Hokage Building, Office
Sarutobi Hiruzen gazed at Team Seven, standing before him in neat formation, poised and ready.
He leisurely took a puff of his pipe. "Kakashi, it seems these three youngsters have finally passed your trial."
'That Kakashi...'
Two years ago, he had deliberately transferred Kakashi from the Anbu to become a Jonin Instructor, hoping to free his frozen, withdrawn heart from the darkness of his time in the Anbu.
To his surprise, while Kakashi had indeed become slightly more cheerful, his graduation pass rate had remained stubbornly at zero for two consecutive years.
Fortunately, this year, one team had finally cleared his evaluation.
Judging by Kakashi's expression, something particularly interesting must have transpired.
'The intelligence you provided, Lord Third, didn't mention that those two brats had such a formidable teacher.'
Hatake Kakashi shot a resentful glance at the Third Hokage, who sat there calmly as if nothing were amiss, his dead-fish eyes conveying a hint of reproach.
Clearing his throat, he announced, "My three students have demonstrated exceptional performance and possess the skills and qualities of professional ninja!"
The Third Hokage nodded, taking a contemplative puff from his pipe. "You've come at the perfect time. We're swamped with D-rank missions—just the thing for your new team to handle."
With that, the Third Hokage pulled a mission list from his drawer and began reading aloud: "Hmm, help Uncle Kudo on the east side of the village take care of his son Conan. Play detective games with him. Yes, that sounds good."
"Assist Monk Sanzang at the temple in the west village with finding his missing pets. Hmm, this one's decent too."
"Yagami Light from the south village accidentally lost a notebook. Help him find it. Hmm, this one works."
"Play a role-playing adventure game with young Shirou, who lives in the north village. This sounds like a great one as well."
"..."
Naruto immediately leaned forward, staring at the mission list and shouting, "Lord Third, can't we get some higher-ranked missions?!"
'Babysitting, playing house, running errands, delivering letters, finding lost items, catching cats and dogs... this isn't the ninja life I dreamed of!'
The Third Hokage glanced at Naruto and chuckled. "Naruto, every ninja starts by accumulating experience through basic, simple missions, gradually increasing the difficulty. Don't underestimate these tasks—though they may lack danger, they still require time and effort."
Konoha assigns these trivial missions to newly graduated Genin for two primary reasons: first, to protect them from premature exposure to overly dangerous missions; second, to allow them to apply their Ninja Academy training to real-life situations.
This not only builds their experience but also serves as a form of training in itself.
More importantly, the power gap between ninjas and ordinary citizens is vast.
These basic missions encourage ninjas to interact more frequently and closely with the villagers, erasing any sense of superiority they might harbor.
As ninjas of Konoha, honing combat skills alone isn't enough. They must remain grounded, deeply rooted in the community, and close to the people.
This is the core principle behind Konoha's approach to ninja education since the founding of the Ninja Academy!
"But..."
Naruto hesitated, but the Third Hokage continued, "Haven't you been clamoring to become Hokage, you little rascal? Many in the village need help right now. Only those recognized by the people can become Hokage, you know."
These words struck Naruto's weak spot perfectly.
He had been about to protest, but he quickly nodded. "Yosh! If so many villagers need help, Teacher Kakashi, let's take on a bunch of missions at once!"
Kakashi froze, then shook his head. He was about to speak when Sasuke suddenly interjected, "Teacher Kakashi, I think it's feasible!"
Although Sasuke had known since graduating from the Ninja Academy that newly appointed Genin would have to endure a period of basic missions, these tasks were not only tedious but utterly meaningless to him.
He desperately needed combat experience—to draw blood and hone his practical skills—and these trivial missions were a waste of his time.
As for the supposed application of Ninja Academy knowledge to daily life, he had already mastered that, and to a far greater extent.
Since that was the case, he might as well clear a mountain of D-rank missions quickly. This would give him a valid reason to request higher-level assignments.
"Sasuke-kun is right!" Sakura exclaimed, nodding vigorously in agreement.
Despite all three students offering their suggestions, Kakashi didn't immediately agree.
