Namikaze Minato

After hearing Mikoto's request, Qingshui pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement.

"Given our relationship, such a small matter is naturally not a problem."

The reason he agreed was that Qingshui felt he truly needed to undergo some training.

Actual combat was the best way to test one's strength.

Over the past month, with his continuous efforts, his current strength had improved significantly compared to a year ago.

According to Maruboshi Kosuke, he was already not much weaker than a Jonin.

Of course, a more important point was that this mission was to the Land of Rain.

At that time, he might be able to meet Nagato, use the Copy Scroll on him, and fortunately, copy a pair of Rinnegan.

One must have dreams. After all, if successful, the cost-effectiveness would be much higher than copying Sharingan.

Even if he didn't meet Nagato, it wouldn't be too late to use it on Mikoto then.

Upon hearing this, Mikoto's face showed an excited smile.

"That's great, thank you Qingshui. I'll treat you to a meal after the mission is completed."

"Mikoto, haven't you heard the saying 'beauty is a feast for the eyes'?"

As soon as Qingshui finished speaking, Mikoto's pretty face was instantly dyed with a blush, making her appear even more beautiful and alluring.

Seeing her shy, Qingshui didn't tease her further.

"Mikoto, wait for me for a moment. I need to ask for leave from the deputy director first."

Konoha was located in the Land of Fire, while the Land of Rain was one of the small countries next to the Land of Fire.

Even with a ninja's speed, it would take several days to travel abroad.

Not to mention that this mission was to escort a merchant caravan, so the speed would only be slower.

It was impossible for him to not show up at Konoha Hospital for such a long time without saying anything and just leaving.

"Qingshui, is there something you need?"

Fukada Minako, who was working, smiled and asked as soon as she saw Qingshui coming to find her.

Ever since Tsunade told her to focus on cultivating Qingshui, she had taken it to heart and had been paving the way for him.

It was just that Qingshui's qualifications were too shallow at the moment, so there had been no actual promotion.

Otherwise, even with her status, it would be difficult to convince everyone.

Fortunately, Qingshui's medical skills were solid, and he was kind in his dealings with others, so everyone had a good impression of him.

Future promotions were not a problem.

"Director Fukada, I plan to go out on a C-Rank mission, so I'll need to take leave for a while and won't be able to come to work."

Upon hearing this, Minako frowned.

Qingshui was someone Tsunade had high hopes for. What if something happened to him on the mission?

In terms of combat, Medical Ninjas were certainly inferior to combat ninjas.

After all, just learning Medical Ninjutsu consumed a lot of energy and time, so where would they have time to learn other ninjutsu?

And she remembered very clearly that before becoming a Medical Ninja, Qingshui was just an ordinary Genin.

He had decided to study medicine precisely because his combat talent was insufficient.

So she wanted to dissuade him.

But Qingshui had already made up his mind and wouldn't change it with her few words.

In the end, she had no choice but to approve the leave.

At the same time, she comforted herself, it was just a C-Rank mission, nothing would go wrong.

After taking leave, Qingshui didn't leave directly with Mikoto, but first returned to his home.

After all, he was going out on a mission, so he definitely needed to make preparations first.

When Qingshui arrived at the agreed meeting point with Mikoto, the others had already arrived.

But to Qingshui's surprise, there was an acquaintance in Mikoto Squad.

"Minato, why are you here?"

During the Second Shinobi World War, Qingshui's squad had undertaken a mission with Jiraiya's team, and he had also met Namikaze Minato then.

At that time, Qingshui didn't have a system yet, so he deeply understood the importance of relying on stronger individuals.

Naturally, he had paid extra attention to Namikaze Minato, the future Fourth Hokage.

"Qingshui Big Brother, long time no see. I'm a member of Mikoto-sis's squad now."

Minato greeted Qingshui with a sunny smile.

At that time, his teacher Jiraiya needed to undertake high-level missions on the battlefield and naturally couldn't bring the three Genin with him.

Fortunately, Qingshui Big Brother took good care of them, leading them on missions like an older brother.

If it weren't for Qingshui Big Brother, he would have almost died in the war.

After the war ended, with his teammates gone and his teacher Jiraiya also not in the village, he could only train by himself.

He was quite surprised when the Third Hokage assigned him to Mikoto Squad a while ago.

"So that's how it is."

Qingshui nodded, then looked at the other two members of Mikoto Squad, a boy and a girl, who looked even younger than Minato.

"Hello, my name is Hirakawa Aosui. You can call me Qingshui Big Brother, just like Minato."

"I am Mukai Yuki, the future Fourth Hokage."

The other boy said with a self-important tone.

It was clear that this was a boy who was very confident in himself.

"It seems my luck is quite good to be able to undertake a mission with the future Hokage."

Qingshui responded with a smile.

Mukai Yuki, having been acknowledged, immediately showed a proud expression.

"Qingshui Big Brother, for this mission, you just need to take care of the employer. Leave the protection to me. I'm very strong."

"Very reliable, Yuki-kun."

"Hello, Qingshui Big Brother. I am Sasaki Ayami."

The remaining girl followed suit.

However, compared to Mukai Yuki, she seemed more introverted and stopped speaking after her self-introduction.

Qingshui didn't mind and responded with a smile.

Although it was the first time he met Sasaki Ayami, Qingshui had already heard about her from Mikoto.

She was the youngest in the squad, a Genin who had just graduated this year, and was initially assigned to Mikoto's class.

She was also the only girl among Mikoto's initial three students who had survived.

After getting acquainted with the members of Mikoto Squad, Qingshui, led by Mikoto, met the employer for this mission.

It was a middle-aged man with a worried expression.

"My name is Ide Juuhachirou, and this is my son, Ide Hiroya."

Ide Juuhachirou, a food merchant from the Land of Rain.

This time, I came to the Land of Fire to restock.

Unlike the favorable environment of the Land of Fire, it rains year-round in the Land of Rain, and the sun is visible only for a very short time.

This environment makes it impossible to grow grain in the Land of Rain, and they cannot achieve self-sufficiency.

Therefore, a large number of ingredient merchants like Ide Juuhachirou emerged.

In the past, he always came to the Land of Fire to restock by himself.

This time, it was because his son was really curious about the Land of Fire and had been begging him, so he brought him along.

As a result, the environment of the Land of Fire opened Ide Hiroya's eyes, who had never left the Land of Rain before, to the point that he broke his leg without paying attention.

"Please take care of my son on the way, Ninja-sama."

"Don't worry, I will take good care of your young master."

Qingshui smiled gently.

His smile was infectious, and Ide Juuhachirou, who had been worried, finally breathed a sigh of relief, and much of the worry on his face disappeared.