Konoha's Tatsuya

Chapter 164: Chapter 164: The Plan Begins



The next day, inside Kyoko's BBQ restaurant next door to Tatsuya's Pet Shop, Tatsuya sat on a stool, boredly watching Kyoko and Anko prepare ingredients. Kyoko had taken over this shop half a year ago. It was originally a general store selling various daily goods, but Kyoko had converted it directly into a BBQ restaurant. The name was also very straightforward: Kyoko's BBQ.

Tsubaki was now primarily responsible for the pet shop. With the successful experience from there, Kyoko was full of enthusiasm for being a proprietress. After more than half a year of operation, the BBQ restaurant's business was running smoothly. A slight smile curled Kyoko's lips, her face constantly radiating a warm grin. Balancing both training and business, with Tatsuya staying by her side long-term, Kyoko was very content with her life these past two years. Nothing could be happier than this!

However, Mitarashi Anko beside her wasn't feeling quite so cheerful. The girl wore a listless expression, her movements halting and jerky, clearly having little interest in running a shop and being a proprietress. Over the past two-plus years, under Tatsuya's guidance, her strength had improved dramatically. Nowadays, Anko felt she was already among the top tier of the younger generation. She was getting restless!

Anko's personality wasn't laid-back like Kyoko's; she had a natural persistence and craving for getting stronger and fighting. But for the past two years, she had been held back by Kyoko, yet didn't dare to violently resist! Having lived together day in and day out for over three years, the two women had become as close as real sisters. Kyoko was clearly aware of Anko's feelings, but she just didn't want her to go to dangerous places.

Tatsuya, naturally, saw all of this too. Regarding the paths the two women would take in the future, Tatsuya hadn't planned to interfere before; he had merely focused on improving their strength as much as possible. But now, things were different. The village had set its sights on them, and Tatsuya had to consider their futures.

With this in mind, Tatsuya spoke up, "Kyoko, Anko, do you still plan to continue being shinobi?"

"No!" Kyoko replied without hesitation, shaking her head. She had originally resolved to become stronger because she didn't want to hold Tatsuya back, didn't want to be unable to stay by his side when he was in danger. But now that Tatsuya was always staying in the village, she naturally didn't want to be a shinobi anymore.

"Yes!" Beside her, Anko's eyes lit up, and she immediately raised her hand, answering eagerly.

Their voices sounded almost simultaneously. Seeing their completely different reactions, Tatsuya already had a sense of things.

Kyoko turned to Anko, her face on the verge of tears. "Anko, don't you like being with me?"

"Ah? Kyoko, no, that's not it!" Anko panicked at the sight, quickly putting down what she was holding and moving to hug Kyoko. She was most afraid of Kyoko's tear offensive; Kyoko always had her completely wrapped around her finger with that tactic.

"Then why do you still want to be a shinobi?" Kyoko's voice choked with tears.

"Being a shinobi doesn't have to conflict with this!" Anko said with a strained laugh.

"What if I don't want you to be a shinobi?" Kyoko pressed.

"I... I..." Anko's expression changed slightly. She opened her mouth but didn't answer immediately. Seeing Anko's flushed face, Kyoko was taken aback for a moment, and the light in her eyes dimmed. Anko's reaction said it all! She didn't want to live like this anymore.

"Alright now, Kyoko," Tatsuya interjected. "Everyone has the life they want to live. Why impose your own ideas onto her? These are the team assignment orders the village sent over yesterday. They want you two to go out on more missions over the next six months to accumulate merits, then participate in the mission selection process held a year from now. Kyoko, if you don't want to participate, I'll decline for you. Anko, you should prepare yourself." Looking at the two women, Tatsuya took out a scroll and handed it to Anko.

"I... Can I?" The joy flashed in Anko's eyes, then vanished as she turned to look cautiously at Kyoko.

"Hmph! Why are you looking at me? Go if you want to go!" The tears in Kyoko's eyes had already vanished. Seeing Anko's hesitation, she rolled her eyes at her irritably.

"Kyoko, you're the best!" Anko threw her arms around Kyoko happily. Kyoko hugged her back, feeling rather apologetic.

It seems I really have cooped her up too much lately!

Feminine intuition told them both that the mission Tatsuya was talking about was likely related to the previous incident. And indeed, the reality was just as the two women suspected. The Hokage's Office sending the selection documents and mission scrolls for both women to the Akimichi Clan simultaneously was a clear move to force Tatsuya's hand. Either he himself stepped up to carry out the mission, or the village would issue a single official order assigning both women to a ninja team to execute it. If he wanted to decline Kyoko's assignment, Tatsuya had no choice but to accept the Kirigakure mission himself. If he rejected everything, it would mean completely burning bridges. Besides, regarding Kirigakure, Tatsuya himself was somewhat interested in going to take a look.

Seeing their worried expressions, Tatsuya smiled. "Don't worry! There aren't many forces left in the entire shinobi world capable of threatening me now!" Though his tone was calm, the confidence brimming in his words was impossible to hide.

Hearing this, both women unconsciously nodded silently. As their own strength had continuously increased, their perspective had naturally broadened as well. Although they hadn't left the village for missions, just from sparring with comrades within the village, they had a rough grasp of their own actual skill level. And in their daily training, no matter how hard they tried, they still saw no hope of defeating Tatsuya.

Late at night, at Tatsuya's house.

Swish!

With a sound cutting the air, Shisui appeared inside the room.

"You're here." Seeing Shisui, Tatsuya raised the sake cup in his hand, gesturing to him.

"I heard the village intends to reform ANBU Squad 11," Shisui said, walking over, his tone somewhat urgent.

"Yes." Tatsuya nodded.

"Really?" Shisui's expression became excited.

"The news is true, but none of it concerns you," Tatsuya said, shaking his head as he looked at the excited Shisui. After several years of experience in the Military Police Force, Shisui still hadn't changed much.

"Why?" Shisui's expression froze upon hearing this.

"ANBU Squad 11 is just a designation; it doesn't necessarily have to be you and me. Besides, this time it's just being temporarily formed for a single mission. It's basically impossible for you to return to ANBU," Tatsuya stated calmly.

"You've already received the mission assignment?"

"Correct! I've accepted the mission. Kakashi and Guy will be going with me as well."

"Was I the only one excluded?" A trace of bitterness crossed Shisui's face as he murmured the words.

Looking at the dejected Shisui, Tatsuya remained silent. According to the appointment orders issued by the Hokage's Office, Kakashi would once again serve as captain for this reformed ANBU Squad 11. Kakashi's strength and reputation were sufficient for the role. But as for the new member replacing Shisui in Squad 11, Tatsuya still hadn't received any notification.

After a moment of silence, Shisui finally looked up at Tatsuya. "Since this matter doesn't really concern me, why did you call me here so late at night?"

Tatsuya said softly, "Our plan can begin!"

Hearing this, Shisui's body abruptly jolted.

 


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