Konoha's Mission Master

"Thank you, Jiraiya-sama."

Jiraiya was unaware that Yakumo possessed the privilege of being the Third Hokage and did not need to take the exam. He was only there hoping that his stupid and weak disciple wouldn't be punished so badly.

The truth is...

His disciples were neither stupid nor weak.

“No need for that…” Jiraiya waved his hand.

"Your battle today really opened my eyes. You were deliberately holding back when we trained together!" Jiraiya said, somewhat annoyed.

This kid is something else...

“Hehe…” Yakumo chuckled dryly.

"Be careful, that old man Uchiha Tsuru is very protective of his own. You hit his grandson..." Jiraiya warned.

"He can't possibly go so far as to beat me up, can he?"

Yakumo asked in return.

"That won't be necessary. We'll meet at the village entrance tomorrow morning..."

"Lord Jiraiya, may I inquire about the itinerary for this mission?"

"Go to the Land of Grass first, then detour to the Land of Rain."

Upon hearing this, Yakumo bowed and took his leave.

His eyes couldn't hide his surprise.

Jiraiya's decision to take him away from Konoha to the Land of Grass is likely related to the Sumeru Thirteen Ninjas mentioned in the quarterly feedback.

In the final land of rain, Yakumo naturally thought of Yahiko, Nagato Uzumaki, Konan, and others. It would be reasonable for a master to use a mission to search for his missing apprentice.

After leaving the ninja academy, the group officially began their winter break. To celebrate, they went to a barbecue restaurant called Q and had a meal together until 3 p.m.

Yakumo followed Kakashi Hatake back home.

Sakumo Hatake was still reading books at the stone table in front of the steps, surrounded by the aroma of tea.

In Yakumo's memory, Hatake Sakumo was an extremely self-disciplined person who never drank alcohol, never stayed up late, and never overate... It's a pity that he died quite early in the original work.

Yakumo sat down directly, while Kakashi Hatake greeted Sakumo Hatake and then went to the training ground to hone his swordsmanship.

“This is 100 million taels. I hope… Uncle Sakumo, you can donate it to the Konoha Orphanage in batches in your name.”

Yakumo received a total of 300 million from Shinichi. He gave half of it to Reiko Aoyama, and of the remaining 150 million, he only planned to keep 50 million.

"I will handle this matter with all my might," Hatake Sakumo asked, putting down the scroll and the book in his hand.

Why did you do this?

Yakumo answered immediately.

"Ill-gotten gains should be used to do righteous things."

An elderly servant brought a fruit platter to the two of them, set it down, and then respectfully withdrew. The platter contained ordinary fruits such as apples, bananas, grapes, and oranges. Although he was the head of the Anbu, Hatake Sakumo lived a very frugal life.

Yakumo casually peeled a tangerine, cut off half, and handed it to Hatake Sakumo.

“You eat it, I don’t want to,” Sakumo Hatake continued. “I’m more curious about why you did this.”

Yakumo took back the orange and took a bite.

Juicy and sweet.

“I’ve never been stingy in helping others, but I was very poor recently and couldn’t guarantee my own safety, so I tried to prioritize my own safety in everything I did.”

“Now it’s different. I’ve obtained a lot of money from Shinichi, and I’m strong enough to protect myself. It’s time for me to help others.”

Yakumo put down the orange in his hand and said sincerely.

"You are even more dazzling than I imagined."

Whenever he thought he understood the boy in front of him very well, he would always inadvertently reveal another kind of brilliance that was hard for him to ignore.

"On behalf of the children of the Konoha Orphanage, I thank you."

Sakumo Hatake thanked him earnestly.

"Unfortunately, this can only temporarily alleviate the suffering of the orphanage. Decades later, when the 100 million taels are spent, they will likely become like Uncle Sakumo, who could not take care of all the families left behind by his old friends even after giving away all his wealth."

Yakumo sighed, then changed the subject slightly.

"Only if...you become Hokage and order an increase in the compensation for fallen ninjas and a change in the amount of subsidies for martyrs, can this problem be fundamentally solved."

"You're trying to persuade me in a different way."

Sakumo Hatake sighed. He had indeed considered Yakumo's suggestion... He had considered becoming Hokage, dedicating himself to Konoha, and achieving great things.

