My Techniques are a bit off

Two Hours Later.

"Swish!"

After using the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique multiple times, an exhausted Link had just returned home from the hospital when an Anbu operative appeared at his door. With surprising courtesy, they knocked and said:

"Chūnin Link, Lord Third wishes to see you."

He had no choice but to go. After all, apart from fatigue, he was in perfect condition—his repeated use of the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique on himself had made his body unnaturally healthy.

Accompanying the Anbu to the Hokage's office, Link entered to find the Third Hokage seated behind his desk, his iconic hat on. Beside him were two elderly advisors.

[The two village advisors?]

Link thought to himself. Once the Anbu had closed the door and departed, he bowed slightly and greeted them, "Lord Third."

The Third Hokage smiled warmly and nodded. "Take a seat, young Link."

"Chūnin Link, I'm Mitokado Homura, one of the village advisors. Could you recount the events of your recent mission?"

The bespectacled elder's voice was steady and kind.

"Of course." Link bowed again and began recounting the mission: from the assignment and execution, to the anomalies they encountered, and finally the battle with Orochimaru and Kabuto.

He intentionally glossed over the details of the fight, vaguely mentioning "using a secret technique to hold out until reinforcements arrived."

Neither the advisors nor the Third Hokage pressed for details. They understood that prying too deeply into a ninja's secret techniques could be inappropriate.

When Link mentioned the name "Orochimaru," the female advisor, Koharu Utatane, reacted sharply, her tone icy.

"Chūnin Link, are you certain that the enemy was referred to as 'Orochimaru' by Nara Ensui?"

"Yes," Link confirmed, his tone calm.

His account was measured and objective. While subtly hinting at the Sunagakure ninjas' questionable actions, he shared only what his teammates and Ensui already knew.

Koharu fell silent, her expression stern. Homura's face also tightened as both turned their attention to the Third Hokage.

The Third's smile faltered momentarily before he sighed and explained, "Orochimaru was once my student. Now, he is a traitor to the village."

Such a candid admission made Koharu frown. Revealing this to a chūnin could harm the Hokage's image, she thought. But the Third Hokage seemed unconcerned, his gaze resolute.

"For now, young Link, remain in the village for some time. Your two teammates will be reassigned to other squads."

Link hesitated briefly before lowering his head. "Understood."

He knew separating his team was meant to protect him and his teammates. However, the sudden loss of his "meat shields" left him feeling strangely unsettled.

But soon, he adjusted his mindset. Staying in the village meant more time for training rather than endless missions—a net positive, all things considered.

Homura seemed ready to speak, but the Third Hokage stopped him with a glance and said, "You've worked hard, young Link. Go home and rest."

Some political considerations didn't need to be shared with the village's younger generation.

"Yes, sir." Link bowed once more to the elders before leaving the office.

As he exited the Hokage Tower, he ran into Team 7. They were likely there to report their mission and claim their reward.

Kakashi, holding a book, glanced at Link, closed it, and greeted him casually, "Yo."

"Good afternoon," Link replied, keeping it formal.

Behind him, Naruto Uzumaki, usually boisterous, tightened his fists slightly before smiling brightly. "Good afternoon, Link!"

Both Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno turned to look at Naruto in surprise. They didn't know he was acquainted with the younger genius.

"Good afternoon."

Link felt he should establish a connection with Naruto. As the apprentice of Nara Shikaku, he had every reason to forge ties with the village's "nuclear weapon" and the Uchiha survivor—two key figures.

Even the Hokage wouldn't object to such networking.

Yet, inexplicably, he found himself lacking the energy. After returning a polite greeting, he turned and walked away alone.

Sakura murmured, "He seems a bit down. Where are his teammates?"

Naruto, often oblivious to such nuances, understood this time. It wasn't sadness—it was a palpable loneliness emanating from Link's retreating figure.

He watched the smaller boy walk away, his silhouette disappearing at the street's edge.

…

In the Hokage's Office.

"Orochimaru…" Koharu's expression was grave. "That man must be plotting something!"

Her voice was firm, almost accusatory. She had never trusted or liked Orochimaru.

As one of the village's founding elders, she had watched Konoha grow—from a collection of ninja clans to a thriving community. The village was her life, her everything.

To her, Orochimaru's crimes—conducting experiments on fellow villagers, betraying the village—were unforgivable.

Now, he was targeting Konoha's rising talents, sabotaging an A-rank mission, and killing a wealthy client from the Land of Fire.

In her eyes, Orochimaru deserved nothing less than destruction.

Homura, calmer, asked, "Hiruzen, what do you make of Orochimaru's parting words: 'I'll come back for you'?"

The implication was clear: as the Hokage, what would you do when Orochimaru inevitably returned?

The Third Hokage's expression remained unreadable as he replied solemnly, "If Orochimaru shows himself again…"

"I will kill him with my own hands."

~~~

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