away his purple flames. Hatake Sakumo, standing beside him, smiled without saying a word.

After the sparring session, Yakumo discreetly asked Kakashi for another dose of corpse-dissolving water and trace-dissolving powder to make up for the deficit after dealing with Shimizu Keisuke. For some reason, he felt that these things... would be useful for this mission.

Back inside, Yakumo played with the Milk Ball a couple of times. Not long after, Mori Masako pushed open the door and entered. Mori Masako had been acting strangely these past few days... as if she was expecting something... yet as if she was already on the verge of disappointment.

"Yakumo, you didn't prepare a gift for me, did you?"

Under the warm orange light, the girl's eyes were filled with sorrow, as if a sharp sword had pierced her heart.

"Damn it...it's all Milkball's fault for destroying the house that day..."

In just three seconds, that huge sofa was reduced to nothing but rotten cotton... The power of Milkball to destroy things is terrifying. Even now, Yakumo still gets chills when he thinks about it.

If Naiqiu gets angry a few more times, he's probably going to go bankrupt.

"I'm really ready." Yakumo formed hand seals.

With a thud, an exquisite crystal box was ejected from the storage scroll. Inside the transparent box, a dress in silver and gold was neatly arranged, and the scattered crystals reflected the light, making it look like a cluster of stars.

“So beautiful…” Masako Mori exclaimed instinctively.

This dress cost two-thirds of what Yakumo earned from his mission. It is said that there is only one of its kind in the entire Land of Fire. It was handcrafted and customized over five years, with every stitch and every thread filled with unique craftsmanship.

"I'm so touched... Is this really for me?"

“Of course…” Yakumo solemnly placed the crystal box in Mori Masako’s hands and earnestly requested.

"Live well, I want to see the day you wear this dress..."

"Yes, yes!" Masako Mori nodded vigorously.

The two arrived at the training ground and, after their usual sparring, lay on the ground gazing at the starry sky.

Do you know why I'm so obsessed with you?

Masako Mori struggled to sit up, slowly pulling her legs back and resting her chin on her knees. This action suddenly made her appear more vulnerable, like an abandoned little animal, and a deep sadness was truly emanating from her.

"When I was four years old... I fell ill for the first time. My father risked exposing his identity and took my grandfather's identity certificate to find Lady Tsunade... I secretly underwent half a month of treatment and was ultimately sentenced to death... I would probably only live to be around 14 to 19 years old."

Yakumo sat up and looked at Mori Masako's profile in the moonlight. For most of the time they spent together, she had that carefree and unreliable demeanor, which gave him the illusion that she didn't seem to have any feelings of unhappiness or sadness.

Yakumo suddenly realized that it was because the gift touched the softest part of her heart that she was willing to reveal the part that was covered by a hard shell.

“I was really sad during that time… I couldn’t accept my fate, I couldn’t accept that I would die in bed at such a young age.”

"To be honest, I was very desperate during that time, and even resented my parents a little. It was during this torment that I awakened the Sharingan. My father said that my talent was superior to his, and that those red eyes were a curse to me."

Yakumo quietly gazed at Mori Masako's profile; at this moment, all he needed to do was listen.

“One day, I was standing on the street, lost in thought and resenting the injustice of fate, when I saw you being beaten up by four or five kids. This kind of thing is common, and I didn’t have any intention of meddling in it…” Masako Mori suddenly paused for a moment.

Ba briefly recalled the original owner's memories of this part of the story. It seemed that in the end, it was Mori Masako who drove away those thugs, and from that day on, the two of them became good friends.

"Then...you suddenly shouted..."

"You can hit me, but please don't hit my face. Thank you for your cooperation!"

Masako Mori suddenly laughed, as if trying her best to imitate Yakumo's tone at that time.

“I laughed then, just like I do now… Your shout back then created a crack in the gloom in my heart… and light poured in.”

"Looking back now, I was like a lost soul waiting to be saved, and you became my light."

Yakumo recalled the scene. The original owner seemed to have been beaten to the point of tears when she suddenly saw Mori Masako through a crack—her only…friend. Out of pride or a desire not to be looked down upon by her friend, the original owner forced back her tears and shouted those words…

"We became friends after that. Back then, you were timid and cowardly... yet so optimistic..."

He inherited the original owner's identity and memories, and was naturally affected by these memories. As Mori Masako narrated, he seemed to recall everything that happened back then as if he were a witness.

"The one who becomes the light doesn't necessarily have to be you, but you happened to appear at that moment... and there's no one who can take your place..."

Mori Masako suddenly raised her head, as if she had made up her mind, and looked at Yakumo's face solemnly as she spoke.

"Yakumo, let's be together."

"Pfft... Stop messing around." Yakumo immediately looked away. He's only seven years old, still a kid... Besides, what normal person is dating at seven?

"I'm serious... Let's try to have one child when we're thirteen, and then another when we're fourteen..."

"Are you trying to say... that way, even if I'm gone, someone will still be there for you?" Yakumo interrupted Masako Mori's plans for the future.

He felt an overwhelming familiarity with Masako Mori's tone, just like when his 97-year-old grandfather was giving his last words at a meeting, and then he had time-traveled... The old man was now 106... and still full of life.

“…No.” Masako Mori’s gaze darted away.

“I said… I would cure you, you should have some faith in your attending physician,” Yakumo said seriously.

"I have a lot of faith in you... but..."

"No 'buts,' no 'howevers,' no twists and turns, I will definitely save you." Yakumo stared into Mori Masako's eyes and solemnly repeated again.

“Okay.” Masako Mori lowered her head.

"But there's no conflict!"

You save yours... I'll give birth to mine... that's called Plan B!

Masako Mori spoke again in a low voice, the unreliable nature of the Senju clan once again taking over her mind.

