Chapter 14: First Rank C mission.
Hokage's office.
Team 11 was waiting for their next missions; a day had already passed since the test, and they had completed numerous Rank D missions, losing count.
The Hokage was reviewing their reports and preparing to assign a new mission.
"Let's see here, you've completed 31 Rank D missions. Well, I think I have the perfect mission for you young ones, full of energy as you are," Hiruzen said as he smoked his pipe.
He then picked up a paper that described the mission details and read it aloud.
"Investigation mission: Some groups of bandits are attacking villages near Konoha. The bandits are composed of civilians, about 5 to 10 in number."
"The objective of this mission is to capture all the bandits and investigate if there is any ninja involvement," the Hokage finished reading the report and looked at the team in front of him.
Team 11 was surprised to receive a Rank C mission; they had thought they would have to do many more Rank D missions.
The Hokage then handed the report to Haruki, who examined the mission details and passed it to his team.
Kaito took the report and read it, still in disbelief. However, as he read through the details, he realized why the Hokage had assigned a Rank C mission now. The difficulty level was quite low, considering that the bandits were just civilians, and even more so after reading that a ninja had already investigated and found no ninja involvement.
"Surely Hiruzen left those bandits there so that some genin team could handle them and see the cruelty of the ninja world outside the village," Kaito sighed and handed the report to Ryuji and Hikari, who quickly read it to make sure they had heard correctly.
"Let's go, guys, we have a mission to complete, or rather, you do," Haruki said, laughing.
Team 11 sighed at Haruki's behavior and followed him.
Meanwhile, the Hokage watched them leave.
"Another new generation of ninja coming up; they will be the future of Konoha," Hiruzen sighed.
After leaving the Hokage's office.
"Everyone, get ready to travel. Even though the village is considered close to Konoha, it will still take us a week to complete the mission and return. Meet me here at noon. Dismissed."
Whoosh!
Haruki, who had barely finished speaking, disappeared rapidly from their sight.
The three of them slapped their foreheads in annoyance.
"Sorry about that, guys. Fortunately, I learned good manners from my mother," Kaito apologized to his team in an ironic tone.
Whoosh!
And just like Haruki, he disappeared.
"He says he didn't take after him, yet he acts like that. I wonder what would happen if he did take after him," Ryuji and Hikari thought to themselves simultaneously.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
After thinking this, both of them left as well.
...
Kazeji Residence.
Upon returning home, Kaito told his mother that he was going on a Rank C mission and would likely be away for a week.
His mother listened but showed no signs of discontent or concern because she knew that for her son to become stronger, he needed to face challenges. Furthermore, her husband, Haruki, would be with him, and with his strength, it would be difficult for anything or anyone to harm Kaito.
"All right, my son. You can go prepare your things. Your mother will be rooting for you to become the strongest ninja," she said, hugging him.
"And remember, we don't need anyone to teach us how to use our kekkei genkai. Even if I hadn't unlocked your potential earlier, you would have naturally awakened it in a few months. So don't be afraid to use your powers and be creative. Aside from a few jutsu passed down within the clan, the rest is everyone's own creation." After reminding his son, she said her goodbyes and continued with what she was doing.
Kaito then began to prepare his belongings: katana, shurikens, kunais, clothes, and other equipment, all neatly arranged in front of him. He then took a scroll and sealed all his items inside it with a hand seal.
After organizing everything, he started studying fuinjutsu, taking the opportunity to create some sealing scrolls for his friends.
With each line he drew, the scroll took shape. When he finished the symbol, Kaito began to infuse chakra into the paper.
"All done. This one is for Ryuji. Now, I just need to make one for Hikari." After looking at his finished scroll with satisfaction, he started making another one. With each scroll he made, the quality and speed increased.
Time passed as Kaito studied.
"Son, you'll be late if you keep studying like that," his mother called his attention.
Kaito snapped out of his concentration when his mother spoke. Looking at the clock on the wall, he realized it was already past 11:30. He quickly sealed the papers and ink into another scroll and rushed to the meeting point.
...
11:55 AM
Ryuji and Hikari were waiting for Kaito and their sensei, but they were taking a long time, especially Kaito, who was always the first to arrive.
"Did he drink some spoiled milk and get stuck in the bathroom?" Ryuji joked while laughing.
"Nobody's stupid enough to drink spoiled milk. Maybe he ran into his secret admirer, and they're having a forbidden romance," Hikari said, creating an elaborate story in her head.
"You girls and your indecent thoughts," Ryuji muttered.
Hikari heard but didn't respond.
Whoosh!
While the two were chatting, Kaito appeared in front of them.
"Sorry for the delay. I saw a black cat in front of me and had to turn back," Kaito used Kakashi's opening line and couldn't help but smile.
Ryuji and Hikari didn't understand what he meant. Seeing their confusion, Kaito shrugged.
"By the way, I have a little present for you guys." Remembering the scrolls after noticing the heavy bags on their backs, Kaito took out his scrolls and handed them to his friends.
"Here, one for each of you. You can seal all your equipment in there; it'll make our journey easier. Do you guys know how to use them?"
Ryuji and Hikari were so surprised that they didn't pay attention to what Kaito was saying. Ryuji, especially, coming from a civilian family, knew he could never afford a sealing scroll, at least not as a genin. But now, he had received one from his friend.
Hikari was also delighted. She could have asked her parents for one, but she was still very happy with the gift.
"I can't accept this; it must have been expensive for you to buy," Ryuji refused, even though he really wanted it. The high cost made him hesitate.
"It wasn't expensive; go ahead and take them. I made these myself. I'm learning fuinjutsu from my father, so you can have them," Kaito explained quickly, urging them to take the scrolls.
"Okay, I'll take one, but I'll pay you back one day
," Ryuji said, even though he really wanted it, he reluctantly accepted the scroll.
Hikari also confirmed her acceptance while expressing gratitude.
"I can't accept such a gift, it must have been expensive for you to buy. I'll find another way to get one," Ryuji repeated.
"Come on, you guys are my friends. If you truly consider yourselves my friends, you'll accept them," Kaito said, and he could see them hesitating but eventually taking the scrolls.
"All right, that's much better. Now, make this hand seal and infuse chakra into the scroll while visualizing your equipment going into it," Kaito began explaining how it worked.
Whoosh!
While he was explaining to his friends, Haruki appeared beside them.
"I hope you've finished up there because we're leaving right now," Haruki, who had just arrived, said, connecting with the team as they headed toward the village gate.
Realizing this, the three followed him.
"Haruki-sensei, do you think there might be a ninja involved in this mission?" Hikari approached him and asked.
"It's unlikely, but a ninja should always be prepared for anything," Haruki replied and kept walking.
Finally, Team 11 passed through Konoha's gates.
To be continued...
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