“Gen, I’ve heard your na many tis already, but I believe this is our first ti eting face to face, isn’t it?”
Sarutobi Hiruzen still wore his signature warm and gentle smile. After a mont’s thought, he spoke with a light chuckle.
“Care to join this old man for a little walk? Think of it as a way to relax after a good al.”
“Sure.”
Kitagawa Gen didn’t hesitate. He stood up imdiately and followed Sarutobi Hiruzen outside. Naruto, still seated, turned green with envy.
Unfortunately for him, no one paid him any attention at the mont.
“I heard from Kakashi and Jiraiya that you’ve already grasped the Flying Thunder God Technique?”
Once they had walked so distance, Hiruzen finally asked with a smile.
“Yeah,” Gen nodded, answering modestly, “But I wouldn’t say I’ve mastered it. I’ve only managed to use it at a basic level. I guess I’ve just been lucky.”
“Luck is sotis a part of strength. Often, it’s that little stroke of luck that allows us to break through.”
Hiruzen still had that sa serene expression—clearly, he was in good spirits.
“Besides, even with luck, you need talent to pull it off. Gen, you’ve truly given a pleasant surprise.”
“Thank you for the kind words, Hokage-sama.”
Gen smiled in return. The two continued walking and chatting along the way.
Maybe it was because they were both in good moods, but the conversation flowed easily between them. There was never a dull mont, and the atmosphere was light and cheerful.
After a while, though, Gen decided it was ti to get to the point—after all, he had other intentions. Without beating around the bush, he brought it up directly.
“By the way, Hokage-sama, earlier today Kakashi-sensei and Jiraiya-sama suddenly went to the Hokage Building. Are they heading out on a mission?”
“Oh?”
Hiruzen paused for a second, but he didn’t seem inclined to hide it. After all, Gen had a good relationship with both Kakashi and Jiraiya.
“That’s right. They’re going on a mission—one they really can’t avoid. After all—”
“I know,” Gen interrupted with a nod. “Jiraiya-sama already told .”
He led Hiruzen around a corner, heading back in the direction of Ichiraku as he continued.
“Kakashi-sensei is burdened by things he can’t let go of. And Jiraiya-sama… I don’t think he’ll ever be able to fully move on from Orochimaru.
“When I went with him to search for Orochimaru, I already knew—it wouldn’t be long before they head to Kirigakure.”
“Indeed. So bonds are hard to sever.”
Hiruzen sighed and nodded.
“The bonds between comrades… They’re the very ties that humanize our cold profession as shinobi.”
“Hokage-sama,” Gen said, his tone serious now, “I’d like to request permission to accompany them to Kirigakure.”
At that, Hiruzen furrowed his brows.
“Kirigakure? That’s not a simple mission. Things over there are a ss. You—”
“I understand the risks, Hokage-sama. And I have my reasons.”
Gen gently shook his head, his voice unwavering.
“It was I who discovered Uchiha Obito’s trail. I believe I have a responsibility to continue pursuing this matter. Beyond that, I want to test the Flying Thunder God Technique in real scenarios."
“Any technique, no matter how powerful, requires practical application to reach its full potential. What I lack right now is real experience.
“And even if I can’t contribute much offensively with the technique, I can still ensure a safe retreat for Kakashi-sensei and Jiraiya-sama. That alone could make all the difference.”
Hiruzen didn’t respond right away. He had to admit—the boy had a point.
A shinobi’s experience ca through accumulation. Without it, strength alone was aningless.
Besides, even if the technique couldn’t be used to attack, it was undeniably effective for retreating. And Hiruzen didn’t want to see Kakashi and Jiraiya dragged into sothing they couldn’t get out of.
Still, he felt uneasy. But before he could voice his concerns, Gen suddenly smiled.
“Besides,” he added, “didn’t you just say that the bonds between comrades are the threads that tie shinobi together in this otherwise cold profession?”
A breeze stirred his hair and sleeves as he lifted his gaze toward the distant Hokage Rock.
“I regret not having any comrades since graduating. But in a way, Kakashi-sensei is like a comrade to ."
