Chapter 530: Kagami: The Innate Holy Body of a Beast of Burden

A group of eight departed from the Hidden Leaf Village, leaping through the dense forest. Uchiha Madara, leading the way, moved with steady, swift strides, traversing the treetops as if walking on flat ground.

After traveling several dozen miles, he glanced sideways at Tobirama Senju, who was following closely behind but whose steps appeared slightly unsteady, and his brows furrowed imperceptibly.

In his impression, this white-haired man's pace was not slow, and his stamina was not poor; how could he be wilting after running for only a short while?

"Are you sick?"

"Uh, I've just had a new project recently and stayed up for a few nights. It's nothing to worry about."

Upon being asked, Tobirama Senju stiffened, and after his brain raced at high speed, he provided an impeccable answer.

"Don't hold us back."

Looking suspiciously at Tobirama Senju's overly pale complexion, Uchiha Madara temporarily suppressed the doubts in his heart, threw out a cold remark, and did not continue to press the matter.

"Master, where is our destination?"

Seeing that the two in front had finished their exchange, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was following behind Tobirama Senju, asked in a low voice.

Once these words were spoken, everyone except Uchiha Kagami was also filled with curiosity.

They had all received temporary notice last night, telling them to gather at the village entrance early this morning to follow Tobirama Senju on a secret mission.

"The Land of Iron."

"Is that the country where no ninjas exist?"

Tobirama Senju nodded. The reason they decided to attend the meeting had a certain connection to the chosen location.

The Land of Iron is one of the very few neutral countries in the entire ninja world.

During the period when the ninja profession was just emerging, the old-era combat groups led by samurai in the Land of Iron had long ago signed a non-aggression treaty with the ninjas.

It was precisely because of this that the Land of Iron had been able to maintain a stable structure in a ninja world plagued by frequent wars.

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

Homura Mitokado, standing to the side, pushed up his glasses, embodying his persona as a top student; otherwise, the glasses on his nose would have been worn in vain.

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

Danzo, who frequently went on missions, had a certain understanding of the samurai profession, and he had personally finished off many samurai who acted like bandits under the guise of being ronin.

"Heh, those are guys who can't even figure out how to use chakra."

"Our goal for this trip is not them; don't go looking for trouble after we arrive."

Looking at the arrogant-looking Danzo, Tobirama Senju shook his head slightly, then shifted his gaze to the other disciples, his eyes filled with a bit more contemplation.

For the past few years, he had actually been secretly observing the disciples he had carefully cultivated, wanting to select one or two talents to whom he could entrust important responsibilities.

But the results left him somewhat disappointed. Although the F6 were already the cream of the crop among their peers, everyone had more or less some shortcomings.

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

Danzo: His execution is very strong and he is decisive in his actions, but he is too petty and likes to hold grudges.

Koharu and Homura: They lack self-confidence and have no strong opinions of their own; they can only serve as supporting roles.

Torifu: A radical who is the exact opposite of his honest appearance; he is prone to acting on impulse.

Even Kagami, who gave him the least trouble, had the flaw of not being tight-lipped.

If he really had to choose from among them, only Kagami and Hiruzen were worth using.

"Which of you is interested in becoming a Jonin instructor?"

After mentally roasting the F6 behind him, Tobirama Senju suddenly remembered Tsunade, who was about to graduate, and decided to choose a teacher for her from among his disciples.

"A Jonin instructor?"

The group looked at each other in dismay upon hearing this. They already had their own primary jobs, so they were naturally reluctant to suddenly change careers to look after children.

"Is it a mission?"

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

If he continued to work there, he should be able to climb to the position of captain within a few years; his future could be described as limitless.

"It is not a mission."

"Sorry, Master, I am not suited for teaching others."

Upon hearing that it was not a mandatory mission, Danzo was the first to raise his hand, but it was not to accept, but to refuse.

Besides being a ninja, he was now a father, and all his spare time was used to cultivate Shinnosuke; he simply couldn't squeeze out time to lead other children.

"Hmm."

Tobirama Senju didn't say anything more, but he had already put an 'X' next to Danzo in his heart.

