The Hokage's Office was filled with smoke.
Hiruzen took the pipe from his lips and looked towards the figure by the window, speaking slowly.
"Kakashi, regarding Team 7, I have a proposal."
Kakashi turned around and responded softly.
"It's to balance Team 7's combat configuration."
Hiruzen slowly exhaled a puff of white smoke, adopting a business-like manner, "And also to help Sasuke better learn about teamwork. I intend to select an outstanding female Kunoichi from this year's graduates to join them."
His true purpose, of course, went beyond that.
'Four years had passed. Sasuke and Naruto's strength had grown rapidly, but the shadows in their hearts seemed to have deepened as well.'
'Adding a relatively normal member was undoubtedly the best way to balance their psychological states.'
Kakashi's shoulder twitched slightly.
'Surveillance?'
"I refuse, Hokage-sama."
"Oh?"
Hiruzen's eyebrows rose slightly. The refusal was so blunt it surprised him.
Kakashi didn't give him a chance to question further, offering a very good reason, "You are aware of Sasuke's personality. Over these four years, he has only barely accepted Naruto."
"A new member joining rashly would only exacerbate conflicts and disrupt the balance we've worked so hard to establish."
Hiruzen fell silent. He looked into Kakashi's determined eye, remembering his decision four years ago to 'give them sunlight and comrades', and also remembering Sasuke's figure… aloof, yet always stepping in front of Naruto at critical moments.
'Perhaps...'
'I really was a little too hasty.'
"Sigh..."
After a long while, Hiruzen heaved a heavy sigh and picked up his pipe again, "Very well, Kakashi. Since you insist, we will table this matter for now."
"Thank you for your understanding."
Kakashi nodded slightly. His figure flickered and he vanished from the spot without a sound.
…
Training Ground 3.
"Ha…!"
Naruto exhausted the last of his Chakra, collapsing onto his rear end, panting heavily.
He looked at Sasuke, who was still practicing Zanpakuto Meditation not far away, and at Kakashi, who was leaning against a tree reading his book leisurely. A certain emotion finally erupted at this moment.
"This is so boring!"
Naruto jumped up from the ground, complaining loudly to the two of them, "I've graduated for two years! Why is it still just training, training every day?!"
"I want to go out and do missions like a real Shinobi too!"
Sasuke was startled awake. He slowly sheathed his sword, taking out a cloth to meticulously wipe the black blade of Indra.
Hearing Naruto's complaint, he let out a cold snort without looking up.
"Missions?"
Sasuke's voice was full of disdain, "You haven't even mastered the most basic Chakra Nature Transformation yet, and you want to go on missions? Don't go cause trouble for others, idiot."
"What did you say?! I've been working really hard!" Naruto immediately jumped up to retort.
"A hardworking idiot is still an idiot."
"You…!"
Kakashi looked at the energetic Naruto before him, finally closing his Icha Icha Paradise and falling into thought.
He understood Naruto's desire to be recognized. And completing missions was the most direct way to prove oneself to the village.
'More importantly...'
Kakashi's eyes grew profound.
He could no longer protect them like flowers in a greenhouse within the seemingly safe confines of the village.
The cruelty of the Shinobi World, the conspiracies hidden beneath the peace… these were realities they would have to face personally sooner or later.
Only a blade that has truly seen blood can become sharp.
"Alright."
Kakashi finally straightened up, a look of long-absent seriousness appearing on his face, "Since you're so motivated, let's go pick up a mission and give it a try."
"Really?!" Naruto instantly cheered.
Kakashi looked at his excited expression, deliberately pausing. The corner of his mouth lifted into a mischievous grin.
"But, don't go crying and begging to come home when the time comes."
"W-who would cry?!" Naruto immediately retorted, his face flushing red as he waved his fists excitedly.
…
Mission Assignment Office.
Kakashi ignored the D-Rank missions for finding lost cats or dogs or helping with weeding. His gaze swept across the mission wall for a moment before finally settling on one in the corner.
[Mission Rank: C]
[Mission Content: Safely escort the bridge expert Tazuna back to the Land of Waves.]
The Land of Waves is a small country without a hidden village, but strategically located with complex circumstances.
A C-Rank mission was just right for newly graduated Genin… enough to see the real world without being overly dangerous.
Kakashi took the scroll and returned to Team 7's meeting spot.
He unfurled the scroll before the two of them.
Speaking to the excited Naruto, he said, "You wanted to go on a mission, right? This C-Rank mission is the best test of your two years of training."
Then, his gaze turned to Sasuke, his tone becoming meaningful, "This mission will take us outside the Land of Fire. Perhaps outside, we might see some 'scenery' not visible within the village."
He was hinting that there might be news about Itachi.
But Sasuke knew in his heart that this was almost impossible.
'The Anbu had been searching for so many years with no results. What could a small C-Rank mission possibly uncover?'
'However...'
'It wouldn't hurt to go out and try my luck.'
He glanced at the two silent Zanpakuto at his waist.
'Who knew when, or in what manner, I would next return to that world.'
'Before that, seeing more of this world wasn't a bad idea.'
"When do we leave?" Sasuke asked indifferently, signaling his agreement.
…
Before long, an old man wearing a conical hat, reeking of alcohol, his face flushed red, staggered over.
He was the client for this mission, Tazuna.
"What's this all about?"
Tazuna let out a drunken belch, squinting as he looked over Sasuke and the others, "These are the brats protecting me? They don't even look like they've started shaving!"
"Especially that short, yellow-haired one. Looks stupid as hell. Are you sure this is okay?"
His gaze fell on the shortest Naruto, his face full of distrust.
Then, he looked at the black-haired boy who had been scowling the entire time. Whether it was the alcohol talking or he wanted to assert his authority as the client, he reached out, intending to pat Sasuke on the shoulder, pointing and saying,
"Hey, I'm talking to you, brat. Don't always pull such a long face..."
His hand hadn't even touched Sasuke's body.
Bzztt…!!
A wisp of faint black and white lightning instantly flashed around Sasuke's body!
Tazuna felt an intense numbing sensation shoot up from his fingertips. His arm jerked violently, the alcohol in his system completely shocked away in an instant.
He retracted his hand as if electrocuted, stumbling back two steps, looking at the cold-eyed boy in terror.
Sasuke slowly turned his face. His eyes had unknowingly turned crimson.
"Um..."
Tazuna's Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty, "I... I think it's better if we set off as soon as possible. What does everyone say? Hahaha..."
He forced a dry laugh, wisely retreating to the side.
Kakashi watched this scene and sighed helplessly, placing a hand on Sasuke's shoulder.
"Alright, Sasuke."
He looked at everyone and clapped his hands. "Well then, Team 7's first C-Rank mission officially begins! Let's move out!"
---
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