At the Hokage Building—
“I see. So you want to take on some C-rank missions for them?” The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe as he considered whether to approve Kakashi’s request.
Was it really appropriate to let a ninja team that had only been formed for a month take on C-rank missions just to strengthen their teamwork and force Naruto’s real body to participate?
Seeing the Third Hokage hesitate, Kakashi said, “Lord Hokage, Naruto is extremely talented. His current strength is definitely no weaker than that of an ordinary Chūnin.”
“With one Jōnin, one Chūnin-level fighter, and two Genin, ordinary C-rank missions shouldn’t pose any danger to us.”
The Third Hokage stared at Kakashi and exhaled a cloud of smoke.
“Kakashi, the real danger of C-rank missions for Genin isn’t the mission objective itself.”
“It’s leaving Konoha.”
He placed the pipe back in his mouth and took a few more puffs before continuing.
“Konoha may be peaceful and safe, but once you leave the village, unexpected dangers can arise even within the Land of Fire.”
“C-rank missions are nowhere near as simple for Genin as they appear on the surface.”
“Besides, as the Jinchūriki, it would be best if Naruto didn’t leave Konoha.”
“But Naruto is a ninja,” Kakashi replied.
“Sooner or later, he’ll have to leave the village to carry out missions.”
How could the Third Hokage not understand that?
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have assigned Kakashi as Naruto’s Jōnin instructor in the first place.
As an all-around ninja, Kakashi was proficient in taijutsu, genjutsu, ninjutsu, and sealing techniques.
When operating outside the village, he was one of the people most capable of ensuring both the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki’s safety and preventing him from going berserk.
“Since you insist, I’ll choose a C-rank mission for your team.”
The Third Hokage searched through a pile of scrolls, selected one, and had an ANBU hand it to Kakashi.
Kakashi opened the scroll and skimmed through it.
Eliminate a group of bandits harassing a mountain village.
A very safe C-rank mission.
“Then I’ll be going, Lord Third.”
“Mm.”
Watching Kakashi leave, the Third Hokage sighed before returning to his work.
His body was deteriorating with each passing day, yet the next generation of ninja still hadn’t matured.
The growing gap in talented shinobi left the Third Hokage deeply worried.
…
On a street in Konoha—
In the kitchen of a restaurant, Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame of Kurenai’s team were washing dishes with faces full of indignation.
Not far away, Naruto and Hinata were busy flirting with each other.
“Is this one good, Hinata?”
“Mm, it’s delicious!”
“What about this one?”
“This one’s delicious too!”
“But I think it’s only average.”
“Mm! I suddenly think it doesn’t taste very good either!”
Kiba Inuzuka: “…”
Shino Aburame: “…”
“Damn it, I can’t take this anymore!”
Kiba glared at Uzumaki Naruto through gritted teeth.
“Why do you keep following us on our missions? Doesn’t your own team have missions to do?!”
Akamaru barked.
“Woof!”
Naruto glanced at Kiba, then created a Shadow Clone right in front of him.
“Because I can use Shadow Clones. I can just send one of them to handle my team’s D-rank missions.”
There was a faint trace of mockery in Naruto’s explanation, making Kiba grind his teeth in frustration.
“Even if that’s true, doesn’t your Jōnin instructor have a problem with it?” Kiba demanded.
“Kakashi? I’m pretty close with him. It’s fine.”
“…”
Kiba looked toward Yūhi Kurenai, hoping for her support.
Kurenai, however, simply looked up at the sky, wearing an expression that clearly said there was nothing she could do about Naruto either.
Kiba stared at her with an aggrieved look that practically screamed for her to stand up for him.
Not only did he have to suffer through these utterly inhumane D-rank missions—
He had to watch Naruto and Hinata act lovey-dovey the entire time too!
Did their teacher have no sympathy at all?!
Kurenai’s face reddened under Kiba’s stare.
She immediately coughed and turned toward Naruto.
“Naruto, it really isn’t good for you to keep following our team around. Not only could it affect your own growth and Hinata’s, but the Hyūga clan might also object.”
Naruto glanced at Kurenai.
“With my strength and Hinata’s, D-rank missions aren’t going to help either of us grow.”
“And as for the Hyūga clan, I don’t care what they think.”
By now, Hinata had completely mastered the Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms and was currently practicing the Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.
She was already much stronger than she had been at this point in the original story.
Seeing that Naruto refused to listen no matter what she said, Kurenai could only helplessly allow him to keep following them.
In truth, this wasn’t the first time she had tried to persuade him.
Every attempt had ended the same way.
Besides, Naruto didn’t come here solely to flirt with Hinata.
Whenever they had spare time during missions, he would also guide Hinata’s training and help her improve.
After watching him instruct her again and again, Kurenai had gradually discovered something astonishing—
Uzumaki Naruto’s strength was terrifying for someone his age.
He was already comparable to a Chūnin!
Looking at the blond boy dressed in white, Kurenai murmured to herself,
“Uzumaki Naruto should have been the top graduate of this class.”
“With his strength, I’m afraid even Uchiha Sasuke is far behind him.”