Although he sensed there might be some hidden schemes, Sarutobi Hiruzen ultimately agreed to Danzo's request out of trust in White Fang's capabilities.
In Sarutobi Hiruzen's view, Hayato Ren—who had mastered Tsunade's Super Strength Technique and the Uzumaki Clan Sealing Technique—would become the final anchor point for dealing with the Nine-Tails in the future. It wouldn't hurt for him to grow faster.
...
Just as Hayato Ren finished buying groceries and was heading home, a shadow suddenly appeared behind him.
Without hesitation, Hayato Ren immediately swung his fist backward.
To his surprise, the punch infused with Super Strength was effortlessly blocked by the person behind him.
White Fang released Hayato Ren's fist and offered a faint smile.
"Not bad strength. I'm Sakumo Hatake, but you can call me White Fang. There's a mission that requires you to accompany me. It's temporarily rated as an A-rank mission."
Hearing this, Hayato Ren's expression immediately fell.
"I'm just a Genin. How could I possibly be worthy of going on a mission with you, White Fang-sama? And an A-rank mission at that?"
White Fang grabbed Hayato Ren by the collar and started running toward the village entrance.
"This is a mandatory mission—you can't refuse. Besides, you'll be promoted to Chunin when we return."
Seeing that the situation was already set, Hayato Ren had no choice but to accept reality. He then spoke up.
"Then let me go first. I can walk on my own."
White Fang glanced at Hayato Ren and suddenly released his grip.
Hayato Ren's body immediately plummeted from mid-air, but in an instant, he adjusted his posture, landed on a tree branch, and caught up with White Fang.
Although White Fang moved at a rapid pace, Hayato Ren could barely keep up.
After all, under Tsunade's rigorous training, Hayato Ren's taijutsu was now on par with an Elite Chunin.
Hearing the sounds from behind, White Fang showed no surprise on his face.
After all, Sarutobi Hiruzen would never assign a mere Genin to accompany him on a mission—he wasn't some babysitter.
Moving at full speed, Hayato Ren and White Fang soon arrived at a location over ninety li from Konoha.
It was an endless forest where few lingered except for certain lawless rogues with ill intentions.
That's because it was infested with various dangerous creatures.
With a "swish," a venomous snake flicking its tongue was pinned to a tree trunk by Hayato Ren's kunai.
After retrieving the kunai, Hayato Ren turned to White Fang, who was sitting nearby, and asked,
"Can I ask what our mission is this time?"
"Didn't I tell you? Our mission is to eliminate the Stone Ninja who have invaded the Land of Fire."
"Just the two of us?"
"Correct. How many more did you want?"
Upon hearing White Fang's response, Hayato Ren couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. Sure, White Fang possessed Kage-level strength, but the weakest members of the Stone Ninja invasion squad were at least Special Jōnin level. Wasn't it somewhat reckless to bring just one Genin to eliminate them? Had that old fool Sarutobi Hiruzen gone completely mad?
While Hayato Ren was still inwardly complaining, White Fang suddenly stood up and gazed toward the northeast. "Enemies approaching—two Jōnin and three Special Jōnin. I'll handle the two Jōnin. The other three Special Jōnin are yours."
Before Hayato Ren could respond, White Fang drew his white Chakra Blade. A cold gleam flashed, and his figure vanished instantly.
Though uncertain about the accuracy of White Fang's sensory perception, Hayato Ren immediately summoned Charmander into battle stance. Soon enough, three Stone Ninja appeared before him.
Though they carried no identifying items, their rough skin markings immediately revealed their origin from the Land of Earth.
"Huh? Why is there a Konoha brat here?"
"Don't complicate things. Just eliminate him."
The Stone Ninja in the middle revealed a cruel grin. "Don't blame me, kid. Blame yourself for blocking our path. Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"
Facing the earthen dragon formed from mud, only one thought crossed Hayato Ren's mind: Why do ninja always shout their techniques during fights? Isn't that just warning the enemy about their moves?
Hayato Ren pushed off forcefully with his right foot, leaping directly in front of the three Stone Ninja. With one punch, he sent the middle ninja flying backward.
The three Stone Ninja never expected the seemingly harmless Hayato Ren to possess such strength. Caught off guard, the middle ninja was sent crashing through several large trees, clearly left half-crippled.
The other two ninja quickly created distance using the Body Flicker Technique. One spoke with a strange expression: "That's Tsunade's Super Strength? Our mission has been compromised."
After exchanging glances with his companion, the ninja charged at Hayato Ren with kunai drawn. Though they had underestimated him earlier, they now treated Hayato Ren as an equal opponent, immediately resorting to lethal techniques.
At that moment, a figure suddenly appeared before Hayato Ren—it was Charmeleon. Opening its mouth, Charmeleon unleashed a Flame Vortex that engulfed the two Stone Ninja. Following two piercing screams, Charmeleon fired two Flame Jets that completely vaporized the ninja.
Hayato Ren then turned his attention toward the ninja who had been sent flying by the Super Strength punch. Having witnessed his companions' gruesome fate, the remaining ninja had lost all will to fight. Trembling, he scrambled up from the ground and turned to flee.
But as he ran, he suddenly noticed a pair of legs appearing in his field of vision. Why did those legs look so familiar?
With a squelch, the Stone Ninja's legs separated from his body as smoothly as a hot knife cutting through butter.
At that moment, White Fang's cold voice suddenly rang out.
"If I were you, I wouldn't choose to run. Tell me, what is the Stone Ninja's plan this time?"
The Stone Ninja looked up at White Fang, his entire body trembling uncontrollably.
"You... you're the legendary White Butcher..."