"But..."
Hiruzen hesitated, partly worried about Takumi's safety.
And partly worried about the plan going wrong.
If the plan failed and Yugito escaped, that might be okay.
But he was more concerned that Kumogakure might send a large force to surround and intercept Takumi.
"Don't worry, Hokage-sama."
Takumi saw Hiruzen's concern and smiled. "They don't have much time. From the time they learn of my whereabouts to dispatching forces to intercept us, unless it's a small group of elites, we would have already completed the mission and returned long before they arrived."
"Hmm, you have a point."
Hiruzen nodded, acknowledging Takumi's judgment. "In that case, I'll leave this matter to you."
He looked at Neji. "You're still the team leader for this mission. Takumi is just there as backup. Do your best; this is a valuable training opportunity for you."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Neji nodded, then looked at Takumi. "We're counting on you for this."
"No trouble at all."
Takumi waved his hand. "Please go ahead. I'll be watching from behind."
The discussion ended.
Hiruzen ultimately agreed to Takumi's request to join.
Although worried, he was even less willing to go against Takumi's wishes.
Takumi's standing in Hiruzen's heart had reached its peak since Takumi saved him from Orochimaru.
Back then, many people were present.
Yet they all chose to stand by and watch.
He always remembered that detail.
And Takumi, who had risked his life to come to his rescue, even as a young man, Hiruzen now relied on him heavily.
He greatly respected Takumi's opinions.
Because they needed to wait for the three clients to recover, everyone returned home for a while, which also allowed them to pack their luggage conveniently.
"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, huh."
Naruto slurped his ramen as he mused.
Beside him, Lee was also slurping ramen.
It was a sight that made one hungry just watching.
"I heard you encountered one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen before."
Lee asked curiously, "Was he strong?"
"Very strong!"
Naruto said seriously. "If it weren't for Takumi, we probably would have all died on that mission."
Recalling that scene, Takumi had burst in at the critical moment, saving him and the seriously injured Sasuke. Otherwise, they might have really died at the hands of that boy named Haku... wait, now it should be a girl?
Naruto's mind became a bit confused.
"What's wrong?"
Lee saw his changing expression and asked, "Was he really that strong?"
"My fighting spirit is burning! Facing a strong enemy is the only way to test one's metal!"
Lee's face was full of fighting spirit.
"No, I was just thinking about some strange things."
Naruto wasn't very concerned about gender differences, but he still couldn't understand what Takumi had done back then.
'Haku is clearly a boy...'
"Yo, having ramen? I'll have a bowl too, Ayame."
Takumi interrupted Naruto's thoughts, plopping down beside Naruto.
Behind him was Yugito, bound by chains.
Naruto looked at her, a hint of pity in his eyes. "Hey, Takumi, do you really have to keep her chained up like that? With you here, she can't do anything anyway."
"That's where you're wrong, Naruto."
Hearing this, Takumi immediately said seriously, "Although I don't really want to do something so inhumane, her current status is still our enemy. Before the hostile relationship is resolved, releasing her rashly would be irresponsible to the village."
"You've seen her abilities. What if she transforms into that monster and runs rampant in the village? What would we do then?"
His words left Naruto speechless.
"Although I also think it's inappropriate, Takumi-kun's words this time are very reasonable."
Lee nodded beside him. "I don't think Takumi-kun is that kind of person either. He's only doing this because he has no choice."
"Exactly."
Takumi said, picking up the ramen bowl Ayame had lovingly prepared and gulping it down heartily.
"Not bad, Ayame. Your noodle skills have improved again."
After finishing the soup, he praised Ayame generously.
"W-what are you talking about..."
Ayame covered her flushed cheeks with her tray and quickly ran to the back kitchen.
When she didn't see him, she missed him terribly.
But now that she suddenly saw him, her shyness made it hard to approach.
Perhaps the huge gap in their status made her unconsciously feel distant?
Who could say.
"This enemy is no pushover. You must be very careful."
After finishing his noodles, Takumi seriously warned Naruto and Lee before leaving with Yugito.
After a short wait and treatment at the hospital, the three recovered clients were waiting at the gate.
Neji led Tenten and Lee, waiting.
Takumi stood aside with Yugito.
The group was waiting for Naruto.
"What is he doing?"
Neji was somewhat dissatisfied. "Doesn't he even follow mission times?"
"He must have urgent business. Maybe he has diarrhea."
Lee smiled awkwardly, making excuses for Naruto. "He'll be here soon."
Nearby, the three miners huddled together, looking strangely at Takumi and the woman he was leading.
"What's with that handsome young man?"
"Is he also one of the Shinobi for this mission?"
"Why is he leading a woman?"
They murmured among themselves. One of them felt they were being ignored.
Their village was in dire straits.
Yet the help they paid for turned out to be just a few kids?
What was this?!
The miner named Rokusuke was especially worried about his friend buried alive in the mine.
He was eager to set off immediately, yet someone was actually late!
This was simply unprofessional!
"Sorry, sorry."
Naruto jumped down from above, scratching his head with a silly grin. "I got lost just now."
"Naruto, being late for a mission is a major taboo for a Shinobi."
Neji frowned in admonishment. "If the mission fails because of your tardiness, can you bear that responsibility?"
"I already said sorry."
Naruto said helplessly, feeling Neji was making a big deal out of nothing.
In his view, this was just a small mission to clear out some thugs.
With their strength, it would be easy.
As for that member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, even if they couldn't beat him, wasn't Takumi there?
With Takumi's strength, no matter how many of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen came, they wouldn't stand a chance.
Yes.
Without realizing it, Naruto had become somewhat overly dependent on Takumi.
Perhaps Takumi's several interventions at critical moments had created this illusion in him.
No matter what happened, Takumi could solve the problem.
Takumi glanced deeply at Naruto, sensing his distraction.
Or rather, his careless attitude.
This made him frown.
At some point, the hardworking, striving Naruto who wanted everyone's recognition had developed this lack of professionalism.
But he wasn't Kakashi, and had no obligation to say anything.
With Kakashi's perceptiveness, he might have already noticed this problem in Naruto.
But Kakashi's focus was now more on Sasuke, probably having no spare time to deal with Naruto.
So Naruto mostly trained by himself.
Although he occasionally received training from Jiraiya, Jiraiya's whereabouts were unpredictable.
Jiraiya, who loved traveling around to gather material, wouldn't stay in one place for long.
"Enough talk, let's set off immediately."
Neji frowned slightly. He wasn't satisfied with Naruto's attitude, but this was only a temporary team. He had no obligation to interfere too much.
As long as the mission was completed, he didn't care about Naruto's attitude.