Chapter 10: Heading to the Land of Waves
In the Mission Assignment Hall, because Team 7 had been doing the simplest D-rank missions for a full month, coupled with the fact that Kakashi-sensei had still not taught them the Konoha Body Flicker Technique he had promised, Uzumaki Naruto was now clamoring to take on a more challenging mission.
"Kakashi-sensei said he would teach us once our Taijutsu reached the required level, but we train every day now and still haven't reached it. It must be because we haven't had any actual combat, so can we please have a mission that involves fighting!"
Uchiha Sasuke, standing nearby, internally agreed with Naruto's sentiment. Training behind closed doors without real combat experience could never truly gauge one's actual skill level.
In response, the Third Hokage could only explain to them how mission ranks were divided, stating that Genin who had only recently graduated, like them, could only take D-rank missions.
However, it was clear that even after he explained for half the day, Naruto and the others weren't listening at all.
"Fine, since it's come to this, I'll make an exception and give you a C-rank mission. You are to protect someone!"
With no other choice, the Third Hokage had to assign them that mission.
"What?"
The members of Team 7 immediately perked up upon hearing this. Naruto asked curiously, "Are we going to protect a Daimyo or a Princess?"
If he wasn't mistaken, was it time? Kakashi also became slightly more alert. The first strong enemy from the plot! Zabuza!
"No need to rush, I'll introduce him now." The Third Hokage smiled, puffing on his pipe as he looked at the curious Naruto, "Please come in!"
Hearing this, the members of Team 7 all turned their heads in unison to look toward the doorway.
They saw an old man with graying hair, holding a sake bottle, his eyes hazy with drunkenness, slowly walking in.
"What is this! Why are there only a bunch of brats?"
As soon as he entered, the old man couldn't help but complain.
"Especially that shortest one who looks the dumbest—is he even a Ninja?"
"Huh?"
Uzumaki Naruto subconsciously glanced at the people beside him upon hearing this. In the next second, he became furious, "Damn it, I'm going to kill you!"
But he was grabbed by the collar of his shirt by Kakashi. "Hey, don't be rash."
"And where is the Jonin leading the team?" The old man looked at the four people before him, confused again. "Wait a moment, that little girl wearing a mask to look cool—she isn't the leading Jonin, is she?"
"..."
Upon hearing this, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura all looked toward Kakashi. To be honest, they had questioned her from the beginning. This girl, who looked like she wasn't much older than them, was really a Jonin?
And what intrigued them the most was what Kakashi's true face under the mask looked like.
Was the mask really worn just to look cool, or was it hiding an ugly face? Big buck teeth?
"I'm truly sorry for having a little girl like me serve as the leading Jonin!"
In response, Kakashi replied lightly, unconcerned, after all, being called a little girl only proved how young she still was!
"This..."
When the old man heard the other party admit it, most of the alcohol fumes cleared. A delicate-looking little girl like this serving as the leading Jonin? Then he was surely doomed!
"Um, can you assign another team to take my mission?"
"I'm sorry, only Team 7 is available right now."
Since swapping personnel was impossible, the old man could only reluctantly accept. He then listlessly explained the details of his mission.
The mission was to escort him back to the Land of Waves and continue until the bridge construction was complete.
After understanding the mission, the group went back to pack their luggage, assembled at the Konoha gate, and then departed for the Land of Waves.
Along the way, Uzumaki Naruto was somewhat excited, as this was considered his first time truly leaving the village.