"I really didn't expect that after a D-Rank Mission, we'd take on a B-Rank Mission right away.
"The only downside is that this mission is too easy. It's been two days, and we still haven't run into any fighting..."
In a dense forest, Kiba Inuzuka kept watch on their surroundings as he handed materials to Kazeka.
It was no wonder he was getting bored. B-Rank Missions involved direct confrontations with other ninja, such as assassinations and escorting important items.
Participants were usually led by a Chunin or Jonin, and there was a high chance of fighting.
Kiba had only just graduated and become a ninja. He was at the age when a young man was full of passion and eager to fight.
Now two days had passed, and nothing had happened. From the looks of it, things would stay that way, which was a real disappointment to him.
"Don't be disappointed, Kiba..."
Kindhearted Hinata comforted him from the side:
"Isn't it a good thing if we can complete the mission safely?
"Besides, I'm sure Lord Hokage knows our situation, which is why he gave us a mission with little fighting.
"And the experience we've gained along the way has taught us a lot. I think that's great."
"Hinata's right..."
Kurenai Yuhi nodded in approval:
"The mission was classified as B-Rank because Kazeka can repair the Land of Fire's border security barrier. It takes technical skill, so we're benefiting from that.
"Under normal circumstances, without Kazeka, this mission would barely qualify as C-Rank.
"By rights, you should still have taken on three or four more days of D-Rank Missions to gain experience and rein in your restless temper.
"If Kazeka weren't such a handful, Lord Hokage wouldn't have issued this mission.
"But don't worry. After we finish this mission, the next ones we take will match your abilities—or even be more dangerous.
"Our village has plenty of missions. One day, you'll be fighting nonstop, with no time to rest!
"Just don't complain when that day comes!"
"I see..."
Kiba nodded to show he understood, then immediately spoke with renewed enthusiasm:
"Don't worry. What I love most is fighting nonstop. There's no such thing as getting tired of battle for me!"
"Don't be so sure, Kiba..."
After securing the sealing marks in front of him, Kazeka added two newly developed warning seals.
He turned to look at Kiba, who was brimming with fighting spirit:
"Apart from the Jonin leading teams, how many other Jonin do you see around the village in your daily life?
"Even the Chunin are often exhausted. When you do something over and over, even if you love it, you'll eventually get tired..."
Kazeka kindly offered Kiba a word of advice. Just as everyone on the team was surprised by his kindness,
his next words exposed his sinister side once again:
"Come to my Laboratory for some experiments. I'll implant a skill in you that lets you repair sealing barriers.
"You can see for yourself that this mission is basically a vacation. Balancing work and rest is what lets a ninja go further..."
At the mention of experiments, Kazeka's fairly calm expression instantly turned sinister.
Amid his chilling smile, his words seemed to crawl up from hell, stabbing into Kiba's mind like a demon's blade:
"Nothing too complicated. You just need to undergo three autopsies and five brain nerve-reorganization experiments a day. Keep that up for half a month, and you'll see some very significant results!"
"Please let me refu—refuse!"
Kiba stared at Kazeka, his face twitching:
"If I go through with your experiments, I'll die on the operating table before I even learn Sealing Jutsu!"
"Don't worry, Kiba..."
Kazeka patted his shoulder:
"We're teammates, after all. If you die, I'll pass the opportunity on to your good friend!"
"I'll thank you on behalf of my friend..."
Kiba shuddered:
"Hearing you say that makes me even less likely to agree!"
"Hmph. You have no ambition!"
Kazeka glared at Kiba, then stood and clapped his hands.
A screen covered in intricate characters flashed in front of him and vanished. Kazeka nodded with satisfaction:
"The security barrier has been reinforced and updated. That means we've completed this mission!"
"Kazeka, you're... you're really amazing!"
Hinata looked at Kazeka timidly:
"I've read about this in the clan records. Reinforcing a sealing barrier over such a large area usually takes four or five days!"
"Hinata's right..."
Kurenai Yuhi nodded in agreement:
"And the barrier we reinforced this time was especially complicated. Normally, it would take two sealing specialists working together.
"Kazeka, there's no question about your abilities..."
As the Jonin leading the team, Kurenai still wanted to offer Kazeka a little advice:
"If you could rein in your personality, you might become Konoha's youngest Jonin in years!"
"The title of Jonin is nowhere near as tempting to me as experiments..."
Kazeka paid no attention to that. Instead, he looked beyond the barrier:
"Come to think of it, I finished the mission early. Since we still have time, how about exploring farther out?"
"P-Perhaps we shouldn't..."
Hinata spoke with some concern:
"This is the border, after all. We might run into something unexpected. It would be best to return to the village and report in promptly.
"And Kiba wanted to buy some high-quality dog food at the nearby market, didn't he? We shouldn't waste time."
"There's still time to buy dog food..."
Kiba was restless too. Hearing Kazeka's suggestion, he also wanted to explore the area, almost like a dog going out to mark its territory:
"What do you think, Kurenai?"
"Kazeka, did you notice something?"
Unlike Hinata and Kiba, Kurenai Yuhi was clearly thinking further ahead. She could tell there was more behind Kazeka's expression, so she asked him directly:
"Is something wrong?"
"This is where Konoha set up its barrier, specifically to warn us of danger.
"Normally, aside from the ninja who patrol here every day, everyone else tries to stay away..."
Kazeka paused, then continued:
"But over the past two days, I've been watching the barrier with my Byakugan activated the whole time.
"I've noticed there seem to be quite a few hunters around here..."
"What's the problem with that?"
Kiba still didn't understand:
"Hunters sometimes travel in groups, and prey moves around.
"They need to fill their stomachs, after all. It's no big deal if they show up here now and then, is it?"
"Normally, that would be true..."
Kazeka kept his Byakugan active as he watched the distance, a hint of danger in his eyes:
"But there are more than twenty of them, spread out evenly and moving in an organized pattern. They've been here for at least two days, and don't seem to be leaving.
"No matter how you look at it, you can't explain that as ordinary hunting!"
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