"Heh, please leave gracefully... thank you."

"Bang..." Masako Mori was once again slammed out of the door by Yakumo.

What Masako Mori didn't know was that her appearance was also a kind of salvation for the original owner. She was also the original owner's light, adding some color to his desperate life.

"Sigh... two desperate people finding solace in each other."

"What a cliché plot..."

Yakumo sighed, wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes, and created a shadow clone to practice the Palm Healing Technique.

Chapter 60 Grand Ceremony

The next day, Yakumo arrived at the entrance of Konoha Village in the morning and set off for the Land of Fire with Aoyama Reiko. Last time, he was full of curiosity and thought about how to complete the mission, but this time he was very calm.

The two-day journey was uneventful, following the familiar route, mountains, and rivers, with the Fire City still bustling with activity.

On the afternoon of October 3, the two arrived at the familiar Daming Mansion, where they were greeted by the newly appointed steward of Daming Mansion.

He was wearing a blue long robe, and when he saw Aoyama Reiko and Yakumo, his face naturally showed respect and flattery.

The elderly servants of Daming Mansion were nowhere to be seen, and the entire mansion seemed to be filled with vitality because of the arrival of a new master.

The original old-fashioned decor, full of historical traces, was completely removed and replaced. The wooden floors were replaced with smooth black and white marble, and the old oil lamps were replaced with more convenient electric lights.

It is said that the succession ceremony of the new daimyo was held two days ago. It was a grand ceremony, and even though two days have passed, the daimyo's residence still retains a festive atmosphere.

As the three walked through the long and wide corridor, every servant they encountered bowed and greeted the butler in blue.

The entire daimyo prefecture was transformed, and even the servants' faces were filled with inexplicable joy. As for the death of the previous daimyo... no one cared at all.

"The lord specifically instructed that if the two lords arrive, they should be taken to see him immediately, as he wants to personally welcome them and give them a proper welcome."

The blue-robed steward's expression was full of flattery, after all, Yakumo and Aoyama Reiko were distinguished guests whom the daimyo had personally instructed to be treated well.

"By the way, has the former daimyo's funeral been held?"

Yakumo looked around and casually asked, "The newly renovated Daimyo Mansion has absolutely no atmosphere of a funeral."

"The former daimyo was buried on September 30th. The daimyo did not like extravagance, so the funeral was very simple."

"Oh, oh," Yakumo replied. It was more than just simple; it was practically perfunctory. The funeral of a monarch has its proper standards. Isn't Shinichi afraid that others will gossip?

"What's your name?" Yakumo asked.

"My lords, you may call me Chenyu."

Through their conversation, Yakumo learned the fates of the eldest and second sons: one's entire family was killed, and the other went to the Fire Temple to become a monk and pray for blessings, but unfortunately encountered bandits on the way and died.

The study in the Daming Mansion was very large. It served not only as the Daming's office but also as a meeting room. There was even a bathroom and bedroom next to it, so that the Daming could go to bed at any time.

When a new daimyo takes over, the tax policies established by the previous daimyo naturally become invalid. Shinichi is currently in his study discussing tax issues for the next few decades with envoys from the various castle lords of the Land of Fire.

The envoys of the various city lords had different expressions; some were dejected, while others seemed very happy, but all of them looked at Zhenyi with a hint of flattery.

"My lord, two distinguished guests from Konoha Village have arrived."

Chen Yu spoke softly, and the envoys from various cities in the study stopped talking, their eyes flashing with displeasure. They were discussing the most important matter at hand: the development plan of the Fire Kingdom for the next few decades had been so easily interrupted.

Shinichi looked up at Yakumo and Reiko Aoyama outside the door, and a familiar smile immediately appeared on his face.

"We'll discuss the rest tomorrow."

He waved his hand casually and gave the order. At this moment, Shinichi was wearing a black kimono and a black haori, the chest of which was embroidered with the clan emblem of the daimyo family in gold thread.

Although he was still very young, he possessed an air of nobility that came from a wealthy and influential family, and his every word and action carried the dignity of someone in a high position, making him fundamentally different from the enthusiastic but humble young man he had been just over ten days ago.

Upon hearing this, the envoys from various cities were slightly taken aback, but they still bowed to Zhenyi in greeting and then left the study in an orderly manner.

"Have the kitchen prepare. We'll be hosting our two distinguished guests in the reception room later." Shinichi quickly approached the two men, showing no airs whatsoever and with a warm smile, and led them towards the reception room.

"Daimyo-sama..." Yakumo bowed respectfully, feigning great fear.

“We’re friends…you don’t need to be so polite.” Shinichi immediately bent down to help Yakumo up, his face still showing humility and enthusiasm.

Yakumo was instinctively wary. The wisdom of his ancestors told him that when a cunning old fox shows goodwill, he may want not only your money, but also you.

The three returned to the reception room. The blood-stained carpet had been replaced, and the stench of blood seemed to have dissipated, but the scene was forever etched in Yakumo's mind...

The food was incredibly plentiful, accompanied by alcohol-free juice, and there was no distinction between seats of honor. Shinichi's face was full of genuine smiles, just like a gathering of friends.

During the meal, the group began to chat about their past anecdotes. In Shinichi's words, the eldest son became a strict but caring older brother, while the second son was portrayed as cold on the outside but warm on the inside. Their words were full of brotherly affection, but Yakumo, upon closer examination, only saw hypocrisy between the lines.

The distance between them seemed to be closing imperceptibly, and their way of addressing each other gradually changed from "Daimyo-sama" to "Aoyama-neechan," "Yakumo-nii," and "Shinichi-nii."

Yakumo thoroughly enjoyed the meal, as he had no reason to turn down good food. He became even more convinced that Shinichi had grand ambitions, though he still didn't know who his target was.