Sasuke finally caught his breath, let out a cold snort, and turned away without a backward glance. Naruto watched him go, a flicker of irritation crossing his face, but before he could say anything, Hinata stepped forward shyly.
"Um… Naruto-kun, I should head home too."
Her soft voice made his expression relax instantly. "Alright! See you tomorrow, Hinata!"
Hinata nodded, her cheeks faintly pink. "See you tomorrow…"
After they parted ways, Naruto headed home, mind buzzing with anticipation. He really wanted to start training his newly learned ninjutsu—Wind Release: Great Leap Forward—the moment he stepped inside. But the system had already dictated that it was bedtime, and when the system said sleep, it meant sleep. So Naruto flopped onto his mattress and was out like a light.
---
The next morning, Naruto sprang awake full of energy, as if he had slept for days instead of hours. He washed up quickly, scarfed down breakfast, and rushed outside. These days, endless mission assignments left him with little time for his own training. If he didn't seize every spare moment, he would fall behind.
And Naruto Uzumaki did not fall behind.
"Wind Release: Great Leap Forward!" he shouted, forming the hand seals exactly as the system had shown.
A violent wind erupted around him, sweeping across the empty streets. Dust surged upward, sand and pebbles skittered across the ground, and the air trembled with force.
Naruto pouted at the result.
"Tch… this just kicks up dust and blocks enemy vision. It barely does any damage. It doesn't even compare to my Wind Release: Storm Palm."
He tapped his chin thoughtfully, then sighed, realizing the truth.
"My mastery isn't high enough yet."
Determined, he continued training, repeating the jutsu again and again. One thing had changed about Naruto recently—he no longer needed the system to force him to work. He had learned discipline. He wanted to grow stronger. Every moment mattered.
Again, he inhaled, channeled chakra, and—
"Wind Release: Great Leap Forward!"
This time, the swirling gale was noticeably stronger, ferociously tearing through the air. The wind howled like an incoming storm.
Naruto checked his proficiency on the system panel.
Wind Release: Great Leap Forward — 61
He grinned. "Not bad."
Compared to his Storm Palm and the other advanced wind techniques he had been grinding through, this one was relatively simple. Asuma-sensei's earlier teachings had given him a solid foundation, and the jutsu fit naturally into his style.
One morning was enough to grasp its core.
All that remained was polishing.
When the sun climbed higher, Naruto stopped training, rushed home, stuffed himself with breakfast number two, and hurried toward the Team 7 training field.
But when he arrived… something was off.
Hinata wasn't there.
Only Sasuke stood in the clearing, leaning against a wooden training post with his arms crossed. The two locked eyes, and instantly, invisible sparks cracked through the air.
Though Naruto and Sasuke disagreed on almost everything, their rivalry functioned best when someone else was present—someone to witness, to judge, or to calm them. When alone, they suddenly didn't know whether to argue, ignore each other, or pretend everything was normal.
The autumn wind stirred fallen leaves around their feet. Sasuke closed his eyes again, as if Naruto wasn't worth his attention.
Naruto cleared his throat.
"Uh… Hinata's late today. That's pretty rare."
Sasuke didn't even open his eyes. "Don't try to talk to me, loser."
That familiar sting shot straight into Naruto's chest.
"What'd you say, you bastard?!"
Before the situation exploded, soft hurried footsteps approached.
"S-sorry I'm late, Naruto-kun, Sasuke…" Hinata said, bowing apologetically.
Naruto instantly changed his expression, waving his hand casually. "Nah, you're not late at all! At least not compared to Kakashi-sensei. Honestly, you're early."
Hinata let out a small relieved breath. "You're right…"
Naruto clenched his fist. "Anyway, Kakashi-sensei won't show up for another half day, so let's get some more training in!"
Hinata blinked in surprise, but then nodded.
"Mm… Naruto-kun always works so hard…"
Sasuke felt a twinge of excitement in his chest—not that he would ever admit it. He also wanted to see just how strong Naruto had become overnight.
Naruto didn't hesitate.
"Watch this! Wind Release: Great Leap Forward!"
The blast of wind that erupted this time was far stronger than before—so strong that every wooden training post in the field snapped loose and flew into the air.
Including the one Sasuke was leaning on.
Sasuke's eyes widened as he sprang back, barely dodging the collapsing structure. Anger flared instantly.
"Naruto! Are you picking a fight?!"
Naruto's eyes lit up. "Oh? Maybe I am!"
The two locked gazes, chakra flaring.
Sasuke dropped into a fighting stance. Naruto mirrored him.
