S Rank Mission

" Jonin Mizuki, Hokage sama wants to see you "

Mizuki looked up from his food, and Anko did the same. They were having dinner at the hospital cafeteria.

After a second of contemplation, Mizuki gave a nod with his signature smile.

" I see, I'll be there. "

* Swish *

Anko gave the now gone Anbu an irritated look.

" Comes along, ruins dinner and flickers away. Anbu are such tryhards. "

Mizuki just gave a wry smile, she has been sticking to him for a while now.

But he didn't ask further, it's obvious she wants to pursue him, but found it too soon to say it out loud, likely wouldn't even have given a reason for her sudden closeness if he didn't ask right away.

" Don't say that Anko san, they are just doing their job, you eat up, I'll see you later. "

Anko huffed at that, but gave him an okay either way, she did herself a promise, but wasn't about to declare her love in a day, it will take time for her to say those words.

So there is no need to rush, she gave her reason for sticking close to him, that's enough for now.

Mizuki was walking down the hallway, he had already picked up his food and was walking while eating it, he wasn't about to waste it, who knows he might need the energy later.

* Thrash *

Dumping the now empty plate in the trash he simply wiped his hands and flickered away.

" Come in "

As soon as he came before the door, Hokage voice came, didn't even have to knock.

" Hokage sama. "

Mizuki stood before the Hokage, this time he didn't bow, he was a Jonin, they have much higher authority than mere Chunin, unless required he doesn't need to make too much formality.

" Aah Mizuki, congratulations on your promotion. I always believed you will make it! "

Mizuki gave him a simple smile, no reply was needed, it was obvious Hokage was getting to something.

" That's good, it's good that you have confidence as well... Forgive the old man for prying, but did you and Anko... You know..? "

Mizuki didn't even twitch his face at the sudden perverse turn the talk took, he knew Hokage's true nature now, and the problem he has, he expected some random stuff like this from the old man.

" Hokage sama, we don't have anything going on between us, as of now. Though she did indeed share quite a bit about herself, she's a though girl, and a worthy friend. "

Hokage smiled at that, a friend? That's a good start. He knew whatever Anko shared was enough for Mizuki to at least consider her as a friend.

Meanwhile Mizuki purposefully worded it as such, a friend, and there is nothing going on ' yet '

He had a feeling, Anko's current state of emotional fragility and her meeting him were all, somehow connected.

" Hahaha, sorry for asking, she's indeed a tough girl, but she's been through a lot, I am happy you two could find something common! "

Alright, that confirms it, Hokage is pushing this, he has an agenda behind us getting together. But what.. is this what I think it is..?

" It's no problem Hokage sama."

Warm smile in place, Mizuki swiftly closed the topic, he needed to hear the mission, if what he is thinking is right, this mission will be something good and bad.

" Haha, well, now that you are a Jonin, it's time for you to go on your first mandatory mission. After that unless essential, it's your choice. Am I clear? Good. Jonin Mizuki, here is your first mission. The details are in the scroll. "

Mizuki picked the scroll up gently as the Hokage handed it to him.

' What's this.. Chunin exams.. ambassador visit... Kirigakure?! Shit. '

Mizuki didn't show any expression on his face, but he rolled up the scroll after taking a while to check all the details.

" This visit is essential for our village, you will be representing Konoha solely. "

Mizuki was grinding his teeth at this moment, this was a death mission. Who doesn't know Kiri is currently in the midst of civil war, Zabuza attempted Yagura's assassination a while back, in a few months Temuri Mei will take office, all factions are fighting internal wars. And he wants me to go now?

" Hokage sama, Am I to recieve any backup in case of emergency? "

Hokage waved his hands.

" No, we can't afford to send more the Ninjas to water country, it might provoke a war. You alone shall be in this mission. "

There it is, the Hokage's dichotomy, a kind old man wanting my best is sending me to a certain death mission. Every action reeks of incompetence but he is strangely competent enough to understand something might provoke a war.

Mizuki calmed down, it matters not, he won't die, not unless attacked by all of the mist village Ninja's.

" ... I see Hokage sama. "

Hokage smiled at that.

" Haha worry not, you will be alright, we go in peace, they won't provoke a war and attack an ambassador. You can go with confidence, Konoha has your back. "

Yeah right, he is so certain of going in peace that none of the factions will kill the ambassador to blame the other, or mist missing nins won't go after me to take revenge on the mist.

Mizuki was now certain Hokage was peaceful. His problem was he was too peacefull, unnaturally so infact. As if that aspect of his personality somehow overtakes his critical thinking and he ends up making extremely harmful decisions while looking for peace. Like in his case right now.

" I understand Hokage sama. "

Hokage was happy, he had prepared this very important mission for Mizuki without asking his advisors, an ambassador was someone who can represent Konoha as a whole. No random Ninja can become one. So him giving Mizuki this opportunity was a straight confirmation that he was considering Mizuki for something more than just Jonin.

' This is good, my old friends will definitely be against it, but this time around I won't back down, they need to remember, I am Hokage. '

Then giving Mizuki a wink Hokage said in a playful tone.

" Mizuki Jonin, you have to choose a new Jutsu for your promotion. Normally we open our jutsu library for this occasion, but you have made great contributions in academy, so in my power as Hokage, I shall allow you to choose from the book of seals. "

Mizuki wasn't surprised by this either, he has already confirmed what Hiruzen was on about a while back, his meeting with Anko and her state were indeed the Hokage's doing, his actual agenda? Connecting him with the Hokage's line!

That's right, Anko is from the Hokage's line! She herself might have lost the chance to any powerful position due to being cursed and having a direct connection with Orochimaru. But her line didn't end.

Her partner will still be considered a part of the Hokage's family!