So a C-Class protection mission was issued to Konoha, with a reward of forty thousand ryo.
In C-Class missions, that's considered a pretty high payment.
The highest reward for a C-Class mission is only fifty thousand ryo.
"What do you think?"
Hiruzen looked at the Uchiha girl before him, feeling a surge of emotion.
"No problem. If there's an issue with the mission, I'll terminate it immediately."
Ruri took the scroll and put it away as she spoke.
Hiruzen nodded, showing his approval.
Last time, Ruri's mission client falsified the mission rank and they encountered ninja conflict.
After realizing this, Ruri decisively led her three Genin teammates away from the client, ignoring his cries and pleas, returning to Konoha and leaving him to his fate.
Those who issue missions must be trustworthy, otherwise it can easily lead to losses for Konoha Ninja, even costing lives.
If even basic trust cannot be guaranteed, 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 her.
"Is there anything else you'd like to say, Hokage-sama?"
Ruri turned around, neither humble nor arrogant, her eyes showing neither fear nor respect—just pure professionalism.
Their relationship was simply that of superior and subordinate, nothing more, nothing less.
Or maybe—she simply didn't care to discuss meaningless topics with the village's equally decayed higher-ups.
Just like some Uchiha leaders nowadays, still indulging in the fantasy that an Uchiha could become Hokage.
So naïve and arrogant it almost makes her want to laugh.
No matter how you look at it, they're just a bunch of bored people wrestling for power.
Konoha feels like stagnant water now—lifeless, devoid of vitality.
"I wanted to ask—has something happened to you? I feel like you've changed today."
Hiruzen was genuinely curious.
Normally, all he sensed from this genius Jonin Ruri was a cold, heavy presence, but today it felt different.
Overall, it was a very strange feeling.
A mysterious aura Hiruzen couldn't quite pin down.
"You're overthinking, Hokage-sama. If there's nothing else, I'll be going. I have a mission to finish."
Ruri, with her back to Hiruzen, tossed out that line, opened the door and left.
"..."
Letting out a gentle sigh, Hiruzen gazed outside the window, feeling a bit melancholy.
Ruri's attitude wasn't something he resented. In fact, the root of her coldness was inseparable from the decisions made by the upper echelons.
But everything was for the stability of Konoha.
Sometimes, you really had to defend some interests and sacrifice others to keep the village stable and peaceful—otherwise, you'd leave openings for the enemy.
Danzo did this.
Sakumo did this.
He just didn't expect Sakumo to respond in such an absolute way.
To this day, Hiruzen still couldn't understand why Sakumo chose to commit suicide.
He shouldn't have had any reason or motive for suicide.
I just wanted to use Danzo's power to keep him away from the Hokage position—he'd still be an irreplaceable Elite Jonin for Konoha, his status among Jonin unshakeable…
All these whys kept troubling Hiruzen.
Sadly, with Sakumo's death, no one could answer this question that had long lurked in his heart.
So, Ruri's indifferent attitude toward the upper echelons was understandable, too.
But… Ruri would someday become a figure of high status and influence for the Uchiha Clan, and play a decisive role in the Uchiha's integration with the village collective.
Hiruzen looked out the window, toward the Ninja School.
Come to think of it, he hadn't visited there in a long time.
◎
On his way to the Medical Ninja experimental class, Hakushi spotted a familiar figure standing in the corridor ahead, seeming to be watching something, his face naturally showing surprise.
"Hokage-sama?"
"Hmm…"
The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen heard the voice from beside him, and turned his head in surprise, seeing Hakushi approaching.
"I remember you are…"
"Hokage-sama, I'm Chiba Hakushi."
"Sorry, I'm getting older these days, my memory isn't what it used to be."
Hiruzen smiled helplessly, appearing very friendly and kind.
"You're joking—even fifty's still a ways off for you."
At Hakushi's reply, Hiruzen laughed and said, "Still not young. I've sat in this seat for twenty years now. Once the next Hokage takes over, I can finally be free."
Hakushi just smiled, saying nothing.
"So, Hokage-sama, what brings you here today?"
"Nothing important, just wanted to stretch my legs. You've been working with Tsunade lately—how is it? Are you getting used to it?"
"There's not much to get used to, this is about all I can do anyway."
"Don't underestimate 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, Hiruzen's face grew bleak.
The medical reforms only formally launched amid the Second Great Ninja War, instead of developing medical ninja intensively before the conflict even started.
If only the decision had been made earlier, the sacrifice rate among Konoha Ninja wouldn't have been so high, and the final standoff with Hidden Sand wouldn't have dragged on for years before ending.