After Sakura Haruno spoke—
Sasuke Uchiha frowned slightly, his expression turning serious as he nodded.
On the other side—
Naruto Uzumaki leaned in, completely confused.
"Huh? What? What explosion?"
Naruto had slept like a rock the previous night.
The explosion hadn't woken him up at all.
Sakura rolled her eyes at him—
Then turned back toward Sasuke with anticipation.
Even though Sasuke was usually cold—
He had clearly noticed the explosion.
And what happened last night…
Was anything but normal.
"I don't know what it was," Sasuke said slowly,
"But even a jonin couldn't create something like that."
Sakura froze.
She only knew the explosion was huge—
She hadn't thought about it that deeply.
"Even a jonin can't do it?"
"Not even Kakashi-sensei?"
She looked toward Kakashi Hatake.
Naruto scratched his head, trying to join the conversation—
But he had no idea what they were talking about.
Sasuke also looked at Kakashi.
Kakashi acted as if he didn't notice.
He said nothing.
"Kakashi-sensei," Sakura pressed,
"You must know what happened, right?"
"Even you can't do that, can you?"
Under the trio's gaze—
Kakashi finally shook his head.
"I can't."
"But last night's explosion was just a test of a new jutsu by the village."
"There's no need to overthink it."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes slightly.
He could tell—
That wasn't the full truth.
But since it involved the village's higher-ups—
He chose not to ask further.
Sakura, seeing Sasuke drop it—
Also stayed silent.
Naruto?
Still completely lost.
Soon—
The four arrived at the Hokage's office.
Seeing Team 7—
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Kakashi.
Kakashi gave a subtle nod.
Both of them understood.
The moment Naruto entered—
He rushed forward and complained:
"Old man! Stop giving us those boring, low-level missions!"
The Third Hokage sighed.
"You've just graduated."
"You're still rookie genin."
"You're supposed to build experience step by step."
"And right now…"
"You can only take D-rank missions."
Naruto shook his head stubbornly.
"But those missions are way too boring!"
"I want something better!"
Even though the Hokage was right—
Naruto simply refused to accept it.
Nearby—
Sakura and Sasuke didn't speak—
But they clearly felt the same.
They were tired of chasing cats and doing chores.
Kakashi sighed inwardly.
"I knew he'd start whining…"
Then—
He suddenly thought of Orion.
"I wonder how that kid is doing…"
"He just exhausted all his chakra yesterday…"
"And woke up after one night…"
"Are there any aftereffects?"
For a moment—
Kakashi's thoughts drifted far away.
Meanwhile—
Naruto continued pestering the Hokage.
Eventually—
The Third Hokage gave in.
"Alright…"
"I understand."
"I'll assign you a C-rank mission."
Naruto, who had been sulking on the ground—
Jumped up instantly.
"Really?! What kind of mission?!"
The Hokage smiled.
"Escort duty."
Naruto's imagination ran wild.
"Who are we protecting?!"
"A daimyo? A princess?!"
Kakashi looked at him, speechless.
A daimyo?
That wouldn't be a C-rank mission.
Sasuke and Sakura didn't go that far—
But they were still excited.
Finally—
A real mission.
The Hokage didn't answer Naruto directly.
Instead, he called toward the door:
"Please come in."
All four turned to look.
The door opened—
And an old man walked in, holding a bottle of alcohol.
He leaned against the doorway—
Took a sip—
And frowned.
"These are the ninja protecting me?"
"They're just kids."
"Especially that shortest one…"
"He looks like a complete idiot."
Naruto laughed at first.
"Hahaha! Who are you calling short and stupid—"
Mid-sentence—
He noticed Sakura and Sasuke stepping behind him.
After comparing heights—
His smile froze.
"YOU OLD MAN!"
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING STUPID?!"
"I'LL KILL YOU—!"
Naruto lunged forward—
Only to be grabbed by Kakashi.
"You want to kill the person you're supposed to protect?"
"Idiot."
Ignoring Naruto's yelling—
The old man said:
"I'm a world-famous bridge builder."
"My name is Tazuna."
"While I finish my bridge…"
"You'll protect me properly."
Naruto crossed his arms and turned away, annoyed.
Sakura and Sasuke, however—
Were excited.
This meant—
They were finally leaving the village.
A real mission.
But Kakashi frowned.
"A mission outside the village…"
He wasn't worried about danger.
He was worried about Orion.
If he left—
Would Orion be safe?
What if—
The Hokage used this opportunity—
To act?
Could Dōichi stop it?
Obviously not.
Dōichi, though a jonin—
Didn't have Kakashi's standing.
Right now—
Kakashi was the most trusted and strongest jonin in Konoha.
Tsunade and Jiraiya weren't in the village.
And without opening the Eight Gates—
Even Might Guy couldn't surpass Kakashi.
As long as Kakashi was present—
The Hokage would keep his word.
But if he wasn't—
Would things change?
Would people like Danzo Shimura interfere?
Kakashi couldn't be sure.
Seeing Kakashi's expression—
The Hokage understood.
"Kakashi," he said calmly,
"This mission is for them to gain experience outside the village."
"You are their teacher."
"That is your responsibility."
Kakashi frowned.
That was a warning.
Don't forget your role.
But the more the Hokage said that—
The more uneasy Kakashi felt.
Meanwhile—
Naruto laughed excitedly.
"Hahaha! Old man, I'll complete this mission perfectly!"
"I'll show you how strong I am!"
Kakashi remained silent.
Just as they were about to leave—
He finally spoke.
"Hokage-sama…"
"This mission takes us outside the village."
"I'd like to bring Orion along."
"…Dōichi requested that I take his student with me on missions."
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