Blushing

In the Hokage's office...

"Lord Third Hokage, I was a step too late... All I found at Kikyo Castle were these." Furen presented the headband and sword he had taken from Hayate Gekko's body.

After confirming Hayate's death, Furen rushed back to Konoha overnight. His purpose for going to Kikyo Castle had been simple: knowing that the Sand and Sound ninja would act against Konoha, he had secretly followed the Sand ninja back to the Land of Wind, only to find that he was too late and had discovered Hayate's death.

The Third Hokage gazed at Hayate's bloodstained headband, his expression unreadable. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Furen, I know you mean well for the village, but you should refrain from following people like this in the future. Fortunately, you were slower than them."

"Lord Third Hokage..." Furen looked up, his expression one of hesitation. "Since we know that the Sound and Sand are teaming up, why don't we…"

The Third Hokage raised his hand, interrupting Furen with a gentle smile. Internally, he thought, "Furen, this child, really is devoted to the village."

"I know what you want to say, but it's not the right time yet." The Third Hokage removed his hat and placed it on the desk, his aging features showing through. "I'm comforted to have a ninja like you in the village…"

Knock knock knock!

The sound of knocking came from the door.

The Hokage looked toward the entrance, where Uzuki Yugao, dressed in her combat gear, and Anko, with her round, baby-like face, entered.

Upon seeing Furen in the Hokage's office, Anko's face flushed red, while Yugao had a thoughtful expression. She had a nagging feeling that Furen resembled the person who had patted her on the rear during a patrol outside the village…

"Is there something you need?" The Hokage asked, turning toward them.

Yugao remembered why they had come to see the Hokage, quickly pulling out a thumb-sized piece of paper with a worried expression.

"Lord Hokage, Hayate Gekko has gone missing. All we received was this small note sent back by a carrier pigeon!"

The Third Hokage took the note, glancing at the items Furen had brought, which had already been put away. He unfolded the paper, which had three words written on it:

"Kikyo Castle."

The Third Hokage read aloud softly, a fleeting look of regret appearing in his eyes as he looked at Yugao, though it quickly vanished.

"Lord Hokage, I believe we should investigate Kikyo Castle immediately!" Anko said urgently, avoiding eye contact with Furen.

"I request permission to join the investigation team to Kikyo Castle!" Yugao added in agreement.

The Third Hokage's face showed a hint of difficulty. Hayate Gekko's death, caused by the combined forces of the Sand and Sound ninja, could not be revealed yet, as the Sound Village's bases around Konoha had not been fully rooted out. If word got out too soon, it would only alert the enemy.

As the Hokage hesitated, preparing to come up with an excuse to stall the investigation, Furen, who had remained silent, spoke up.

"Lord Third Hokage, I request to join the team heading to Kikyo Castle. I can use the mission as part of my training for the third stage of the Chunin Exams."

The Hokage looked at Furen, thinking over his request before responding, "Furen, are you sure you want to use such a task as training?"

Furen nodded firmly. "Yes, Lord Hokage. Naruto has Lord Jiraiya training him, and Kakashi-sensei is personally training Sasuke. I… I don't want to lose the competition during the Chunin Exams."

Hearing Furen's words, the Third Hokage's face showed a trace of guilt. He knew the backgrounds of both Sasuke and Naruto. Jiraiya had a personal connection with Naruto as the son of his former disciple, while Kakashi had past ties with Itachi, which made him eager to train Sasuke.

Furen, on the other hand, was an exception—a regular genin, an orphan of war with no one to rely on, forced to improve his skills through dangerous missions.

"After this, I will find a way to make it up to you, Furen," the Hokage thought to himself.

"Very well, I will permit you—"

Just as the Hokage was about to agree to let Furen form a team with Anko and Yugao to investigate Kikyo Castle, Yugao spoke up.

"Lord Hokage, I don't believe Furen's abilities are sufficient for a reconnaissance mission."

Yugao responded seriously, her expression free of ulterior motives. After all, Furen was still just a ninja participating in the Chunin Exams. A mission as dangerous as reconnaissance wasn't appropriate for someone of his current level.

Reconnaissance missions generally required at least the strength of a Special Jonin.

The Third Hokage then retrieved Furen's file from the desk. His record only included participation in a C-rank mission to the Land of Waves and an A-rank mission to escort Koyuki Kazahana in the Land of Snow. Other than those, he had only completed D-rank missions meant for genin.

Furen glanced at Yugao and said slowly, "I know medical ninjutsu. I can act as the team's medic. Anko-sensei can vouch for me."

"Yes, I can vouch for that," Anko said, blushing as she spoke.

Yugao shot Anko a curious look and whispered, "Why are you blushing?"

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T/N:

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