Return to the Squad

"At last, we can take missions. I've been stuck in the village so long my bones are about to rust."

Yuhi Kurenai complained. It was not quite as exaggerated as she made it sound, but training in the village all the time was indeed boring.

"Sorry, sorry. Please accept this as my apology, Captain, you two as well."

Hyuga Mirai pressed his palms together apologetically, then took out fifteen Healing Tags and handed five to each of them.

"I made them myself. They work quite well."

Kaminari Kaede accepted them without any ceremony. Healing Tags were extremely popular among Jonin; carrying one was like having a Medical-nin at their side. However, their numbers were limited, so even Jonin leading teams found them difficult to obtain. Even as an Elite Jonin, Kaminari Kaede could not buy Healing Tags.

After the strategic reserves, Anbu, Root, and the major Ninja Clans had all taken their shares, Jonin could only apply for a few when leading A-rank or S-rank Missions. Otherwise, they had to wait until Konoha's stockpile increased before the village gradually began selling them externally.

This kind of strategic resource, capable of saving lives, was far more valuable than Exploding Tags.

Kaminari Kaede could have been polite about any other gift, but he accepted the Healing Tags outright.

Yuhi Kurenai and Hyuga Kiyomi also knew how useful Healing Tags were. They accepted them with smiles and carefully stored them in their Ninja Tool Pouches.

"Alright, let's talk about the squad's missions."

Kaminari Kaede clapped his hands to draw the three of their attention.

"With your current strength, you only need one more Chunin before you can take B-rank Missions on your own. Regarding that, once the squad has completed enough missions, I've decided to recommend Hyuga Mirai for the Chunin Exam. Do you have any objections?"

Kaminari Kaede directed that last question at Hyuga Kiyomi and Yuhi Kurenai, especially Hyuga Kiyomi. He did not know whether the Hyuga Main House would allow someone from the Branch Family to lead her.

"I have no objections," Hyuga Kiyomi said.

Aside from being weaker than him, Hyuga Kiyomi had to admit that whenever they followed Hyuga Mirai's command during missions, they always completed them with ease. He also arranged patrols, overnight watches, and other matters very properly.

If she were made captain, Hyuga Kiyomi knew she could not do as well as Hyuga Mirai.

"I don't have any objections either. Mirai-kun is more meticulous than I am." Yuhi Kurenai raised her hand and answered with a light smile.

Kaminari Kaede nodded. "Then after we complete one more B-rank Mission and five C-rank Missions, I'll recommend Hyuga Mirai for the Chunin Exam."

"Though it'll probably just be a formality."

It did not matter if his combat ability was slightly lacking. His Medical Ninjutsu, tactical aptitude, and everything else fully met the requirements for a Chunin. When the time came, it would likely just be a formality, and he might even be promoted directly to Chunin.

"Let's go. To the Hokage Tower."

Afterward, the Kaminari Kaede Squad went to the Hokage Tower to accept a mission. Most B-rank Missions took a considerable amount of time. Kaminari Kaede looked through the mission list before selecting an escort mission for a merchant caravan.

This caravan had considerable influence in the Land of Fire, and one item among the goods they were transporting was Chakra Metal. Once the caravan reached the border of Earth Country, Iwa-nin would take over.

Assassinations and escorts were the most common Ninja missions. Before leaving the squad, Kaminari Kaede wanted Hyuga Mirai and the other two to gain more experience in these areas.

"Our squad won't be the only one on this mission. Gather at the village gate at one tomorrow afternoon. Dismissed."

Once they learned the mission details, the three went off to prepare. B-rank Missions involved combat between Ninja, and Kaminari Kaede had also said that unless their lives were in danger, he would not intervene or even offer reminders.

So they had to prepare thoroughly.

Hyuga Mirai, meanwhile, planned to go to Konoha Hospital. He intended to inform Kimura and Tsunade, then use Konoha Hospital's Chakra Paper to make more Healing Tags.

He was thoroughly at ease with exploiting public resources for private gain!

When he arrived at Konoha Hospital, Hyuga Mirai told Kimura about going on a mission. Kimura looked deeply regretful after hearing it.

She had originally wanted the Third Hokage to transfer Hyuga Mirai to Konoha Hospital, where he could start directly as an attending physician, become department head in five years, and take over Konoha Hospital in ten.

But the Third Hokage, the Hyuga Main House, and Hyuga Mirai himself had no such intention, so Kimura's plans came to nothing.

The only thing Hyuga Mirai cared about was Konoha Hospital's Laboratory. As for working at Konoha Hospital? He had no interest at all. Once he had the right to use the Laboratory, who would still want to work themselves to the bone saving people?

"Is Tsunade-sama here?"

Hyuga Mirai had learned quite a few useful things from her over the past few days. Though she often blew up his Shadow Clones, she had been fairly serious about teaching him, so he wanted to say goodbye.

Kimura nodded. "She's still here. Tsunade-sama said this morning that she needed to handle some paperwork. She should be working now."

Hyuga Mirai shook his head. "Better not get your hopes up, Vice-Director Kimura. She'll only carry the documents over, then carry them right back to you."

Kimura wanted to tell Hyuga Mirai that most of the time, she was the one who voluntarily carried the documents back. But as a subordinate, Kimura did not speak ill of Tsunade behind her back.

When he reached Tsunade's office, Hyuga Mirai knocked twice. Several seconds passed, but there was still no response.

So Hyuga Mirai called out from outside before pushing the door open. During the previous period, he often found Tsunade dead drunk when he came to ask questions, and he had frequently entered without waiting.

The moment Hyuga Mirai entered, Tsunade jolted awake and looked toward the door. Once she saw it was Hyuga Mirai, she said, "So it's you, brat. What is it?"

"Tsunade-sama, you just promised Vice-Director Kimura that you would handle the documents."

"That's right. I'm handling them now."

"There's still drool on your face." Hyuga Mirai mercilessly exposed her. Tsunade hurriedly raised a hand to wipe the corner of her mouth, but then realized Hyuga Mirai had tricked her.

"You hateful brat!"

Seeing Tsunade clench her fist, Hyuga Mirai immediately said, "I'm leaving the village for a mission tomorrow. You'll probably be leaving soon too, so I came to say goodbye."

Tsunade snorted. "Even a brat like you noticed?"

Hyuga Mirai shook his head. "It isn't exactly a secret. Anyone who spends time with you probably knows."

"You don't want to say anything to me?" Since Hyuga Mirai had brought it up, Tsunade assumed he was like everyone else and wanted to persuade her to remain in Konoha.

"Say something?" Hyuga Mirai thought for a moment, then looked slightly solemn as he told Tsunade, "Don't gamble anymore. You simply can't win."

Bang!

Tsunade slammed her fist onto the desk and snapped, "White-eyed Kid, are you looking down on my gambling skills?"

You actually have gambling skills?

Seeing that look in Hyuga Mirai's eyes again, veins bulged on Tsunade's forehead. But then she remembered she would be leaving soon, and decided to spare this brat for today.

"I thought you would try to persuade me to stay, like the Old man."

Hyuga Mirai shook his head. "Why would I persuade you? Just do what you want. Living for other people is exhausting."

Hearing that, Tsunade's heart stirred, and she said, "Hey, brat, do you want to become my—"

"Please forgive me for refusing, Tsunade-sama."

Before Tsunade could finish, Hyuga Mirai decisively rejected her.

"Our ideals are far too different. I could never become your disciple!"

Votes!