Chapter 56

He modestly omitted that Ryo Nara's team would be enrolled in assault units fighting on the front lines, rather than being assigned to support roles, as is often the case with teams including a genin. Eventually, such a talented shinobi could grow into a force to be reckoned with, significantly adding political weight to the Naras and their allies.

Given the minimal influence over him, it was best to remove him discreetly, leaving no traces in their direction—family ties to the young genius were too unpleasant, capable of causing many problems. If he perished in war—so be it. He proved insufficiently strong, with no grievances towards the Hokage. One more genin, one less—there was no significant difference.

"We'll conclude our meeting here; I won't detain you any longer," Sarutobi informed the advisors, sighing as he began sorting through stacks of papers on the table. "I still have this paperwork to read late into the night."

He also pondered what to do about Senju—they had amassed too much influence lately, and their heir openly expressed a desire to become Hokage. Considering the personalities of the first two and the fact that Senju Nawaki was a direct descendant of Hashirama and Tobirama, if he were to perish in one of the skirmishes, the founders would surely quiet down for a while.

Orochimaru was quite capable of presenting this as an unfortunate accident, orchestrating a plausible scenario for his remaining two students, for which he could provide materials for research and some funding for promising projects. A small bonus would be the opportunity to humble Tsunade a bit, as lately she had become too arrogant under the influence of her newfound fame. She absolutely refuses to heed the wishes of her wise teacher, and such behavior should be punished.

  ***

"So, you only have a month?" Saya sighed sadly, scanning a few lines on the scroll.

"Considering that I've already spent quite a lot of time in Konoha since graduation, this was to be expected," I shrugged, comfortably settled on the couch and watching her pacing around the living room irritably. "With the troop redeployment, it was quite predictable that they would assign our team with our track record to reinforcement."

"Yes, but you've only recently graduated and still remain a genius! Sending geniuses to the front lines...!"

"Yeah, recently—almost two years already."

"That's why I think right before the Hokage's departure, he'll present us with field commissions and chuunin vests. We've had enough missions for promotion, not to mention the heads of destroyed nukenins."

"I'm not happy about it at all!" Saya even stamped her foot.

"At least now you understand a bit how I felt when I had to send you off to service, not even on the Hokage's orders, but out of personal foolishness!" I snapped irritably.

At my statement, she blushed swiftly and pouted like a little girl, turning her back with an indistinct sound. Chuckling, I swiftly moved from the couch to her and tightly embraced the surprised Saya with my arms, then returned her back to the seat and moved her to my knees. Given the difference in size, her crown hardly reached my chin and she seemed extremely small and fragile.

"Well, what are we so worried about?" I quietly asked, inhaling her familiar and beloved scent. "Unlike you, I'm not rushing to be a hero, I'm not trying to become one, and it's better for me to escape in an unfavorable case than to stay and die for some village advantage. Genin don't belong on the front lines."

"I understand that perfectly well, but all sorts of things happen in war, and sometimes there's simply nowhere to run when enemies are all around," turning sideways, Ma looked me in the eyes, "Ryuta became a victim of the approaching war, and I'm afraid you won't escape this fate, leaving me alone."

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