Chapter 474: The Iron Country

The eight-person group departing from Konoha jumped between the dense forests. Uchiha Madara, the leader, had a steady pace and moved like flying, walking on flat ground between the treetops.

After traveling dozens of miles, he turned his face and glanced at Senju Tobirama, who was following him closely but with slightly floating footsteps, his brows furrowing imperceptibly.

In his impression, this white-haired one's pace wasn't slow, and his endurance wasn't bad. Why did he wilt after running for a while?

"Are you sick?"

"Uh... I just happened to have a new topic recently, stayed up late for a few days, it doesn't matter."

Senju Tobirama, who was asked, stiffened all over. After his brain ran at high speed, he gave an impeccable answer.

"Don't hold us back."

Looking suspiciously at Senju Tobirama's excessively pale complexion, Uchiha Madara temporarily suppressed the doubts in his heart, threw down a cold sentence, and didn't continue to ask.

"Teacher, where is our destination?"

Seeing that the two in front had finished communicating, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was following Senju Tobirama's butt, asked in a low voice.

As soon as these words came out, the other few people besides Uchiha Kagami were also full of curiosity.

They were all notified temporarily last night, asking them to gather at the village entrance early this morning and follow Senju Tobirama to carry out a secret mission.

"Land of Iron."

"Is that the country where there are no ninjas?"

Senju Tobirama nodded. The reason they decided to come to the meeting also had a certain relationship with the location of the meeting.

The Land of Iron is one of the very few neutral countries in the entire Ninja World.

During the period when the ninja profession just emerged, the old-era combat group led by samurai in the Land of Iron signed a non-aggression treaty with ninjas very early.

Because of this, the Land of Iron was able to maintain a stable pattern in the Ninja World where wars occurred frequently.

"Although there are no ninjas, they have samurai."

Mitokado Homura on the side pushed his glasses, reflecting his academic persona; otherwise, this pair of glasses on his nose bridge would have been in vain.

"Samurai, that kind of dross of the old era, hasn't it been eliminated yet?"

Danzo, who went out on missions all year round, had a certain understanding of the samurai profession. He had also personally ended many samurai who acted like bandits under the name of ronin.

"Hehe, guys who can't even use chakra properly."

"Our goal for this trip is not them, don't cause trouble after you go."

Looking at Danzo, who had a proud look, Senju Tobirama shook his head gently, and then shifted his gaze to the other few disciples, his eyes carrying a few more thoughts.

In these past few years, he had actually been secretly observing the disciples he had carefully cultivated, wanting to select one or two talents who could be entrusted with important tasks.

But the result made him a bit disappointed. Although the F6 were already the best among their peers, everyone had more or less some shortcomings.

Hiruzen, ability is good, but sometimes he is indecisive when handling things and easily swayed by emotions.

Danzo, execution is very strong, decisive in action, but his heart is too small, likes to hold grudges.

Koharu and Homura, lack self-confidence, have no opinions, can only act as green leaves.

Torifu, a radical who is the opposite of his honest appearance, easily gets carried away.

Even Kagami, who makes him worry the least, has the problem of not being tight-lipped.

If he really had to choose from them, only Kagami and Hiruzen could be used.

"You guys, who is interested in being a Jonin instructor?"

After complaining about the F6 behind him in his heart, Senju Tobirama suddenly remembered Tsunade, who was about to graduate, so he decided to pick a teacher for her from among the disciples.

"Jonin instructor?"

The few people looked at each other upon hearing this. They now had their own main jobs. Suddenly asking them to change careers to bring children, they were naturally reluctant.

"Is it a mission?"

Finally, after a brief silence, Hiruzen asked with hesitation. He was now a member of the Anbu belonging to the Hokage building.

If he continued to work, in a few years, he should be able to climb to the position of captain. His future could be said to be limitless.

"It's not a mission."

"Sorry, Teacher, I am not suitable for teaching people."

Hearing that it wasn't a mandatory mission, Danzo was the first to raise his hand, but it wasn't to accept, but to refuse.

Besides being a ninja, he was also a father. He usually used his free time to cultivate Shinnosuke and couldn't squeeze out time to bring other children at all.

"Hmm."

Senju Tobirama didn't say much, but he had already put an X on Danzo in his heart.

"Teacher, the ninjutsu I am good at is too niche, it's really not the best choice for leading a team."

"Me too."

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu also shook their heads and refused. Of course, the reasons they gave could barely pass.

Not everyone possessed space-time and medical talents.

A Jonin instructor leading a team not only needs to be powerful, but also needs rich knowledge of ninjutsu and taijutsu. It is indeed difficult for a partial-subject warrior to be competent.

