So they issued a C-rank protection mission to Konoha, with a reward of forty thousand ryo.
Among C-rank missions, this is considered a rather high reward.
The highest reward for a C-rank mission is only fifty thousand ryo.
"What do you think?"
Hiruzen looked at the Uchiha girl in front of him, and couldn't help but feel emotional,
"No problem, if there's any issue with the mission, I'll terminate it promptly."
Ruri said as she put away the scroll.
Hiruzen nodded, indicating his approval.
Ruri's last mission issuer deceptively reported the mission level, leading to a ninja conflict during the task.
Upon realizing this, Ruri decisively abandoned the client along with her three Genin teammates, disregarding the client's cries and pleas, and returned to Konoha, leaving the client to fend for themselves.
The issuer of a mission must be based on integrity, otherwise it can easily lead to the loss or even death of Konoha Ninja.
If even basic integrity cannot be assured, then terminating the mission and abandoning the client is the right choice.
"Wait."
Just as Ruri was about to leave, Hiruzen's voice came from behind.
"Is there anything else you need to tell me, Hokage-sama?"
Ruri turned around with an unyielding demeanor, displaying no fear or respect in her eyes, just a formal business-like appearance.
Between them, there is only a simple superior-subordinate relationship, nothing beyond that.
Or rather, she doesn't want to talk about pointless topics with the similarly corrupt leadership of the village here.
Just like how some of Uchiha's higher-ups are still dreaming foolishly of having an Uchiha as Hokage.
Naive and arrogant to the point that she can't help but want to laugh.
No matter how you look at it, it's just a bunch of boring people vying for power.
Current-day Konoha is like a stagnant pond, lifeless and lacking in vitality.
"I want to ask, has something happened to you? I feel like something about you has changed today."
Hiruzen indeed found himself curious about this.
Usually, from Ruri, the genius Jonin, he could only sense a cold and heavy aura, but today was different.
All in all, it was a very peculiar sensation.
A type of aura that even Hiruzen couldn't precisely analyze.
"You're overthinking it, Hokage-sama. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave; I have a mission to complete."
Ruri, continuing to face away from Hiruzen, tossed out this sentence, opened the door, and left.
"..."
With a soft sigh, Hiruzen looked out the window, feeling a bit melancholy.
Ruri's attitude wasn't particularly moving to him. In fact, the reason for her cold demeanor is not unrelated to the decisions of the leadership.
But all of this is for the stability of Konoha.
Sometimes, it is indeed necessary to protect the interests of some, sacrifice the interests of others, to maintain the village's overall stability and peace; otherwise, enemies will exploit the gaps.
Such is Danzo.
Such is Sakumo.
Yet he didn't expect Sakumo would respond in such a decisive manner.
To this day, Hiruzen cannot comprehend why Sakumo chose to commit suicide.
He shouldn't have had any reason or motive to take his own life.
He merely wanted to use Danzo's power to exclude him from the Hokage position; he would still remain an irreplaceable elite Jonin of Konoha, whose status among Jonin was also indisputable…
Countless questions have been troubling Hiruzen.
Unfortunately, with Sakumo's passing, there is now no one left who can answer this long-hidden question within him.
So, Ruri's indifferent attitude toward the upper echelons is understandable.
But… in the future, Ruri will be someone of high position and authority within the Uchiha Race, having a crucial determining role in Uchiha's plan to integrate into the larger village community.
Hiruzen looked towards the window. It pointed in the direction of the Ninja School.
Speaking of which, it's been a long time since he last visited there.
◎
On his way to the Medical Ninja experimental class, Hakushi saw a familiar figure standing in the hallway ahead, seemingly observing something with a natural look of surprise on their face.
"Hokage-sama?"
"Hmm…"
The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen turned somewhat surprised upon hearing a voice beside him, seeing Hakushi walking towards him.
"I remember you are…"
"Hokage-sama, I'm Chiba Hakushi."
"Apologies, I've been aging recently, and my memory seems to be fading a bit."
Hiruzen laughed helplessly, appearing very kind and amiable.
"You're joking, you're only a little shy of fifty."
In response to Hakushi's words, Hiruzen smiled and said, "I've been here for twenty years now, not young anymore. Once the next Hokage succeeds, I can finally be free."
Hakushi simply smiled and remained silent.
"By the way, is there a reason for you being here, Hokage-sama?"
"Nothing major, just thought I'd take a walk outside. How's your work with Tsunade recently, are you adjusting well?"
"It's not about adjusting, it's just that I have limited usefulness."
"Don't belittle yourself, medical ninja are an extremely important part of Konoha now and in the future. If I'd agreed to Tsunade's medical reforms earlier, the Second Great Ninja War wouldn't have…"
At this point, Hiruzen's face showed a look of melancholy.
The medical reform officially started during the Second Great Ninja War, instead of proactively training medical ninja before the war.
If a decision had been made earlier, the casualty rate among Konoha Ninja wouldn't have been so high, leading to years of stalemate during the final battle with the Hidden Sand until it concluded.