The sun shone brightly in the sky, and the spring sunlight poured down, warmly enveloping the land. The leaves of the trees swayed gently in the breeze, creating a serene and calming atmosphere.
Deep within the dense forest, the wind covered the rustling of careful movements. A few figures moved swiftly through the trees, always staying in the shadows behind the trunks.
Yukigetsu, still in his trench coat, turned his head and quietly asked Hinata, who was nearby, “How far are we from the target?”
“Five meters!” Hinata reported cautiously, her Byakugan activated, giving her a clear view of their surroundings.
Yukigetsu nodded in approval. “Good. Kiba, are you ready?”
“Ready! We can move anytime!” Kiba’s voice came from above.
Yukigetsu’s eyes sharpened as he waved his hand, giving the signal, “Let’s go!”
In an instant, Kiba and Akamaru sprang out, catching their target off guard and rolling on the ground several times.
“Meow—” came a pitiful cry, which surprisingly wasn’t human.
“Hahaha, gotcha!”
Kiba laughed heartily, holding the struggling fat tabby cat.
Yukigetsu walked over slowly, carefully examining the cat. “Right ear tied with a ribbon… confirmed target is Tora.”
Kurenai Yuhi emerged from the shadows, her red eyes sparkling as she smiled beautifully. “Well done! Mission to capture the runaway pet ‘Tora’… complete!”
In Konoha, at the mission assignment desk.
“Meow—” The cat’s cry was heart-wrenching.
A heavily made-up, plump woman hugged the cat, rubbing her face against it.
Yukigetsu shuddered at the sight. This was the wife of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, Lady Shijimi, and her daily interactions with her fat cat Tora. No wonder the cat wanted to escape…
He shook his head and turned to Kurenai. “Kurenai-sensei, today’s teamwork practice is over. I’ll continue with the C-rank missions.”
Kurenai sighed slightly. “Yukigetsu, don’t push yourself too hard. You’re already very strong, and Neji is, after all, a year older than you…”
Yukigetsu smiled. “It’s fine. I’ve already completed nine consecutive C-rank missions!”
“What?!”
Kurenai, Kiba, and Hinata were all shocked. They had only been doing missions for a month, so how could he have completed nine C-rank missions alone? These weren’t D-rank missions; C-rank missions usually involved killing.
Yukigetsu chuckled and nodded without elaborating, then walked towards the Third Hokage.
“Lord Hokage, are there any bandit extermination missions today?”
The Third Hokage looked up from his pile of documents, his pipe emitting a wisp of smoke. “It’s you… Let me see. Yes, there is another bandit extermination mission. However, Yukigetsu…”
He looked deeply into the boy’s eyes. “This is the tenth bandit extermination mission you’ve taken in a month. The bandits in the Land of Fire…”
He removed the pipe from his mouth and said solemnly, “…have almost been wiped out by you!”
“Wiped out?!” Kiba exclaimed in surprise, and even Hinata’s eyes widened.
Kurenai frowned with concern. “Yukigetsu, why do you keep taking these missions?”
Yukigetsu’s eyes sparkled. “Because… they’re direct, quick, and satisfying!”
Everyone exchanged glances.
The Third Hokage leaned his elbow on the table. “Are you sure you’re okay? I don’t want Konoha to have a killer on the loose!”
His words were heavy, but Yukigetsu was unfazed. “It’s just a few hundred people. It’s not like I haven’t killed before…”
His nonchalant tone made the bloodshed sound as natural as having a meal.
The Third Hokage frowned. “You know my expectations for you. Don’t become like Danzo!”
Kurenai stiffened in shock, while Hinata and Kiba were confused.
Yukigetsu rubbed his nose, then looked up seriously. “Lord Hokage, you stand in the light, backed by the darkness. And so am I. Some things must be borne. No matter how much it’s prettified, those in power all have blood on their hands.”
The Third Hokage’s gaze deepened. “Don’t lose yourself.”
“Understood!”
Another day passed, and Yukigetsu returned to Konoha’s gates. The last bandit hideout in the Land of Fire had been reduced to dust in history.
