Konoha Hokage building, Mission Desk.
“No!
Absolutely not!
Naruto, you guys only graduated a week ago!
D-rank missions are an indispensable stepping stone to accumulate experience!” Iruka slammed the desk, veins bulging on his forehead as he roared at the orange figure bouncing up and down in front of him.
“I don’t care!
I don’t care!
Missions like pulling weeds, picking up trash, and babysitting don’t show off my true skills at all!” Naruto held his head in his hands, shouting with a face full of frustration.
“Iruka-sensei, look at the forehead protector on my head!
This is genuine proof of a ninja!
I want missions where I get to swing a blade and cut people, or missions where I can leave the village for training!
I want to surpass Hoshi!” Standing by the window sill, Kakashi closed the copy of *Make-Out Paradise* in his hand, propping his chin with one hand, his lazy droopy eye full of helplessness.
“Naruto, Hoshi is a special talent.
As for you guys…
honestly, if we don’t catch that fat cat Tora back first, it’ll be hard for me to report to the Daimyo’s wife.” “You bastard Kakashi!
You clearly favored taking a big mission too!” Naruto turned around, looking with a face full of hope at the Third Hokage, who sat nearby smoking his pipe.
“Gramps Hokage, I beg you!
Just one, a single C-rank mission will do!” Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, his eyes peering through the haze at Tazuna, who was leaning against the doorframe, reeking of alcohol and wearing a contemptuous sneer.
“Come in.
We have suitable ninja ready.” “Hmph.
As expected, just a bunch of unweaned brats.
Hey, Third Hokage, you’re not joking, are you?
Are you really entrusting my life to these noisy kids who do nothing but argue?” Tazuna took a swig of alcohol, squinting sideways at Naruto and Sasuke.
“Especially that runt over there—he looks like he can’t even hold a kunai steady.” “Who are you calling a runt!” Naruto made a move to charge forward, only to be held back firmly by Sakura.
The Third Hokage fell silent for a moment, a deep glint flashing in his eyes.
He recalled the suggestion Kakashi had made to him in his office yesterday: *That kid Naruto needs to see what the real Ninja World is like, even if it’s just a small wave.* “Very well.” The Third Hokage tapped his pipe.
“Mr.
Tazuna’s request is to escort him back to the Land of Waves.
Since it involves crossing international borders and the destination’s situation is complex, although it is nominally a C-rank escort mission for a builder, there are unknown potential risks.
Kakashi, since Naruto has such fighting spirit, I will assign this mission to Team 7.
Mr.
Tazuna, do not worry—the leader in charge is Kakashi Hatake.” “Sigh, fine then.
I hope everything goes smoothly.” Hearing Kakashi’s name, Tazuna’s aversion faded slightly.
“Yay—!
Awesome!
Let me at it!
Land of Waves, here we come!” Naruto jumped up in excitement, completely unaware of the grim trace that flashed across Kakashi’s eyes.
“Go back and prepare first.
We meet tomorrow morning at eight at the village entrance!” Kakashi told the three kids solemnly, though his eyes remained fixed on Tazuna.
Meanwhile, at Konoha Hospital, Hoshi was preparing four emergency first-aid kits in his office.
“Ino, please deliver these emergency kits to Sakura and the others.
I still have duty to cover, so I won’t be going.” “Isn’t it just an escort mission outside the village?
Is it really that serious?
Got it, leave it to me!” Ino, who was usually playful, saw how serious Hoshi looked and obediently went off to deliver the items.
Hoshi stood by the window, watching Naruto’s group excitedly walking toward the village gate.
His dark hair fluttered slightly in the breeze, a meaningful curve floating on the corners of his lips.
“I hope this helps a bit…
Wish it won’t be as tragic as in the original story.
Sigh, these damn bonds.” Hoshi muttered to himself, his right hand making a subtle swipe through the air.
“Summoning Jutsu!” With a *poof*, a fist-sized Katsuyu appeared on the desk.
“Please send a small split body to secretly assist them, attached to Kakashi.” “Understood.
Lord Hoshi is truly gentle,” Katsuyu’s gentle voice echoed in the room before vanishing.
Hoshi knew very well that the battle in the Land of Waves was the most important baptism in the original story.
Naruto using the Nine-Tails power for the first time and Sasuke awakening his two-magatama Sharingan both stemmed from this.
It made Itachi look like a total clown—sacrificing his whole clan just to unlock a single magatama, while this dead-last almost dying triggered a jump straight to a two-magatama Sharingan.
Truly *my foolish little brother*.
That evening, Hoshi used his Katsuyu-brand display screen for a remote video call with Tsunade.
The moment it connected, Hoshi felt his internal heat rising, realizing he needed to eat some pears to cool off.
Tsunade was soaking in a hot spring, leaning sideways against the edge while sipping sake, with a tender chicken dish placed beside her.
The water surface was calm without a ripple, showcasing a flawless, exquisite back, her fine blonde hair naturally cascading over her twin peaks.
On the outside, Hoshi remained calm and unruffled, but inside, his emotions surged violently—he felt as though he could smell that familiar scent from his childhood.
Indeed, time never dims a true beauty.
“What is it?
Why are you calling me so early today?
Something wrong?” “I just missed you, Master.
Whenever I have time, I want to chat with you.” “If you’re not going to say it, forget it.
Don’t interrupt my hot spring bath—I have to go play a few hands later.” Tsunade seemed to see right through the little pervert, sipping her sake while pretending to cut off the video call.
Hoshi immediately switched to flatterer mode, putting on a subservient face.
“Ah, there actually is a small matter I need your help with.
I was thinking, Master, you are so generous, open-handed, and famous in Konoha for your grand spirit…” “Stop right there.
I can’t take this.
Whenever you pull a ridiculous face like that, you’ve definitely caused trouble.
Out with it—what do you need my help with?” Tsunade acted as if she had goosebumps, lightly caressing her cream-like skin with her hand.
“Heheh, nothing gets past you, Master.
I read a piece of news—it seems there’s a suspected Ice Style user, a survivor of the Yuki clan, appearing in the Land of Waves, along with Kirigakure ninjas showing up to take them away.
Kakashi is leading Team 7 there for a mission, and I’m worried something might happen to them.
If possible, I’d like to help the village bring back a bloodline limit survivor.” “Because it’s a survivor of the Yuki clan?” Tsunade murmured under her breath, taking a sip of sake.
“Fine.
If you want to bring back a bloodline limit survivor, I’ll definitely support you.
As for how you get out of the village, you’ll have to figure that out yourself.
Hm?
Hey, kid, where are your eyes looking?” “Sorry, Master!
I couldn’t help it—everyone loves beauty!
Who asked Master to be the most beautiful woman in the Ninja World?
That’s all for now, I’m still working at the hospital.
I’ll call you later!” Hoshi’s face turned red as a beet as he awkwardly severed the connection, looking like a cat caught stealing fish, still yearning for more.
All afternoon, Hoshi was absentminded while seeing patients, his execution slipping so much that he nearly caused a medical accident.
“What’s wrong with you, kid?
Why were you so reckless and distracted this afternoon?
Did something happen?” Chief Yakushi seemed to realize something and chuckled.
“Kid, did you hear that your friends got to go outside the village on a mission?
Are you eager to go out with them?
You’re only seeing the surface—going outside conceals many dangers.
Look at these severely injured patients: ninety percent of them got hurt returning from out-of-village missions.
Isn’t it nice staying in the hospital?
Look at this environment, these perks…”