Chapter 17: Hanako, How Can You Still Be Alive?

Training Ground No. 9.

Hanako looked at the stone in front of him, lost in thought.

He could understand the lunch box and the picture of the beautiful woman, but why was his name carved on the stone?

"So, you're really not dead?"

Obito touched Hanako's body, filled with both joy and disbelief.

"You're disgusting."

Hanako pushed Obito away, feeling a shiver down his spine.

What's wrong with this guy? Why is he touching me, a guy?

"Hanako!"

Rin's face was filled with joy as she quickly ran over.

She intended to give him a friendly hug, but Kakashi, who cut in line, interrupted her.

"How did you manage to shake off the pursuers?"

Staring at Hanako, Kakashi was equally shocked.

With so many jonin pursuing them, Kakashi believed it would be difficult to escape even for himself.

"I brought over 300 explosive tags."

Hanako responded casually, displaying an invincible demeanor.

Over 300 explosive tags?

Kakashi was dumbfounded.

For a C-rank mission, you actually brought so many explosive tags?

"Well, you've lost big this time. The reward for this mission is only enough to buy a dozen or so explosive tags."

Obito added, thinking that Hanako was at a loss this time.

No one would bring that many explosive tags on a C-rank mission because the cost wouldn't justify the rewards.

Of course, except for the wealthy.

"By the way, Hanako, do you know that you've been included in the textbooks?"

Obito shared some good news.

"Textbooks? What textbooks?" Hanako was puzzled.

"Ninja Academy textbooks, of course."

Bookstore.

Hanako bought a student-level textbook that had just been released yesterday and opened it.

On the first page, there were bold red letters.

[Unity! Effort! Selflessness! Dedication!]

—The Strongest Third Hokage.

Expressionless, he flipped to the next page and began searching for information about himself.

Half an hour later.

Having nearly finished flipping through the textbook, Hanako finally found the description about himself.

[Only those with unwavering fire of will can unleash immense power.]

[For example: Hanako, the worst graduate in our village's history.]

[In a critical moment for the team, he single-handedly diverted the pursuit of dozens of jonin, greatly aiding in the mission's success.]

[He sacrificed himself and exemplified the meaning of the fire of will!]

Snap!

Closing the textbook, Hanako walked out of the bookstore.

As soon as he stepped onto the street, he saw a handsome young ninja smiling at him.

"Sensei Mizuki?"

"Hanako, I just returned and heard about what happened to you," Mizuki said with a smile.

The street wasn't a suitable place for a chat, so the two of them went to Mizuki's residence.

"I heard from Kakashi that you brought a lot of explosive tags on this mission?"

As soon as they sat down, Mizuki brought up the topic again.

"Yes."

"Just relying on explosive tags wouldn't have been enough to escape the pursuit of dozens of jonin," Mizuki said meaningfully.

"I'm faster," Hanako thought for a moment and stated.

Faster?

"No wonder."

Mizuki nodded.

Because what Hanako said aligned with his own judgment.

To escape from so many jonin, speed was the most important factor.

"You did well this time. Do you know that as soon as I returned, Kusunagi has been praising you?" Mizuki said.

"She rarely praises anyone."

With Mizuki's words, Hanako felt a bit shy and embarrassed.

After all, he had initially planned to run away, but he was discovered right after leaving the mountain.

Helpless, he could only use explosive tags to drive away the nearby enemies and run away as fast as he could.

Then, he inexplicably ended up being included in the textbooks.

Next.

Hanako began seeking advice from Mizuki about his training.

"Sensei, is there a ninjutsu that is very powerful and has a wide range?"

"There are many."

Surprised, Mizuki glanced at Hanako and continued.

"Unfortunately, none of them are suitable for you."

"Oh," Hanako felt a bit disappointed.

Mizuki, on the other hand, was quite pleased because Hanako asking this question indicated his desire to learn ninjutsu.

Unfortunately.

Hanako's chakra didn't have an attribute, and Mizuki's unattributed ninjutsu was still under development and incomplete.

After bidding farewell to Sensei Mizuki, Hanako returned home.

As soon as he entered the yard, he felt a sense of home and comfortably lay down on the chair.

Training?

What should he train?

It's so comfortable lying here.

He had thought of learning a new ninjutsu earlier, but as soon as he lay down on the chair, that idea disappeared from his mind.

---------

Hokage's Office.

After reviewing the documents, Hiruzen stretched his stiff arms.

Indeed.

The position of Hokage was not something anyone could sit in.

Only he, who tirelessly worked, was capable of handling this difficult job.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

At that moment, a messenger ninja walked in.

"Hokage-sama, an urgent letter from the Land of Hot Springs."

"Oh?"

Hiruzen was slightly surprised as he took the letter.

The Land of Hot Springs?

Wasn't the issue already resolved?

"Hmm? This is a thank-you letter? They also want to send the Joyful Bath to Hanako?"

Browsing through the contents of the letter, Hiruzen couldn't help but chuckle.

The letter was sent by Menari, the newly appointed daimyo of the Land of Hot Springs. Not only did it express gratitude to Konoha, but it also specifically mentioned sending the Joyful Bath to Hanako of Team 9.

That's not all.

The letter also mentioned welcoming Hanako to visit the Land of Hot Springs anytime.

"Hanako? Wasn't he already killed in action?"

Seeing the ending, Hiruzen furrowed his brow.

Menari should be aware that Hanako was killed in action, so why did the invitation come at the end?

"Summon someone to check if Hanako has returned to the village."

With Hiruzen's command, an ANBU member appeared and then quickly disappeared.

Before long.

The ANBU member reported that Hanako had indeed returned to the village.

Upon hearing this news, Hiruzen tapped the table.

"A crane-tailed brat who should have died in battle."

"Yet, he is written into the textbooks as a carrier of the Will of Fire."

"If this person makes mistakes in future missions, won't it ruin the positive image?"

"How can someone like him, a symbol of righteousness, still be alive?"

Thinking this way.

Hiruzen picked up the mission book and started flipping through the tasks.

His gaze fell on a B-rank mission, and Hiruzen couldn't help but feel emotional.

"Indeed, there are still too many missions for the village."

"This mission seems very suitable for Team 9!"