Returning with nearly a hundred souls to the Spirit River, he felt no pressure. Killing… it becomes easier the more you do it!
He had also made significant progress in the precise chakra control methods and the principles of ninjutsu creation, leading to a new combat style.
Often, he reflected on his inherent violent tendencies, accepting them as a genetic inheritance. Though he didn’t seek it, he couldn’t deny the satisfaction of efficiently defeating his foes…
Soon, the Hokage’s office appeared before him. He walked up and knocked on the door, only to find not just the Third Hokage and Iruka inside but also Kakashi, Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura.
After casually greeting everyone, he heard the Third Hokage read from a document: “The next mission for Kakashi’s Team 7 is… uh… helping Lord Shirou with childcare, or going to a neighboring village to buy supplies, or harvesting sweet potatoes…”
Yukigetsu’s face twitched. More of these kinds of missions? He could already imagine Naruto and Sasuke’s frustration…
Sure enough, the next moment, Naruto exploded.
Crossing his arms and shaking his head vigorously, Naruto shouted, “No! Don’t assign us these kinds of missions! We want more important missions! Give us a different one!”
“Iruka stood up, slamming his hands on the table, “You idiots are still rookies without any experience! Everyone starts with simple tasks to gain experience!”
Naruto protested loudly, “But, but! Those missions are too boring!”
Yukigetsu nodded in agreement. If it weren’t for having to follow Kurenai for team missions, he could have completed ten C-rank missions in half a month. Missions without ninja interference were too easy for him…
Bam!
Kakashi’s fist landed on Naruto’s head. “Enough! Seriously!”
“Naruto, it seems you still don’t understand the purpose of missions.” The Third Hokage looked at Naruto, took out his pipe, and explained, “Listen! Although the village receives many requests daily, ranging from childcare to assassination, D-rank missions suit new Genin like you.”
Yukigetsu glanced at his C-rank mission order and rolled his eyes. Old man, lying so earnestly in front of a Genin who’s completed ten C-rank missions isn’t a bit much?
He glanced around, seeing Naruto wasn’t easily fooled. “For lunch yesterday, it was pork bone ramen. Today, let’s have miso!”
Yukigetsu: “…”
The Third Hokage shouted angrily, “Listen to me seriously!”
Kakashi scratched his head awkwardly, “Sorry about that!”
Naruto laughed heartily, “Ah—Ah! The old man just yells at me! Don’t think of me as just… that prankster kid! I’ve grown up!”
Despite the cheeky tone, Yukigetsu felt touched by these words. This guy… maybe he understands more than he lets on…
“I see.”
Everyone expected the Hokage to refuse again, but he surprised them by saying, “In that case, I’ll assign you a C-rank mission! To protect someone!” The Third Hokage’s declaration shocked everyone.
Yukigetsu shook his head. The old man still had a soft spot, likely moved by Naruto’s unexpected seriousness…
“Who? Who? Is it a Daimyo or a princess?” Naruto asked, grinning.
The Third Hokage sighed, “So impatient. Let me introduce you… Come in.”
Bang.
“What the…”
A grumpy old man, carrying a backpack with a rope tied around his head, and holding a bottle of alcohol, leaned casually against the doorframe. He looked at the kids disdainfully. “A bunch of brats! Especially that shorty, he looks dumb. Are you really ninjas?”
“Pfft.” Yukigetsu couldn’t help but laugh. Poor Naruto, even Sakura was taller than him. But…
He looked closely at the old man’s expression. There was a sense of unease, similar to those facing a death threat, a feeling Yukigetsu often sensed from bandits during raids.
“I’ll kill you!”
Kakashi quickly restrained the enraged Naruto. “He’s the person we’re protecting, you idiot!”
“I’m the renowned bridge builder—Tazuna!” The old man looked at them with severe distrust. “Protect me with your lives until I finish building my bridge!”
Yes, it’s that feeling of distrust…
Yukigetsu stood up slowly. It was a C-rank escort mission, and no ninja expected. So, old man, what are you worried about?
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