Hinata rushed forward, hands waving desperately. "N-Naruto-kun! Sasuke! Please don't fight—Kakashi-sensei could arrive any moment—"
Neither listened.
"Wind Release—"
"Fire Style—"
Their chakra surged—
—when a sudden gentle puff of smoke and a familiar lazy voice cut between them.
"Yo."
Kakashi appeared with an eye-curve smile, hands in his pockets.
Naruto and Sasuke froze.
"YOU'RE LATE, KAKASHI-SENSEI!" Naruto roared.
Kakashi rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Sorry, sorry. I was helping an old lady cross the road, and—"
"No one believes that!" Naruto shot back.
Kakashi sighed as if this were the most routine thing in the world. "Were you two about to fight again? Honestly, all that energy would be much more useful if used on enemies."
Naruto puffed out his cheeks. "But all our recent missions have been boring stuff—finding cats and dogs, helping with house chores! Isn't it about time we got a higher-rank mission?!"
As though waiting for that exact complaint, the system echoed in Naruto's mind:
[System Mission: Complete at least one B-Rank mission within seven days. Reward: One random system item. Failure: Lightning Release Baptism.]
Naruto's eyes widened.
"B-B rank?!"
A B-rank mission meant real danger—bandits, rogue shinobi, and even potential clashes with foreign ninja. Genin never received those.
But Naruto's blood boiled with excitement.
With his current power, he could definitely handle something at that level.
He pointed at Kakashi. "Kakashi-sensei! Please apply for a B-rank mission for us!"
Sasuke had been annoyed moments earlier, but hearing that request ignited his own competitive adrenaline.
"A B-rank mission?" he muttered.
"With our strength… it's doable."
This was one of those rare moments where Sasuke acknowledged Naruto's value.
Because even if Sasuke wanted the same thing, he wouldn't have the nerve to shout it out loud like Naruto did.
Kakashi, however, did not look thrilled.
"Naruto," he said, rubbing his temples, "who was it yesterday that promised not to make any unreasonable demands? You sleep one night and forget everything?"
Naruto grinned innocently. "Hehe… but Kakashi-sensei, this isn't unreasonable! Team 7 is the strongest by nature! Even including that guy." He jerked his thumb at Sasuke. "Our strength is way above the typical Genin team!"
Kakashi knew Naruto was telling the truth. In terms of raw power, Team 7 was definitely above average.
But…
He sighed. "Naruto, the last time you caused trouble, the Third Hokage scolded me. Do you want me to get scolded again?"
Naruto blinked. "Then I'll go talk to the Hokage myself!"
"NO," Kakashi said instantly. "If you stir up trouble, I get blamed. Don't do anything crazy. Seriously."
Naruto puffed out his cheeks. "Let me try, Kakashi-sensei!"
Kakashi knew resistance was futile.
He slumped his shoulders in defeat.
"…Fine. Team 7, follow me."
And so, dragged along by Naruto's unstoppable momentum, Kakashi led them straight to the Mission Assignment Hall.
---
Hiruzen Sarutobi had lived for decades, fought wars, and guided countless shinobi. Yet nothing wrinkled his forehead quite like a persistent Naruto Uzumaki.
"B-rank mission?" Hiruzen repeated, stroking his beard. "Naruto, don't joke around."
"You don't understand the risk. A B-rank mission means dealing with ninjas from other villages. Genin are simply not equipped to handle that."
"I'm not joking!" Naruto pleaded desperately. "Please, Hokage-sama!"
But the Third Hokage wouldn't budge.
"No means no, Naruto. It is still too early for you."
Naruto practically fell to his knees. He needed that mission. Without it, the system would electrocute him into ashes.
But finally, after a long sigh and a softening of his expression, Hiruzen relented a tiny bit.
"You completed one hundred missions in seven days," he said. "That is worthy of praise. So… I will allow you to take on a C-rank mission."
Naruto's jaw dropped.
"A C-rank? Seriously?!"
Under normal circumstances, he would be ecstatic. But the system's requirement was B-rank—and the system did not compromise.
Naruto opened his mouth, ready to argue again.
"Hokage-sama, I—"
Kakashi immediately cut him off and bowed.
"We accept the mission, Hokage-sama."
Naruto spun toward him. "Kakashi-sensei?!"
Hiruzen raised a hand, firm yet gentle. "Naruto, this is already your limit. Even a C-rank mission is dangerous. Don't underestimate it."
Naruto clenched his fists, frustration simmering beneath his skin. A ticking countdown echoed in the back of his mind.
Seven days.
A B-rank mission.
Or lightning would strike him down.
His eyes hardened.
One way or another… I'll find a way.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)