A Ninja Career Begins with Picking Apples

Early the next morning, Hinata did not bring any ninja tools. She simply slung a small backpack over her shoulders, filled with a water flask, tea set, pastries, and the like, then happily skipped out the door.

A ninja's main source of income was completing missions.

The missions ninjas could take ranged from babysitting to assassinating a Daimyo, and were divided into five ranks: S, A, B, C, and D.

Generally speaking, Genin could only accept C-rank and D-rank missions.

And rookie ninjas like Hinata could generally only take D-rank missions.

These included, but were not limited to, babysitting, delivering letters, shopping, farm work, and similar tasks.

Hinata had long been mentally prepared for this, and she was rather looking forward to it.

Also, Naruto, just you wait!

When she arrived at the mission assignment office, Naruto and Sasuke were already there. Hinata had been prepared for Kakashi to be late, but unexpectedly, Kakashi arrived right on time.

But showing up at the last possible second was just as annoying as being late!

Team 7's first mission was... picking apples.

Kakashi led Hinata and the other two to an apple orchard, then leaned against an apple tree. He had already pulled Icha Icha Paradise from his ninja tool pouch with his right hand. Glancing at the three of them with his right eye, he said listlessly, "Today's mission is to help pick apples. Divide up the areas yourselves. Good luck!"

Naruto and Sasuke both looked miserable. What kind of ninja mission was this?

But they could not fight the system. After their expressions changed several times, they obediently began working.

Hinata beckoned Naruto over and said with a sweet smile, "Naruto, do you want to know why I'm so strong?"

Naruto nodded quickly, while Sasuke, who had been about to start picking apples, stopped as well.

Hinata smiled adorably and tempted him, "Naruto, if you help me finish my share too, I'll teach you a training method. I guarantee it'll greatly increase your strength. How about it? You won't lose out on this deal!"

Naruto was overjoyed. "Really?"

Hinata nodded with great sincerity, patted Naruto on the shoulder, and said firmly, "Tell me, when have I ever lied to you?"

Naruto looked at the orchard, scratched his head, and said awkwardly, "But this place is huge! Who knows when we'll finish?"

Hinata said in exasperation, "Don't you know Shadow Clone? You can have your Shadow Clones help with the work!"

Naruto's eyes lit up. "That's right! How did I not think of that?"

Hinata encouraged him, "Remember, using Shadow Clones to work is really fast. Naruto, do your best!"

Although Kakashi was the assigned Jonin of Hinata and the others, and although they called him Teacher Kakashi, to Kakashi, the three of them were only subordinates for now. There was no teacher-student bond between them.

Kakashi's task was more about leading Hinata and the others through beginner missions.

Generally speaking, the relationship between an assigned Jonin and Genin was that of captain and subordinate.

But if the assigned Jonin was willing to deepen that relationship, they could teach the Genin ninjutsu and guide their training.

Only then could there be a genuine teacher-student bond.

Kakashi clearly did not intend to guide Hinata and the others in training just yet. After all, the ninja world had been peaceful for a long time, and the three had only just graduated. It was better for them to temper their character first rather than immediately gain powerful strength.

Hinata did not want to foolishly spend her time doing missions. With her current strength, guiding Naruto would be absurdly easy.

For example, tree climbing and water walking.

Of course, guiding Naruto was merely incidental. Getting revenge on him was what Hinata truly intended to do.

Hinata found a river and filled her water flask, then gathered some dry branches for firewood. She sat beneath a tree beside Kakashi and said, "Teacher Kakashi, would you like some tea? If so, use Great Fireball to help start a fire."

Kakashi: "..."

Hinata tempted him, "I also brought pastries! Drinking tea, eating pastries, and reading at the same time—that's true enjoyment!"

Kakashi decisively used Great Fireball to start a fire.

As Hinata boiled water and brewed tea, she watched the dozens of Narutos in the distance picking apples and could not help sighing, "Life truly is lonely as snow!"

Hinata knew that when Shadow Clones were dismissed, their exhaustion returned to the original body. Naruto was using so many Shadow Clones to work; once he dismissed them, he would probably be exhausted to death.

Hinata had already decided.

Today, she would sit beneath the tree, calmly drink tea, and watch Naruto work himself to death.

Served you right for leading your little brother astray!

Once the water had boiled, Hinata brewed a pot of tea and brought it to Kakashi.

Although Kakashi was also on Hinata's blacklist, he was still her direct superior. It would not be appropriate for her to make a move against him yet.

And there were also Tokuma Hyuga and Hyuga Hiashi.

Just you all wait.

Hmph! Once I have power...

"Teacher Kakashi, please have some tea!"

Hinata poured Kakashi a cup of tea and brought him some pastries as well.

Before going to sleep last night, Hinata had lain in bed and thought things over carefully. It was still unwise to offend Kakashi at present. A local official was not as important as the official in charge; Kakashi was the one managing Hinata right now.

Thinking about it, Hinata suddenly realized that what she had done yesterday seemed rather underhanded.

What if Kakashi held a grudge...

A real man could bend and stretch as needed. What did making a cup of tea for her teacher amount to?

Kakashi clearly had not yet discovered Hinata's black-hearted nature. As he comfortably drank tea, ate pastries, and read, he felt that having a female subordinate around was simply wonderful.

Hinata sat nearby drinking tea, but before long, she began to feel bored.

"Teacher Kakashi, how many books did you bring? Can I borrow one?"

Kakashi scratched his head awkwardly. "This book isn't suitable for children!"

Hinata took a deep breath and pretended to be surprised. "Could it be... Teacher Kakashi, the book you're reading... is unsuitable for children!"

"Heh! The weather is really nice today!" Kakashi brushed her off, then scratched his head and added, "It's a love story. Children wouldn't understand it. Although there are some action scenes, they're not described much."

"Fine, then!"

Hinata had actually guessed that Kakashi would not lend her the book. She could only sigh helplessly. "Looks like I'll have to bring a book tomorrow too!"

Since she could not read, she might as well properly enjoy watching Naruto work himself to death!

Naruto still could not perfectly control Shadow Clone. Each clone could last a little over a minute at most.

Then Naruto began endlessly creating clones and endlessly picking apples.

His work efficiency was high, but Naruto was already panting heavily, barely able to catch his breath.

How wonderful!

Less than half an hour later, Hinata discovered that Naruto had already finished her share of the work and was now doing his own.

What about Sasuke?

Sasuke had already lost his composure. He was no longer the cool little handsome guy from before. Not only was he filthy, but he was exhausted too.

"Munch munch!"

After swallowing a pastry, Hinata licked her lips. The aftertaste was simply endless.