Chapter 59: The Legacy of the Fourth Hokage
After receiving the mission order, the Upper Jonin Platoon took nearly 20 minutes to gather, barely amassing 40 people. This was understandable—while the village had around 150 active jonin, many were away on missions or belonged to the Ino-Shika-Cho, Aburame, and Inuzuka clans. After accounting for those, only about 60 were available. Out of these 60, those who showed up belonged to Sarutobi, Koharu, and Homura clans, while members of smaller ninja families, such as the Moonlight Clan, as well as civilian ninja, were conspicuously absent.
Their excuse was simple and irrefutable: "The village is under curfew; no one is allowed to leave their homes."
"Forget it, let's just head out with who we have," suggested Sarutobi Koji, a jonin from the Sarutobi clan. The others nodded in agreement and started moving out.
---
However, as soon as they stepped onto the street, they were met by a group of nearly 100 shinobi, blocking their way. The leader stood at the forefront, his stance cocky and nonchalant, a senbon needle glinting under the streetlights.
"Shiranui Genma?" Sarutobi Koji squinted at him and, realizing he was just a Special Jonin, snapped,
"You're just a Special Jonin! Show some respect when addressing us!"
Genma raised an eyebrow and scoffed,
"Oh? Big words from someone who hasn't made any contributions since the Fourth Hokage's death."
The tension escalated, and one of the Sarutobi clan members, Sarutobi Koji, tried to reason,
"You're blocking the Upper Jonin Platoon! We're on orders from the Third Hokage to suppress the Police Department's rebellion!"
Genma tilted his head with a mocking smile,
"Oh, really? Funny, because from what I heard, the Police Department is suppressing violent rioters who are spreading false rumors about a village hero and inciting a coup. So, are you saying you're here to help those rioters?"
Hearing this, one of the mito clan's jonin, Mito Mongetsu, snapped back,
"Shiranui Genma! You're just a Special Jonin! Know your place!"
Genma sneered and spat out his senbon, which pierced the ground at their feet, quivering as it lodged several inches deep. The display of force silenced the platoon.
Standing next to Genma, Raidō Namiashi, a man with a scarred face, smirked,
"Damn, Genma, if being a jonin gives you this much of an ego, we've really been missing out by not taking the promotion exams all these years."
Suddenly, another member of the jonin platoon, Koharu's follower, barked,
"Are you planning to join the Uchiha rebellion too?!"
Genma's expression turned cold,
"Save it. All I know is that the village is under curfew, and no one is allowed to wander around. You're not above the law."
"This is a direct order from the Hokage!" Sarutobi Koji insisted.
Genma's eyes narrowed dangerously,
"Hokage's orders? If the Fourth Hokage were still alive, do you think someone as useless as you would even dare wave that title around?"
The jonin platoon stiffened. Many of them suddenly realized that among the gathered shinobi were people who had served directly under the Fourth Hokage or benefited from his guidance.
One of the more hot-headed members, Raidō, drew his weapon and shouted,
"If they want a fight, let's give it to them! We won't let them pass and disgrace the memory of the Fourth Hokage's only student!"
The tension was about to erupt into a full-blown conflict when a sharp, piercing sound like the cry of a thousand birds rang out. A flash of lightning illuminated the scene as Kakashi Hatake, hand engulfed in Chidori, appeared between the two groups, diffusing the situation. Right behind him was Might Guy, giving a thumbs-up as he arrived.
---
Seeing Kakashi, Sarutobi Koji's face turned dark. If it were just Genma and his group, they might still have had the advantage, but with Kakashi and Might Guy present, the odds shifted dramatically. Kakashi and Guy's combined strength, along with the 100-strong force, would easily overwhelm the jonin platoon.
Genma smirked,
"Finally decided to show your face? I thought you'd stay a coward forever."
Kakashi gave him a weary smile,
"Thanks, Genma. Sorry to trouble you guys."
Raidō grinned,
"You've got guts, Kakashi. Just make sure that brat of yours doesn't cause you too much trouble."
"He's been lively lately—typical for his age. You're welcome to drop by sometime," Kakashi replied, grateful for their loyalty.
Genma cracked his neck and shrugged,
"Alright, since you're here, we'll leave it to you. Just give the order, Kakashi."
Turning to the Upper Jonin Platoon, Kakashi's expression grew stern, his face unmasked and his gaze steady,
"Everyone, that's enough for tonight. I'll personally go and explain everything to the Third Hokage. Let's end it here."
Sarutobi Koji hesitated,
"You... you're going to face the Hokage yourself?"
Lightning crackled in Kakashi's hand again as he stared down Koji,
"Do you want to make me repeat myself?"
Realizing the danger, Koji clenched his teeth and nodded,
"Fine. We'll withdraw. You go explain it to the Hokage yourself."
After the jonin platoon retreated, Kakashi sighed, dispelling his Chidori.
"Guy, keep an eye on the area. I'm heading to the Hokage Office."
Guy gave a spirited thumbs-up,
"Leave it to me! Protecting my eternal rival's honor is the burning spirit of youth!"
As Kakashi made his way toward the Hokage Office, he couldn't help but feel grateful. The loyalty of the Fourth Hokage's former subordinates and their willingness to stand by him even now made him more determined to protect the village and honor his master's legacy.
Tonight had been chaotic, but Kakashi knew that the true struggle had only just begun.
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