Chapter 140 – Go Relax
It was only natural to feel a sense of nostalgia after returning home from a long mission.
A young man, full of pride, announced with a triumphant grin,
"You guys don't know yet, do you? Just a few days ago, the Hidden Cloud Village tore up the alliance treaty first. The Fourth Raikage personally led an assault on our border outpost! But the Fifth Hokage-sama led a team to counterattack — she not only killed the Fourth Raikage in battle but also marched straight toward the Hidden Cloud Village! Practically everyone in the village has gone to support!"
"Eh?"
Kurenai Yuhi, Hayate Gekkō, and Yugao Uzuki exclaimed in unison, their faces full of disbelief.
They had only been away from the village for a few days, and when they left, everything was peaceful. How could things have changed so drastically in such a short time?
The Fifth Hokage had personally gone to the front lines — and even killed the Fourth Raikage of the Hidden Cloud Village?
And now… she was leading an invasion into the Hidden Cloud Village itself?
It sounded like something out of a tall tale — unreal, almost absurd.
Seeing their stunned expressions, the young man merely smirked. He had already seen plenty of similar reactions from other shinobi returning from missions. At this point, he was used to it.
After all, the Fifth Hokage's decision had shocked everyone.
Until recently, everyone in Konoha knew that the Hidden Cloud Village held the advantage in strength. During the Third Hokage's era, whenever Cloud Village showed aggression, Konoha had always backed down — paying reparations, conceding territory… practically begging for peace.
But ever since the Fifth Hokage took office, that dynamic had flipped entirely.
The once fearsome Hidden Cloud Village now seemed fragile — one strike away from collapse.
The Fourth Raikage himself had fallen to the Hokage's hand on the battlefield, and with their leader gone, the Cloud Village stood on the brink of ruin.
If the Fifth Hokage truly conquered the Hidden Cloud Village, it would mark an unprecedented moment in shinobi history.
After all, among the Five Great Nations, no Hidden Village had ever been successfully invaded.
Now, with the Fourth Raikage dead and the Cloud Village in chaos, the opportunity was too perfect to ignore.
"Did the Hokage's Advisor go to the front lines as well?" asked Kurenai Yuhi.
The young man nodded. "Yes — the team was led by the Hokage's Assistant himself."
"Then let's go and report our mission first," Kurenai said.
The three exchanged glances and headed toward the Hokage Building.
When they reached the office, the door was open. From the doorway, they could see the Hokage's Assistant — Nara Shikaku — seated at his desk, immersed in paperwork.
Kurenai knocked gently.
Without looking up, Shikaku said calmly, "Come in."
The three entered, knelt respectfully, and waited silently as he continued reviewing the document in his hands.
Once he finished reading, Shikaku finally looked up and said, "You've returned. How did it go? What was the Daimyō's response?"
The trio straightened up.
Kurenai, sitting on the far left, answered softly, "My apologies, Assistant. The mission failed. The Daimyō refused to meet us."
Disappointment and anxiety flickered across her face — disappointment at the mission's failure and anxiety over the implications. If the mission was considered unsuccessful, her chances for jōnin promotion were gone.
But perhaps, she thought, the Assistant might offer them another chance.
Shikaku showed no surprise at her words. He merely nodded, as though he had already expected the outcome.
Yugao Uzuki frowned slightly. "Assistant, you don't seem surprised at all?"
Shikaku smiled faintly. "Before you set out, I already anticipated this result."
Hayate Gekkō couldn't help but feel a pang of admiration. As expected from Konoha's top strategist — he's always several steps ahead.
Even before their mission began, he had accounted for every possibility. His calm and steady composure — unshaken by success or failure — was something Hayate hoped to emulate one day.
When they had left the Daimyō's mansion, Hayate hadn't felt much, but on the journey back, seeing Kurenai's subdued mood had dampened his own spirits as well.
Still, hearing Shikaku speak so calmly reignited a flicker of hope. If he had already predicted this, then surely he had a plan in mind?
"Alright," Shikaku said after a pause. "Since the mission wasn't completed, there will be no reward. If there's nothing else, you may leave."
"Yes, Assistant."
Hayate felt a twinge of disappointment — he had expected a follow-up assignment or at least a word of encouragement. But none came.
"Then, Assistant, we'll take our leave," Kurenai said quietly.
Though she bowed respectfully, she couldn't hide the unwillingness in her voice. The silence from the Assistant made things clear: her promotion was off the table.
Even so, she could only accept it.
After exiting the Hokage Building, Yugao let out a long sigh. "We really lost out this time. The mission failed, and we didn't even get to join the Hokage's battle against the Hidden Cloud Village."
Hearing that, Hayate and Kurenai both smiled wryly. It truly had been a wasted trip.
"Do you two have any plans?" Kurenai asked after a pause, forcing a small smile. "Let me treat you to a meal, at least. It's the least I can do."
She had been the one to recruit them for this assignment. Since it had ended in failure, it felt wrong not to offer them something in return.
Hayate and Yugao exchanged glances — and Hayate nodded with a faint grin. "Sure. It's been days since we've eaten properly anyway. Let's go."
"Then, Yakiniku Q?" Hayate suggested instinctively.
After all, it was tradition — after returning from missions, they always went to the famous Yakiniku Q barbecue restaurant for a hearty meal.
Kurenai just nodded.
But Yugao chuckled. "We've gone there so many times. I heard there's a new place right next to Yakiniku Q — you can eat and get a massage. We're exhausted from travel; why not try it out?"
"I have no objections," Hayate said immediately, smiling. When your girlfriend spoke, agreeing was the only sensible option.
Kurenai glanced at the two and let out a soft laugh. "Alright then — where is this place?"
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