Heh, a mission from seven days ago!
Especially one outside the village. Even if there were no wild beasts attacking, those pigs would probably be impossible to find by now.
Clearly, they were just making things difficult for them.
Just because of one opinion from Asuma Sarutobi, these people could so easily make things hard for someone.
No wonder the Uchiha clan struggled so much under Fugaku's control, living so barely off the meager income from the Police Force.
Now it's clear. A small manager in the mission office has that much power. Imagine the rest!
No wonder Hiruzen Sarutobi placed his clan here. Though it's just an ordinary department, it controls the fate of most ninjas!
Any ninja who wants to take missions simply cannot afford to offend the Sarutobi clan.
This really is a deep and calculated scheme.
"What's wrong with seven days? Do you look down on the civilians outside the village and refuse to take their missions?"
Two people in the hall exploded upon hearing Hinata's dissatisfaction.
"If any ninja fussed over every assigned mission, then what would be the use of this mission office?"
"This mission, whether you take it or not, you have to take it. If you don't, you'll never get another mission again!"
These two had been in the mission office for a long time and were used to acting arrogantly. They knew when to show what attitude.
Here and now, they were ready to use the mission office's rules to pressure Genya and the others.
Hinata, naturally timid, felt overwhelmed by their shouting. She immediately thought maybe it was her fault and didn't know what to say.
Even Shino Aburame didn't know what to say — after all, these were the mission office's rules.
The best they could do was accept their fate.
Kurenai watched quietly from behind, observing how her students dealt with this situation. She had no intention to interfere.
Genya, however, stepped forward two steps and took the mission slip from Hinata's palm.
"This mission clearly has already passed the deadline for accepting it. It's been seven days, and it still hasn't been issued. It seems you people have been negligent and not taking their duties seriously, which caused this oversight. We need to have a talk with the Hokage!"
Genya stepped forward at that moment, looking at the two people and continuing to speak.
"You—" The two were stunned instantly.
Genya really had a way with words!
Seeing their frustration, Genya continued, "We can accept this mission, but whether we can catch this escaped pig is uncertain now. Because you delayed so long to take this mission at the best time, you will also be punished!"
Genya had been in the association for a long time and knew the mission process well.
For a missing-animal mission like this, the earlier it's released, the easier it is to complete!
Clearly, these two from the mission hall didn't want to offend anyone, so they pushed this mission aside.
After all, who wants to take on a mission that requires effort but has no money to gain?
Especially when it's a mission from civilians outside a small village—they simply don't care!
Bringing it up now is just to make things difficult for their team.
"Uchiha Genya, you want—"
The people at the mission hall didn't expect Genya to question them so directly.
The two glared fiercely at Genya and the others.
The anger on their faces was obvious.
This brat from the Uchiha clan was so stubborn and wanted to punish them.
In the end, someone nearby finally spoke up, "This matter was our oversight—we missed the mission deadline. But since the mission has already been issued, you can go and complete it."
"But because of your negligence, we might not finish the mission!"
Genya stared at the two and continued, "Moreover, because of your mistake, is there any chance we'll find that pig? Because it's already gone missing!"
The two staff members exchanged a glance, then gritted their teeth and said, "You go carry out the mission. If you don't complete it, we will compensate the employer for the losses together with you!"
"Agreed!"
With that answer, Genya nodded and took the mission paper, then walked out.
Hinata Hyuga and Shino Aburame quickly followed him.
Kurenai finally showed a smile on her face and followed behind Genya and the others as they left the mission hall.
Asuma Sarutobi watched their departing backs with a very sour expression.
Originally, he just wanted to make things hard for Kurenai's team.
But unexpectedly, he ended up shooting himself in the foot!
Genya's mind was indeed sharp—just one glance and he could turn the situation around on them.
It was a pity he was just a useless guy without the Sharingan!
"Brother Asuma, look at this," the two said helplessly, glancing at Asuma with some grievance.
Asuma Sarutobi glanced at the two of them and snorted coldly.
"Being in charge of the mission office, having such a slip-up is truly unforgivable. It must never happen again. This time, the clan will cover the losses, but there must not be a next time!"
The first half of his words carried a righteous scolding, yet the latter half showed the clan would bear the cost for the two of them.
Overall, Asuma had clearly learned something from his old father. This kind of righteous favoritism never failed to disappoint.
"Thank you, Brother Asuma!" the two replied together, joy lighting up their faces and gratitude shining in their eyes. Asuma's words were their safety net.
Next time, they vowed, they wouldn't let that Uchiha brat find any excuse.
Asuma didn't respond to their thanks. He left the mission office with Shikamaru and the others.
Outside, Hinata's eyes sparkled as she looked at Genya. "Genya-kun, you're amazing!" she said softly.
The more she thought about it, the more she admired him.
Nearby, Shino Aburame kept his eyes fixed on Genya. The night before, he had witnessed Genya's skills firsthand—even handing over his own bugs to Genya for research.
"You're just holding back," Genya said calmly to Hinata. "Next time, just fight back directly. Those people are too arrogant. With your and Shino's status, they wouldn't dare lay a finger on you."
But at that moment, Kurenai Yuhi, who had been silent, flushed and scolded sharply. "Genya, don't mislead Hinata. We have to follow Konoha's rules here!"
Genya Uchiha didn't need to obey Konoha's rules or take Konoha missions. But the Hyuga and Aburame clans still relied on missions to live, so offending people could cause trouble.
After all, those people were petty. They wouldn't openly cause trouble but would act secretly.
This kind of thing probably wouldn't be rare in the future.
After speaking, Kurenai looked at Genya and asked, "You could have just rejected the mission. Why did you take it if you weren't sure you could finish it?"
"If we don't take it, the one who gets hurt will be the farmer," Genya said, meeting Kurenai's gaze.
"But if I take this mission, whether I finish it or not, those two will compensate the farmer for half the losses. What's not to like about that?"
Kurenai's red eyes glinted with curiosity as she heard Genya's words.
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