Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in the Hokage's chair, quietly puffing on his pipe as pale smoke drifted across the room. He flipped through the latest genin reports and sighed.
"Good grief…"
Almost every genin squad had already completed multiple D-rank missions.
Only Team Seven had yet to complete a single one.
D-rank missions were all inside the village—finding lost pets, pulling weeds, yard cleaning—mundane but still missions.
But Team Seven hadn't done even that.
A soft whoosh sounded as Uzuki Yugao appeared out of thin air, kneeling respectfully.
"Report, Hokage-sama. Hyūga Ayato and the others have arrived."
Her mood was terrible. Ayato and the kids had enjoyed their ramen feast immensely.
Meanwhile, she had stood stiffly the entire time, unable to eat—her mind occupied by the "weak spots" Ayato held over her head.
After all…
That man was Hyūga Ayato.
Hiruzen nodded. "Very well."
Yugao disappeared again.
A moment later, the office door creaked open. Ayato walked in first, followed by the three members of Team Seven.
"Old man, still alive after a few days? Impressive."
Ayato smiled lazily, raising one finger.
"I know a great shop, by the way. Their coffins are on sale. Want me to order one for you?"
"..."
Team Seven fell silent.
Ayato-sensei constantly lectured them about respecting elders…
But this?
This was respecting elders!?
Hiruzen didn't get angry. He only smiled warmly and puffed his pipe.
"Don't worry. Even an old bone like me still has a duty to protect the village."
He'd been mocked by Ayato so often that he'd long grown used to it.
Ayato dropped onto the sofa, crossed his legs, and yawned.
"Alright, talk. What's the mission?"
"Come in," Hiruzen said toward the door.
The students turned curiously as a plump, elaborately dressed noblewoman entered—dripping in jewelry.
"This is the client," Hiruzen said. "You may hear the mission from her."
"Finally! Our first mission!"
Naruto's eyes sparkled. He'd always believed that being assigned missions was the first step to becoming a real ninja.
Even Sakura was excited—and a bit nervous. But with Ayato-sensei leading them, everything should be fine.
"Hmph."
Sasuke kept his cool expression, but even he was a little curious what their first mission would be.
Standing behind Ayato, the trio waited for the client to explain.
"Please, you must help me!"
The noblewoman sat opposite Ayato, clutching a handkerchief as tears streamed down her face.
"My child is very obedient and never leaves home! Someone must have kidnapped them!"
Sakura's expression softened.
She carefully asked, "Did your child go missing…?"
"Yes—my poor baby!"
The woman pulled out a photo and burst into fresh sobs.
On the picture…
was a small white cat.
"..."
Team Seven stared blankly.
They had thought—judging by her crying—that some villain had kidnapped her child.
Instead…
it was a missing cat.
Naruto's face twisted.
"H-Hey, you—!"
Before he could finish, Sakura clamped her hand over his mouth and punched him in the stomach repeatedly.
"Naruto! She's the client—watch your mouth!"
This was her first mission. No way she'd let Naruto ruin it.
"Sorry! We're very sorry!"
Sakura dragged Naruto down to bow.
"But—Sakura-chan… I didn't even say anything yet…"
Naruto whimpered.
"Shut it!" Sakura hissed.
Ayato, meanwhile, picked up the photo and examined the white kitten with a bored look.
"Don't cry so hard. Your cat looks pretty energetic. Probably ran off to play with street cats. Once it has enough fun, it'll come home."
He tossed the photo aside.
"Next mission."
"Ayato-sensei!"
Sakura glared at him.
The Hokage was right there—how could he act so casually!?
"You—! What nonsense!"
The noblewoman slammed her hands on the table, furious.
"My precious baby would never do something like that!"
Ayato unwrapped a lollipop and put it in his mouth.
"You never know. Maybe your 'obedient child' has a rebellious streak. Wouldn't be surprising if it's halfway to becoming a stray already."
He truly had zero interest in chasing a cat.
He'd rather be relaxing with a beautiful woman.
"You—you wicked brat!"
The woman jabbed a finger at him angrily, then turned to Hiruzen.
"Hokage-sama! What kind of attitude is this!?"
"Ayato, enough," Hiruzen said with a frown.
He regretted assigning this mission to Team Seven. With Ayato's personality, there was no way he would willingly chase a lost cat.
Ayato snorted and turned to him.
"Old man—who's really being unreasonable here? What do you think ninja are?"
A wielder of Six Paths-level strength being asked to find a cat?
Ridiculous.
"I'm going to complain to the Daimyō!"
The client grabbed the money pouch on the table and stormed toward the door.
"Wait."
Ayato stood up.
She froze. "What now?"
"That bag—is it all payment?"
Ayato eyed the heavy pouch of gold coins.
Not ryo.
Not bills.
Pure gold.
At least 100,000 ryō worth.
"Yes! What of it!?"
The woman snapped.
She was the Fire Daimyō's cousin—wealthy beyond measure.
Ayato examined the photo again, rubbing his chin.
"Hmm… now that I look closely… your cat is actually kinda cute."
He hefted the money bag.
Nice weight.
He placed a comforting hand on the woman's shoulder.
"I also adore small animals. I completely understand your worry. As shinobi, we are obligated to help those in need. Leave this little darling to us."
Money talked.
He hated dealing with random animals, but—
That was a lot of money.
And Ayato lived expensively.
Team Seven stared at him.
Speechless.
The noblewoman stood there, dumbfounded.
Mouth slightly open.
Unable to form any words.
She could only watch blankly as Ayato led Team Seven out of the office.
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