Instead, he asked, "Explain your reasoning. Accepting too many missions at once and failing to complete them within the time limit would not only mean losing the payment but also being marked as a mission failure, which could severely impact your ninja career's evaluation."
Sasuke replied confidently, "Teacher Kakashi, don't forget that every member of Team Seven has mastered the Shadow Clone Technique. While D-rank missions are tedious, they don't involve combat and thus require minimal Chakra. We can easily accept multiple basic missions simultaneously and complete them within the allotted time!"
Kakashi stroked his chin casually. "While D-rank missions may not drain much Chakra, the mental strain and physical fatigue can be considerable. Are you sure you can handle it?"
"I can create ten Shadow Clones and train 24 hours a day without any issues," Sasuke stated calmly.
Sasuke's tone was calm, but to Kakashi, his words rang with a sharp, almost jarring edge.
A pang of envy rose in Sakura's heart.
"As for Naruto, I'm sure he'll be fine. Sakura, what about you?" Sasuke asked, glancing at Naruto and Sakura.
Naruto immediately thumped his chest and declared loudly, "No problem, buddy!!"
Sakura hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Seven or eight shouldn't be an issue for a day."
Sakura secretly trained with Shadow Clones just like Sasuke and Naruto. However, she could only manage around five per day.
Considering that D-rank missions wouldn't require much Chakra, she exaggerated her capacity.
Sasuke gently replied, "Let's stick with five then, Sakura. Don't push yourself too hard."
'Is Sasuke actually worried about me?' Sakura's heart fluttered with joy, but she maintained a serious facade. "I'll be fine, Sasuke. Don't underestimate me!"
"Alright, let's make it seven then." Sasuke smiled faintly, saying nothing more.
"So, counting our Shadow Clones and our real bodies, that gives us thirty manpower units," Sasuke said, turning to Kakashi. "Including Teacher Kakashi, we'll have twenty-five. With that manpower, completing around fifteen D-rank missions a day should be manageable, don't you think, Teacher Kakashi?"
Kakashi nodded slightly, but then suddenly realized something was off.
'What do you mean, 'counting me, we have 25 manpower'?'
'Are you saying I'm a negative asset?'
Kakashi rolled his eyes and turned to the Third Hokage, who had been silently smoking his pipe the whole time. "Lord Third, our class wants to take on multiple D-rank missions simultaneously and guarantee completion within the time limit. Do you think that's feasible?"
"Theoretically, it's against regulations. But if your class can pull it off, hmm..."
The Third Hokage paused, considering the long backlog of missions.
Just as he was about to agree, he suddenly heard Naruto muttering something under his breath.
"Too bad the Shadow Clone Technique can only create ten clones. Otherwise, I could handle a hundred missions a day, no problem!"
Upon hearing this, the Third Hokage's heart stirred.
He took a puff of his pipe and said calmly, "Very well. I'll provide you with a mission list containing one hundred tasks. If you can complete them all within seven days, I'll not only assign your class a C-rank mission afterward, but also reward you with an A-rank ninjutsu. If you fail, you'll be stuck with two months of D-rank missions. What do you say?"
Kakashi turned to his students, casting an inquiring glance.
The three exchanged a look before nodding in unison, their unspoken agreement clear: "Alright!"
Seeing this, Kakashi suddenly felt a surge of warmth. He solemnly addressed the Third Hokage, "Lord Third, as the Jonin Instructor and leader of Team Seven, I hereby accept this challenge on behalf of the entire team!"
"Such spirited young people!" the Third Hokage chuckled heartily, nodding in approval.
"In that case, Kakashi, let the children go home and rest for now. Come back this afternoon, and I'll have the mission list ready for you."
"Yes, sir!"
____
Seven days later, a minor sensation rippled through Konoha, even reaching the ears of the Jonin, who marveled at the news.
In just seven days, the newly graduated Team Seven had shattered numerous Konoha records:
Most missions completed in a single day.
Most D-rank missions completed in a single day.
Fastest completion of one hundred D-rank missions in history.
D-rank missions were typically mundane tasks added at personal requests, with rewards ranging from 500 to 10,000 ryo.
These tasks ranged from finding lost pets to picking up trash.
