[PS: I Usesugi Rin sounds like Nohara Rin, i will change the name to Uesugi Min]
Sarutobi Hiruzen understood in his heart. His face once again took on the smile of a benevolent elder, and he spoke in a gentle tone.
"Sora, you were personally recruited into the Anbu by me. I know you are a good child who values bonds and inherits the Will of Fire."
"Protecting comrades, protecting the seedlings of Konoha, this is precisely the embodiment of the Will of Fire. I am very pleased that you are thinking of your friends from the orphanage."
His words were quite beautifully phrased, full of the perspective and magnanimity expected of a Hokage.
But Sora was inwardly dismissive.
'Will of Fire? Sounds wonderful. What he's probably more pleased about is finally finding a clear bargaining chip to control me, right? So-called fairness, in the eyes of the higher-ups, is just a weight that can be adjusted anytime.'
He was certain that Sarutobi Hiruzen's ready agreement was not merely due to the so-called "Will of Fire" or appreciation of talent.
This seemed more like an investment, or rather, a form of binding.
Exchanging a seemingly insignificant promise, wrapped in a "reasonable" justification, for his deeper sense of belonging and controllability.
The future safety of Yumi and Ayumi was now tied to Sarutobi Hiruzen's whim, and indirectly, to Sora's "performance."
Sarutobi Hiruzen indeed disdained using crude methods of direct threat, but that didn't mean he wouldn't use more sophisticated ways to make you willingly put on the shackles.
A "weakness" proactively handed to you, one you must carefully maintain, was often more effective than a direct threat. Just like how he tacitly allowed his own son, Asuma, to take on safer missions. Some rules only changed for specific people.
'Old fox...'
Sora cursed inwardly, but on the surface, he had no choice but to show gratitude.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama! This subordinate is extremely grateful!"
"Mmm."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded with satisfaction, seemingly enjoying the feeling of bestowing favor.
"Work hard for the village, Sora. Your potential is great. You will surely become an important pillar in protecting Konoha in the future. Those you value, the village will naturally not treat poorly."
The implication in these words was quite clear.
Making an exception for you is possible, but you must demonstrate corresponding value. Otherwise, if anyone who asks gets a yes, how would the Konoha Village project continue?
"Yes! This subordinate will spare no effort, and fight for Konoha!"
Sora immediately declared his loyalty, his tone resolute. At a time like this, the attitude had to be sufficient.
"Good. You may go."
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand and picked up the documents on his desk again, as if he had just handled an insignificant little matter.
"This subordinate takes his leave."
Sora bowed once more, then turned and left the Hokage's office with steady steps.
Only after walking out of the Hokage Building and feeling the somewhat glaring sunlight outside did Sora slowly let out a breath.
The goal was achieved. Yumi and Ayumi had, at least on the surface, obtained a guarantee of safety.
But Sora felt no relief in his heart. Instead, it felt like a heavier stone was weighing on him. He had used a clear weakness to exchange for a temporary promise, one that required continuous loyalty and value to redeem.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's reaction was both within and outside his expectations.
What he expected was that the other party would indeed use this to bind him. What he didn't expect was that the other party would do it so naturally, so "generously," almost leaving no room for criticism, even cloaking it in the guise of "fairness" and "the Will of Fire."
'Is this the method of a politician?' Sora thought silently.
'Fine. At least for now, the goals align. He needs my strength to fight for Konoha. I need his authority to protect those I care about. So-called fairness has always been a handout from the strong to the weak.'
This was a tacitly understood transaction.
And he, for the time being, had no other choice.
Sora looked up at the iconic Hokage Mountain of Konoha, his gaze lingering on the statue of Sarutobi Hiruzen for a moment.
'It seems, until I possess strength sufficient to break all the rules, I'll have to continue playing along properly with this "Shinobi Monarch."'
'And currently, besides Danzo, Konoha holds at most normal wariness towards me. That's not unacceptable. As long as I don't defect from the village, they won't be in danger.'
Shaking his head, Sora temporarily pushed these calculations aside. He decided to return to the orphanage first to tell everyone the good news. At least it could reassure them for a while.
Just as he was walking back along the street, a familiar voice tinged with surprise came from beside him.
"Sora?"
Sora turned towards the voice. He saw Yuuhi Kurenai, Asuma, and Uesugi Min coming from another street corner. They looked like they had just returned from a mission.
Yuuhi Kurenai's baby-faced face wore a smile. Asuma still looked cool, though the blade of grass he used to chew had been replaced by a cigarette at some point. Uesugi Min was curiously looking at Sora and the direction of the Hokage Building behind him.
"Kurenai, Asuma, Min." Sora stopped and greeted them. "Mission over?"
"Yeah! A simple C-rank escort mission."
Kurenai jogged over, came close to Sora, and said with a smile.
"And you? Just came out of the Hokage Building? Got a mission?"
Sora was currently wearing his Anbu uniform, his face still covered by that Green Snake mask. He just realized this and casually took off the mask, revealing a somewhat delicate but steady-eyed face.
"Yeah. Reporting some matters to the Hokage-sama."
Sora replied vaguely, without going into detail.
Asuma glanced at him and said in his cool tone.
"Anbu is such a hassle. All secretive."
Uesugi Min gently nudged Asuma with her elbow, signaling him not to speak carelessly. Then she smiled at Sora.
"Don't mind him. He accidentally stepped into water during the mission today and is in a bad mood."
"Hey! Min!"
Asuma glared at Uesugi Rin, a bit flustered and angry.
Watching their interaction, Sora felt a slight stir in his heart.
'Hmm? Asuma and Min... this feeling is a bit subtle. Didn't pay much attention before, but now it seems Asuma's attitude towards Min is much better than towards others. Min also seems to care about him quite a bit.'
It seemed the flap of his little butterfly wings had caused Asuma's attention to shift to Uesugi Min from the same squad, with her cheerful and straightforward personality.
That was interesting.
"Sora, have you eaten?"
Yuuhi Kurenai, not noticing Sora's distraction, invited enthusiastically.
"It's lunchtime. How about... coming to my house for a meal? Mom made a lot of delicious food today!"
As she said this, her cheeks were slightly flushed. Her eyes held expectation, mixed with a bit of shyness.
"Wow!"
Uesugi Min immediately let out a teasing cheer, nudging Kurenai with her elbow.
"Kurenai, very proactive! Have you been wanting to invite Sora for a long time?"
"Min! What nonsense are you saying!"
Yuuhi Kurenai's face turned even redder. She hurriedly covered Uesugi Rin's mouth.
Asuma shrugged nearby, with an expression of "women are so troublesome," but didn't object either.
Sora looked at the two girls play-fighting, then glanced in the direction of Yuuhi Kurenai's house not far away. After a brief thought, he nodded.
"Alright. Sorry for the intrusion then."
He wanted to relax a bit, and it had been a while since he saw Kurenai. Chatting would be good.
More importantly, the mental mind game just now with Sarutobi Hiruzen indeed needed some everyday interaction to dilute that sense of tension.
"Really? That's great!"
Yuuhi Kurenai immediately became happy, her eyes sparkling.
Uesugi Min winked at Asuma, smiling like a cat that got the cream.
Asuma sighed helplessly. "Let's go, let's go. I'm starving."
[PS: I Usesugi Rin sounds like Nohara Rin, i will change the name to Uesugi Min]
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