Tenten watched from the side, a spark of fervor flashing in her eyes as well.
Although she had already examined it several times before Yamei arrived, every time she saw the blade leave its sheath, she loved it more than ever.
As the long sword was drawn, Yamei casually swung it twice, feeling the blade cut through the air. He then tapped the blade and nodded in satisfaction.
"Tenten, I have to say, your family's Ninja Tools are incredible!"
Tenten immediately wore a proud expression. She patted her chest and said proudly, "Of course! When it comes to Ninja Tools, if my family claims first place, barely anyone would dare claim second!"
Seeing Tenten act like that, Yamei chuckled. He even wondered whether Tenten's main family might be from the Land of Iron, since the Land of Iron specialized in forging Ninja Tools.
"Um... Yamei..."
At that moment, Tenten poked Yamei, looking somewhat bashful.
"What is it? Just tell me if you need something."
"Well... I used your blueprint to forge an extra sword. Can I use this sword?"
Tenten was a little embarrassed. After all, he had provided the blueprint, yet she had taken it upon herself to forge the sword without his permission. That did not seem right.
"Of course. I only provided a blueprint. It's not a big deal." Yamei waved his hand.
"Thank you! But I'm not using it for free. Consider this sword a gift from me!"
"Are you sure? This sword wasn't cheap to make."
"I'm sure." Tenten nodded seriously.
"Then thank you." Yamei did not refuse. After glancing around the Ninja Tools shop, he said, "Please prepare some Senbon for me too."
"Huh? You're actually skilled at using Senbon?"
Tenten was rather surprised. Although many shinobi used Senbon, most only kept them as backups because their killing power was limited. Shinobi specifically trained to use Senbon were also difficult to cultivate, so they did not sell very well.
"I can use them a little. I just want to broaden my attack options."
He possessed not only the Sharingan, but also the Byakugan!
With the Byakugan's absurd visual control and perception, how could Yamei possibly avoid trying long-range attacks?
However, at his current level of strength, adding ranged attacks was merely icing on the cake, so Yamei was only experimenting for now.
Tenten quickly brought over the Senbon. Yamei reached out to take them, and the instant their hands touched, Tenten jerked her little hand back like a startled deer.
"Ahem... Um, how much are they...?"
Yamei hurriedly caught the cloth pouch of Senbon that was about to fall, asking awkwardly.
"Ei... 800 ryo..."
Tenten's voice was barely louder than a mosquito's. Her face was bright red, and she did not dare look Yamei in the eye.
"The money's here. I'll be leaving, then."
Only after Yamei set down the money and left did Tenten raise her head...
"How embarrassing! What must he think of me now?!" Tenten covered her face with both hands and crouched on the floor.
Over the next month, Yūhi Kurenai led the three of them through D-rank missions before returning to the Hokage Building to submit them.
As they reached the entrance, they heard Naruto complaining from inside the Hokage's office.
"Ah! These boring missions again? Aren't there any missions that are more challenging and meaningful?"
"Reporting to the Third Hokage, the mission has been completed."
Yūhi Kurenai led Yamei and the others into the office and submitted the mission scroll.
"Yamei, you're here!" Naruto and Sasuke immediately greeted Yamei when they saw him.
"Mm..." Yamei responded simply.
Before long, after Hiruzen Sarutobi confirmed that the mission had been completed, he took another scroll from his robes and looked at Kakashi's team and Yūhi Kurenai's team.
"I am pleased to see all of you growing step by step. I also know that you are no longer satisfied with D-rank missions."
Yamei immediately knew that a genuine mission outside the village was about to begin!
He was curious about what changes would occur now that there was no Land of Waves mission.
Under everyone's expectant gazes, Hiruzen Sarutobi handed the scroll to Kakashi and said in a somewhat solemn voice, "Therefore, I have a C+ rank mission here!"
"This is a special mission. It is difficult, dangerous, and may even require two or three teams to undertake it together!"
"So now, I will give you a choice. You can either continue taking D-rank missions for a while longer, or cooperate on this C+ rank mission!"
Hearing the Third Hokage's serious tone, everyone immediately understood how challenging this mission would be.
Kakashi and Yūhi Kurenai said nothing and left the decision to the children.
For a moment, the atmosphere fell utterly silent as everyone sank into thought...
Then something strange happened. The members of both teams almost simultaneously turned their gazes toward Yamei.
"..."
Yamei's lips twitched slightly.
What the hell are you all looking at me for?! Think for yourselves!
And that old man Hiruzen Sarutobi is right here. With you acting like this... I'm afraid he'll start paying attention to me!
What, the old man might not even live through this year?
But it's still troublesome, okay?!
Yūhi Kurenai and Kakashi exchanged a glance. They knew Yamei had considerable influence among this year's newcomers, but it seemed they had still underestimated him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked equally stunned, but he quickly concealed it and gave Yamei a deep, appraising look.
With so many people watching him, Yamei could not remain silent any longer. He could only brace himself and ask, "Lord Hokage, can our two teams complete this mission on our own?"
It was not that Yamei could be blamed. Konoha's C-rank missions were simply too unpredictable! Who knew what monsters might show up?
Hiruzen Sarutobi froze, apparently not expecting Yamei to ask that question.
After pondering for a moment, he said, "It will be difficult! Adding one more team should make it feasible."
"Then could we ask the Ino-Shika-Cho team? If they join us as well, we'll choose to carry out this mission!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent. After a moment, he nodded. "Asuma has been busy recently, so the Ino-Shika-Cho team is free these next few days. I'll call them over, and you can discuss it among yourselves. Is that acceptable?"
"Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
Before long, a bewildered Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji were summoned to the Hokage's office.
"Everyone's here!" Ino said in surprise.
Looks like something troublesome is about to happen... A sense of foreboding flashed through Shikamaru's mind.
Sure enough, after Sakura and Hinata explained things, Shikamaru and the other two learned why they had been called over.
"We get to carry out a mission with Yamei? That's great!!" Ino looked thrilled.
Shikamaru shot Yamei a resentful glance. You guys just had to drag us into this. What a pain...
Choji...
He kept eating, looking as though none of this had anything to do with him.
"So, Shikamaru, what have you decided?" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the three of them.
"Sigh, since everyone has asked, we'll accept it."
"Good! Then this C+ rank special mission is officially assigned to you! The Special Mission Team is hereby established!" Hiruzen Sarutobi made the decision.
"Awesome! We finally have an exciting mission! And everyone's doing it together!"
Naruto instantly became incredibly excited. He looked at Kakashi and urged, "Kakashi-sensei! Hurry and see what the mission is about!"
Everyone's gazes gathered on him at once, all of them filled with curiosity.
Before you continue