Though the individual rewards weren't high, the sheer volume of missions allowed Team Seven to earn nearly 300,000 ryo in just seven days—equivalent to completing two low-tier A-rank missions!
Relieved by the lighter burden on his shoulders, the Third Hokage couldn't help but wonder if the missions he'd assigned the children had been too easy.
'Perhaps they could handle two hundred?'
In high spirits, the Third Hokage secretly resolved:
'The Shadow Clone Technique must be popularized!'
'Yes!'
'Starting next year, it will be a required subject at the Ninja Academy!'
As evening fell, the sun began to set in the west.
After submitting their hundredth mission request at the Hokage's Office, Sakura suggested a celebratory meal, and the group headed to the village's barbecue restaurant.
As for the A-Rank Ninjutsu Scroll promised by the Third Hokage, only Naruto, the big spender, was wildly enthusiastic about the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
Sasuke, however, merely glanced at it before losing interest, while Sakura took one look and frowned deeply, abandoning any thought of learning it.
To complete a hundred missions in just seven days, the trio had maintained Shadow Clones day and night.
While the chakra expenditure wasn't a problem, the mental strain from managing vast memories and the sheer exhaustion were far from easy.
Still, it had all been worth it. They had set a series of records, earned a substantial reward, and garnered gratitude and recognition from the villagers—the latter being what Naruto craved most.
"To celebrate Team Seven completing our hundredth mission, cheers!"
Having barely sat down and wolfed down a few bites, Naruto suddenly raised his drink and shouted.
Since all three were minors, alcohol was strictly prohibited for them, leaving only soft drinks on their table.
Though I'm a ninja—I kill, set fires, rob, get tattoos, wear colored contacts, and dye my hair—
I'm still a good kid who follows the rules for minors, never drinks or smokes!
Sakura and Sasuke raised their drinks and gently clinked glasses with Naruto before taking a sip.
As soon as he set his glass down, Naruto grumbled impatiently, "Why isn't Teacher Kakashi here yet? He said we'd meet at six, and it's almost eight now! That guy's late again!"
Sakura defended Kakashi, saying, "I don't think Teacher Kakashi is deliberately late this time. Before we split up, didn't he say he was going to see the Third Hokage to get our C-rank mission?"
"Oh, right!" Naruto nodded in realization, then exclaimed with renewed energy, "Finally, we get to take on a bigger mission!"
While performing these D-rank missions had allowed him to help the village and its people, and the clients' grateful and approving looks after completing the tasks had made Naruto quite fond of the work.
Deep down, he still yearned for a more challenging mission.
'A C-rank mission?'
'It seems we'll hardly encounter any ninja.'
'But if we could at least run into some bandits or robbers, shedding a little blood wouldn't be so bad.'
Silently eating, Sasuke let out an inward sigh.
Half an hour later, Kakashi walked in.
"We're leaving the village for a mission!"
Sakura and Naruto's eyes lit up as they exclaimed in excitement. Sasuke unconsciously turned his gaze, a hint of interest flickering in his eyes.
"Mm-hmm!"
Faced with his students' eager stares, Kakashi remained impassive, his deadpan gaze unwavering. "The details of this mission are as follows..."
"Therefore, this mission will be carried out by Team Seven!"
With that, Kakashi turned his gaze to the trio, taking in their reactions.
As expected, Naruto immediately clenched his fists, his face brimming with enthusiasm. Sakura, on the other hand, wore a slightly confused expression.
Sasuke, however, remained his usual composed self, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.
"Sakura, do you have any questions?"
"Hmm!" Sakura nodded and immediately asked, "Teacher Kakashi, the mission briefing says we're to head to the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain to track down the rogue ninja Aoi Rokushō. According to the intelligence, Aoi was already a Chūnin before defecting. Since C-rank missions typically don't involve ninja, did the village misclassify this mission?"
Ninja missions are typically classified into five ranks: S, A, B, C, and D.
S-Rank: Top-secret missions concerning national or village-level secrets, including participation in wars at the request of foreign or domestic powers, rewards of a million ryō or more, assassinating key figures, stealing classified documents, etc.
