Haruto Saito insisted on assassinating Kaguya Rakuba, not out of arrogance. Otherwise, he wouldn't have chosen an S-rank assassination mission—he would have gone straight for a Super S-rank one!
What he wanted was the Shikotsumyaku Bloodline Limit Card!
If he obtained the card, according to the "card consumption principle," eating two of the same card would double its effect. Haruto wasn't sure exactly how this would enhance his abilities—whether it would expand his attack range, reduce chakra consumption, or both. Regardless, any improvement that doubled the attack effect of the Shikotsumyaku would be an enormous advantage for him!
For Haruto, the Shikotsumyaku had always been his most reliable trump card!
As for whether he was courting death… Haruto didn't think so!
Perhaps, if he were facing another ninja of the same level as Kaguya Rakuba, he might indeed be reckless. However, Kaguya Rakuba's primary ability was undoubtedly the Shikotsumyaku Bloodline Limit—an ability that Haruto himself possessed! Know yourself and your enemy, and you will never be defeated! Haruto understood Kaguya Rakuba's abilities. In this case, launching an assassination would have a much higher success rate!
"That's settled then!" Haruto said firmly. "Captain, I'm going to report to the Hokage. Please give me the dossier."
"Go get it from the Intelligence Division," White Fang replied without hesitation, unwilling to argue further.
After all, there was no way Sarutobi Hiruzen would approve this mission for Haruto!
Hokage Office, Hokage Building.
It was late at night, yet Sarutobi Hiruzen was still working. The situation had become increasingly tense, and the amount of intelligence he needed to review personally was growing by the day, often keeping him busy until deep into the night.
Whoosh!
A sudden whirlwind stirred the air as Haruto appeared in front of the desk.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up, furrowed his brows, but said nothing. This kid was just like Tsunade—barging straight into his office without so much as a greeting.
"Sensei, I've accepted a mission. Please take a look," Haruto said bluntly, handing over the mission dossier.
"An assassination mission? You decided so quickly," Sarutobi Hiruzen said mildly as he took the scroll and opened it.
"Lord White Fang said I am completely incapable of handling this mission. Sensei, I think he's underestimating you! Do you think your judgment could be wrong? I am your direct disciple! If I can't even complete an S-rank mission, how could I dare claim to be your student?" Haruto exclaimed indignantly, showing not a hint of guilt.
"Hmph!" Sarutobi Hiruzen snorted, quickly scanning the dossier. Then he looked up and bluntly declared, "You are indeed incapable of handling this mission!"
"Sensei, I think we should have a rematch. You're underestimating me!" Haruto immediately protested.
"You brat, you're asking for a beating!" Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression darkened. Every conversation with Haruto gave him a headache!
"Sensei, I can really do it!" Haruto insisted. "It's just an S-rank mission, and that guy is sick—his body is weak…"
"The dossier states it very clearly!" Sarutobi Hiruzen cut him off, his expression grave. "Precisely because Kaguya Rakuba has an illness, the mission was rated as S-rank. In reality, he possesses Super S-rank strength! If you go after him, it will be extremely dangerous!"
Haruto's face fell. If Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't approve, there was nothing he could do.
Rank outranks reason. And Sarutobi Hiruzen outranked him by far more than just one level!
"So it's a no…" Haruto sighed. It seemed he would have to reconsider and pick another S-rank mission. In truth, he just wanted to leave Konoha and head to Uzu no Kuni (Land of Whirlpools).
At this stage, treasure hunting was far more important than assassinations!
The potential treasure he was after could be the greatest in history!
The location where he planned to use his Treasure Card was chosen while his luck stat was maxed out. His expectations were sky-high!
"However, it's not entirely out of the question." Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly changed his tone, as if something had occurred to him. "I need to consider it. The mission isn't urgent, and we need more intelligence reports. Go back and wait for my decision."
Haruto was momentarily stunned, unsure of what Sarutobi Hiruzen was planning, but he could only nod.
After Haruto left, Sarutobi Hiruzen set aside the assassination mission dossier without another glance and continued reviewing documents. About ten minutes later, a sudden knock on the door interrupted him.
Knock, knock!
"Come in," Sarutobi Hiruzen said.
The door opened, and three people entered in a line, respectfully bowing before the desk. "Sensei, you called for us!"
It was Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru!
"This is an urgent mission." Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was serious. He pulled out two scrolls from his drawer and tossed them to the trio. "Kirigakure has sent forces to invade Uzu no Kuni. The Land of Whirlpools is our strategic buffer zone against the Land of Water. We cannot afford to lose it!"
One scroll contained detailed intelligence on Kirigakure's movements, while the other was the mission briefing.
The three passed the scrolls among themselves. Tsunade looked up, frowning. "Sensei, this seems to be just a probing attack from Kirigakure. Aren't we overreacting? This might escalate into full-scale war!"
"All eyes are on us," Sarutobi Hiruzen replied immediately. "Suna, Iwa, Kumo, and even Amegakure—all of them are watching. Our clash with Kirigakure will draw the entire shinobi world's attention!"
A cold glint flashed in his eyes. "That's why we must strike first and strike hard! I have already ordered the Anbu to conduct a decapitation operation. The Fourth Army Corps will also be dispatched to the border. Additionally, our Intelligence Division and Reconnaissance Troops will be sending their main forces into Uzu no Kuni. I want Kirigakure to be completely repelled before they can establish a foothold!"
Tsunade, being highly intelligent, immediately understood Sarutobi Hiruzen's strategy.
This was about eliminating future threats!
The true focal point of the shinobi world's conflicts was Amegakure. Once full-scale war broke out, Konoha would have to send troops there. But the looming threat was Kirigakure.
If they didn't handle Kirigakure now, Konoha would be forced to fight on two fronts—an extremely troublesome scenario!
"You three are the key players in this joint operation. As my direct disciples, I trust you to strike a decisive blow for Konoha!" Sarutobi Hiruzen declared. "Don't let me down!"
"We will complete the mission!" Tsunade immediately said, her expression solemn.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru remained silent, but Tsunade's words spoke for all three of them—she had always been the strategic leader of their team.
"Good! I trust you. I want all of you to return alive," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a faint smile. His three direct disciples had always been his pride.
"Oh, one more thing!" He picked up the previously discarded dossier and tossed it to them. "Take a look at this mission."
Tsunade skimmed it, then frowned. "This is a low-level mission. Why assign it to us? This should be Anbu's job."
"It's Haruto's," Sarutobi Hiruzen said.
Tsunade's face changed. "Sensei, why assign such a dangerous mission to that reckless brat? He'll die!"
"He chose it himself," Sarutobi Hiruzen replied.
Tsunade's expression grew even more complex.