Mission Details:Clear bandit forces along the border of the Land of Fire.Estimated enemies: 50 bandits, 5 wandering samurai, 2 missing-nin from the Land of Wind.Mission Rank: ARecommended Team: Three or more jōnin-level shinobi
"Drop it, Hiruzen. This mission isn't simple."
Shimura Danzo had Sarutobi Hiruzen by the collar, dragging him back before he could erupt again.
Uchiha Kei's calm voice carried weight.
Hiruzen stopped struggling.
Everyone trusted Kei's judgment.
They stepped closer to the desk and read the details.
Silence followed.
Fifty bandits alone were nothing.
But wandering samurai meant trained fighters.
Missing-nin meant unpredictable chakra techniques.
Stacked together?
A-rank made perfect sense.
Hiruzen exhaled slowly.
"It's dangerous. But we've worked together long enough to know each other's habits. If we stay disciplined, we'll be fine."
The clerk glanced up, surprised.
The loudmouth kid from earlier sounded… composed.
This was why people tolerated Sarutobi Hiruzen.
On missions, he flipped a switch.
He became dependable.
Danzo was competent.
Kei was steady.
But Hiruzen was the one who naturally pulled people together.
"We can handle it," Utatane Koharu added. "Our coordination is solid."
Akimichi Tōkō nodded while stuffing snacks into his mouth.
That was his version of agreement.
Then—
"Brother!"
Uchiha Shiori's voice cut through the crowd.
Kei turned.
Shiori and Amakaze Kaede were squeezing their way toward them.
"Why are you two here?" Kei asked. "Shouldn't you be training with the Hokage?"
Shiori smiled.
"The Hokage was busy today. He taught us a little and let us go."
Kei accepted it.
If the Hokage dismissed them, there was probably a reason.
"So what's up?"
Shiori pointed at Kaede.
"He wanted to come."
Kei gave Kaede a long look.
Then sighed.
"My sister's becoming your follower."
Kaede ignored that.
"Brother Kei. Are you going on a mission?"
"Yes."
"Take me with you."
The air froze.
Shiori stared.
Danzo stared.
Koharu stared.
Hiruzen nearly fell over.
"Absolutely not!" Hiruzen shouted. "You're six! If anything happens, the Hokage will skin me alive!"
Kaede didn't flinch.
This wasn't a whim.
After the Peaceful Life System's Chaos Event trigger, Kaede had been hunting opportunities.
Inside the village?
Nothing.
No chaos.
No triggers.
Uchiha Setsuna was a ticking bomb.
Kaede needed Calm Points.
Bandits.
Samurai.
Missing-nin.
If anything could trigger chaos, it would be them.
Otherwise, he'd rather stay home and sleep.
"What would it take for you to agree?" Kaede asked.
Hiruzen scowled.
"I'm not negotiating."
"I am," Kaede replied evenly. "We fight. If you're satisfied with my strength, you take me. If not, I walk away."
Shiori grabbed Kaede's sleeve.
"Kaede… missions mean killing."
Kaede nodded.
"I know."
He had crossed that line already.
Once you've stepped over it, standing on either side feels the same.
"Relax," Kaede added. "Hiruzen won't hurt me."
Shiori looked unconvinced.
"Stop acting like this is settled!" Hiruzen snapped. "There's no way I'm bringing a kid into an A-rank mission!"
Kaede's gaze hardened.
"This group of bandits is already cornered. If you wipe them out, the Land of Fire will be quiet for a long time."
Which meant fewer chances later.
"This might be my only window."
Hiruzen frowned.
Why was this kid so obsessed with killing bandits?
"Are you serious?" Hiruzen asked.
"Completely."
Utatane Koharu stepped forward.
"Hiruzen, don't encourage him. He's a child."
Hiruzen cracked his knuckles.
"I won't hurt him."
Unlike Hiruzen's confidence, Uchiha Kei felt uneasy.
Something told him…
Kaede wasn't bluffing.
"Hiruzen," Kei said quietly, "don't underestimate him."
Hiruzen grinned.
"Fine."
He stepped forward.
"Show me what you've got, Kaede."
Kaede's chakra stirred.
Shōton shimmered faintly around his fingers.
The mission hall suddenly felt very small.