But at this moment, he would ask himself a question.

Am I capable of being a good Hokage...?

If you want to wear a crown, you must bear its weight.

In Sakumo Hatake's mind, being able to be a good Hokage was more important than being able to become Hokage.

“I still need to think about this matter…” Sakumo Hatake replied.

"There's a girl at the orphanage, Yakushi Nonou... Uncle Hatake Sakumo, could you keep an eye on her..."

"Hmm... I've got it."

Yakumo hopes that Sakumo Hatake's intervention can change the tragedy of Yakushi Nonou, because such a kind person should not die under Danzo's scheme.

"Are you sure... we're going to assassinate Danzo today?"

"Of course... I can't rest easy with him alive. I need to end his twisted and sinful life before he creates more tragedies."

"Because of the Hokage position..."

Sakumo Hatake sighed.

In his memory, Danzo was not like this at first. In his youth, he was a genius who was in no way inferior to the Third Hokage, and he was full of vigor and ambition.

But the trial he faced as the Second Hokage destroyed his pride and sense of justice, leaving only a soul filled with ambition and resentment.

Chapter 114 Assassination of Danzo

"May I ask why you killed him?"

Sakumo Hatake asked curiously.

"He wanted to kill Kakashi, so I killed him."

Yakumo answered immediately.

"This should have been my responsibility..."

Sakumo Hatake sighed softly, but he couldn't do it...

If he were to assassinate Danzo, he would inevitably be discovered by Hiruzen Sarutobi and labeled a rogue ninja. At that point, he would be left with Kakashi, living a precarious existence.

He didn't want that.

"Isn't there any other reason?"

"That's enough... Kakashi has taught me, saved my life, and trusted me unconditionally."

"Danzo, you deserve to die!" Yakumo said through gritted teeth.

Sakumo Hatake was momentarily at a loss for words. He noticed that Yakumo's eyes were so sincere, and his words were full of hatred for Danzo, as if he wanted to tear Danzo to pieces.

This hatred is so deeply etched in my heart that it seems impossible to fake.

I wish you success.

“Okay… thank you,” Yakumo replied immediately.

The two chatted for a while longer.

Yakumo picked up a practice sword from the training ground's sword rack, walked to the edge of the training ground, and said to Kakashi.

"Kakashi, shall we have a spar...?"

"Okay."

Kakashi responded, and the two exchanged blows at an extremely fast speed, outlining a dense and deadly net of blades. From beginning to end, Yakumo was guiding Kakashi... to think.

He pondered how to wield the sword and how to mobilize chakra.

Thinking about how to forget the moves...

Half an hour later... the two separated.

"He can become a master within five years."

Yakumo thought to himself, "Perhaps because he couldn't defeat himself, Kakashi trained even harder and more diligently, and his progress was steadily increasing. It's a pity that he has a unique talent."

Yakumo ordered his shadow clone to leave the Hatake residence, while his main body used a concealment technique to change its appearance and quietly hid in a side room of the Hatake residence... waiting for night to fall.

Yakumo had already found out Danzo's residence in advance. It was in the eastern part of the village, which was still the clan territory of the Shimura clan. Danzo lived in the core of the Shimura clan.

There is no moon tonight, and the night is deep.

Perfect for murder!

At 8 p.m., Sakumo Hatake changed into black clothes, put on a mask, and went to work in the Anbu to create a perfect alibi for himself.

At 10:30 p.m., Yakumo opened his eyes in the side room.

He gently opened the door, blending into the night like a owl, occasionally moving along the wall like a gecko. This time, he disguised his appearance as a middle-aged man in his thirties, while his demeanor resembled that of a samurai from the Land of Iron.

"Danzo killed my wife, daughter, and parents years ago. Today I am killing him... to avenge this blood feud."

Yakumo mentally rehearsed his own persona.

Ten minutes later, Yakumo arrived around the Shimura clan, carefully crouched behind a corner of the wall, and formed hand seals.

"Fog burial".

A fine mist spread, covering all directions.

This is Yakumo's best scout. To some extent, Mist Burial can replace sensory ninjutsu. However, Mist Burial creates a thin mist when used, and can only be perfectly executed under the cover of night.