Inside the Hokage's office after hearing Yagyu's confident words.
Tsunade gave a slight nod.
After a brief pause, she spoke with subtle meaning:
"Then I'll leave it to you. Also… if anything unexpected happens during the mission, you may handle it as you see fit. There's no need to report everything to me afterward."
Those words made Yagyu's brows lift slightly.
He glanced at Tsunade, whose expression had already returned to normal, as if she hadn't said anything unusual at all.
This mission… just got interesting.
Withdrawing his gaze, Yagyu replied calmly,
"I understand. There won't be any accidents in this mission."
Tsunade smiled and nodded,
"Good. Have a safe trip, Sōsuke."
After bidding farewell,
Yagyu left the office with a brand-new S-rank mission in hand.
After he left Shizune, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke:
"Lady Tsunade, leaving your plan entirely to Yagyu… isn't that too risky? What if something goes wrong?"
Tsunade shook her head, confidence evident on her face,
"Shizune, don't worry. If he didn't have absolute confidence, Sōsuke wouldn't have accepted this mission."
"We just need to wait for the results."
Stretching lazily her impressive figure made Shizune momentarily envious.
With a gleam of anticipation in her eyes, Tsunade smiled:
"In Konoha, you can always trust Yagyu Sōsuke."
Shizune fell into thought at those words though a trace of concern still lingered.
After all this mission could be full of danger or none at all.
No one could predict it.
On the streets of Konoha Yagyu walked with a thoughtful expression:
"Tsunade's words had layers. She's basically telling me if Danzo Shimura makes a move, I don't need to hold back. I can eliminate him outright."
"And at the same time… she's warning me that this mission will be dangerous."
As he spoke to himself Yagyu had already arrived at the compound of the Hyuga Clan.
Soon he found the residence of Neji Hyuga.
A few minutes later Neji appeared, dressed in training clothes.
Looking at Yagyu with slight confusion, he asked,
"Yagyu Sōsuke… I heard you were looking for me?"
"What's the matter?"
Neji wasn't familiar with Yagyu at all.
in fact, they had barely exchanged a single word before.
So his confusion was completely natural.
Seeing Neji Hyuga, Yagyu didn't bother with small talk,
"I'm here to invite you on an S-rank mission. There's a real chance it could cost you your life. Are you in?"
Neji froze for a moment then fell into brief contemplation.
He didn't know what kind of danger awaited but the moment Yagyu said S-rank, that alone explained everything.
This wouldn't be an easy mission.
Still Neji quickly made his decision.
Looking at Yagyu calmly, he said,
"An S-rank mission… with the strongest of the new generation? Interesting."
"I accept. Let me see for myself whether you truly deserve that title."
Yagyu nodded slightly.
"Good. Meet at the village gate in one hour. I still need to gather the rest of the team."
Whoosh
As soon as he finished speaking a gust of wind swept through, and Yagyu vanished.
Neji glanced at where he had stood then turned and went back inside to prepare.
Leaping across rooftops at high speed Yagyu finalized his team in his mind,
"With Neji secured, I still need a few more… Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, Shino Aburame, and Kiba Inuzuka."
"With those five together, even if I'm not present, they can handle most situations."
Originally he had planned to bring Sasuke Uchiha along.
But Team 7 had just resumed missions and Kakashi Hatake had already taken them away.
So Yagyu had to look elsewhere.
One hour later at the village gate Neji, Shikamaru, Choji, Shino, and Kiba were all assembled, fully equipped.
After registering with the gate guard Yagyu looked at the five of them and asked:
"Ready?"
"If you are, we move out now."
Hearing that Shikamaru let out a lazy complaint,
"What a drag… why'd you pick me? Wouldn't it be better if I just stayed home and rested?"
Yagyu chuckled lightly.
"It's simple. You're smart… and I trust you."
Without waiting for a response his expression turned serious,
"Alright. Since everyone's ready"
"This is an S-rank mission. Stay sharp."
The five of them immediately straightened their expressions tightening,
"Yes, Captain!"
Yagyu gave a firm nod.
"Then… we move out."
Whoosh
Amid a surge of fierce wind the six figures of Yagyu's team vanished instantly from sight.
Not long after they left the village inside the Root base of Konoha Danzo Shimura sat with his eyes closed, his body wrapped in bandages.
After listening to the report that Yagyu's squad had already departed, he waved his subordinate away.
"…You've heard the intel, haven't you?"
Narrowing his eyes slightly, Danzo spoke toward the darkness beside him,
"The conditions you wanted have been met. When will what I asked for be delivered?"
As his words fell a familiar voice echoed from the shadows:
"After this mission concludes, Lord Danzo, your new arm will be delivered."
"This time, it's cultivated from the cells of the First Hokage—perfectly suited to your requirements."
It was Kabuto Yakushi.
Hearing this, Danzo said nothing further.
Kabuto gave a slight bow then, disguised in Root attire, quietly withdrew.
After he left Danzo slowly opened his eyes and glanced at his right arm wrapped in bandages.
For now he had yet to obtain that arm grown from Hashirama's cells.
After all when it came to fully utilizing those cells no one surpassed Orochimaru.
"...Hiruzen, forgive me."
Danzo's low voice echoed faintly,
"Your choice was wrong."
"Yagyu Sōsuke… is not fit to become Hokage."
As for why he wasn't suitable no reason was needed.
Because as long as Danzo lived no one else was worthy of that position.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh
Through the forest, Yagyu's squad moved at high speed.
Yagyu himself stayed in the center.
Kiba Inuzuka led at the front Neji Hyuga guarded the rear while Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, and Shino Aburame covered the flanks.
The formation was tight and efficient.
They were rapidly advancing toward the Land of Wind.
As for the mission details Yagyu had already briefed all five of them earlier.
Each of them now clearly understood just how important this mission truly was.
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