"Although D-Class missions are the simplest, completing twenty D-Class missions in two days is considered excellent among Genin," said Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Grandpa Hokage, does that mean we can take on missions above D-Class?" Obito looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with anticipation.
"Haha, well, that depends on your teacher. After all, I'm not entirely sure of your strength. If Mokgetsu believes you can do it, then I'll make an exception and allow you to take on C-Class missions," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a chuckle.
Actually, he felt there was no big problem. He had watched Obito and Might Guy's battle during the final exam of the summer training; their strength was quite impressive. Plus, with the experienced Chunin Kakashi and Mokgetsu from the Root, a C-Class mission should be easy.
Normally, C-Class missions don't involve encountering ninjas; there might be battles, but the opponents are generally strong ordinary people or beasts.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, you know us; our abilities shouldn't be confined to doing chores," Obito turned his gaze to Mokgetsu, eyes full of hope.
"Lord Third, I believe they have the full capability to complete C-Class missions," Mokgetsu responded to Sarutobi Hiruzen just as Obito hoped.
Promoting the intern plan was one important reason for going out on missions.
In Konoha, everything was too restrained. Mokgetsu couldn't fully release his ninjutsu during cultivation; his Master Level ninjutsu had increasingly destructive power. If things got too noisy, it might attract Anbu's attention.
Moreover, he really needed a real battle to understand his true strength, rather than just sparring.
Mokgetsu didn't want to end up like Otsutsuki Kaguya, having overwhelming power yet unable to use it fully.
"With your words, Mokgetsu, I am relieved," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a stroke of his beard, smiling.
"Thank you for trusting me, Lord Third. I will surely protect the students," Mokgetsu said solemnly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded with a smile and told the registering ninja, "From now on, Mokgetsu Squad can take on C-Class missions, but other intern squads will stick to the previous regulations."
Other intern squads don't have a teammate like Kakashi. Whether their instructors could beat Kakashi is still questionable.
The registering ninja quickly nodded. Since the Hokage had spoken, he had no further comments; if anything went wrong, it wouldn't be his responsibility.
Even though they got permission to take on C-Class missions, it was already evening, so it wasn't possible to take a mission at that time. Mokgetsu led his three disciples home.
"Alright!" Obito couldn't help but punch the air in celebration after exiting the Hokage Building.
"Guy, we're absolutely one of the two fourth-year squads capable of doing C-Class missions. The others are still probably chasing cats and catching dogs," Obito laughed loudly.
"It is indeed something exciting, proving that our youth is advancing to greater heights!" Might Guy laughed as well.
Their laughter drew the attention of some other ninjas heading to the Hokage Building, while Kakashi quietly lowered his head a bit.
He suddenly remembered his previous teammates—not very strong but wouldn't start laughing in front of the Hokage Building.
"Hey, Kakashi, you've surely done C-Class missions before. What kind of enemies usually appear in C-Class missions? Do Chunin and Jonin show up?" Obito asked eagerly.
"C-Class missions seldom involve ninja enemies," Kakashi replied.
"Huh? There aren't any enemies in C-Class missions?" Obito looked puzzled.
He recalled how determined the registering ninja's attitude was, only relenting when the Hokage showed up to let them take on the C-Class mission. The process was so tough, even involving the Hokage. Obito thought the C-Class mission would be dangerous, but Kakashi said they wouldn't encounter ninja enemies.
"It's not that there are no enemies, just that ninja enemies usually do not appear," Mokgetsu corrected.
"Combat-related C-Class missions usually involve subjugating beasts or bandits, none of whom are ninjas," Mokgetsu explained. Generally, encountering ninja enemies starts at B-Class and higher.
"How come..." Obito felt a bit disappointed. He had hoped to defeat enemy ninjas on a mission and then come back to tell Nohara Rin about his heroic deeds.
But subduing beasts wasn't worth mentioning since they had previously killed a wild boar during a picnic in the Southern Border Forest.
However, as they entered Mokgetsu's home, Obito's mood lifted because he soon would enjoy Mokgetsu's freshly cooked dishes.
Mokgetsu asked Kakashi and the others to chat in the living room while he started preparing dinner.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, let me help," said Kakashi, unwilling to eat for free.
"Then you can help wash the vegetables," Mokgetsu didn't refuse; working together also helped build trust.
Kakashi stayed in the kitchen, observing Mokgetsu cooking. He was curious about how Mokgetsu's delicious dishes were made.
"Mokgetsu, are you back yet?"
Minato's voice came from outside.
"Minato, just come in directly. I'm cooking," Mokgetsu turned and said.