"Master, the ninjutsu I specialize in is too niche; it really isn't the best choice for leading a team."

"Same for me."

Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane also shook their heads in refusal. Of course, the reasons they gave could be considered barely passable.

Not everyone possessed talent for space-time and medical ninjutsu.

A Jonin instructor leading a team not only needed to be powerful but also required a rich store of knowledge in ninjutsu and taijutsu; it was indeed difficult for a specialized fighter to be competent.

"Master, I think I can."

He hadn't expected the first person to agree to appear so quickly, but looking at the honestly smiling Torifu Akimichi, Tobirama Senju's facial muscles twitched slightly.

He didn't want the slim little Tsunade to become as plump and moving as the Akimichi clan.

"Ahem, Torifu, you have a more important mission, so don't get distracted."

Tobirama Senju shook his head. He had already heard that Torifu Akimichi would soon inherit the position of clan head and definitely wouldn't have time to spare.

"Uh, okay."

Upon hearing this, Torifu Akimichi immediately showed a disappointed expression. Compared to serving in the boring and dull position of clan head, he would rather lead his subordinates to charge into battle.

"What about you two?"

Turning his gaze to the last two candidates, Tobirama Senju's eyes were full of inquiry.

"I am willing." *2

Uchiha Kagami and Hiruzen looked at each other. Both raised their hands at the same time, but their thoughts were completely different.

The meticulous Hiruzen had already guessed from his master's expressionless face that the other party was testing them, so he decided to take a gamble—the stake being his own already limitless future.

Nothing else; Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to advance too much!

And Kagami thought much more simply.

Serving as a Jonin instructor = Relieved of secretary duties = No overtime = The life of a beast of burden ends.

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

"Oh? Then it's settled. I have already selected a few children. After you go back, choose one and start serving as their Jonin instructor."

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

"What are you guys whispering about?"

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

"Lord Hokage, Master just asked us if we wanted to be Jonin instructors."

Kagami replied truthfully.

"That kind of house-playing ninja game, Kagami, you didn't agree, did you?"

"Uh..."

Uchiha Madara, with an unhappy expression, looked at the embarrassed Kagami and scolded him with a sense of "iron failing to become steel."

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

"White-hair, this is your doing, right?"

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

"To prevent another Uchiha from becoming a decision-maker, you really went to great pains."

"What are you talking about?"

Tobirama Senju looked baffled. He was using this to recruit talent and plan for the future of the Hidden Leaf; how did it become "doing something" in Uchiha Madara's mouth?

"Hmph! Isn't it just that you want to keep Kagami away from the top brass? What, does staying in an office with three Uchihas make you that uncomfortable?"

Uchiha Madara thought very simply: Tobirama Senju letting Kagami be a Jonin instructor is just wanting to drag him down from the position of secretary. Who doesn't know that the Hokage's and the branch secretary's secretaries are the ones most likely to become successors?

"That is true; seeing that guy Izuna hovering in front of me is indeed very uncomfortable."

Tobirama Senju nodded solemnly upon hearing this, 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 world collapsed. A visible look of sorrow instantly filled his face.

It turns out he not only didn't escape the sea of bitterness, but he also gained a second profession.

It really is being a beast of burden at work and driving a taxi after hours.

"Are you serious?"

After looking Tobirama Senju up and down, Uchiha Madara looked at his expression, which did not seem fake, full of suspicion.

"Kagami is not the same as you Uchihas."

Tobirama Senju curled his lips, glanced at the dejected Uchiha Kagami, and his gaze swept imperceptibly over his little curly hair, his eyes full of affirmation.

Only curly hair is a good Uchiha.

All other hairstyles are naturally evil old ghosts, especially that one Izuna.

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

"Crackle~"

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

"See, bringing a few people along was the right choice, wasn't it?"

Tobirama Senju, who was enjoying the fruits of others' labor, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Madara Uchiha beside him, his eyes full of smugness.

"Hmph!"

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

The feeling of having someone wait on you was truly great.

"Lord Hokage, Master, please drink some water."

After setting up the camp, the F6 gathered around the two, and Hiruzen Sarutobi, very perceptive, presented his own water canteen with both hands.

