The group sat there for another forty minutes. Sasuke looked like he was about to start biting the bark off the tree in pure, concentrated resentment. Sakura was still huffing, throwing glares toward Kenji every few seconds, while Naruto was back to practicing his chakra control. His eyes, however, kept drifting toward the village gates, the weight of his father's legacy still visible in the set of his jaw.
Poof.
A cloud of white smoke erupted on top of the middle training post. Kakashi Hatake stood there, hands deep in his pockets, his one visible eye curved into a lazy, closed-eye smile.
"Yo," he greeted, sounding entirely too relaxed for a man who had kept three hormonal pre-teens and one transmigrated menace waiting in the morning heat.
"YOU'RE LATE!" Naruto and Sakura screamed in perfect, ear-shattering unison.
Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck, his eye wandering toward the sky as if searching for a believable lie. "Well, you see, I was on my way here when I saw an elderly woman carrying too many groceries, and then a black cat crossed my path, so I had to take the long way around to avoid the bad luck... and then I got lost on the path of life."
"LIAR!" they screamed again.
"Actually, Sensei," Kenji spoke up, leaning back with a shit-eating grin that made Kakashi's eye twitch. "I heard a rumor that the local bookstore just got an early shipment of the new Icha Icha limited edition. Or maybe you were just busy re-reading Kunoichi's Forbidden Heat? I hear the second volume has a specific scene in the hot springs that requires... extended focus."
Kakashi stiffened for a microsecond. Underneath his tactical vest, his pulse skipped a beat. He knew for a fact Kenji was the silent partner of that publishing house, and the boy's gaze was far too knowing.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Kenji-kun," Kakashi coughed into his hand, quickly pivoting. "Anyway, we have a mission. And before Naruto starts complaining, no, it's not catching Tora the cat or weeding the head ninja's garden."
"Finally! A real mission, dattebayo!" Naruto cheered, punching the air.
"Hn," Sasuke grunted, finally uncrossing his arms and stepping forward.
"As you all know," Kakashi began, his voice losing its playful edge, "the village is still in a state of high alert following the invasion. The rebuilding is going well, but the political landscape remains fragile. Today is a turning point. Today is the official inauguration of the Fifth Hokage."
Naruto's face lit up. "Grandma Tsunade! She's finally taking the hat!"
"Indeed," Kakashi nodded. "But a ceremony of this magnitude, especially right after an attack, is a logistical nightmare. Every village leader, noble, and Daimyo representative in the Fire Nation will be watching. And when there's a crowd that big, there are always those who want to stir up trouble."
Kenji narrowed his eyes, a shadow of a smile playing on his lips. "Indeed... there's always some one-eyed guy lurking in the dark, wanting to become Hokage. Who knows what kind of trouble he'd stir up seeing someone else take the throne."
Kenji didn't say the name, but Kakashi's eye widened. The boy was implying Danzo Shimura—a name most Jonin barely dared to whisper. This kid knows way too much, Kakashi thought, a chill running down his spine.
"One-eyed man?" Naruto asked, tilting his head. "Is it Kakashi-sensei? He also has one eye covered!"
WHACK.
Sakura's fist met Naruto's head with practiced efficiency. "What are you talking about, fool?! Kakashi-sensei has both eyes, one is just under his headband! Use your brain!"
"Ahm... calm down, guys," Kakashi sighed, waving a hand. "Let's not waste time. We need to report to the security control center immediately."
*****
The streets of Konoha had been transformed. Red and white banners hung from every rooftop, and the scent of grilled squid and sweet dango filled the air. Merchants from every corner of the Fire Nation had set up stalls, their colorful wares lining the paths. New faces were everywhere—wealthy nobles in silken robes, samurai bodyguards with stern expressions, and even the Daimyo's official representative, traveling in a massive, ornate carriage surrounded by a phalanx of guards.
Team 7 wove through the dense crowds, eventually arriving at the temporary security HQ. Standing there, looking over a series of maps and deployment charts, was Ibiki Morino. The scar-faced head of the Intelligence Division looked like he hadn't slept in three days, his presence alone enough to make most Genin want to turn around and run.
"Team 7 reporting," Kakashi said.
Ibiki glanced up, his cold gaze sweeping over the four youngsters. "You're late. Take your sector assignments. Most of the Jonin and Chunin are on perimeter and high-value target protection. You Genin are on crowd control in the central plaza."
Naruto slumped. "Crowd control? That's just standing around!"
"It's vital work, Naruto," Sakura chided, though she looked a bit disappointed herself.
Kenji, however, wasn't listening. A familiar, sleek blue interface had just shimmered into existence before his eyes.
[Sudden Quest Triggered: The Festival Predator]
[Mission: The crowd is a dense forest, and you are the apex hunter. Utilize the chaos of the inauguration to further your... 'artistic research'.]
Objective 1: Grope 20 unsuspecting high-status women in the crowd.
Objective 2: Deliver 10 "motivational" spanks to fleeing or distracted targets.
Condition: Do not get caught by the ANBU patrols.
[Reward: +5,000 SP, Title: 'The Crowd Menace' (Grants 20% stealth bonus in urban environments), 1x 'High-Frequency' Remote Toy.]
Kenji's eyes glazed over with a predatory light. He thought about the sea of beautiful women—noble daughters, wealthy merchants' wives, and visiting kunoichi—all packed together in the sweltering heat of the plaza.
"You know, Naruto," Kenji said, a dark, shameless grin spreading across his face as he adjusted his equipment pouch. "Maybe crowd control isn't so bad after all. There are a lot of... hidden threats... that require a very 'hands-on' approach to identify."
"What are you talking about, Kenji?" Sakura asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Nothing, Billboard-brow," Kenji laughed, already stepping into the throng. "Just doing my duty as a shinobi of the Leaf. See you at the ceremony!"
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