An Awkward Group Meal

The blazing fire not only cleansed the bandits' sins, but also washed away the guilt in the hearts of the three.

On the way back, all three felt light in body and mind. They had the leisure to admire the scenery along the road and chat to their hearts' content.

As they discussed the gains and losses of this mission, Aya suddenly asked, "Aozora, when did you learn Fire Release? That was incredible!"

At that, Aburame Shibi and Hayate could not help moving a little closer and pricking up their ears. Clearly, they were interested as well.

Aozora said, "My brother came back on the day I graduated. He taught me."

Aya smacked her forehead. "I forgot your brother is Shisui! Shunshin Shisui! I'm so jealous that you have such a genius brother."

Aya assumed it was all Shisui's doing—that Shisui had simply taught him well.

But Aburame Shibi and Hayate knew that while a teacher mattered in learning ninjutsu, talent was the key.

In just two or three weeks, Aozora had mastered the Great Fireball Technique to such a degree. It was clear that his talent for ninjutsu—at least for Fire Release ninjutsu—far surpassed that of ordinary people.

As his trump cards gradually increased, Aozora began slowly revealing his talent.

Now that the village was severely short-handed, Konoha had not only relaxed the Ninja Academy's graduation standards, but was also continually promoting ninja beyond the usual rules.

As long as one had enough merit and ample mission experience, one could earn the chance to take part in the selection.

Aozora was not interested in ninja ranks. Even becoming a Jonin would not change anything.

But becoming a Chunin would make many things more convenient.

First, Chunin were already Konoha's backbone and possessed a certain degree of autonomy. Normally, they could freely accept missions and manage their own time.

Second, Chunin could submit requests to the village to learn ninjutsu by accumulating merits. Though high-level ninjutsu and Forbidden Jutsu were still out of reach, Konoha's ninjutsu repository still made Aozora drool with desire.

To say nothing else, Clones of all five elemental natures could complete his Outer Body Incarnation.

Leaving aside the idle chatter on the road, after a long journey, Team 3 finally returned to the village on the afternoon of the next day.

By the time they turned in the mission, it was already late, and everyone's stomachs were growling with hunger.

Seeing this, the iron-hearted Aburame Shibi showed rare mercy. "You worked hard on this mission. I'll treat you to a meal."

Aya immediately suggested, "Grilled Meat! Grilled Meat!"

Aozora rejected the idea. "Grilled meat takes too long. We'll be starving by the time it's ready."

Rubbing her stomach, Aya shook her head. "I can hold on."

The moment the words left her mouth, her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl.

Aburame Shibi said, "Don't hold on. Let's eat somewhere nearby. The Ichiraku Ramen around here is pretty good."

Ichiraku Ramen had a good reputation. Aozora and Hayate had no objections, while Aya was too hungry to refuse and compromised.

It was mealtime, and Ichiraku Ramen was packed. Only four seats in a corner remained.

Aozora and the others were starving, so they headed over.

When they got closer, they saw the beautiful female ninja Aizawa Konan and the Team 1 she led.

"Konan!"

"Senior Shibi!"

The two Jonin greeted each other. Though they were the same age, Aburame Shibi had become a Jonin early on, so Aizawa Konan held him in considerable respect.

While the two Jonin team leaders chatted, the six Genin stared at one another.

Aozora's group was delighted to see their former classmates, but Team 1's three members did not look pleased to see them.

Seeing her classmates, Aya happily asked, "What have you all been doing lately?"

Team 1's faces darkened. After a day of farm work, they were on the verge of losing it.

Hyūga Yō said coldly, "Thanks to you 'D-Rank Mission Cleanup Crew,' we've been working in the fields lately."

Although Team 3 had been forbidden from grinding D-Rank Missions, the mission list would not return to normal overnight. As a result, all the Genin had recently been stuck doing hard labor missions.

After learning who the culprits were, the Genin had given Team 3 the nickname "D-Rank Mission Cleanup Crew."

Aya did not notice the tone in Hyūga Yō's voice. Her attention had gone elsewhere. "'D-Rank Mission Cleanup Crew'?"

"You haven't heard?" Kurama Saki said sarcastically. "That's your team's nickname. And each of you has your own title too!"

Aya failed to catch the mockery and asked happily, "Really?"

She scratched at her ears and cheeks anxiously. "What titles? Has someone finally discovered this young lady's astonishing strength?"

Kurama Saki said, "Cat Hunter Kunoichi Inuzuka Aya. Surprised?"

Then he turned to Aozora and Hayate. "You two have them too! Express Delivery Gekko Hayate and Scavenger Uchiha Aozora."

"Truly famous names!"

Aya rubbed her head. "Haha, we really are famous! And my title sounds the coolest!"

Kurama Saki's expression froze as he faced the thick-skinned Aya.

He had originally intended to enjoy the sight of Aya flying into a rage, but he had not expected her to be so single-minded that she could not even hear his sarcasm.

His face darkened as he prepared to keep stirring things up, but then a Waiter wearing a little white cap came over and said with a smile, "Welcome. What would you all like to eat?"

"Beef Ramen!"

"Tomato Ramen!"

"Tonkotsu Ramen, with extra toppings!"

"Beef Ramen, with three portions of meat! You can put in less noodles!"

There was no need to look. The one asking for three portions of extra meat had to be the foodie Aya. Perhaps because she trained every day, she never gained weight no matter how much she ate. She was fit and healthy, like a little leopard.

Aozora said, "Is that even ramen you're ordering? Why not just order a serving of boiled beef?"

Aya's eyes lit up. She hurriedly asked the waiter, "Do you have boiled beef?"

The waiter wiped away a huge bead of cold sweat from his forehead. "We really don't have that."

Aya said regretfully, "You could have it."

Aozora told the waiter, "Just make hers Beef Ramen with three portions of meat!"

After ordering, seeing that Saki was about to make another sarcastic remark, Yagyū Ichirō tried to ease the atmosphere. "Haha, Team 3, you're really impressive. What have you been doing lately?"

Before Aozora and Hayate could speak, Aya excitedly said, "We went on a bandit suppression mission! A C-Rank Mission!"

"The client was a young man, and his village..."

Aya enthusiastically recounted her first C-Rank Mission experience, but not one of Team 1's members took it in.

The moment they heard "C-Rank Mission," it was as if a giant hammer had struck them over the head, leaving them dazed.

At the Academy, the three of them had clearly been more outstanding.

Hyūga Yō had always ranked first in class and could have graduated early long ago. Kurama Saki and Yagyū Ichirō possessed genjutsu and taijutsu talent far beyond that of the others.

Yet after graduation, they had been left far behind.

Although "D-Rank Mission Cleanup Crew" was not a flattering nickname, and the three of them did not have particularly nice titles either, they were without question the most prominent graduates of the forty-ninth class.

People mocked them openly, but how many were not secretly envious, jealous, and resentful?

And now, Team 3 had become the first to accept a C-Rank Mission, widening the gap between themselves and their classmates once again.

Thinking of this, the three had no mood to chat and simply lowered their heads to eat their noodles.

Team 1's three members were downcast, and Aozora's group could not be too cheerful either. As a result, the atmosphere during the meal was exceptionally gloomy.

Fortunately, Ichiraku Ramen lived up to its reputation. The broth was delicious, the noodles springy, and the meat tender. Even after finishing their noodles, no one had had enough, and they drank every last drop of the soup.