The Job

"So it was Teacher Suzuki."

The female Jonin known as Teacher Suzuki was naturally the leader of the three ninjas they had just encountered. Teacher Suzuki was hailed as Konoha's most beautiful Jonin. She was both graceful and valiant, and she excelled at genjutsu and Water Release.

"Who was that? Oh, it's Teacher Hizashi. I heard you took your team out on a mission. Let me guess—it was a D-rank mission, right?" Teacher Suzuki said smugly.

"Just now, our Second Genin Squad completed a C-rank mission! That's the kind of mission only Chunin can complete, but we Genin have already done it! Impressive, huh?" Teacher Suzuki was clearly provoking them, and Kakashi Nao was furious.

"Hmph. Kurenai, a lot of the girls envy you, but I don't. Do you know why? Because your team is weak!" The Genin called Violet taunted them too.

"You completed a D-rank mission, didn't you? Is that why you're in such a hurry to leave? Don't worry, we won't laugh at you," Teacher Suzuki added.

"Saori Suzuki, don't go too far." Hizashi Hyuga's expression darkened.

"Enough. Put away that fearsome look." Suzuki shook her head. "I'm not so desperate that I'd fight someone who only knows Taijutsu."

"That's too much!" Kakashi Nao finally snapped. "Taijutsu? So what? Can't it defeat an enemy?"

"Kakashi Nao, quit running your mouth. As it happens, I'm free this afternoon. If you've got the guts, meet me at Konoha Fourth Training Ground, and we'll settle this with Taijutsu! I've always been annoyed that you were first in the Ninja Academy!" the burly man said.

"Matsuyama Shuichi, I'll be there!" Kakashi Nao replied impulsively.

"Let's go, Hatake." Shiyu left the Hokage's office with Hizashi and the others, his expression cold.

He didn't know who those people were, but they were all Konoha Genin, and it was obvious the two sides didn't get along.

"Good! Whoever doesn't show up is a coward!" Matsuyama Shuichi said.

"Heh! Kakashi Nao really thinks he's the top student at the Ninja Academy! I can't stand how he acts like he's better than everyone else!" Matsuyama Shuichi said.

"I can't stand Hinata Kurenai either. She's the Hyuga Family's precious heiress. How could she understand how hard ordinary ninja like us have to work? I want to fight them too!" Violet Katori said.

"Yoshida Katsuhira, why have you been so quiet?" their team leader, Saori Suzuki, asked.

"Heh. There was someone on the other side who stayed quiet too. If I'm not mistaken, that guy's the strongest one." Yoshida Katsuhira had an ordinary appearance, but he'd spotted at a glance what everyone else had overlooked.

"You mean Uchiha Shigure? He's a dead last. If he hadn't gotten lucky on his final graduation exam, he might not have graduated even now!" Violet said.

"Was it really luck, or does he have skill? We'll find out when we get a chance to fight him."

Katsuhira gave a sly grin. No one knew what secrets were hidden behind his strange gaze.

Saori Suzuki said sternly, "Don't take things too far. They're fellow villagers, after all. Just fight them and show them what we can do."

"By the way, I'll go see what mission they completed." Teacher Suzuki soon returned.

"Did Teacher Suzuki find out whether they brought back some cats and dogs or fertilized some old lady's garden?" Violet was already struggling not to laugh.

"Yeah. Those guys can only take on D-rank missions, right?"

"Heh. I doubt it's that simple," Yoshida Katsuhira guessed with a smile. He could tell from Saori Suzuki's expression.

"They completed a B-rank mission. The details are highly confidential, and I don't have clearance to see them."

"B-rank!? Aren't those missions only Jonin can complete?" Violet said in shock.

"Teacher, are you sure you didn't misread it?" Matsuyama Shuichi asked, unable to believe it.

"I thought I'd misread it too, but I checked it over and over. It's a B-rank mission."

"Looks like Hizashi Hyuga did it on purpose. He completed the mission himself for the sake of the Hyuga heiress!" Violet Katori guessed.

"Right, that must be it!" Matsuyama Shuichi chimed in.

Only Yoshida Katsuhira remained silent, wearing a knowing smile.

Since they'd agreed to meet in the afternoon, everyone decided to head home and get ready first.

Shiyu quickly returned to his place. He found his little house spotless, every corner clean. It struck him as odd, but after a moment, he understood.

"So Xiao Xing has been cleaning for me every day. That little girl is so thorough. Has she been looking forward to my return all this time?"

"Huh? Is this a letter for me?" Shiyu picked up the letter left in a conspicuous spot on the table and opened it.

"Brother Shiyu, it's Xiao Xing. If you're reading this letter, that means you've finished your mission and come home. I'm not home right now. I've started doing odd jobs. I should at least help lighten your burden. I heard ninja get hurt, and they might even die. If I earn more, you can take fewer dangerous missions. Hehe, remember to come find me. I'm at 365 Konoha Street, working there. Come visit me!"

Shiyu couldn't help smiling. "This girl's so young, and she's already learning how to support the family? She wants to lighten my burden, too. She's really going to all that trouble for me."

Shiyu naturally headed down Konoha Street. At last, he reached an ordinary little general store. He checked the number on the door and saw that this was where Xiao Xing worked.

He went inside and sure enough, saw Xiao Xing cleaning.

"Wow! Brother Shiyu, you're here!" Xiao Xing said excitedly. "Did you finish your mission?"

"I did. That outfit looks pretty funny on you!" Shiyu couldn't help laughing.

"Hehe. I'll give you a surprise later. A customer's here, so I'd better go help them." Xiao Xing hurried over to serve the customer.

Shiyu stayed off to the side, eager to see Xiao Xing "make a fool of herself."

"Welcome! What can I get for you?"

"How can I help you?"

Xiao Xing asked the customer several times, but they didn't reply. They only stared at her, their eyes seeming to hold a trace of disdain.

Shiyu frowned but said nothing.

"Is this person here to cause trouble?" Shiyu watched coldly, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"I want everything in this shop!" said the person wearing a hat and sunglasses.

"Huh? Everything? Should I pack it all up for you? It might take a while." Xiao Xing passed Shiyu, cheerfully saying, "We've got a big order! Wait for me!"

Xiao Xing happily went to get some boxes and neatly packed all the goods on the shelves into them.