"Well, whatever the case, I don't like kids who are too smart—it's hard to fool them. Anyway, let's just take a C-rank mission."
Kakashi's expression instantly returned to its usual lazy warmth.
He walked forward, scanned the mission board, scratched his head, and said, "C-rank missions really aren't too difficult. But judging by your recent performance, I think we could even try a B-rank."
"Lord Kakashi, please don't joke around!"
The chūnin in charge of assigning missions turned pale.
"Come on, Hiraga, it's just a B-rank. You graduated at twelve and went straight to the battlefield, didn't you? You even killed enemy ninja."
Kakashi yawned.
"That's different," the man protested.
"Fine, I'll go talk to the Hokage. You kids wait here."
Kakashi clearly had no patience for arguing—besides, this chūnin didn't have the authority to decide anyway.
Better to go directly to the Third.
Tenten couldn't hide her excitement. Her rosy cheeks were trembling as she looked at Chiba with bright, expectant eyes.
Even Tsukikage Kaza wasn't much calmer.
A B-rank mission—this meant they'd finally get to fight real ninja!
"Don't get excited too soon," Chiba reminded them. "Most B-rank missions only involve ordinary shinobi, but there are exceptions. Rogue ninja move around constantly, and mission intel isn't always accurate."
"That's right, exactly! You really live up to your reputation as a genius," Hiraga said, nodding fervently. "B-rank missions are dangerous—even full chūnin teams sometimes get wiped out. You must convince Lord Kakashi to reconsider!"
He shook Chiba's hand as if he'd found a kindred spirit. At least someone seemed cautious and responsible in this group!
Chiba's expression was a little strange, but he nodded politely to humor him.
Convince Kakashi?
What made you think I didn't want a B-rank?
He was just pretending to be cautious to keep his teammates from getting too cocky!
He was about to pull Tenten and Tsukikage Kaza aside for a quiet word when a distinct smell of cigarette smoke drifted across the room.
There weren't many men in Konoha who carried that scent.
Chiba turned his head—
Asuma Sarutobi stood in the corner, cigarette between his lips, giving him a wave from afar.
"Eh? Kakashi-sensei told us to wait here. Where are you going?"
Tenten grabbed his arm as he started to walk away.
"I'm just staying inside the hall. You all wait here—when Kakashi-sensei comes back, I'll join you."
Chiba didn't explain further.
Asuma had likely used a genjutsu—Tenten and Tsukikage Kaza's sensory perception wasn't sharp enough to notice the illusion.
He walked over.
Asuma sat tucked into the corner, took a deep drag, then patted the floor beside him, gesturing for Chiba to sit.
Chiba gave him an odd look.
"That one outside is your clone?"
"Yeah," Asuma grumbled, exhaling smoke. "All your fault, brat. You come and go as you please—now I have to keep up appearances out there!"
He wasn't st trading jutsu—but why did the Hokage have to make him demonstrate that ridiculous 'Limit Break' taijutsu in public?
It was humiliating!
"Ahem, Asuma-senpai, you can't blame me for that. I just made a suggestion—I didn't ask Third Hokage to use you as his showpiece."
Chiba waved away the smoke with his hand.
"That old man… tch." Asuma sighed, then stubbed out his cigarette. "Still, credit where it's due—your technique really is impressive."
"If I'm not mistaken," he added, "that taijutsu has a stronger version, doesn't it?"
"Yeah. According to Kakashi-sensei, the full version is on par with opening the Gate of Opening—but lasts even longer. It's extremely difficult to master, though."
Chiba nodded.
Asuma wasn't as eccentric as kid, nor as mischievous as Kakashi. Aside from the occasional issue of secondhand smoke, he was actually quite easy to get along with.
He smiled faintly and said, "Chiriku told me you offered to help them improve the Iron Wall Seal Formation?"
"Mm. Their barrier technique works, but not perfectly. I think it can be optimized."
Chiba nodded .
"What exactly do you want from the Temple of Fire?" Asuma suddenly asked.
Chiba blinked, taken aback. "Eh? Asuma-senpai, what makes you think that?"
"Heh."
Asuma shot him a sidelong glance, then smirked. "You're not a selfish person. On the contrary, you're usually selfless. But when it comes to knowledge—you've got an obsession most people can't understand."
"Uh… is it that obvious?" Chiba didn't bother denying it.
The Gift of the Hermit Group wasn't something an ordinary ninja could touch. To study it further, he'd have to maintain contact with both Chiriku and Asuma.
Chiriku didn't know him well enough to guess his motives—but the upper jōnin of Konoha certainly did, especially Asuma, the Hokage's son.
Asuma gave a small, dry laugh. "The old man said it himself—you must've taken a liking to something at the Temple of Fire."
"Tch, he's just embarrassed to ask directly, so he sent you to do it. Asuma-senpai, if I were you, I couldn't stand being used like that!"
Chiba put on an expression of exaggerated concern.
Asuma gave him a sideways look, muttered a quiet "tsk," and fell silent for a moment.
Then he prodded Chiba's arm with a finger. "So what exactly are you after? I'll see how I can talk to Chiriku about it. He's a friend—I can't just trick him."
"I want access to the knowledge behind the Gift of the Hermit Group," Chiba said plainly.
Since Asuma had already asked directly, there was no point in pretending.
Unsurprisingly, Asuma didn't look shocked.
"That's… tricky," he admitted. He instinctively reached for another cigarette but, remembering Chiba's dislike for smoke, only held it between his lips without lighting it. "That's the Temple's ultimate secret art."
"I don't need the full technique," Chiba explained patiently. "Just the foundational theory. Think of it as an investment—they share some of their knowledge, and in return, I'll share any new jutsu I create. It's mutual benefit."
Asuma nodded thoughtfully.
No one could deny Chiba's talent. If given access to that kind of knowledge, he'd surely invent powerful new jutsu—but the Gift of the Hermit Group was the Temple's signature technique…
Though, truth be told, Asuma knew it himself.
After some thought, he finally said, "Alright. I'll ask."
"Thank you so much!" Chiba clasped his hands together in gratitude.
Asuma waved him off. "Don't mention it. Like you said, it's mutual benefit. If it were up to me, I'd agree right now—but it's not my call."
"You're too generous! If this works out, I'll never forget your help!" Chiba grinned, giving him a thumbs-up.
"I do have one thing to ask of you, though."
Asuma straightened slightly, for once looking serious. "I've been back in Konoha for a while, and next year I might be assigned a genin team. When that happens, I'll need your help."
"Ha? Me?"
"Yeah. Kakashi said you're full of tricks—and I figured, the only person who could handle Kankurō is you."
"You mean Nara Clan Shikamaru?"
Asuma chuckled and pointed at him. "See? Kakashi was right—you really are full of tricks. I didn't even say the name."
Chiba's mouth twitched. "Well… I'll see what I can do. If I have time, I'll help you set up an exam for him—but I can't promise it'll fool Shikamaru completely."
"That's fine. As long as you're better at it than I am."
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