"I can't believe I finally get to go on a mission with Kakashi-sensei and Guy-sensei."
Underneath the Hokage building in Konoha, Takemi was in an exceptionally good mood.
"Lord Hokage is quite easy to talk to, isn't he?"
"Alright, alright, that's enough. You should hurry back and get ready."
Kakashi rubbed his forehead. He really didn't want to recall the scene from earlier, it was giving him a headache.
When the Anbu came to find them, Takemi insisted on going along. Kakashi originally wanted to refuse, as he had already realized they were about to go on a mission.
But Guy seemed to have no objection at all and took Takemi with him, so he could only follow helplessly.
He still remembered Sarutobi Hiruzen's pained and helpless expression when he saw Takemi appear in his office.
Especially when he wanted Takemi to leave temporarily, the words that Takemi said—
"Lord Hokage, I understand. Just like how I haven't received the Jonin and Special Jonin titles, it's all because I'm not strong enough and have disappointed you."
He was used to Takemi's occasional antics, but Sarutobi Hiruzen and Guy seemed not quite accustomed to them yet.
Looking at Takemi, who was feigning a look of grievance, Sarutobi Hiruzen could only sigh and finally said nothing more.
"Also, was Lord Hokage easy to talk to?"
Kakashi sighed helplessly, looking at Takemi as he spoke, "That was too presumptuous. Besides, Lord Hokage was trying to protect you."
"You're right, Takemi."
Guy nodded at this point, but then quickly gave a thumbs-up, his big white teeth gleaming in the sunlight.
"But well done, well said!"
"Hey! Whose side are you on?"
Kakashi looked at Guy, feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation. He hadn't expected this thick-browed guy to 'betray' him.
However, he didn't refute Guy's "well said," even though he felt that the phrase might not be entirely appropriate in this context.
After the mission briefing, it was naturally time for the mission. Sarutobi Hiruzen's original plan was for Kakashi and Guy to act together.
Clearly, he had no intention of letting Takemi go along, but Takemi immediately protested.
"Lord Hokage, I request to join."
"No! Takemi, you are indeed excellent, but I already have arrangements for this mission. Besides, staying in Konoha is to protect you!"
"But I have experience going to the Land of Hot Water, and I've also participated in missions in the Land of Water. It has also been proven that I can lead others to leave more effectively."
"It cannot be denied that this is true, but…"
"Lord Hokage, if it really doesn't work, I'll just have to leave a Flying Thunder God Mark on Guy-sensei or Kakashi-sensei."
"???"
"Lord Hokage, I know that those who don't follow rules are scum, but I also know that those who don't cherish their comrades are worse than scum. I humbly ask Lord Hokage to forgive my willfulness."
After these words, Kakashi fell silent, Guy smiled, and Sarutobi Hiruzen was dumbfounded.
These words had always driven the current Kakashi. If these words were spoken, Kakashi would absolutely not object.
And he hadn't forgotten the conversation he had specifically with Takemi before going to Kirigakure last time, he still remembered it now.
Ultimately, Sarutobi Hiruzen could only sigh, saying nothing more, and just repeatedly instructed them to be careful before assigning the mission.
"Thank you, Guy-sensei."
Takemi was still grinning, which made Kakashi roll his eyes.
"Hurry and prepare. Our time is urgent. We'll gather at the village entrance at noon. Dismissed for now."
"Yes."
Takemi nodded, then turned and ran towards his home.
In fact, when a few Anbu members came looking for him earlier, he knew that there was probably a new mission, and it was then that his system popped up.
[New Side Mission Acquired]
[This Team Can't Be Without Me!]
[Objective: Go to the Land of Hot Water to assist Kakashi and Guy]
[Accept?]
Seeing this mission, Takemi was actually a bit hesitant.
After all, the previous mission had long been completed, and he hadn't received any more good missions recently.
"Mainly, Naruto and the others aren't pulling their weight."
On the way home, Takemi muttered a few words.
