"So, what do you think? The Hidden Mist delegation is still waiting."
Minato held the invitation letter and looked at Wen Lan and Shikaku.
There was no way Minato himself could go—there was simply too much work in Konoha for him to leave.
That meant the only candidates were Shikaku, the advisor, and Wen Lan, the Hokage's aide.
"Go," Shikaku said without hesitation.
"For the past ten years, the Hidden Mist has always given us favorable terms in cooperation. We've taken the lion's share of the profits while they settled for scraps.
No matter their reasons, we can't ignore that goodwill.
Inviting us to witness the new Mizukage's succession shows how much they value this relationship."
Wen Lan nodded.
"Agreed. This isn't just about a leadership transition.
Yagura probably wants to maintain strong ties with Konoha and ensure we establish rapport with the next Mizukage before any misunderstandings arise."
"Then you go," Minato said immediately, stuffing the invitation into Wen Lan's hand.
Wen Lan froze.
He stared at Minato and Shikaku in disbelief, blinking twice before realization hit him.
"Damn it—you two set me up!"
His eyes widened.
"You planned this ahead of time, didn't you?!"
Shikaku's gaze drifted away, deliberately avoiding eye contact.
Minato grinned.
"Shikaku and I have a lot on our plates. You're the most suitable choice."
"I've got plenty to do too!" Wen Lan snapped.
"I come to this office every day reviewing documents—what, all that work doesn't count?!"
Shikaku coughed lightly.
"The capable should carry more responsibility."
"Is that really how you use that phrase?!" Wen Lan nearly choked with anger.
Shikaku had just delivered a long speech earlier—
and somehow, the job landed entirely on him.
Even scammers weren't this blatant.
He had been perfectly content staying home—enjoying life, spending time with his girlfriend, occasionally visiting his fiancée. Wasn't that the dream?
They had absolutely decided this before he even walked in.
"Enough," Minato said firmly.
"In the name of the Hokage, I order Uchiha Wen Lan to carry out this mission."
"Seriously?!"
Wen Lan shot back instantly.
"Minato-senpai, believe it or not, I'll go tell Aunt Kushina you've been sneaking off to pleasure houses with Jiraiya."
Minato's eyes bulged.
"When have I ever gone to a place like that?! That's slander!"
"If I say you did, then you did," Wen Lan replied coolly, narrowing his eyes.
"Let's see whether Aunt Kushina believes me—or you.
And even if she doesn't, you've been away from home so often lately she'll probably use it as an excuse to beat you anyway."
Minato stiffened.
He rubbed his forehead, lips twitching, finally conceding defeat.
Outside the door, Kushina Uzumaki had been about to knock—
but her hand froze midair.
A sly gleam appeared in her eyes.
Minato, hurry up and issue that order in the Hokage's name, she thought excitedly.
Clearly, she had been holding back her temper for quite some time.
But that surging chakra of hers—who could possibly miss it?
Anyone with even basic sensory ability could detect it instantly.
Minato sensed the familiar chakra fluctuation and sighed helplessly.
He knew exactly why Kushina wasn't coming in.
She was waiting for an excuse to beat him.
Grinding his teeth, he slammed the table.
"The mission is finalized. Wen Lan will depart immediately. No delays!"
Wen Lan stared at him for a long moment, then suddenly let out a cold laugh.
"Fine. I'll take the mission."
He turned and walked out.
At the doorway, he yanked it open dramatically.
"Aunt Kushina! I've found your excuse—now it's your turn!"
Kushina froze for a split second.
She had thought she was hiding well.
Then realization dawned—and she burst into laughter.
"Good kid. You've got guts!"
She kicked the door open.
Chakra surged outward.
Her red hair whipped through the air like tendrils, and the atmosphere instantly turned dangerous.
Shikaku bolted straight out the window—
not daring to stay even one second longer.
Minato stood frozen, sweat forming on his forehead.
He raised both hands in surrender, trying to negotiate.
But when he saw Kushina's expression, he lowered his head in resignation.
"Kushina… please… not the face—ahhh!"
His scream echoed throughout the Hokage Tower, mixed with Kushina's furious shouting:
"You still know to protect your face?! You're never home! Your missions matter more than your family!"
At the end of the hallway, Wen Lan covered his mouth, trying not to laugh.
"Those two really are perfect for each other."
The setting sun cast golden light across the Hokage Rock, illuminating the statue of the Fourth Hokage.
Yet somehow, it looked like the stone face had been beaten black and blue.
Since he had accepted the mission, Wen Lan prepared to leave that very afternoon.
He departed with the Hidden Mist delegation toward Kirigakure.
Sea wind carrying a salty scent blew against his face as he stood at the bow of the ship, gazing toward the fog-shrouded ocean ahead.
The Hidden Mist was the place he least liked to visit.
The reason was simple—
It was far too damp.
The moisture seeped into every thread of clothing, making even breathing feel heavy with water vapor.
Dense fog stretched across the horizon like a wall, obscuring all visibility.
Only the sound of the ship cutting through waves echoed in the silence.
The climate resembled that of the Hidden Rain Village.
Out of 365 days in a year, it rained for nearly 300.
Even when it didn't rain, thick mist covered everything, blocking out sunlight.
Wen Lan tightened his collar.
He disliked the feeling of being wrapped in fog—
as if even his thoughts could be eroded by the damp air.
A member of the Hidden Mist delegation noticed his discomfort and quickly stepped forward with a polite smile.
"Hokage's Aide, our village has always been like this. Please forgive any inconvenience."
Wen Lan nodded.
"I'm just not used to the weather. No need to be nervous."
The envoy smiled, about to continue speaking—
when suddenly a dark figure flashed through the dense fog in the distance.
It moved with incredible speed, closing in on the ship in an instant.
The delegation panicked.
"Protect—!"
Before the warning could finish, the figure burst through the mist and landed heavily on the deck.
The moment the person steadied themselves, the delegation dropped to their knees.
"Greetings, Mizukage-sama!"
"Rise," Yagura Karatachi said, raising his hand casually.
He then walked toward Wen Lan with a warm smile.
"Hokage's Aide—it's been more than ten years since we last met."
Wen Lan studied the man before him for a moment, then suddenly remembered—
The last time he had seen Yagura was when he was still under Obito's control.
"Mizukage-sama personally coming to greet me—I'm honored," Wen Lan said, stepping forward and shaking his hand with a smile.
Yagura glanced down at their height difference—
his head only reached Wen Lan's waist.
Dark lines formed across his face.
He had long since learned to ignore jokes about his height, but standing this close to someone younger yet towering over him was still awkward.
Noticing his discomfort, Wen Lan burst into laughter.
Then, in a strange, fluid motion, his body gradually shrank until he stood at the same height as Yagura.
He smiled calmly.
"This makes conversation much easier."
—------------------------------
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