"Teacher, I think I can."

He didn't expect the first person to agree to appear so quickly, but looking at Akimichi Torifu, who was smiling honestly, Senju Tobirama's skin twitched slightly.

He didn't want little Tsunade, who had a slim figure, to become as plump and moving as the Akimichi clan.

"Cough, cough, Torifu, you have more important missions, don't get distracted."

Senju Tobirama shook his head. He had already heard that Akimichi Torifu was about to inherit the position of clan leader, so he definitely wouldn't have time to spare.

"Uh... okay."

Akimichi Torifu revealed a look of disappointment upon hearing this. Compared to serving as the boring clan leader, he wanted more to lead his subordinates to charge into battle.

"What about you two?"

Shifting his gaze to the last two candidates, Senju Tobirama was full of inquiry.

"I'm willing." *2

Uchiha Kagami and Hiruzen looked at each other, and both raised their hands in unison, but their thoughts were completely different.

Hiruzen, who was meticulous, had already guessed from his teacher's expressionless face that the other party was testing them, so he decided to gamble—the stake was his already limitless future.

For no other reason, Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to advance too much!

And Kagami thought much more simply,

Serving as Jonin instructor = unloading the secretary work = no need to work overtime = ox and horse life ends

Uchiha Kagami wanted to work from nine to five too much!

"Oh? Then it's settled. I have already chosen a few children. You guys pick one after you go back and start serving as their Jonin instructor."

Looking at the two who raised their hands, Senju Tobirama nodded with satisfaction. Hiruzen and Kagami's knowledge level and technical ability were both top-notch among their peers. If Tsunade could follow either of them to learn, it wouldn't be too bad.

"What are you guys whispering about?"

Uchiha Madara, who was walking in the front, was attracted by the heated discussion behind him, so he turned his head curiously and asked.

"Hokage-sama, Teacher just asked us if we want to be Jonin instructors."

Kagami replied truthfully.

"That kind of ninja game like playing house, Kagami, you wouldn't have agreed, right?"

"Uh..."

Uchiha Madara, with an unhappy face, looked at the embarrassed Kagami and scolded him with hatred for not living up to expectations.

"You idiot, you have a great future and don't want it, and you go to be some Jonin instructor?"

"White-hair, it's your ghost, right?"

After scolding Kagami, Uchiha Madara pointed his spear at the culprit.

"In order not to let Uchiha produce another person in charge, you really put in a lot of effort."

"What are you talking about?"

Senju Tobirama was confused. He was taking this opportunity to recruit talents and plan for Konoha's future. How did it become him playing ghosts in Uchiha Madara's mouth?

"Hmph! Isn't it just that you want Kagami to stay away from the top level? What's the matter, is it so uncomfortable for you to stay in an office with three Uchihas?"

Uchiha Madara thought very simply: you Senju Tobirama let Kagami go to be a Jonin instructor, isn't it just wanting to pull him down from the position of secretary? Who doesn't know that the Hokage and the secretary of the branch secretary are the people most likely to become successors.

"That's true, it's indeed very uncomfortable to have Izuna wandering in front of my eyes."

Senju Tobirama nodded seriously upon hearing this, and then changed the subject.

"But Kagami was brought up by me. Even if he becomes a Jonin instructor, he is still my secretary. This point will not change."

"Huh?"

At this moment, Uchiha Kagami's sky was about to collapse, and a visible look of tragedy instantly filled his face.

It turned out that not only did he not escape the sea of suffering, but he also added a second profession.

It really is working as an ox and horse during the day and running Didi after work.

"Are you serious?"

After looking Senju Tobirama up and down, Uchiha Madara looked at his expression that didn't look like a fake, full of suspicion.

"Kagami is different from you Uchihas."

Senju Tobirama curled his lip, glanced at the depressed Uchiha Kagami, and his gaze swept across his small curls imperceptibly, his eyes full of affirmation.

Only curly hair is a good Uchiha.

Other hairstyles are old ghosts who are evil by nature, especially the kind like Izuna.

After chatting about these digressions, the group continued on their way. As the scorching sun set, they decided to camp in the wild.

"Crackle~"

Soon, under the operation of the nimble F6, spacious tents and warm campfires were quickly prepared.

"Look, isn't bringing a few people the right choice?"

Senju Tobirama, who enjoyed the fruits of others' labor, couldn't help but raise his eyebrows at Uchiha Madara on the side, his eyes full of pride.

"Hmph!"

Although he had a look of disdain, Uchiha Madara couldn't help but nod repeatedly in his heart.

It feels really good to have someone serve you.

