Before long, the water-carrying mission was completed.
"Another mission!"
"Huh?"
Himeno Binno was caught off guard, but when he met Jiraiya's piercing gaze, he immediately assigned another D-rank mission.
This time, it was chopping firewood.
But again, it didn't take long.
"Another one."
…
Half a month later.
"Third Hokage, this is impossible! Shouldn't you make him stop? At this rate, there won't even be enough D-rank missions left!"
Himeno Binno couldn't help himself and went upstairs to complain to the Third Hokage.
It wasn't that he refused to assign missions, but over the past two weeks, Jiraiya's team had already completed more than half of the village's D-rank missions.
At this rate, in a few more days, all D-rank missions would be gone.
What would the other teams and ordinary Genin do then?Stop receiving income?
It was no small problem.
Sarutobi Hiruzen groaned in frustration, thinking it over.
Jiraiya's team was, without question, extremely strong.
The captain needed no introduction.Among the members, there was Kakashi, already a Chunin; Konan, a genjutsu specialist; and Kisaragi Haruto…
C-rank missions wouldn't challenge them at all.
"Next time, let him take a C-rank mission."
"Yes," Himeno Binno breathed a sigh of relief.
C-rank missions…It wasn't that he was unwilling to assign them, but the current situation in the world was not yet stable.
Although nations were technically at peace, minor skirmishes still occurred.And after the wars, a large number of wandering ronin and bandits roamed the lands.
Executing a C-rank mission now was far more dangerous than during peacetime.
Himeno Binno could only assign missions on behalf of the village—he had no authority to decide what rank a new team could take.
The Third Hokage nodded, and there was no need to argue further.
[As Hokage, your active contribution to the village has been widely recognized.][Reward: Water Release – Water Wave increased by 1 level]
Huh?
That morning, Haruto waited at the Hokage building, confused.What was this reward?After furiously grinding D-rank missions, he had received some mysterious bonus.
He checked his panel:
[Name: Kisaragi Haruto][Age: 7][Kekkei Genkai]: None[Skills]:
Transformation Technique (Mastered)
Clone Technique (Mastered)
Substitute Technique (Mastered)
Body Flicker Technique (Expert)
Water Release: Water Wave (Mastered)
Water Release: Water Wall (Proficient)
Over the past two weeks, Haruto had mainly trained his taijutsu and two water-style jutsus, only reaching the proficient level.Now, Water Wave had jumped straight to mastery.
A flood of knowledge about Water Wave appeared in his mind, including techniques for better chakra control and more effective use of water-style chakra.
Water Wave was basic, not involving advanced elemental transformations.
However, mastery reduced the chakra required significantly.Theoretically, with the same amount of chakra, he could release thirty percent more water than before.
Moreover, water-style jutsus shared many techniques, especially Water Wave and Water Wall.Their basic forms didn't involve advanced elemental changes; once the basic control was mastered and chakra extracted, they could be released with ease.
Some of the knowledge gained from mastering Water Wave could even be applied to Water Wall.
Haruto was quietly pleased.This level-up was huge!
While late-stage jutsu might not have much battlefield impact, for now, he had to focus on preparation for the Third Great Ninja War.For ordinary ninjas, water-style jutsus were extremely practical.
"Haruto-kun."
A soft female voice approached from behind.
He turned—Kakashi and Konan were running toward him, one after the other.
The three regrouped.
"So early?" Konan panted.
"Not too long. I ran past on the way here and decided to wait," Haruto replied.
Kakashi hesitated, about to speak, but then caught himself and swallowed the words.
"Hahaha, everyone's here early!"
Jiraiya appeared, holding two sets of ice pops, handing one to each of them.
"Let's go. Today's missions—get enough done early so we can take on harder C-rank tasks. I've had enough of D-rank."
For ordinary ninja teams, D-rank missions helped train teamwork and skills, but for Jiraiya's team…Forget it.
Kakashi, as a Chunin, understood the reasoning.The unresolved mental blocks were the only issues; Jiraiya had no quick solution.
Haruto?The boy was the least of Jiraiya's worries.
Konan lacked some combat ability, and as a future team leader, she had a long way to go.
For them, real learning came from facing wandering ronin, bandits, or enemy ninjas on C-rank missions or higher.
If C-rank missions weren't allowed, then they would grind all the D-rank ones first.
Jiraiya's resolve hardened.
Entering the mission hall, he headed straight for Himeno Binno.
"Give me—"
"Jiraiya-sama, the Hokage says you may now accept C-rank missions," Himeno Binno reported immediately.
Jiraiya smiled."Really? No more D-rank missions?"
"No need. You've done enough D-rank missions; take a look at the C-rank board."
Himeno Binno forced a wry smile and grabbed the new mission board.
Haruto glanced over.It seemed the previous reward had come from their diligent work.
He studied the board.Most were escort-type mercenary missions.
Escort destinations… usually the chaotic lands like the Land of Rivers or the Land of Waves, heading to the Land of Earth and other ninja nations—probably not classified as C-rank.
"This one," Jiraiya pointed to a mission:Travel to Tanmatsu Street and protect a creditor collecting debts.
He smirked.
"Who's the client?"
"This mission was posted just yesterday. You only need to go to Tanmatsu Street, Blue Flower Inn, and meet a man named Matsuyama Koji," Himeno Binno answered.
He hesitated briefly."However, the pay offered is almost at B-rank level—I suspect this debt collection won't be simple."
"No problem. As long as the pay is right, I know the way to Tanmatsu Street," Jiraiya said, waving his hand and smiling.
Haruto's expression darkened.Tanmatsu Street was no safe place.A ninja going there could easily break the Three Ninja Rules.
He couldn't help but suspect—Their teacher was taking the mission as an excuse for a little fun.
Kakashi and Konan remained expressionless, either unaware of Tanmatsu Street's reputation or indifferent.
In any case, Jiraiya happily accepted the mission.
However, as he left the mission hall, a figure blocked the way.
"Jiraiya-sama, the Hokage requests your presence upstairs."
An Anbu ninja.
Jiraiya sighed, nodded, greeted Haruto and the others, and headed upstairs.
"Haruto, Kakashi!"
From inside, a familiar voice called.
Konan's expression twisted slightly—Not again, that eccentric!
Might Guy.