"Tsk!"

This action caused strong dissatisfaction in Danzo, who had originally intended to hand over his own canteen, only to have the quick-witted monkey beat him to it.

"No need."

Madara Uchiha took one look and shook his head in direct refusal.

"Lord Hokage, this is brand new."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, thinking Madara Uchiha was disgusted that the canteen had been used by him, immediately explained.

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

Glancing at the very proactive Hiruzen Sarutobi, Madara Uchiha shook his head in response; he wasn't disgusted by the canteen.

When out on missions, he hadn't even frowned once while sucking on moss to quench his thirst.

Such was the character of the older generation of ninja; the three ninja precepts were kept in their hearts, and arrogance, luxury, and debauchery were not to be tolerated.

"Master?"

"I don't need it either."

Tobirama Senju also shook his head and declined; his current body did not require food, so there was no need to waste supplies.

"Alright."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, having been rebuffed, smiled awkwardly and put away the canteen he had prepared in advance.

"Lord Hokage, you've been traveling for so long, you should drink a little~"

At this moment, Kagami, who had been quiet all along, suddenly spoke up, and while speaking, began to rummage through the backpack behind him.

"Thanks, no—eh? Where did you get this?"

Madara Uchiha, who was about to refuse, hadn't even finished speaking when his gaze was drawn to the familiar object Kagami had pulled out, and his eyes widened abruptly.

"This? I packed it this morning."

Stuffing a cup of milk tea full of pearls into the hands of the bewildered Madara Uchiha, he reached back and pulled out a caramel macchiato, handing it to the equally bewildered Tobirama Senju.

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

Knowing they were going on a mission early this morning, the thoughtful Kagami Uchiha had specifically gotten up early to order their favorite sweet drinks for everyone at the shop, and had used a storage scroll to keep them as fresh as possible.

"We have some too?"

Torifu Akimichi caught the scent and leaned in, his eyes full of surprise; he hadn't expected to enjoy his favorite sweet drink out in the wild.

"I told you, everyone has a share."

Kagami Uchiha smiled as he took out cup after cup of sweet drinks and distributed them to everyone one by one.

"Kagami, you..."

Holding the still-warm boba milk tea, Hiruzen Sarutobi bit his lip with a complex expression; looking at Kagami Uchiha surrounded by everyone, his heart was filled with mixed emotions.

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

"Thank you, Kagami."

Koharu Utatane took the taro ball milk tea from Kagami Uchiha with a blushing face, her eyes fluttering with charm as she spoke.

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

Homura Mitokado, standing to the side, looked moved; as the person with the lowest presence in the group of six, he had always thought everyone only remembered his glasses, never expecting Kagami to have noted his preferences.

"We are partners, after all~"

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

It wasn't common to find people who liked drinking silk stocking milk tea.

"Eh, Danzo, why aren't you drinking?"

Turning his head and seeing Danzo holding an unknown brown liquid with a tangled expression, Kagami Uchiha curiously urged him.

"Didn't you always say you only drink iced Americanos, and the double-strength kind at that?"

"Hiss—so cool! This is the taste~"

Not expecting that his past attempt to act cool would be remembered, the face-conscious Danzo had no choice but to bite the bullet and take a big gulp of the iced Americano, making his assessment while enduring the bitterness filling his mouth.

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

Taking a small sip of the sweet caramel macchiato and watching Kagami Uchiha mingling with everyone, Tobirama Senju's eyes were full of appreciation.

"Kagami is a child taught by my eldest cousin, how could he be anything less?"

Madara Uchiha, who was beside him, had already polished off half his milk tea; Tobirama Senju's praise made him show a look of pride.

"If you had to choose, among these few people, who would you pick to be Hokage and the party secretary?"

"Hmm?"

Madara Uchiha, who was struggling hard against the black pearls, frowned slightly upon hearing this bizarre question.

"I'm just saying, if."

"If you're talking about 'if'..."

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

"Can't we just have Kagami use Shadow Clone Jutsu to hold several positions? This kid is quite capable."

There you have it, the only officially designated workhorse of Konoha. (End of chapter)