After thinking for a while, Hiruzen's eyes suddenly lit up. "Perfect, there's a suitable mission here. Kakashi and his team took it, but I'm still a bit concerned. Since you insist, why not join them."
Takumi's eyes brightened.
He was originally thinking of finding a mission to leave Konoha, so he never expected Hiruzen to deliver a pillow just as he was feeling sleepy.
"Is it escorting that actress? I just ran into Kakashi-sensei outside."
Takumi mentioned.
Kazahana Koyuki looks pretty beautiful.
Different from Sakura and Ino's flat chests, this one is somewhere between a girl and an older sister, which is quite rare.
"Rest assured, Hokage-sama, I will definitely complete the mission perfectly!"
Takumi said righteously.
"Hmm, it's good that there are many talented young people. Besides those injured or with other missions, you can bring some along to gain experience. With you there, I can be at ease."
Hiruzen thought for a moment, giving Takumi some companions. "The person to be escorted is a woman and doesn't seem very cooperative. Having more Kunoichi might make her feel more secure."
It's just an escort mission anyway, aside from the travel time, there's basically no danger.
And with Takumi's current strength, so what if danger does arise?
Takumi is invincible!
Hiruzen was very satisfied with his arrangements.
Takumi was also very satisfied.
After Takumi left, Hiruzen's smiling face instantly changed. He turned to Asuma, his expression full of disdain.
"Look at him, then look at yourself!"
"Jealous, ugly! Only know how to ostracize comrades, without seeing what you yourself are made of! How did I give birth to such a troublesome thing!"
"Get out! I don't want to see you right now!"
Asuma's face twisted, turning green.
He was about to retort when he saw the fierce look in Hiruzen's eyes.
Helpless, he could only snort coldly and leave the Hokage's office in frustration.
"Sigh..."
Hiruzen sighed, his entire face seeming to age several years. "Asuma, oh Asuma, when will you mature a little?"
"If you were even a fraction as excellent as Takumi's little toe, I wouldn't scold you..."
...
Elsewhere.
After leaving the office, Takumi immediately went to find Kakashi to regroup.
He was eager to leave Konoha now, otherwise, in two days, countless assassinations would be waiting for him.
One by one was manageable, but all at once, or in succession… he couldn't handle that kind of life.
Not long after.
At Konoha's main gate.
Takumi found Team Kakashi and joined them.
Hiruzen had already informed Kakashi earlier, telling him to reorganize the team.
Kakashi simply let Naruto and the others stay home to play.
Now Team 7 only had Sakura left.
"Takumi!"
Sakura immediately pounced on Takumi upon seeing him.
"Awesome! I never thought I'd get to perform a mission with Takumi-kun!"
"Me neither, but Hokage-sama said this mission is very important. We must work hard, Sakura."
Takumi's face was full of a gentle smile.
The next instant, his other arm was also tightly hugged.
Takumi turned his head.
It was Ino.
"The moment I heard it was a mission with Takumi-kun, I rushed over immediately! So happy!"
Ino's face was flushed with excitement, holding Takumi's arm tightly and refusing to let go.
"Hmph! Ino-pig, what are you doing here?"
Sakura felt intense hostility, sparks flashing in her eyes as she glared at Ino across Takumi.
"Broad-forehead, what I do is none of your business!"
Ino refused to back down. The sparks between their gazes converged right in front of Takumi.
Takumi felt his body tingling.
For this mission, besides Team Kakashi and Takumi, Hiruzen also assigned Ino, Tenten, Hinata, and Rin.
All females.
Takumi wasn't sure if Hiruzen did this intentionally.
Considering Hiruzen and Jiraiya's shared legacy of being old perverts, Takumi figured Hiruzen probably did it on purpose.
It was likely another attempt to further win him over.
But Takumi didn't resist this arrangement.
The more, the merrier.
Enjoying the warmth of Sakura and Ino's embrace, Takumi looked quite content.
Just then.
"Sorry to interrupt your reunion, but we're on a tight schedule. The film shooting timeline is quite packed. Could we depart as soon as possible?"
A man with a beard said apologetically with a smile.
"Ah, we're the ones who should apologize for delaying you. Let's get going then."
Kakashi snapped back to reality, looking apologetic.
Takumi also came back to his senses and looked at the woman on horseback.
Kazahana Koyuki.
Of course, now she went by the alias Fujikaze Yukie, to escape her enemies.
But Takumi couldn't help but want to complain at this point.
'If you're escaping from enemies, wouldn't hiding be better?'
'Instead, you become a high-profile actress making movies.'
'Wouldn't that make it easier for your enemies to find you?'
He really can't understand this woman's thought process.
But looking carefully, although this woman had an indifferent expression, her appearance was indeed quite good.
Takumi hadn't seen her movies, but he knew she was a very famous actress.
And Koyuki's background was also quite tragic.
Lost her father as a child, then was hunted by her own uncle.
Fled the Land of Snow, changed her name, numbed herself… in short, very miserable.
Scanning Koyuki's eyes, Takumi couldn't see even a glimmer of light in them.
It was as if this woman's life had become entirely gray.
And Koyuki, though she made eye contact with Takumi, her gaze was unfocused, her eyes distant.
It is unclear what she was thinking about.
Neither caring about their conversation nor worried about the film's shooting schedule.
For her, none of it mattered.
"This woman... feels a bit gloomy..."
Kakashi looked at Koyuki's appearance and frowned slightly.
He wasn't dissatisfied, just felt Koyuki's state was a bit off.
"Please don't mind. Yukie-sama is just tired from filming." Sandayu smiled, stopping Kakashi. "Perhaps we should set off quickly. The film schedule really is tight."
"Ah, yes, okay."
Kakashi nodded and didn't press further.
He was just a Shinobi carrying out a mission.
No need to inquire too much about the client's situation.
The group set off.
But no one noticed, shortly after they left, outside the village, on a tree, a venus flytrap-like plant slowly emerged.
The plant opened, revealing Zetsu's figure.
"The target has left Konoha. Send your clone to inform Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame of this news."
Black Zetsu said in a hoarse voice to White Zetsu.
"No problem, leave it to me."
White Zetsu answered cheerfully.
Then the two submerged underground again.
Meanwhile, in the forests of the Land of Fire,
Itachi and Kisame, who were heading towards Konoha, came to a stop.
A White Zetsu emerged from the ground.
"What is it, Zetsu?"
Kisame asked.
"Plan change. The target has left Konoha, highly likely heading towards the Land of Snow."
White Zetsu said.
"Oh? Seems a bit unfortunate."
Kisame turned to look at Itachi. "We need to change direction."
"Mmm."
Itachi responded coldly, then silently turned and headed towards the Land of Snow.
"So cold."
Kisame couldn't help but complain, but after all this time, he was somewhat used to his partner's emotional coldness.