"When can we do an S-Rank mission?"
On the way to the Hokage Building, Obito sighed deeply, still brooding over Kakashi's sharp remarks from the day before.
A C-Rank mission without even a single Ninja opponent—what kind of excitent was that supposed to be?
"You can tonight," Kakashi replied flatly.
"Why?" Obito asked, confused.
"Because you can dream about it," Kakashi said without missing a beat.
"Even Chunin rarely take part in S-Rank missions. You want to complete one before you even graduate?"
"Damn you, Kakashi! Just because you can't doesn't an I can't! Once I beco a Chunin, I'll definitely have the chance!" Obito shot back, his fighting spirit instantly reigniting.
After all, they'd already earned the privilege to take C-Rank missions for their efficiency with D-Rank ones. If they kept up that montum, wouldn't higher-level missions co soon enough?
"Mugetsu-sensei, let's pick sothing challenging this ti—sothing that shows them our real strength!" Obito said with determination.
"Preferably one with actual combat," Guy added, his fists tightening. Two days of hauling boxes and cleaning streets had left him itching for a real fight.
Kakashi, however, showed no particular interest. He had already experienced plenty of C-Rank missions before.
Mugetsu smiled slightly and nodded. "Alright. That's just what I was hoping to hear."
---
At the mission desk, the Registration Ninja spread several scrolls across the counter.
"These are the current C-Rank missions available," he said. "We have: subjugating bandits in Eagle Beak Mountain, eliminating a ferocious beast near Gamō Town, escorting a client to the Land of Rice Fields' capital…"
Mugetsu skimd the list. Most missions involving combat were either hunting bandits or beasts—neither offered much value for real Ninja growth.
He passed over those imdiately.
He wanted combat, yes—but fighting ordinary people or animals wouldn't help him improve in the ways he needed.
"Let's take this one," Mugetsu said finally. "Escorting the client to the Land of Rice Fields."
The Registration Ninja looked up, surprised. "Are you sure? The situation in the Ninja World has been unstable lately. The Land of Rice Fields doesn't have its own Ninja Village, but traveling abroad carries certain risks right now."
He honestly thought Mugetsu would be better off picking sothing dostic. Bandit suppression or beast hunts were at least within the Land of Fire—and far safer.
"We're not afraid of risk," Obito said eagerly. "We're only afraid of no risk!"
"Thank you for the warning," Mugetsu said with a calm smile. "But we'll take this one. I trust their abilities enough to handle whatever happens."
He had chosen this precisely because it carried so uncertainty. If there was no danger, there was no point.
The Registration Ninja stopped trying to persuade them and began filling out the forms, then directed them to the inn where the client was staying.
---
"What kind of danger do you think we'll encounter?" Obito asked excitedly as they walked out. "An ambush by enemy Ninjas?"
Kakashi sighed. "You really need to stop reading so many novels. That kind of thing doesn't happen on C-Rank missions."
A Ninja ambush on a C-Rank assignnt? If that happened, they could just report it back to the village—it'd automatically be upgraded to a higher rank.
---
Soon after, they arrived at the inn and t the client.
"You're the Ninjas who accepted my mission? So young and promising!" said the portly middle-aged man with a friendly laugh.
"I'm Numata Yoshihisa, the client for this mission. This is my wife and daughter."
"I'm Hayate Mugetsu, the team leader for this escort," Mugetsu said politely.
"Uncle, you've got great taste!" Obito said proudly. "I'm first in the Ninja Academy!"
"First? Then you must be amazing, big brother!" the man's young daughter said, her eyes wide with admiration.
"Of course!" Obito grinned proudly, puffing out his chest.
"How strange," Kakashi said suddenly. "I don't rember you being first when I was still at the Academy."
"Huh? So you were lying?" the little girl asked curiously.
"That's because he graduated early!" Obito explained frantically.
He imdiately launched into a flustered explanation—how he'd ranked first multiple tis, how the most recent exams mattered more, and various other self-justifications. The little girl didn't quite understand, but she found his exaggerated expressions so funny that she couldn't stop giggling.
The atmosphere grew lighter with laughter.
After brief introductions, they got to work. Numata was ready to leave, and considering he was traveling with his wife and daughter, he had arranged a carriage.
He and his family rode inside while Mugetsu and his students jogged easily alongside.
Compared to a Ninja's speed, the carriage moved at a crawl. Even Obito and Guy could chat comfortably as they ran.
---
That evening, they made camp and gathered around a small fire. Over dinner, Mugetsu learned more about their client.
Numata Yoshihisa was a rchant who had long operated in the Land of Fire, but his family and roots were in the Land of Rice Fields. With war spreading, he feared the journey ho might be dangerous, so he had co to Konoha to hire an escort.
"I wonder when the world will finally be at peace again," Numata sighed. "With the four great nations all at war, rchants like can hardly make a living."
Frequent wars had made peaceful trade nearly impossible. Barely ten years had passed since the last major conflict, yet the fires of war had already reignited.
"Don't worry, Uncle. You'll be safe in the Land of Fire! With Konoha's Ninjas around, no one from another country can get in," Obito said confidently, patting his chest.
"The strength of Konoha's Ninjas truly is dependable," Numata said with a grateful nod. It was a truth widely acknowledged throughout the world.
---
The escort continued smoothly. Until they left the Land of Fire, they encountered no trouble—no thieves, no beasts, not even a single bandit.
Obito was visibly disappointed. "Where's the 'certain degree of risk' they talked about? This is just walking, talking, and babysitting!"
"This is what a C-Rank mission is like," Kakashi said calmly. "Your imagination's too wild."
He'd done countless C-Rank missions before, and never once had he run into an enemy Ninja.
Once they crossed the border, though, things beca livelier. A few foolish bandits tried to ambush them—only to be instantly taken down by a single kick from Guy.
None of them even lasted a second.
---
That night, as the group rested outside their campfire periter, Mugetsu sat quietly, thinking about a new Combination Ninjutsu.
Suddenly, the leaves of a large tree nearby rustled loudly.
He adjusted his glasses, his expression calm.
"So bold," he murmured. "They're not even trying to hide their presence."
Through his Byakugan, he could already sense multiple heat signatures.
Byakugan really is a convenient ability.
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