Thud!
With a heavy thud, the enormous crocodile was forcefully thrown onto the floor of the Mission Assignment Office, causing the documents on the desk to tremble slightly.
Mamoru said with unconcealed dissatisfaction, "I'm telling you, the mission description severely contradicts the actual situation."
He pulled out the mission photo and shook it between his fingers, making the paper rustle. "When exactly was this old photo taken? This thing is not just a little bigger than the picture, it's dozens of times bigger."
Hiruzen looked at the crocodile on the floor, which, despite being unconscious, had sharp scales and still exuded a fierce aura and a flicker of subtle surprise flashed in his eyes.
He raised his eyes, glancing past Mamoru to Kurenai. "It was completed so quickly?"
His tone was steady, but the implication was clear—did you step in to help?
Kurenai crossed her arms over her chest, and upon hearing the question, merely shook her head slightly without offering further explanation.
Mamoru stepped forward, leaning over the desk with his hands braced on the edge, arguing forcefully, "I strongly demand that the difficulty rating of this mission be raised. This giant crocodile would absolutely be a handful for a regular Genin. Especially since it mainly operates in the water, the environment is complicated. One mistake, and serious injury would be the least of it, people could die."
The mission difficulty directly affected the reward, so he was arguing for his legitimate interests, which, of course, would also benefit his teammates.
Hiruzen calmly took a puff from his pipe, slowly exhaling a few gray-white smoke rings. His gaze returned to the motionless giant crocodile on the ground, and he mused, "Hmm... judging from the actual situation, this mission does indeed require reassessment."
He pointed the end of his pipe at the behemoth. "Strictly speaking, this can no longer be classified as a 'lost pet.' 'Ferocious Beast' would be a more accurate term."
He turned to the Chunin sitting nearby, who was responsible for clerical work, and instructed, "Notify the client. Have her come over to claim it."
"Yes."
The ninja accepted the order swiftly, using the Body Flicker Technique to vanish from the spot.
"Well then, I have other official duties to attend to. I'll leave this to you." Hiruzen said, standing up and addressing the ninja responsible for mission handover within the office.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"Old man, where are you running off to?" Mamoru asked casually, watching Hiruzen prepare to leave.
"The Hokage is very busy, you know. I can't stay here dealing with just one matter." Hiruzen chuckled, strolling toward the door.
As he passed Mamoru, his wrinkled hand patted the boy's shoulder, his tone encouraging. "A good job on the mission. Keep up the hard work."
With that, he walked away with his hands behind his back, pipe in mouth, his figure disappearing around the corner of the doorway, leaving only a faint scent of tobacco in the air.
"Please wait here for a moment. The mission will only be officially completed after the client confirms the subject and pays the reward." The ninja sitting behind the work desk told the four members of Team 8, his tone strictly professional.
"Yes." Hinata and Shino responded politely.
Mamoru didn't respond, standing lazily with his hands clasped behind his head.
Before long, the office door was pushed open again.
The figure appearing in the doorway might be more accurately described as 'a moving mountain of flesh.'
Mamoru instinctively tilted his head back, his mouth slightly agape, staring dumbfounded at the unimaginable physique before him. He was inwardly amazed.
How exactly was such an astonishing build supported and moved?
The person was a middle-aged woman of extremely ample build, dressed in a gorgeous kimono, covered head-to-toe in jewelry. In particular, her ten short, stubby fingers were almost entirely covered in dazzling gemstone rings of various colors, shimmering with vulgar light under the lamps.
Her eyes swept the room, immediately spotting the sleeping giant crocodile on the floor. She let out a sharp, exaggerated shout and, with an agility that belied her size, rushed over, tightly hugging the crocodile's bumpy head with her plump hands and kissing it loudly with a "smack":
"Oh, my darling little sweetheart! You've finally returned to Mommy's arms! Mommy missed you so much! Mwah mwah mwah..."
The unconscious crocodile was roused by this "enthusiastic" commotion. It opened its eyes blankly, and when it recognized the person before it, its massive body instantly stiffened, then began to struggle violently, its thick tail slapping the ground with loud thuds, appearing utterly terrified.
This scene was too shocking and offensive to the eyes.
"Why do I feel like... this crocodile looks kind of pitiful?" Mamoru couldn't help but turn his head and mutter softly, an indescribable expression on his face.
"Hmm?" The plump woman's ears were quite sharp, and her movements suddenly paused.
She turned her neck, her gaze locking precisely onto Mamoru. She stood up, like a wriggling ball of flesh, approaching Mamoru step by step, scrutinizing him from above. Her gaze was highly aggressive, sweeping up and down, then down and up, finally resting on his handsome face, refusing to move away.
Mamoru was startled by her sticky gaze. It felt as if he had been licked from head to toe by something. He involuntarily shivered, getting goosebumps all over.
She licked her thick lips, flashing a smile she clearly thought was charming. "Boy, you're quite cute. Why don't you become my pet? I'll shower you with affection."
Mamoru's lips twitched, and a vein seemed to pulse on his forehead.
He quietly leaned closer to Kurenai beside him and whispered, "Can I punch her now?"
Kurenai lowered her head, quickly stopping him in a whisper. "Don't be rash. If you actually do that, the consequences will be severe."
"Oh?"
Seeing the two whispering to each other as if no one else was present, the rich woman's gaze flickered between Kurenai and Mamoru, carrying a hint of understanding.
"Are you his owner?" She jutted her chin toward Kurenai, her tone arrogant. "Name your price. How much will it take for you to hand him over to me?"
"Owner!?" Kurenai choked on the term, a flash of anger crossing her face.
She suppressed her fury and clarified sternly, "He is a registered ninja of Konoha, a student I lead, not an item to be bought and sold."
Mamoru stood frozen, his mind buzzing.
Owner?
And this conversation was utterly ridiculous.
Does having money make you superior?
He felt his fists clench, his knuckles cracking.
"Hmph, forget it."
Seeing Kurenai's firm stance, the rich woman waved her hand dismissively, then threw Mamoru what she thought was a seductive wink. "Little cutie, whenever you change your mind, you can always come to me."
After speaking, she waddled her barrel-like waist and took heavy steps toward the work desk, quickly paying the mission reward. Then, leading the giant crocodile, which was still struggling fiercely, she swayed as she walked out of the Mission Assignment Office hall.
Watching the receding small mountain, Mamoru expressionlessly raised his hand and made a clean, decisive throat-slitting gesture in that direction.
"It's decided. I'm going to kill her tonight." His tone was flat, yet held a hint of seriousness.
"You big idiot! Don't do anything stupid!" Kurenai, both angry and anxious upon hearing this, raised her hand and smacked him on the head.