CH_158

Every time Tōji saw Minato, he felt that warm, spring-breeze sensation.

It was as if, silently and imperceptibly, Minato "encouraged" you to draw close and trust him…

Though Tōji figured he was probably just "mentally conditioned" by the Naruto anime from his past life.

The truth was, Minato wasn't just Natchi's idol—he was the most perfect big shot in Tōji's mind too.

Even having personally met Minato in reality, Tōji felt his personal charm hadn't diminished in the slightest.

Whether that was part of the reason he'd once longed to become Minato's "elite errand boy," he couldn't quite say.

"Thank you for your hard work. Come over here and tell me about it." Even though it was the same kind of polite greeting a Hokage gave an ordinary shinobi, hearing it from Minato somehow felt especially warm. It genuinely felt like a big leader caring about a low-level employee—almost overwhelming.

Still, Tōji and his batch of "sacrificial lambs"—even if they came back alive with nothing to show—deserved a word of "hard work."

"It's my duty, sir." Tōji said, stepping closer to Minato's desk.

Maybe others weren't as stiff as Tōji… Most people probably just walked right into the Hokage's office, casually strolled up to Minato's desk, and said, "Lord Hokage, I'm here to report," then launched into the conversation.

But Tōji was different—this was his first time meeting the Hokage alone in the office… and he was returning after a failed mission.

He had to put on the proper act, even if he did feel a bit nervous—though he couldn't quite place why.

"No need to be nervous, Tōji. We met at last year's Chūnin Exams, remember?" Minato's smile often crinkled his eyes shut. Tōji suspected Kakashi had picked up that habit from him.

"Lord Hokage actually remembers me." Tōji couldn't pretend he wasn't pleasantly surprised. A big shot remembered him!

Earlier, Tōji had carefully chosen his words, calling himself "your subordinate." Now that he felt closer, he switched to "I."

"Your captain—Jōnin Kenji—when he first came back to the village, mentioned to me that he wanted to bring a few of his subordinates to the Land of Water for some experience…" It had to be said—Minato, despite his overwhelming workload, still remembered these small details. That was truly a remarkable trait. "Otherwise, you might not have been promoted to chūnin at that time."

"So that's how it was…" Tōji only now confirmed why he'd been promoted to chūnin despite not showing much.

"But Jōnin Kenji soon came back to me with a new perspective. He requested that you and the other two not be brought along to investigate Kirigakure. It seems his repeated deliberation led to an extremely accurate prediction." Minato's tone carried a hint of lament.

He glanced down at his desk, then looked into Tōji's eyes and said softly, "Kokubō Kenji—he's not coming back this time."

"Oh… I see…" Tōji didn't feel any particular grief, but he felt a bit dazed, unable to focus. He kept replaying memories in his mind.

"Jōnin Kenji knew the danger but didn't flinch. I hope you'll be proud of your captain, and not harbor any negative thoughts." Seeing Tōji's expression turn "mechanical," Minato tried to offer some gentle guidance.

"Lord Hokage—do Natchi and Neru know about this?" What Tōji thought of at that moment were his two old teammates—he felt they were the only ones who could share his feelings.

"Not yet. The situation of all comrades on spy missions in the Land of Water was only analyzed last night. Chūnin Natchi has just returned to the village and is on leave." Minato wasn't in a hurry to ask Tōji what he'd gained from the Land of Water—clearly, there was other intelligence that had come back earlier.

"Captain Kenji—is it confirmed death, or just based on analysis…" Tōji pressed.

Minato closed his eyes. "Confirmed…"