Conflict with village Anbu wasn't trivial; his two squadmates standing unhesitatingly by him gratified Shuji.
He wouldn't let comrades worry unduly.
Thus, en route, Shuji explained the situation.
"Anbu has four standard squads, each including squad leader totaling seventeen."
"This dates to the Second's era; under the Third, Anbu gained a fifth squad: Root."
This Anko knew—Orochimaru's ties to Root's leader Danzō were close.
Itachi knew too; he'd encountered Root aiding Uchiha Shisui in a drill mission.
"Root's structure mirrors standard Anbu squads—seventeen members—directly led by Advisor Shimura. As for this advisor..." Shuji offered polite assessment. "Acts without scruples, guided solely by his view of village interests."
"Why would they attack..." Anko blurted, then realized—on-site, those Anbu took the beating.
"The Wasabi family's commission reward is significant; Advisor Shimura likely wants to handle it first—perhaps pass to the Third later, but not fully."
Understanding the ledgers' implications, Shuji easily inferred Danzō's intent.
Simply falsify figures, privately deal with Degarashi Port houses, skim a portion. After all, Root's official roster was seventeen; Danzō couldn't sustain just them.
Extra manpower needed self-funded upkeep.
Again... Anko felt her head throb faintly, deciding to abandon these twists—could return to village anyway.
"Then just refuse? Beating them—you won't get in trouble, right?" She cared more about that.
"Precisely, striking prevents escalation." Shuji's lips curved faintly in the night, nearly invisible. "Their style aggressive; down one, their effective force drops. And fists allow controlled force."
Initiating violence aimed to control; if they psychologically gained upper hand, pressuring, then Shuji would trouble.
Against such, only meet with stronger dominance, unafraid of hassle, to limit follow-up conflicts controllably.
"Advisor Shimura habitually pressures for gain; his Root follows. Truly pressed, their actions lack village rule support."
"So striking back, non-lethal, no major issue. Of course, if they persist..."
"Dead is dead." Shuji's tone flat as weather. "Root acts barbarically for various reasons, often unpunished. Conversely, village rules won't truly shelter them. Understand?"
His gaze subtly swept the two.
Anko laughed awkwardly; she wouldn't dare.
Itachi pondered.
Explanation done, Shuji spoke no more. The three accelerated, and as eastern sky lightened fish-belly pale, finally sighted Konoha's familiar gate silhouette.
Team Five reached the Hokage Building; the Third didn't keep them waiting, granting immediate audience.
Shuji first submitted the detailed written report, then concisely oral-briefed execution, emphasizing Black Erosion strength and annihilation.
Sarutobi Hiruzen methodically refilled his pipe, lit, deeply inhaled, then slowly unrolled the scroll, reading line by line.
"Mm... Black Erosion extermination confirmed complete—well done."
Amid swirling smoke, his voice held approval: "From the brief, enemy strength not negligible. This mission, village will upgrade to S-rank. Reward, I'll notify the mission desk for S-rank calculation; exact amount pending intel team's data extraction."
"Well done, Shuji, Anko, Itachi."
"As for the B-rank intel gathering, certification follows intel team's sorting."
Village tasks arranged, the Third Hokage took the thick ledgers Shuji presented. Rough fingertips traced the cover; he didn't open yet.
"The Wasabi family's request..."
"This was slated for Anbu handling—unexpected you handled en route... Just an added S-rank record as return seems insufficient."
He pondered, deciding: "Rewards... Shuji, special permission to enter the village's forbidden techniques room, select one ninjutsu to study. Anko and Itachi, per your situations, each choose one A-rank and one B-rank ninjutsu, or convert to equivalent reward sum."
All settled.
"Anko, Itachi, after a night traveling, rest. Shuji, stay a moment."
The two guessed it concerned Root—their ranks too low to join—so saluted and withdrew.
The office's heavy wooden door closed softly.
The Third set down his pipe, slowly rising, stretching his stiffened back from prolonged sitting. "Mind walking with this old man?" He eyed Shuji.
"An honor." Shuji nodded slightly.
Old and young exited the Hokage Building side by side. Dawn light broke; streets gained vitality. Early risers greeted the Third Hokage respectfully.
This elder ruling Konoha decades showed no airs, cheerfully responding one by one, deep wrinkles seemingly easing.
"Old age, shallow sleep." Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice carried elders' rambling, yet unannoying.
"Since leaving Biwa Lake, rarely return home—rest in the Hokage Building."
"Wake daily, just walk, look."
His turbid gaze swept awakening shops and homes beside.
"Back then, village just thousands, under ten. Decades of storms, wars—yet people grow, wonderful."
Shuji walked quietly, pace matching the elder's, just listening.
"Outstanding youth emerge endlessly. Then I thought, though far from my two teachers, I've tried my best."
"Especially the Fourth—"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice sank suddenly, eyes seeming to mist thinly.
"When he appeared, I saw teachers' ideals within reach."
"He was the perfect ninja, outstanding Hokage."
"So young, vigorous, enterprising... surely solve dilemmas piled in this mediocre's hands, unresolved."
"But..."
The elder sighed long, silently: "In the end, this decrepit body must continue barely supporting."
"I'm a useless man..." Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone thick with self-mockery and weariness. "So rely on comrades; sometimes, let Danzō do things."
"He has ambition, energy far beyond this 'monkey.'"
"I'm nearly spent; that old guy never rests."
Old friend, one last run—should be enough.
The Third halted, turning to the youth before him. This child still heart for Konoha, grown more decisive, stronger than before.
"Village still needs him. From your Degarashi handling, I see you... understand this 'need.'"
"Last night's matter, I'll reprimand him, make him control his subordinates."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild