When you step outside, you must carry your identity with you, but sometimes, you have to remind others of it.
Yami had no intention of ending up like Asuma, the oldest second-generation heir in Konoha, who still lived like a failure.
In the corner of the Mission Hall, Yami unfolded a stack of mission request forms and spread them out on the ground.
Then, he called the others over and crouched down.
"Come help me pick. Let's see which mission is best."
Hizashi had a complicated expression.
This was the first time he had ever chosen a mission this way.
It was... a novel experience.
Even though he was a Hyūga, the younger brother of the clan head, a branch family member was still a branch family member. No one had ever tried to curry favor with him.
Besides, when a shinobi was still weak, they weren't exactly in a position to be picky.
Once they became strong enough to be Jōnin, they naturally gained status—by then, they wouldn't even care about these clerks.
This guy had no restraint whatsoever.
Even the Hokage's son wasn't this arrogant.
He was the grandson of Danzō.
It made perfect sense.
Everything seemed natural.
Kurenai and Yugao were at a complete loss for words.
In their previous squads, Jōnin leaders simply assigned missions. They never had a say.
"This one looks interesting."
Yami's eyes lit up as he pointed to a mission.
Hizashi glanced at it and immediately rejected it.
"No. We're not in a situation where we need to send a child to the battlefield."
Konoha had signed a ceasefire with Sunagakure, but not with the other three nations.
The borders were still tense, low-intensity skirmishes and conflicts were common.
Ninjas from both sides would steal missions from each other or intercept supplies.
The mission Yami picked?
An ambush on an Iwa-nin team.
If Hizashi actually took Yami to the front lines, he'd probably be locked up in Root's underground prison before they even got there.
Oddly enough, Yugao's eyes flashed with a trace of hatred when she saw the mission.
"This one," Hizashi said decisively.
The three of them leaned in to check—a B-rank assassination mission.
Apparently, a merchant in the Land of Fire had been smuggling grain to Iwa-nin.
The smuggling itself wasn't the issue.
The Fire Daimyō himself had issued the request.
Among assassination missions, killing civilians, especially wealthy businessmen was one of the easiest tasks. And there was even extra money involved.
Hizashi wasn't asking for much, just a little extra income for his personal savings.
That way, he wouldn't actually starve Neji in the future.
"Alright, fine," Yami sighed in disappointment.
He had wanted to head to the battlefield, make life-or-death bonds with other shinobi…
But it seemed like that would have to wait.
Kurenai and Yugao had no objections.
Just as they were about to return the mission scroll, an Anbu shinobi suddenly appeared in front of them.
"Hyūga Hizashi, the Hokage requests your presence. Please bring your team to his office immediately."
Hizashi was momentarily stunned, but quickly composed himself.
"Understood. We'll go now."
What did Sarutobi Hiruzen want?
Handing the mission scroll to the Anbu, he led the way upstairs.
At the Hokage's office, Hizashi knocked lightly.
After receiving permission, he pushed open the door and led his team inside.
The room was filled with smoke.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind his desk, puffing on his pipe.
On either side of him sat Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, the village's elder advisors.
"Hokage-sama. Elders."
Hizashi greeted them respectfully.
Kurenai and Yugao also bowed their heads slightly.
After ruling Konoha for over thirty years, these old men and women still commanded significant authority.
The room is completely sealed, and they're smoking in here?
Aren't they afraid of dying from secondhand smoke?!
"Hizashi, you're here."
Hiruzen nodded with a smile.
Noticing Yami's frown and how he was fanning the air in front of his nose, he immediately understood the problem.
He stood up and pushed open the window behind him.
A cool breeze rushed in, clearing the smoke and improving visibility.
"We old folks are used to the smell of smoke. We forgot you were here."
[Host has established a Bond with Utatane Koharu. Reward: 0.5 standard Jōnin chakra.]
[Host has established a Bond with Mitokado Homura. Reward: Fire Release - Proficiency.]
Yami wasn't surprised.
Danzō and the Elder Council were so close that they might as well share a single pair of pants.
Of course, they would have some level of goodwill toward him.
After greeting the two elders, Yami turned to Hiruzen.
"So, old man, what do you want?"
Technically, Hizashi was the team leader.
But this was the perfect moment for him to speak.
Hiruzen simply filtered out the way Yami addressed him.
He immediately blamed Danzō for it but kept the smile on his face.
"It took a while to successfully put your team together. Am I not allowed to check in on you?"
"Given my relationship with your grandfather, you could even call me Grandpa Hiruzen."
"What's wrong with me caring for the younger generation?"
Yami shook his head furiously.
"My old man said you're a cunning old fox."
"The more you want to screw someone over, the bigger your smile gets, just like right now."
"Who knows if you're just using me to go after my old man?"
Hiruzen's smile froze.
Hizashi and the others were completely stunned.
In all their years, they had never seen anyone talk to the Hokage .
Konoha simply did not allow such people to exist.
Koharu burst out laughing.
She quickly covered her mouth when Hiruzen shot her a death glare.
"Danzō really taught you everything, huh?" Koharu smirked.
"Aren't you afraid of corrupting the kid?"
At this moment, Hiruzen really wanted to throw Koharu out the window.
What do you mean, 'corrupting the kid'?
My friendly smile is fine, damn it!
Taking a deep breath, Hiruzen decided not to engage with Yami's nonsense.
Instead, his expression turned serious.
"Hizashi, I called you here because I have a mission for you."
"This mission is very important. Most of the Jōnin are out of the village."
"Right now, you're the most suitable candidates."