"C-rank missions aren't enough to get me involved. Even a Chunin would be a stretch."
"The three of them can handle a C-rank escort mission."
"Don't let their looks fool you. Bandits and the like are no match for them."
"They're all top graduates of this year's class."
Cangwu silently opened the C-rank mission form.
"It's only an escort mission, and you're acting like this..."
Tazuna's pupils abruptly contracted.
Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a few coughs, cutting Cangwu off.
When Cangwu looked at him in confusion,
Hiruzen gestured toward another scroll, indicating that he would handle this part.
Cangwu gave a slight nod to show he understood.
Only then did Hiruzen look satisfied.
"Mr. Tazuna, Cangwu is a Special Jonin. A C-rank mission can be handled by Genin."
"If you need a Jonin to take the mission, the reward will have to be at least one hundred thousand ryo."
"C-rank missions involve things like bandits. If you need to raise the mission rank, it's not too late to do so."
"One hundred... one hundred thousand ryo?" Tazuna instantly deflated like a punctured balloon.
He opened his mouth, then looked at the kind smile on Hiruzen's face. For some reason, he felt as if the Hokage had seen right through what he was hiding.
And judging by the Hokage's tone, even one hundred thousand might not be enough.
Being able to afford the reward for a C-rank mission was already the limit of what he could manage.
The Land of Waves really was poor.
They were even struggling to afford food.
Back when he'd been working as a builder, Tazuna had been quite wealthy.
But... most of his money had gone into building the bridge, so now he didn't have a single coin to his name.
"Hmph!"
"I'm just worried these brats won't be any use."
"I'm afraid of dying!"
After a moment of silence, Tazuna stubbornly insisted.
"That's all right. Cangwu, as Team 7's Jonin Instructor, will accompany you on this mission," Hiruzen replied with a chuckle.
Tazuna glanced at Cangwu, who was examining the scroll, and felt relieved.
A Jonin Instructor... That had to mean he was a Jonin. Surely he could get them through this safely, right?
"Fine, then. I'm counting on you to get me safely back to the Land of Waves!"
Cangwu glanced at him. "All right. Meet at the village entrance in half an hour."
Tazuna could only leave in a huff.
"Damn it, that old man's so full of himself. He's even more annoying than tsundere Sasuke."
"Idiot."
Sasuke snorted, then shoved his hands into his pockets and went back to get ready.
Naruto angrily started after him, ready to argue.
Just then, Sakura pointed to a photograph on the wall and exclaimed,
"Naruto, look! You look so much like the Fourth Hokage... though your eyes seem bluer."
Buzz—
The moment Sakura finished speaking,
the atmosphere in the Hokage's office changed completely.
Hiruzen's expression didn't change, but his eyes narrowed slightly.
Naruto and Sasuke both stopped in their tracks.
"Sakura-chan, what did you say?" Naruto asked, scratching his head in confusion.
Sasuke glanced back.
The photographs on the wall showed the Hokages of previous generations.
His gaze moved in order to the fourth one, the picture of the Fourth Hokage.
In an instant, Sasuke's eyes locked onto it.
"All right, get yourselves ready. We'll be leaving the village for a while on this escort mission."
Cangwu wore a knowing smile as he clapped his hands and ushered the three kids out.
"Then, Hokage-sama, we'll be going."
"Heh, all right." Hiruzen's smile looked a little stiff.
Sakura didn't understand what was going on and was about to say that Naruto really did look like him.
They looked so alike... Could Naruto and the Fourth Hokage be related?
But just as Sakura opened her mouth, she felt a familiar large hand give her backside a squeeze.
She immediately shut her mouth.
Though she felt both embarrassed and furious, there was no reason for Teacher Cangwu to tease her at a time like this.
Creak—
The Hokage's office door slowly closed.
Hiruzen's expression darkened at a visible speed.
Bang—
The door that had only just closed was kicked open with brute force.
"Hiruzen, you actually let the Jinchuriki leave the village! Do you know what you're—"
"Shut up!"
"Danzo, I am the Hokage!"
Hiruzen, already in a foul mood, cut Shimura Danzō off before he could finish.
"You... Fine, fine!"
"Hiruzen, you'll regret this!"
Bang—
"Teacher Cangwu, I'm going home to get ready~!"
As soon as they were outside, Naruto dashed off in a hurry.
He finally had a chance to show what he could do, so naturally he was thrilled.
Sasuke also said goodbye to Cangwu for the time being and left.
Sakura stayed behind.
"Teacher Cangwu, why did you just...?"
"Silly girl, do you think Sasuke is smart?"
At that, Sakura nodded.
"Then do you think Sasuke noticed when you shouted just now?" Cangwu continued.
Sakura nodded again.
"Exactly. Some things shouldn't be said outright."
"You need to find out about them yourselves."
A gentle smile appeared on Cangwu's lips.
He ruffled Sakura's pink hair.
"If you're curious and it matters to you, go investigate."
"It's not that difficult, but you're already a ninja, so be careful not to leave a trail."
"Once you know the truth, you and Sasuke can decide how to tell that clueless kid."
Seeing Sakura's confusion, Cangwu lowered his head. "Silly girl, you still haven't figured it out?"
"In terms of raw strength, you're at a considerable disadvantage compared to the other two. But when it comes to other things, like theoretical knowledge, they're just as far behind you."
"You have to learn to play to your strengths and make up for your weaknesses."
"Try thinking of yourself as Team 7's brain."
Sakura looked up, her lovely eyes shining with a strange light.
"I understand, Teacher Cangwu. I'll do my best~!"
"All right, hurry back and get ready. We'll meet in half an hour."
"Mm~!"
Sakura smiled as she pushed away the large hand that was still messing up her hair.
"Oh, Teacher Cangwu, there's something off about Mr. Tazuna..."
"I'll handle it." Cangwu waved a hand.
Only then did Sakura run home.
Her little face wore an unending smile.
Teacher Cangwu is so nice~
Hmph, all you can do is envy me~!
Watching her go, Cangwu shook his head helplessly.
"What a silly girl."
Then he glanced back at the Hokage Building and turned to leave.
"I didn't expect him to think almost exactly the same way I did."
Cangwu held the scroll in his hand.
It was the other scroll Hiruzen Sarutobi had given him.
It had nothing to do with the mission, yet everything to do with it.
In principle, one country couldn't interfere in another country's internal affairs.
Besides, whenever a mission was assigned, ninjas checked whether the details were accurate.
Without this step, the casualty rate among ninjas would be extremely high.
Without it, enemy nations could easily get rid of troublesome ninjas.
In a case like Tazuna's, where he'd lied about the mission, he should have been arrested and interrogated immediately.
Yet this time, they'd chosen to turn a blind eye.
There was something seriously wrong here.
Cangwu watched the Sarutobi clan ninja patrolling the street.
A trace of scorn unconsciously curled his lips.
Before you continue