Chapter 84 Ninja Academy

Sasuke's hand paused mid-air as he wiped his sweat, his breath halted momentarily before resuming, his gaze seeming indifferent as he looked ahead, "Hattori-sensei... why did you quit ANBU?"

"I am actuallya very peace-loving person at heart. You may not notice this excellent character." Logan blinked, "I don't usually tell this to just anyone."

The corner of Sasuke's mouth twitched, and the emotion rising in his heart was dispelled. He obviously didn't believe what Logan said. He couldn't help but 'tsk' without giving respect.

"Actually, I just didn't want to do this anymore." Before Sasuke could say anything else, the person next to him interjected, leaving him stunned, "Well... it's not very suitable. Everyone constantly makes choices in life, and one state won't last forever. Sasuke, you'll experience it too."

Sasuke couldn't quite grasp the latter part that seemed to contain words of sadness and wisdom. It was just that the feeling that someone who made him feel happy to be around was about to leave gradually grew stronger in his heart. He lowered his head and saw the bruises on his knees from climbing tree today. It's red and green, and they would look ugly after applying plaster tonight. He was trying very hard to study.

Turning his head away, Sasuke whispered softly, 'Hattori-sensei, does that mean you'll be gone for a long time?"

Whether Logan was a powerful Ninja in the ANBU or not, this was no longer important in Sasuke's mind.

"Well..." Logan chuckled dryly, glancing at the world divided into two halves by the eaves and the clear sky above, "It's hard to say. It should be quite a while, after all, it's like going on a 'journey' outside the village. Sigh, at this point, reading thousands of books and traveling thousands of miles, and going on arduous and meaningful travels are also one of the tests of being a good Ninja... Children don't understand..."

Regarding the question of how long he would go, Logan began to talk nonsense. He didn't even know where he was going. He estimated that he was traveling around the world, and it would take a year or two to start. Akatsuki's early work scope would cover most of the main continent, so it wouldn't be so simple. He didn't want to directly say he would be gone for several years, and possibly not returning until Sasuke graduated. Strangely, after informally becoming teacher and student, the accumulation of bonds naturally deepened, and now he looked at Sasuke kneeling in front of the mourning hall differently than before.

As for the question of whether he would stay in the ANBU, Logan said almost the same thing. It is indeed inappropriate. With the current situation, there was no way for him to advance without leaving.

"I'm not a child anymore." Sasuke said in a dissatisfied tone.

"You haven't even graduated from the Academy. Let's talk about it after you become a Genin." Logan had a big advantage in age, so there was nothing wrong with whatever he said.

"..." Sasuke really couldn't refute that, feeling resentful but unable to argue, and unable to win in a fight either.

After both of them fell silent, the conversation became unusually quiet. A gentle warm breeze brushed through the courtyard, and the flowers rustled softly. The shadow of the oak tree used for tree-climbing practice elongated from short to long. Sasuke then spoke up.

"I understand now, Hattori-sensei. I will train hard on my own."

Logan scratched his head, as just now, he about to break the silence, "Hmm, that's good. Just maintain a normal schedule. You don't have to talk about training all the time..."

After chatting for a while longer, Sasuke leaped off the corridor with a push of his hand, "It's getting late, I'll head back today."

"Okay, I'll tell you before I leave." Logan didn't see him off, and just waved his hand from where he sat.

Sasuke pouted, 'No one asked you to come and tell me.' He didn't reply, pushed open the door and walked home.

…

Having finished taking care the only thing he cared about in the village, Logan breathed a sigh of relief. In an unknown direction, since Sasuke had gathered the courage to knock on his door at the beginning, regardless of the uncertain and tender times when friends and foes were not yet distinguished, he would do his best.

The next day, Logan was still idling at home, so he went to the Hokage's Office according to the original plan to pick up a small mission, practicing his skills while alleviating some of the Third Hokage's possible suspicions.

However, when Logan approached the Hokage's office and entered the mission hall, he found that the development was a bit wrong.

"Raiden Hattori, are you a little uncomfortable after being idle for so long?" Hiruzen put down the documents in his hands and smiled at Logan as if he had anticipated Logan's arrival, "I see you've come to pick up a mission."

Logan felt uncomfortable under Hiruzen's strange gaze. There was no malice, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Hiruzen had been waiting for him for a while.

"Thinking of completing a B-Rank mission? How can a Ninja who has retired from the elite ANBU accept such a low-level mission?" Hiruzen's words sent shivers down Logan's spine.

'Could you please choose your words more carefully?'

"I wonder what Hokage-sama means..." Logan looked at Hiruzen helplessly.

"I happen to have a special A-Rank mission here." Hiruzen rummaged around and pulled out a file from the drawer, then pushed it over, "The plan is to send a team of three. Two people are already prepared, and I think you would be a perfect fit."

'Special A-Rank, three-person team?' Logan carefully picked up the file and began to read it,

After reading just a few lines, Logan's expression became very strange. The reality was completely different from what he had imagined.

"Every quarter, each department takes turns sending special personnel to the Ninja Academy... to inspect, observe, provide insights and suggestions... and give lectures!?"

Hearing Logan's surprised tone, Hiruzen nodded and said with a smile, "Yes, that's it. The Ninja Academy is the source of fresh blood for a Ninja Village, and it is of great significance, so we attach great importance to the development of this aspect of work. In addition to the daily teaching tasks by Chunin, every now and then, we will also send experienced personnel from various departments to introduce some practical and valuable things to the children, all for their long-term development..."

Logan was stunned for a moment when he heard Hiruzen's words that were like those of a headmaster, 'Konoha is still doing this? Sending excellent 'experts and scholars' to give lectures at the school?'

"Hokage-sama, you're not joking, are you?" Logan forced a smile, but the clear planning in the document forced him to accept reality.

"Why would I be joking?" Hiruzen took out another ID that could be hung around the neck, resembling the credentials of certain personnel at certain events, "Last quarter, it was the Medical-nin from the medical department who went there. Now, according to the sequence, it's the ANBU's turn."

"This is the exchange certificate." Hiruzen seemed to have no intention of allowing Logan to refuse, and thrust the ID into Logan's hand.

[ANBU's retiree, Ninja Academy's exchange certificate.]

Logan had no words to express his frustration.

How about it, Raiden Hattori? You won't refuse such a friendly, sunny, and meaningful mission, right?"

Logan took a look at the end of the document, and found that it really was marked as an A-Rank mission. He sighed, realizing there was indeed no reason to refuse. Logan looked at Hiruzen's face, with freckles and wrinkles but still kindly smiling. As the Kage of the village, the Third Hokage will always smile for a long time watching the Ninjas take missions from the office.

Logan signed his name, took the exchange certificate and mission documents, then bowed to Hiruzen, "Thank you, Hokage-sama."

The other party was really trying to cleanse his soul because he was 'tired and wanting some quiet'.

Hiruzen nodded with a smile.

'Well, to be honest, visiting the Ninja Academy seems quite interesting.'

As Logan was about to leave, Hiruzen thought of something and suddenly said.

"By the way, I forgot to mention that among the other two retired ANBU, one of them is someone you're familiar with, Hyuga Aida from the Hyuga Clan.