"Hokage-sama, Teacher, please drink some water."

After the camp was built, the F6 gathered around the two. Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was very sensible, presented the water bottle he carried with both hands.

"Tsk!"

This behavior caused Danzo's strong dissatisfaction. He had originally prepared to hand over his water bottle, but it was snatched by the monkey who was quick-eyed and quick-handed.

"No need."

Uchiha Madara took a look and shook his head directly to refuse.

"Hokage-sama, this is brand new."

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought Uchiha Madara disliked that the water bottle was used by him, so he explained immediately.

"Don't overthink it, I'm just not thirsty."

Glancing at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was very good at handling things, Uchiha Madara shook his head and responded. He didn't dislike the water bottle.

When going out on missions, even if he had to suck moss to quench his thirst, he didn't frown.

The character of the older generation of ninjas is like this; the three precepts of ninjas must be kept in mind, and extravagance and lust are not desirable.

"Teacher?"

"I don't need it either."

Senju Tobirama also shook his head and declined. His current body didn't need to eat, so there was no need to waste supplies.

"Okay..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had a hot face against a cold butt, smiled and put away the water bottle he had prepared in advance.

"Hokage-sama, you have been on the road for so long, you should drink a little~"

At this time, Uchiha Kagami, who hadn't spoken much, suddenly opened his mouth. While speaking, he began to fumble in the backpack behind him.

"Thank you, no... eh? Where did you get this?"

Uchiha Madara, who was about to refuse, hadn't finished speaking when his gaze was attracted by the familiar thing Kagami took out, and his eyes widened sharply.

"This, I packed it early this morning."

He stuffed a bubble tea full of pearls into Uchiha Madara's bewildered hand, and then took out a caramel macchiato with his backhand and handed it to Senju Tobirama, who was also bewildered.

"Everyone has a share, drink it while it's hot~"

Knowing that he had to go on a mission early this morning, the meticulous Uchiha Kagami got up early to order small sweet water that everyone liked to drink at the shop, and used a storage scroll to place it, keeping the freshest taste as much as possible.

"We have it too?"

Akimichi Torifu leaned over smelling the scent, his eyes full of surprise. He didn't expect that he could enjoy his favorite small sweet water in the wild.

"I said it, everyone has a share."

Uchiha Kagami smiled and took out one cup of small sweet water after another, distributing them to everyone one by one.

"Kagami, you..."

Holding the bubble tea that still had residual warmth, Hiruzen Sarutobi bit his lip with a complex expression. Looking at Uchiha Kagami, who was surrounded by everyone, he felt a mix of five flavors in his heart.

Compared to Kagami, he was really too narrow-minded!

"Thank you, Kagami."

Utatane Koharu, who took the taro bubble tea from Uchiha Kagami's hand with a blushing face, said with charming eyes.

"Kagami, I didn't expect you to remember that I like to drink this!"

Mitokado Homura on the side was moved. As the person with the lowest sense of existence in the six-person group, he had always thought that everyone only remembered a pair of glasses, but he didn't expect Kagami to remember his preferences.

"We are partners, after all~"

Seeing Mitokado Homura's grateful look, the corner of Uchiha Kagami's mouth twitched slightly.

People who like to drink silk stocking milk tea are not common.

"Eh, Danzo, why don't you drink?"

Turning his head and seeing Danzo, who was struggling with the unknown brown liquid, Uchiha Kagami urged curiously.

"Didn't you always say you only drink iced Americano, and double concentration at that."

"Hiss... so cool! This is the taste~"

Not expecting that he could be remembered even after pretending to be cool, Danzo, who cared about face, had to bite the bullet and take a big gulp of the iced Americano, enduring the bitterness in his mouth and making an evaluation.

"Kagami is really a good child, both powerful and humble."

Taking a sip of the sweet caramel macchiato, Senju Tobirama looked at Uchiha Kagami, who was getting along well with everyone, with eyes full of appreciation.

"Kagami is a child taught by Cousin, how could he be bad?"

Uchiha Madara beside him had already finished half a cup of milk tea, and Senju Tobirama's praise made him reveal a look of pride.

"If you had to choose, among these few people, who would you choose to be Hokage and branch secretary."

"Hmm?"

Uchiha Madara, who was struggling with the black pearls, heard this inexplicable question and furrowed his brows slightly.

"I'm saying if."

"If you say if..."

Uchiha Madara touched his chin, scanned the few people not far away with a scrutinizing gaze, and finally spoke slowly.

"Can Kagami use Shadow Clones to hold multiple positions? This kid is quite capable."

That's it, Konoha's only officially designated ox and horse. (End of chapter)