Chapter 9

Xia Yan can be considered a spy, but he is a family spy, not one planted by another village.

In some sense, he is a bit like the future Itachi Uchiha, with the only difference being that he did not become a double agent.

Perhaps the Third Hokage felt a pang of conscience, or perhaps he thought the Senju had already reached a point where they could no longer cause any significant trouble.

Xia Yan did not encounter any problems when he entered the Anbu, but he did not think the high-ranking officials of Konoha were unaware of his true identity.

The elder who raised him had trustworthy connections, but one should not treat the people who run the village as fools.

Regarding Xia Yan, they could see everything or pretend to see nothing.

The difference lies in which option better serves their interests.

After a good night's rest, Xia Yan and Kakashi got up early. According to the report from the ninja dogs, nothing unusual happened last night.

Kakuzu either did not catch up or did not find them.

Regardless, it seemed they were safe for now.

Erasing the traces from last night, the two quickly set off and returned to Konoha.

The route Anbu members take to return to the village is different from that of regular ninja. Konoha has more than one entrance, and the difference is that the other entrances are not guarded by ordinary ninja.

The ninja guarding these entrances are mostly Anbu or Root members; other ninja are not allowed to use these entrances.

After a thorough inspection, Xia Yan and Kakashi smoothly entered Konoha. However, as they approached the Anbu base, Xia Yan suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong, Captain?" Kakashi looked at Xia Yan with confusion, not understanding the situation.

"Once the mission is completed and we disband, will you go to see the Fourth Hokage?" Xia Yan thought for a moment before quietly asking.

Kakashi frowned, not sure what Xia Yan meant.

However, he could tell that Xia Yan's tone was still very gentle and friendly.

It had to be said that such a tone, combined with Xia Yan's gentle smile when he was not wearing a mask, could significantly boost someone's good impression.

Although Kakashi did not know what Xia Yan was thinking, after a moment's thought, he nodded seriously.

"If so, try not to mention what I told you last night when reporting, especially the first few sentences."

Xia Yan gently patted Kakashi's shoulder and then said slowly.

"If you must report everything truthfully, write it down and submit it as a document. Do not say it verbally.

It would be best to tell the Hokage that his actions were misunderstood."

After saying this, Xia Yan immediately closed his mouth and walked toward the Anbu base as if nothing had happened.

Kakashi stood there, completely puzzled, not knowing what Xia Yan meant.

However, he did not feel right asking, as he could see that his captain and old classmate would not answer him.

Worse still, he might look at him with a puzzled expression and ask, "What are you talking about?"

Kakashi, full of doubts, accompanied Xia Yan to complete the mission. This mission, due to its special nature, resulted in them only bringing back one head.

This seemed to make the squad leader somewhat dissatisfied, but he did not blame Kakashi; instead, he blamed Xia Yan.

According to him, as an elite Anbu member, Xia Yan, who was leading a genius like Kakashi, should not have had such a problem.

Xia Yan did not argue but instead calmly admitted that it was his fault, and the mission's issues were not related to Kakashi.

However, after reporting the mission's details, the squad leader could not help but frown.

Kakuzu, the legendary bounty hunter, actually encountered that person?

If they encountered that person, then Xia Yan and Kakashi bringing back the target's head could be considered a perfect completion of the mission.

Thinking about this, the squad leader did not intend to make things difficult for them, or perhaps he never intended to make things difficult for Xia Yan.

However, this scene seemed somewhat strange to Kakashi.

Xia Yan's words were still echoing in his mind. Even though he could not understand, he was not stupid and sensed that the squad leader was targeting him.

After completing the mission, Xia Yan and Kakashi left the Anbu base. They did not exchange much, and soon they parted ways.

Watching Kakashi leave, Xia Yan finally put away the gentle expression he maintained behind his mask.

Although he had long been accustomed to maintaining such a gentle smile, even to the point where he felt he was a kind person,

how could someone who had been in the Anbu for so long be a kind person?

After a day of mission with Kakashi, the cold, desperate, and lifeless state of this guy made Xia Yan almost unable to smile.

Shaking his head, Kakashi's current state was terrible, but it was precisely this terrible state that made it suitable for him to do something.

"Being the teacher of the savior and a student of Minato Namikaze, it would have been fine if he had not been assigned to my team.

Now that he is here, not doing something would not be good."

Adjusting his breathing slightly, Xia Yan's face behind the mask became gentle again.

Although no one could see it, maintaining this for a long time had its benefits, especially since he had gotten used to it.

To become the biggest boss in the ninja world, in simple terms, he needed to step onto the stage of this tumultuous ninja world and stand at the center.

Therefore, he needed to have his own character.

He did not intend to emulate Madara Uchiha, who was a major villain—cold, ruthless, and distrustful, controlling his subordinates with powerful force.

Although Xia Yan did not consider himself a good person, the work in the Anbu was not something a good person would do.

After five years of exposure to darkness and killing, he did not think of himself as a good person.

However, he could create a good person's image for himself!

His best choice was the First Hokage and the Fourth Hokage—'powerful,' 'sunny,' 'humble,' and 'firm' when necessary and 'low-key' when not.

Xia Yan did just that and always maintained this style!

It had to be said that such a 'label' was indeed beneficial to him. He had good relationships with his former classmates and within the Anbu.

His team was especially loyal to him, to the point where they would even count the money for him if he sold them.

"Unfortunately, with Kakashi joining, someone must leave."

Xia Yan shook his head slightly and then stopped thinking about it.

His team had no famous members, and their abilities were average, mostly coming from the orphanage.

However, they were very loyal and reliable to Xia Yan, with the only downside being that they all had the Third's label.

"Better this way, with Kakashi joining, many things can change a bit."

Lifting his head, Xia Yan's gaze fell on the Hokage Rock, and his smile behind the mask became even brighter.

"Reminding the Fourth and Kakashi, on one hand, helps the family, and on the other hand, helps me. A win-win situation..."