Chapter 24

"Oh, isn't it Captain Shinnosuke?"

Yusuke turned to the newcomer. Despite the mask, he recognized him immediately. "It seems Tsunade's medical skills are still top-notch."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke grit his teeth behind the mask, taking several deep breaths to calm his anger and fear. "Hokage-sama is looking for you."

"Ah... Let's go," Yusuke said, gesturing for Shinnosuke to lead the way.

"Huh?" Sarutobi Shinnosuke was taken aback, wondering why Yusuke was being so cooperative this time.

"It just so happens that I have something to discuss with the Hokage," Yusuke added, as if reading Shinnosuke's thoughts.

"Old woman, please tidy up the Senju Clan grounds. This place, being the home of the First Hokage, shouldn't be left in disrepair." Yusuke gave a nod and a smile to the elderly woman before vanishing with Shinnosuke using the Body Flicker Technique.

As they headed toward Sarutobi's estate, Yusuke commented with a grin, "You want to talk about Iwagakure's forces, right? After the Nine-Tails incident, how many troops does Konoha have available? Three thousand? Four thousand?"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke's brows furrowed behind his mask. He wasn't sure how to respond, but Yusuke continued, "It's just the Land of Stone attacking now. Imagine if the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water decided to join in..."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke couldn't help but respond sharply, "Why does it seem like you're enjoying this?"

"That's just your imagination," Yusuke replied with a smile. "If White Fang were still around, things might be different, don't you think?"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke clenched his teeth.

"Anyway, it's me who's going to handle this, isn't it?" Yusuke shrugged as they arrived at the entrance to Sarutobi's mansion.

"I apologize for the wait, Hokage-sama," Yusuke said with his usual bright smile as he entered the hall.

"Not at all, the timing is just right," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, adopting his kind and composed demeanor in front of others.

"Oh, and the three elders are here as well. It's great to see you all together, true comrades-in-arms after nearly twenty years," Yusuke remarked with a smile.

The three elders exchanged puzzled looks. While it was true, Yusuke's comment seemed odd.

"Yusuke, you're aware that the Iwa army, led by the Third Tsuchikage Onoki, is advancing into our Fire Country, correct?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked calmly.

"Of course. It's big news that everyone in the village knows about," Yusuke replied.

"Although I've asked Jiraiya to return, with the ongoing conflict with Suna in the east and Orochimaru and Tsunade unable to assist, Konoha is in a precarious situation after the Nine-Tails attack. We're in serious trouble," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, his gaze fixed on Yusuke. "Therefore..."

"So you want me to lead the army against Onoki's forces, right?" Yusuke cut in, anticipating Sarutobi's request.

"Yes, can you take on this difficult task?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, hopeful.

If it were Naruto Uzumaki, he might have agreed without hesitation for the sake of the village. But Yusuke was different. Facing Sarutobi's hopeful eyes, he raised two fingers and said, "Two conditions."

"You still need conditions?!" Homura exclaimed in disbelief.

Koharu shouted angrily, "As a Konoha ninja, in this time of crisis, you're going to take advantage of the situation?!"

"Why don't you two elders go to the front lines yourselves?" Yusuke asked with a smile.

The two elders fell silent, unable to respond.

"What are your conditions?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked with a frown.

He wasn't surprised; he had expected Yusuke to demand something in return.

"First, I want to see the Book of Seals."

This request surprised Shimura Danzo and the others. The Book of Seals was a highly coveted treasure containing all the ninjutsu of Konoha's major families.

"...The Book of Seals is an extremely valuable record of all the ninjutsu of Konoha's founding families. It's not normally shown to anyone, but I suppose we can make an exception if you succeed in this mission," Sarutobi Hiruzen said after a pause. "You can review it for a few days once you return victorious."

"Just to review when I return?" Yusuke raised an eyebrow.

The old foxes were clearly trying to avoid making any promises.

"And the second condition, i wan't that hat?" Yusuke's smile grew wider.

"What?!" Even Sarutobi Hiruzen was taken aback, his composure slipping momentarily.