Receiving Mokgetsu's approval, Minato opened the door and entered Mokgetsu's home.
Upon entering, Minato noticed there were two young boys in Mokgetsu's home.
And Obito and Might Guy also noticed Minato walking in.
Obito looked at Minato's dazzling blonde hair, blue eyes, and that somewhat familiar warm smile, instantly overlapping Minato's face with Mokgetsu's.
"Hello, I am..." Minato showed a warm smile, ready to greet the two.
"I know, you must be Teacher Mokgetsu's twin brother!" Obito answered immediately.
"Looks like Mokgetsu without glasses!" Might Guy felt that Obito's guess made a lot of sense.
"Looks like Mokgetsu even with glasses, look at that smiling expression, that warm feeling." Obito analyzed in detail, no one knew Mokgetsu better than him.
Although misunderstood, Minato was somewhat used to it; during Jonin meetings, several acquaintances had made similar jokes about him.
So Minato smiled and explained, "I am Namikaze Minato, a friend of Mokgetsu."
"Eh, isn't your last name Habu?" Obito now felt that Minato and Mokgetsu were long-lost brothers.
"Minato, sorry, they're all my students, here as guests today." Mokgetsu explained.
"No problem, after all, we do look quite alike sometimes." Minato smiled, showing he didn't mind.
In this regard, he was quite open; if it was looking like a person with a terrible character, he might care a bit, but looking like someone as gentle as Mokgetsu, he just felt it was fate.
Having washed the vegetables, Kakashi curiously walked out of the kitchen and glanced at Minato, just in time to see Minato smiling and explaining, instantly understanding why Obito would think Minato and Mokgetsu were twin brothers.
Because the two really did look alike in temperament, and their hair and eyes were similar, it felt the same at first glance.
But upon closer inspection, Kakashi could still spot the differences; Minato's demeanor had a slightly silly feel, which Mokgetsu didn't have.
"Mokgetsu, need any help?" Minato, though asking this, was already heading towards the kitchen.
"Minato, you're just in time, help me process those vegetables a bit, cut away the unnecessary parts." Mokgetsu assigned a task to Minato.
The two have been neighbors sharing meals for a long time now, often cooking together, though most of the time, Minato was assisting.
"Minato, didn't I chat with you about the interns before? I'm also responsible for a squad." After finishing the cooking, Mokgetsu said.
"I remember, but why is there someone already wearing a forehead protector?" Minato nodded and asked curiously.
"His name is Hatake Kakashi, it's a special case, a bit complicated to explain, but he is a member of my class now." Mokgetsu replied.
"Hatake..." Hearing this surname combined with Kakashi's white hair, Minato suddenly recalled some unfortunate things and chose not to ask further about Kakashi.
Then Mokgetsu introduced Minato to his disciples.
"Minato is a very strong Jonin, many of the strong Jonin in the village consider themselves inferior to him." Mokgetsu said with a smile.
"Wow, then isn't he super strong?" Obito, hearing Mokgetsu praise Minato so much, and considering how similar Minato looked to Mokgetsu, immediately felt that Minato must be as strong as Mokgetsu.
"It's not as exaggerated as Mokgetsu says, there are still many seniors in the village worth learning from." Minato said humbly.
"Mokgetsu, about today, I still..." Saying this, Minato felt a bit embarrassed for constantly taking meals home.
"I know, I've already packed it for you." Mokgetsu handed the lunchbox to Minato.
"Thank you." Minato expressed his gratitude.
He felt that Mokgetsu might have guessed something; constantly taking meals home was indeed a bit suspicious.
If he was busy, how could he come over to pack meals? If not busy, then why use it as an excuse daily?
But Minato had no choice; let Mokgetsu guess if he must, he couldn't disclose it, Kushina's identity was too sensitive, telling Mokgetsu would do more harm than good.
All Minato could do was share his cultivation experience with Mokgetsu as much as possible, making Mokgetsu stronger, hoping he could safely get through these dangerous times.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, I think you should investigate, maybe he's your long-lost brother." Obito suggested.
Pa!
Mokgetsu's two fingers precisely tapped on Obito's forehead.
"If you don't eat soon, Kakashi and Guy will finish all the food." Mokgetsu reminded.
It was then that Obito noticed Might Guy and Kakashi had been scarfing down rice while he was talking, so fast their chopsticks blurred over the table.
"You guys save some for me!" Obito couldn't care more and began gobbling down rice.
After arranging a Shadow Clone to deliver food to Shisui and Nohara Rin, Mokgetsu also began to eat.