A-Rank: Missions concerning national or village-level movements, including participation in wars at the request of foreign powers, rewards ranging from 150,000 ryō to a million ryō, protecting important figures, eliminating ninja squads, etc.
B-Rank: Personal missions undertaken at individual requests, with rewards ranging from 50,000 ryō to 150,000 ryō, such as protecting individuals against enemy ninja.
C-Rank: Personal missions undertaken at individual requests, with rewards ranging from 10,000 ryō to 50,000 ryō, such as protecting individuals against non-ninja enemies or delivering classified documents.
D-Rank missions were extremely trivial, often undertaken at individual requests, with rewards ranging from 500 to 10,000 ryō. They included tasks like finding lost pets and picking up trash.
Team Seven's current mission involved a Rogue Ninja, and a Chūnin at that. According to mission classification standards, this should have been at least a B-Rank mission, not a C-Rank.
"Of course not," Kakashi chuckled, continuing to explain. "According to the village's intelligence, Aoi Rokushō appeared in Kōfu Castle, near the Land of Fire's border, two days ago. Our mission is simply to go to Kōfu Castle and search for traces of the Rogue Ninja, assisting other intelligence personnel in their search. The actual combat and capture operations will be carried out by the Anbu—we won't be involved in that part. Finding even a few leads will count as mission success!"
Kakashi smiled. "However, the mission rank is also flexible. If we encounter Aoi Rokushō, engage in combat, and successfully capture or eliminate him, our mission will be upgraded to B-Rank!"
"I see," Sakura nodded, her small head bobbing slightly. She then pulled out her notebook and began scribbling something down.
"Teacher Kakashi," Naruto said, pouting slightly, "why would Aoi Rokushō defect from the village?"
Naruto simply couldn't understand why any ninja would abandon Konoha. Even though he had grown up facing ostracism and indifference from the village, he had never once considered defecting, nor had he ever harbored any thoughts of revenge.
All he wanted was to prove himself and earn everyone's recognition.
Kakashi pondered for a moment before explaining, "Rogue Ninja typically defect due to reasons like committing crimes, rebelling, feeling lost, pursuing personal gain, or succumbing to corruption. Last year, Aoi Rokushō manipulated a Genin who had failed the Chūnin Exams into stealing the village's Ninjutsu Scroll and the Second Hokage's Sword of the Thunder God. It was likely motivated by personal gain."
Naruto nodded silently.
Kakashi then turned to Sasuke, who had remained silent throughout the conversation. "Sasuke, what about you? Do you have any questions?"
Sasuke shook his head. "No."
"Alright! Everyone, meet at Konoha's main gate at 8:00 AM tomorrow!"
After a pause, Kakashi added, "Remember, 8:00 AM sharp! Don't be late!"
"Ew!" Sakura and Naruto exclaimed in unison, their faces contorted in disgust. "Teacher Kakashi, are you talking about yourself?"
Kakashi picked up a piece of grilled meat, about to put it in his mouth, when he noticed the trio staring at him curiously. They seemed eager to see how he could eat with his mask on, or perhaps catch a glimpse of his face beneath it.
_____
Note: Aoi Rokushō is an anime-original character from Naruto. He was originally a Chūnin from Konoha and the mentor of Morino Idate. After Idate failed the Chūnin Exams, Aoi manipulated him into stealing Konoha's secret Ninjutsu Scroll and the Second Hokage's Sword of the Thunder God before defecting to Amegakure, where he became a Jōnin.
Morino Idate, formerly a Konoha Genin, is the younger brother of Morino Ibiki. The anime never specified when Idate took the Chūnin Exams, but judging by his appearance and height, he was likely the same age as the main characters. Therefore, this story is set to have occurred the previous year.
To speed up the plot, I'll gloss over this mission and jump straight to the Land of Waves arc.
The mission unfolded roughly as follows: In addition to Aoi Rokushō, Team Seven encountered Amegakure ninja sent by Nagato. Sasuke defeated Aoi alone, claiming the Sword of the Thunder God. The Amegakure ninja retreated, and Team Seven inadvertently landed on Nagato's radar.
___
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