He had encountered Naruto and the others quite a bit during this time, but none of the missions that popped up were reliable!
For example, [Naruto Can, Why Can't I?] to persuade Sasuke to learn Rasengan, or [My Father Needs Makeup] to prank and graffiti with Naruto.
There was even Kiba's [Dogs Can Also Be Emergency Rations], and Choji's [Who is the Biggest Eater], eating his family's barbecue restaurant out of business, and so on.
Honestly, only the last one seemed reliable, but his money couldn't keep up with the restocking speed.
He had thought about exploiting bugs, like using Earth Style Wall and then graffitiing with Naruto, but considering the consequences of failure, he decided against it.
He had declined too many missions in a row. So, he was worried the system might suddenly give him an overly outrageous mission.
Like the [Delicious qnd Tatsy Sisters] from a long time ago. He would have to wait over a decade to have a chance to complete that, wasn't that risking his life?
That's why he decisively accepted the mission to the Land of Hot Water. Besides, he had been 'beaten up' for so long, he had to see the results.
"But it's not all bad news."
For the previous mission, after he could withstand the combined attack of Kakashi and Guy, the system had already popped up.
[Side Mission Completed: I Want to Fight Two!]
[Reward Acquired: Eight Inner Gates]
He felt this reward was pretty good.
But he wished for something like 'Kakashi's battle IQ' or 'Guy's combat awareness' to appear. After all, it seemed he hadn't encountered such things yet.
"And the Eight Inner Gates is a good thing."
He wasn't entirely sure if the Eight Inner Gates was a secret technique of Guy's family or something Konoha had collected.
But he was very clear about how powerful Guy was when he opened the 'Gate of Death'.
Even the arrogant and already Six Paths-level Madara said, when facing Guy,' "In terms of taijutsu, I, Uchiha Madara, acknowledge you as the strongest!"
"How many gates can my current body withstand?"
A complete Ōtsutsuki would certainly have no problem, but he was only at the 21% stage.
Shaking his head, he planned to ask Guy for advice later and completely launder this technique.
.....
"Old man, I rarely see you so flustered."
As the three of them left, in the Hokage office, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Jiraiya leaned against the window, looking down, and Jiraiya chuckled.
"I did that on purpose, stop talking nonsense."
Sarutobi Hiruzen snorted lightly, holding his pipe.
He looked up at the Hokage Rock across from them and slowly began to speak, "This kid, ever since graduating, hasn't even done a single D-rank mission. He started directly from C-rank."
"And he's been involved in so many S-rank missions. It's pretty good that he's been able to patiently train for so long."
"Wasn't that because Kakashi just came out of the Anbu and wasn't skilled yet?"
Jiraiya rubbed the back of his head, then said with a smile, "But whether it was intentional or not, an eagle cannot always stay under its wings. It must eventually fly high. Even if you, old man, disagree, I would still persuade you."
"What if I still disagree?"
"Tch, at worst, I'll take him out myself. Besides, with his Flying Thunder God Technique, can you even stop him?"
Jiraiya's words made Sarutobi Hiruzen roll his eyes. After a while, he tapped Jiraiya with his pipe.
"Aren't you leaving yet? You were the most urgent, and now you're the least urgent?"
"I'm going now."
Saying that, Jiraiya leaped over the windowsill onto the roof of the building across, waving to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"I'm off, old man!"
"Get lost already."
Sarutobi Hiruzen grumbled, but soon he sighed again.
Jiraiya going to search for Orochimaru left an indescribable feeling in his heart. He simply looked up at the Hokage Rock again.
Looking at the last young face, he smiled.
"Willfulness again? Perhaps he truly can surpass you, Minato…"
Recalling Takemi's words, the smile on his face grew brighter.
But soon, it froze.
Because he suddenly remembered that embarrassing moment at Ichiraku Ramen when Takemi last was 'willful'!
It wasn't that he was petty, but as Hokage, he hadn't carried money with him for many years.