Mission Routine

After snuggling with Yūhi Kurenai for a while, Yamei and Kurenai arrived at the agreed time and place to pick up Hinata and the others for barbecue.

It was not just them; Asuma's team and Kakashi's team were there as well.

The moment Asuma saw Yamei, his eyes lit up. He tried several times to strike up a conversation with Yamei, but Yūhi Kurenai intercepted him every time.

After the barbecue, Asuma directly paid for all three teams' meals.

Yamei watched everything from the sidelines, vaguely guessing why Asuma was acting this way.

"Poor Asuma... You don't have a chance anymore."

Yamei shook his head. Not only had Asuma failed in love, but he had also contributed a Fire Release ninjutsu and a Wind Release ninjutsu to him...

As for Kakashi, he had also obtained two ninjutsu, though unfortunately, neither was what he wanted.

Besides those two, Ino and Shikamaru had actually dropped their clan's secret techniques for him! Yamei merged them into Empathy and Shadow respectively.

Early the next morning.

At the appointed time, Yūhi Kurenai's five-person team gathered.

"Today will be your first mission! Are you looking forward to it?"

"..."

"Woof, woof..."

A chilly breeze swept past. Yūhi Kurenai's mouth twitched as she looked at the four people in front of her.

Shino quietly watched her. Kiba was teasing the red dog atop his head, while Hinata's eyes were practically glued to Yamei.

As for Yamei, he stood there all crooked, looking as though he had not fully woken up yet.

After taking several deep breaths to suppress her emotions, Yūhi Kurenai shot Yamei a fierce glare.

Seeing that, Yamei immediately adjusted his posture. He still had to give Kurenai some face, or there would be no food when he got home.

"Teacher Kurenai... may I ask what the mission is?" Hinata asked.

"The mission is simple: clear trash from the river."

"..."

"You're seriously making the future Hokage clean up trash?" Kiba pointed at himself in disbelief.

Yamei gave Kiba a once-over after hearing that... Well... he had indeed gotten his wish once... But a Hokage who only knew Fang Over Fang?

No... It seemed he also had Wolf Fang Over Fang...

Yūhi Kurenai rolled her eyes at him as well. "The mission has already been accepted. Completing missions is a ninja's code. Start moving!"

The group quickly arrived at the mission site. The river was not particularly swift.

However, since they had yet to learn the methods and techniques for controlling Chakra, they could not stand on the water to work and could only enter the river.

"Yamei, why are you still standing there?" Yūhi Kurenai looked at Yamei, who remained on the bank.

"Ugh... right away, right away."

Yamei pulled a long face and formed hand seals. Two shadow clones immediately appeared, then stepped onto the water and began working.

Yūhi Kurenai froze for a moment at the sight, but said nothing.

"Huh!? Yamei, you can stand on water? How did you do that?" Kiba asked in astonishment.

Shino and Hinata looked over at the same time, their gazes seeking an answer.

"Oh, gather Chakra under the soles of your feet. Once you get used to the current, you can do it," Yamei's shadow clone explained while working.

"Alright, that won't stump me!" Kiba clapped his hands and immediately tried it. But the moment he stepped onto the water and tried to stand...

Splash!

"Save... save me!"

"Woof, woof!"

"Kiba!" Hinata panicked at the sight, but she was too far away to reach him.

Shino quickly moved to help.

Yamei's shadow clone slapped his forehead and ran over as well.

Suddenly, everyone's vision blurred as Yūhi Kurenai scooped Kiba and the red dog out of the water.

"You should not casually try water-walking at your current level. I'll teach you properly after some time."

As she spoke, Yūhi Kurenai glared at Yamei again. "Behave yourself."

"He wanted to try it himself." Yamei shrugged helplessly.

"Huh, Yamei, are you guys on a mission too?" A delighted voice called out. Turning around, they saw Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji walking over behind Asuma.

"Ino, what are you doing here?"

Looking at the three of them... wearing conical hats and carrying hoes over their shoulders... they looked strange no matter how one looked at them.

"Hmph! Teacher Asuma took on a weeding mission for us! It's awful!" Ino complained.

"Well... D-rank missions are all like this..." Asuma scratched his head.

Yamei reached out and rubbed Ino's head with a smile. "Take it slow. Every ninja has to go through this at the beginning."

"Mm-hmm!" Feeling the warmth atop her head, Ino immediately beamed, and her mood improved considerably.

"Help!! Don't... that way leads to the river... don't go over there!"

Just then, a startled cry rang out. Everyone looked over at once and saw Naruto being dragged by several large dogs before plunging straight into the river.

Behind him, Sasuke and Sakura were holding onto several dogs and hurriedly chasing after him. When they spotted Yamei and the others, they awkwardly greeted them.

But before Yamei, Ino, and the others could respond, Naruto had already been dragged out of the river by the dogs.

"Help! I can't do this!!"

"That way... that way is the trap zone!!"

Seeing this, Sasuke and Sakura had no time to care about anyone else and hurried after him.

"..."

Everyone fell silent as they watched the scene.

"I think... weeding actually sounds pretty good." After a long while, Shikamaru was the first to speak.

"Mm-hmm! Let's hurry up and go weed!" Ino nodded in strong agreement.

After Ino's group left, Hinata looked at Yūhi Kurenai. "Teacher Kurenai... could you not take dog-walking missions in the future?"

Yūhi Kurenai's mouth twitched, and she nodded helplessly.

It seemed the little girl had been traumatized by Naruto's experience.

"Dogs are obviously so cute! Why wouldn't we take those missions?" Kiba complained indignantly.

"Shut up!" Yamei's shadow clone flung a clump of waterweed into his mouth.

If my Hinata doesn't want it, then she doesn't want it. Why are there so many questions?

That morning, after everyone completed the mission, Yūhi Kurenai began guiding them through training in the afternoon.

However, only an hour had passed...

"Kurenai, this isn't right."

Looking at Yūhi Kurenai lying beside him, then at his shadow clone over there guiding Hinata and the others...

"You know I'm not very good at ninjutsu or taijutsu..." Yūhi Kurenai smiled slyly.

"Ugh... You're Kurenai, after all... I really can't do anything about you." Yamei sighed.

"Alright, alright. I know you've worked hard. I'll make you something tasty tonight, and give you a massage too." Yūhi Kurenai smiled and squeezed his hand.

As the day slowly passed, Yamei came alone to Tenten's Ninja Tools Shop.

"Welcome to Tenten's Ninja Tools Shop!"

Tenten's sweet voice rang out, but her smile stiffened the moment she saw Yamei.

"What? I'm not welcome anymore?" Yamei teased.

"N-No." Tenten's face reddened as she hurriedly shook her head.

"Alright then, is my ninja sword finished?"

"No problem. I'll go get it for you!" At the mention of the ninja sword, confidence immediately appeared on Tenten's face.

Before long, Tenten emerged from the storeroom with a sheathed long sword held in both hands.

The long sword was a Tang Saber. Compared to ordinary ninja swords, this one was silver-gray and perfectly straight from end to end! It looked simpler and more imposing!

Yamei reached out and took it, testing the grip. Then, with a sharp shing, the blade slowly slid from its sheath, bursting with cold light!