The Land of Waves Begins

"Still, why does Nanfeng get to use Shadow Clones to handle the missions we're assigned?" Naruto said, looking at Nanfeng's Shadow Clone with some dissatisfaction.

They had mastered the Shadow Clone Jutsu too, but as soon as they'd brought it up, Kakashi had rejected the idea, saying it would interfere with their training. Nanfeng was a special case, though. If the Medical Ninjas at Konoha Hospital found out he was being kept in the village because of D-Rank Missions...

Kakashi figured that the next time he went to the hospital, the Medical Ninjas would give him some very special attention.

He remembered an incident at Konoha Hospital. A newly promoted Chunin had gotten carried away with excitement and annoyed Nanfeng, who was already in a foul mood over his training. The outcome had become a favorite story among the staff at Konoha Ninja Hospital.

At the time, Nanfeng had been sulking because he couldn't earn Attribute Points from treating animals. He wanted to vent his frustration, but he also had to remember that he was still within Konoha's borders, where plenty of old schemers were constantly watching his every move. It had left him feeling unbearably stifled!

Then, the very next moment, that poor Chunin had managed to anger him with his arrogance. Nanfeng couldn't punish him openly, but as it happened, he'd just reached the beginner level in pharmacology.

So he added some Itchy Powder—which Kakashi had tried out not long before—along with an ingredient that heightened the senses, to the herbs needed for the ninja's treatment.

Everyone knew that as wounds healed, the newly formed granulation tissue was sensitive, often making the wound feel itchy.

What would happen if you added Itchy Powder and heightened the senses? They said the Chunin couldn't decide whether to scratch or not to scratch. Tears and snot streamed down his face until Nanfeng finally stepped in and put an end to his misery. After that, Nanfeng became someone no one at Konoha Ninja Hospital dared to provoke!

"If you worked as Medical Ninjas at Konoha Ninja Hospital, I'd agree to let you use Shadow Clones to handle your missions, too," Kakashi said impassively.

Just then, Nanfeng's Shadow Clone spoke up!

As mentioned earlier, Nanfeng's Shadow Clones were somewhat unusual. Each one had its own distinct personality. This one was diligent and dependable, but after doing D-Rank Missions for so long, even he was getting fed up.

"Doing these missions day in and day out is getting pretty miserable. I wonder if the Hokage might let us take on some higher-level missions, considering how well we've been doing lately?" Nanfeng's Shadow Clone grumbled.

Looking after kids, pulling weeds, catching cats, and the like—enough of those missions could wear out even a Shadow Clone. And whenever Nanfeng received the memories his Shadow Clone sent back, he felt more than a little speechless himself!

"Let me think about it. The hospital doesn't need many extra hands right now, and you're certainly strong enough to handle some higher-level missions. As a matter of fact... there's a mission today that's just right for you." Hiruzen Sarutobi flipped through the mission scrolls, set down his pipe, clapped his hands, and spoke.

A scruffy, burly man stumbled drunkenly through the door of the Hokage Office. Everyone present looked at him with varying degrees of distaste.

Ninja usually didn't pay much attention to their appearance, but someone this disheveled—and this smelly—was rare even in those days.

"This is the client for your mission, Tazuna, a master bridge builder from the Land of Waves. He's requested an escort mission. It's classified as C-Rank, so it's just what you need," the Hokage said to Kakashi and the others without looking up.

"That's right. If you take this mission, make sure you keep me safe the whole way!" Tazuna dropped his drunken act and looked at Kakashi.

He didn't know Kakashi's true abilities, but the man seemed calm and dependable.

As for the other three kids, the gentle-looking one seemed like some kind of medic, which would be useful if anyone fell ill along the way. The dark-haired kid looked capable, too. Only the blond one seemed loud and excitable—not like a ninja at all.

While Tazuna sized up Naruto and the others, they sized him up in turn. They weren't thrilled that their client was a drunkard, but this was one of the few missions that would take them outside the village!

Not just Naruto and the others—even Nanfeng had hardly ever left Konoha in his life. He was naturally eager to see what the world beyond the village was like.

"Then we'll take the mission. Meet at the village gate at eight tomorrow morning. Remember to bring your mission scroll. If you can't leave the village without it, don't blame me." After giving his instructions, Kakashi used the Body Flicker Technique to leave the Hokage Office.

Tazuna was astonished by what he'd seen and all the more convinced that he'd chosen the right people for the mission!

"Is the Land of Waves mission finally starting?" That night, Nanfeng lay in bed, murmuring as he received the memories from his Shadow Clone's day. He knew this mission wouldn't be as simple as it sounded.

But Naruto and Sasuke both looked excited, and he didn't say much. He only reminded them to pack a few essentials. He was curious about the world beyond the village, too!

"Momochi Zabuza and Yuki Haku... They're the first Kekkei Genkai users to show up outside Konoha. I wonder if there's a way to recruit them..." Nanfeng closed his eyes and began planning what to do next.

Yuki Haku had pretty decent abilities. It would be a shame if he died. Nanfeng needed to build up his own strength in secret. The hostility coming from Konoha was growing, and Hiruzen Sarutobi might offer some protection while he was still alive.

But the Chunin Ninja Exams were coming soon, and after Hiruzen Sarutobi died, Nanfeng couldn't be sure Danzo wouldn't make a move. And those old men on the Elder Council were all fair-weather friends. Who knew if they'd help the old schemer Danzo kidnap more ninja?

"What a headache..." Nanfeng let out a long sigh and drifted off to sleep before he knew it.

Unlike Nanfeng, the other two kids found it hard to fall asleep. It was their first mission outside the village, and they were full of excitement and anticipation. They tossed and turned until well past midnight before finally nodding off.