MTL - The Life of a Villain Starting From Naruto

Chapter 44 Limited time mission

Sarutobi Hiruzen is still the same as before, holding a pipe and wearing a red and white Hokage robe, looking kind and gentle.

“Nobuhiko Hase, Raizo Shinozaki, Mieko Uchiha, Yuuto Hinata, Kakashi Hatake.” He whispered the names of the five outstanding elites who were about to be promoted.

 Three "noble families" and two "commoners", Uchiha and Hinata each occupy a seat. A jounin promotion assessment gives a glimpse of the delicate balance in Konoha Village.

The five of them stood with their hands tied. In the past few years, Sarutobi Hiruzen had done both kindness and power in the name of Hokage. He was very prestigious in Konoha Village. Even if he was as unruly as Uchiha, he would not disobey him in terms of face.

"You are all the real elites of the village." Hiruzen Sarutobi paused and said solemnly:

“A tree has roots, trunk, twigs, and leaves, and every part is indispensable.”

"If you want this tree to thrive and pass on the will of fire, someone must stand up to protect it from the wind and rain. I am very happy that Konoha will soon add five sharp blades."

“Chūnin and jounin are completely different beings. The former is just the captain of the team, while the latter may decide the life or death of dozens or even hundreds of people.”

“Many times, the success or failure of a battle or even a battle depends on the jounin’s thoughts.”

"So, what do you think is the most important thing for a Jonin?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked a question.

 “Strong enough!” A female voice sounded, and the answer was Mieko Uchiha.

 She has a typical Uchiha appearance and Uchiha personality—beautiful, black-haired, and full of emotions.

At this period, the Uchiha clan was not yet in the awkward position of being ostracized on the eve of the genocide, and they were not forced to be autistic. Many clan members were relatively outgoing.

She glanced at the four people next to her and hummed:

 “The so-called Jonin must have the ability to solve problems in any crisis, that is, he is strong enough!”

 “Is it powerful?” Hiruzen Sarutobi applauded:

“That’s a very good answer. Yes, you and the four people around you are all excellent combat types... Is there any other answer?”

 “Complete the mission.” Hatake Kakashi lowered his eyelids and said calmly:

“No matter what you sacrifice or pay, as a jonin, you must complete your mission.”

Masaku's death had a great impact on him. Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed in his heart. He did not favor one thing over another and agreed with it.

The remaining two ninjas also expressed their own understandings. There was nothing outstanding, but they were not wrong.

Soon it was Hinata Yuuto's turn. He rubbed his forehead, hesitated for a moment, and spoke in a gentle yet firm voice:

"Hokage-sama, I believe that a person who is recognized by everyone is a qualified jounin."

 The person who has been recognized by everyone... Sarutobi Hiruzen was moved. Just like the conversation in the office half a year ago, the answer of this boy from the Hyuga family contained an extraordinary overall view and tolerance.

"But Yuuto, it is very difficult to be recognized by everyone. It is ten thousand times more difficult than practicing S-level ninjutsu."

"Hokage-sama, why is it difficult to walk on the road of dreams?"

Hinata Yuuto saw that when he finished saying this, the corners of Tsunade's mouth behind Hiruzen Sarutobi had already turned up. Her eyes were bright, feeling satisfied and pleased with her apprentice's answer.

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff of cigarette, suppressed his complicated emotions, and continued:

“The answers of the five of you are all good and correct. A Jonin is the most elite ninja in a village. His leadership ability, psychological quality, and combat ability must be better than ordinary Chunin in all aspects.”

“You have suddenly emerged in recent years, completed many tasks, and proved your combat literacy and problem-solving ability. In my opinion, you are all qualified to become jounin.”

"But to become a Jonin, you must take an assessment. This is the rule set by the First Hokage." "Single competitions cannot fully reflect your abilities."

“Therefore, I specially selected five S-level missions, one for each of you. After completing them, return here. By then, you will be the Jonin of my Konoha Village.”

“Remember, the task must be completed and returned within five days. If it exceeds one second, it is also disqualified.”

"Tsunade…"

 Sarutobi Hiruzen took a step back, and Senju Tsunade stepped forward.

 She took out five scrolls and placed them on the ground:

　　"Let each person choose one. Once opened, it cannot be replaced."

Mieko Uchiha was still the first to step forward. She picked up a scroll without looking at it, bowed to Hiruzen Sarutobi, and left the ground.

The remaining people picked in turn. Hinata Yuuto stood still, waiting for others to pick the rest. This is the so-called "prudence and propriety". The examiner, Tsunade Senju, was his teacher. He was not good at it. The first choice was to avoid suspicion, saying that the master and apprentice had an internal mission to engage in secret operations.

　When there was only the last scroll left on the ground, Hinata Yuuto picked it up.

 He opened it in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tsunade. After taking a glance, his expression remained unchanged and he just said respectfully:

"Hokage-sama... My mission is number four. You must know the specific content. Before setting off, I would like to ask for instructions... to what extent can I do it? Do I need to control the [intensity]?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen calmly replied:

"Don't worry about any diplomatic trouble... If something happens, Konoha will take care of it for you, just go ahead and do it."

Hinata Yuuto could almost smell the smell of blood.

　　Sarutobi Hiruzen, who has just passed his fifties, is still on the tail end of his peak. His inner coldness and iron-bloodedness are far beyond what he was when the plot started more than ten years later.

Hinata saluted Yuuto and left the underground quickly without further delay.

 This is a time-limited mission, and every minute and every second must be utilized.

 In the closed underground space, Tsunade suddenly sighed:

“Teacher, I don’t seem to have seen these five scrolls on the village’s task board...”

“Well, this was something Danzo and I worked out last night.” Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed:

"Tsunade, although Danzo Shimura is a bit dark, and I know you have always hated him, at some point, his words still make sense."

“In the so-called war, there is no point in hiding in a shell and waiting for others to come and fight?”

 …

Hyuga Yuuto quickly ran back to the Senju clan. He now lives here often. He even moved many daily necessities and cutting tools next door to Tsunade. He used a very good excuse, training and serving his teacher. The Hyuga clan could find fault even if they wanted to. No reason can be found.

Since it was a five-day time-limited mission, he did not bring spare clothes. He only took the cutting tools and a certain amount of belongings, and then left the village and ran towards the east.

  【Task 4:】

　　【According to top-secret information, Kirigakure Village sent an elite team to the Land of Fire, and its leader was one of the "Seven Ninja Swordsmen". 】

　　【No matter what their purpose is, prevent them from approaching the Kingdom of Fire. 】

 (End of this chapter)