What? Eliminating bandits?
This was indeed a C-rank mission.
And a very typical one at that.
But it had absolutely nothing to do with the Wave Country mission Naruto had been expecting!
Naruto felt like a million galloping horses were running through his mind, leaving him utterly bewildered.
Director! The actors are ready! The scripts have been handed out, but then you suddenly say you want to change the storyline. This isn’t what we agreed upon! Hey!
This isn’t following the script at all.
Where’s the bridge builder, the drunkard—Tazuna?
Where’s the C-rank mission to protect a VIP?
Where’s the luxurious trip to the Wave Country?
Oh my god, what about Gato?
Damn it, am I really going to miss out on the chance to face Zabuza?
At this moment.
Naruto’s mind was confused and frustrated, unable to express his emotions in any other way.
Old man, changing the script like this.
That’s against the rules! Do you even know that?
If you keep this up!
I’ll give you a beating!
Naruto looked at the Third Hokage, who maintained a seemingly unchanged expression, but inside, Naruto was screaming. Honestly, he felt a strong urge to rush up and give the old man a good thrashing.
The storyline changed suddenly.
Even though Naruto knew his presence was the biggest change, leading to inevitable butterfly effects, he still found this unexpected twist frustrating.
A sense of melancholy spreads through Naruto’s heart.
But since things had come to this point, Naruto had no choice but to accept it. After all, he had asked for a C-rank mission!
Even though he felt frustrated and bewildered inside, Naruto had to put on a happy face. He had requested a C-rank mission, and the Third Hokage had granted it, so he had to show that he was pleased. Otherwise, people might start suspecting him.
The outward excitement masked the inner frustration and confusion, a dichotomy only Naruto himself was aware of.
The Third Hokage, oblivious to Naruto’s inner turmoil, continued his detailed instructions. He knew this mission would be straightforward for Team 7, especially with Kakashi leading, but it would still involve bloodshed, and the bandit count wasn’t negligible. Given the current peaceful times, it was different from wartime when twelve-year-old ninjas could handle much more. So, after assigning the mission, the Third Hokage gave detailed advice and crucial points to note.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura listened attentively.
After all, this was valuable advice from the Hokage himself, which was highly beneficial for rookie ninjas.
“Now, Kakashi, I leave the rest to you.”
After a brief explanation, the Third Hokage handed the mission scroll to Kakashi, giving him a meaningful look.
“Yes, Lord Hokage, I understand.”
This time, Kakashi was serious as he accepted the mission scroll from the Third Hokage. Only Kakashi understood the deeper implications behind the Hokage’s unspoken words. Even Iruka didn’t grasp the full significance of this C-rank mission. As for Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, they were completely unaware that this mission wasn’t just about clearing out bandits. It was a crucial step in their journey as a ninja.
At this moment, they didn’t realize they were about to step into the dark world of ninjas.
The harsh realities of this world.
And the qualities a ninja must possess.
What makes a ninja truly qualified?
Few in peaceful times understood this.
But any ninja from the wartime era knew it well.
For Team 7, both the academy graduation exam and Kakashi’s special test were just the basic qualifications for becoming a ninja.
To truly become a ninja, these freshly graduated Genin still had a special threshold to cross. Naruto might have already shown some qualities, but Sasuke and Sakura hadn’t.
They were missing essential qualities every ninja should have.
This is an important quality.
Would be acquired through this mission.
Provided the three of them successfully participated and completed this C-rank mission together.
If they did, Team 7 would become a truly qualified ninja squad in Konoha!
Of course, at this moment, they had no idea what awaited them.
They merely thought it was a normal, straightforward C-rank mission.
Naruto even briefly considered if this mission being near the Wave Country meant he could slip away to find Gato. But he quickly dismissed the thought. This was a team mission with Kakashi present, making it impossible to sneak away. Plus, Gato might already be working with Zabuza, and going alone would be suicide.
Within a second.
Naruto gave up the enticing thought.
He decided to focus on this C-rank mission.
Afterward, he could see if they could get the special mission.
Maybe his presence had delayed the Wave Country mission a bit.
Since Team 7 could now take C-rank missions, rushing was unnecessary.
Naruto thought silently.
“Alright, you all know the mission details. It’ll take about half a day to reach the mission site. Including the mission and return, it’ll take around a day. Go pack your things, and we’ll meet at the village gate in an hour. Got it?”
After leaving the mission center.
Kakashi turned to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, waving the mission scroll lazily, his usual nonchalant demeanor back as he spoke slowly.
Even though this mission had special significance, it was only for Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. For Kakashi, a C-rank mission?
Not even a B-rank mission would be much.
Only an A-rank mission would challenge a Jonin like Kakashi.
For this mission.
Kakashi just needed to ensure the three rookies didn’t run into any unexpected trouble.
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