“If I lacked the ability, I wouldn’t insist on going—I wouldn’t be a burden. But since I do have the ability, I want to do what I can. Whatever I’m able to.”
“Hokage-sama, I hope you’ll allow this small act of selfishness.”
Selfishness?
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn’t respond imdiately. Instead, he quietly took a few puffs from his pipe.
This kind of thinking... this kind of determination—wasn’t it the very embodint of the Will of Fire?
This boy...
A smile slowly ford on Hiruzen’s face. He gave a small nod and said, “I’ll give it so thought. For now, go ho and get so rest.”
“Yes, Hokage-sama.”
Kitagawa Gen smiled and nodded. Without missing a beat, he reached inside and yanked out the trembling Naruto from Ichiraku, then turned and walked away.
As he watched the two boys walk off, the smile on Hiruzen’s face only grew.
That kid... he really does remind of Minato.
Turning around, Hiruzen was just about to leave when soone called out to him.
“Hokage-sama…”
“What is it, Teuchi?”
“Those two kids from earlier… they didn’t pay for the ran.”
“???”
“Well, it’s the regular price…”
“...”
Hiruzen bit down on the mouthpiece of his pipe.
Perhaps he had praised the boy a bit too soon after all.
...
At the gates of Konohagakure—
Kitagawa Gen had gotten up early and was already heading toward the rendezvous point.
It seed that his little bout of 'willfulness' had managed to persuade Sarutobi Hiruzen—at the very least, he had received a notice from the Anbu the night before.
"Though… did I forget sothing?"
As he walked, Kitagawa Gen couldn't help but ponder. After bidding farewell to Naruto and Sarutobi Hiruzen yesterday, he had the nagging feeling that he’d forgotten to do sothing.
He shook his head and brushed the thought aside, because he had just spotted Jiraiya and Kakashi!
"Morning, Kakashi-sensei. Jiraiya-sama."
Kitagawa Gen rubbed his face, then approached them with a smile.
"You little brat—"
Before Kakashi could speak, Jiraiya voiced his displeasure.
"You just can’t sit still, huh? Didn't you co with to look for Orochimaru? You should know how dangerous Kirigakure is!"
It was clear that both Kakashi and Jiraiya already knew about Gen’s participation in this mission.
Of course, Sarutobi Hiruzen had spoken with them as well, explaining Kitagawa Gen’s value to the mission.
They also understood that bringing Gen along this ti was probably the sa kind of calculated gamble as when they went searching for Orochimaru.
A kind of soft encouragent for them to be cautious and not act recklessly.
Konoha was still in the process of recovery—it couldn't afford to be thrown into turmoil again.
Still, even with full understanding, it was a bit of a headache.
"I know, but I do believe I’m capable of protecting myself."
Kitagawa Gen shrugged and smiled as he spoke.
"Besides, I don’t have a team of fellow graduates. Kakashi-sensei and Jiraiya-sama are the comrades I treasure most, so I just want to do what I can to help."
"You punk..."
Jiraiya shook his head, half amused, half exasperated. Kakashi couldn’t hold back either.
"Gen, this mission isn’t going to be easy. It’s not like last ti—you need to be ntally prepared."
"I understand."
Gen smiled again. He knew that both Kakashi and Jiraiya were simply worried about him, and he didn’t mind the nagging.
Besides, this mission truly was different from the ones before. The level of danger was far higher.
"In that case, let’s get going."
Kakashi nodded decisively—then suddenly broke into a smile.
"And don’t be too tense. No matter what happens, I’ll make sure to protect you."
"Tch, no need to trouble yourself. This great sage will keep an eye on the brat too."
Jiraiya gave a light snort, then smiled as well.
"Alright, let’s go. We’ve got a whole ss waiting for us in Kirigakure."
With that, he turned and set off. Kakashi and Kitagawa Gen exchanged a glance and quickly followed.
The truth was, neither of them wanted Gen involved in this mission—but Sarutobi Hiruzen’s orders weren’t sothing they could easily disobey.
Still, they had both made up their minds.
No matter what it took, they would protect this kid.
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I will post so extra Chapters in Patreon, you can check it out. >> /TitoVillar
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