Chapter 28: The C-Rank Mission
The unspoken threat in Shimura Danzo's words hung in the air long after he had left. Kamikawa Hiraoka understood the message perfectly: join the Foundation willingly, or face the consequences. He had no intention of becoming one of Danzo's brainwashed tools. To him, Root was a death sentence—a place where you either died on a mission or were disposed of for knowing too much. He preferred the freedom of his current path, however mundane it seemed.
A month slipped by in a blur of tedious, low-ranking missions. For Uzumaki Naruto, it was a special kind of hell.
"Ugh! Another day, another lost cat!" Naruto groaned, flopping onto the grass of Training Ground 7. "We're ninja! We're supposed to be doing exciting, dangerous stuff! Not babysitting and pulling weeds!"
Kamikawa Hiraoka, leaning against a tree, merely shrugged. "I find it rather peaceful. It leaves plenty of time for... personal pursuits." His mind drifted to his "personal pursuits"—namely, the carefully scheduled walks with Hinata and the lively, flirtatious conversations with Ino. The D-ranks were a perfect cover for his true objective: building his envisioned harem, one charming encounter at a time. Now, which one should I invite over tonight? he pondered, a sly grin playing on his lips.
Uchiha Sasuke said nothing, but his silence was louder than Naruto's complaints. His fists were clenched, his posture rigid. Every day spent chasing pets was a day he wasn't getting stronger, a day he wasn't closing the gap between himself and his brother. This trivial work was an insult to his ambition.
Their routine was interrupted by the sudden appearance of an ANBU agent, his animal mask giving nothing away. "Team 7, under Hatake Kakashi?" the agent asked, his voice a sterile monotone.
Hiraoka's eyes narrowed slightly. "We are." He watched the man closely, noting the almost imperceptible stiffening of the ANBU's shoulders under his gaze. Nervous? Interesting.
"The Hokage has summoned you. Follow me."
As they walked, Hiraoka's sense of foreboding grew. This is it. The peaceful days are over.
In the Hokage's office, Kakashi was finishing his report. "...and their teamwork, while unorthodox, is improving."
Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a plume of smoke. "Hiraoka's progress is particularly remarkable. His file is already thicker than some chunin's."
Before Kakashi could reply, the door opened, and Team 7 filed in. Naruto immediately slumped to the floor in an exaggerated display of boredom. "Old man! Did you call us here for another weeding mission?"
Kakashi sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Hiruzen, however, chuckled. "Not quite, Naruto." His wise eyes settled on Hiraoka. "I believe you are all ready for something more substantial."
Naruto shot to his feet, his energy instantly restored. "REALLY?!"
Even Sasuke leaned forward, a spark of interest in his dark eyes.
Hiraoka, however, felt his heart sink. He knew what was coming.
"We have a C-rank mission available," Hiruzen announced, tapping a file on his desk. "An escort mission to the Land of Waves. Kakashi, you will lead your team on their first assignment outside the village."
Naruto whooped with joy. Sasuke allowed a faint, satisfied smirk.
Hiraoka alone remained silent, his expression carefully neutral. The Land of Waves. Gato. Zabuza. This is exactly the kind of trouble I wanted to avoid.
"Send in Tazuna," Hiruzen said to the ANBU at the door.
A moment later, an older man with a distinctly weathered face and a bottle of liquor in his hand stumbled in. He took a long swig and eyed the three genin with open contempt.
"These are the protectors you're giving me, Hokage?" Tazuna slurred, his gaze sweeping over them. He zeroed in on Naruto. "That short one looks like an idiot. You're sure he's a ninja?"
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SHORT AND STUPID?!" Naruto screamed, leaping up and down before scurrying to hide behind Hiraoka and Sasuke.
Tazuna ignored him, his eyes finally landing on Hiraoka, who had maintained an air of calm amusement throughout the exchange. This one, the bridge builder thought, he doesn't look completely useless. I just hope they're enough.
"Enough, Naruto," Hiruzen said, his voice firm but kind. "You will depart tomorrow to escort Tazuna-sama safely to the Land of Waves and protect him until his bridge is complete."
Tazuna turned to Kakashi, the drunken bravado not quite masking the anxiety in his eyes. "My life, and the future of my country, are in your hands. Don't mess this up."
Kakashi gave one of his easy-going, eye-smiling nods. "You can count on us."
Hiraoka met the bridge builder's gaze, his own smile never wavering, even as he internally calculated the immense risk they were about to walk into. The game had just leveled up, and the stakes had become life and death.
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Heading to one of the best arcs in Naruto imo. What arc is your fav?
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