Uchiha Values

March 17, 7:50 a.m.

Akashi Uchiha arrived outside the Hokage Building looking full of energy.

Although he had trained alone until late last night, he'd only gone to sleep after finally rolling a Massage Device, so he was now feeling refreshed.

Jiraiya wasn't late this time. At eight sharp, he led the three of them into the Hokage Building and headed to the mission hall on the first floor to pick a mission...

Seeing Jiraiya, many ninjas greeted him warmly. Clearly, he commanded considerable respect among Konoha's Jonin.

They came to the mission board, which was covered with notices, though they were all C- and D-rank missions.

For higher-ranked B- and A-rank missions, they had to go to a special window to collect them; those weren't posted for everyone to see. The most confidential missions were assigned directly by the Hokage and never put up here.

Looking at the enormous number of C- and D-rank missions, Jiraiya pondered for a moment.

Akashi and Ranwu both looked nervous. It wasn't that they were afraid the missions would be too difficult; they were worried that, seeing all those lousy D-rank errands, their teacher Jiraiya would choose one that was far too boring!

"Hmm? This one will do..." Jiraiya seemed to have spotted something. He reached out and took down a C-rank mission notice.

When they saw it was a "C," Akashi and Ranwu both perked up. Then they noticed the other had done the same and exchanged a glance before turning away with a pout, as if to say: Can't you be a little more mature, like Minato?

"For C- and D-rank missions, you can take the notices down yourselves and then register them at the registration desk. Make sure you register, or you won't get the reward even if you complete the mission. And if you take a notice down but don't carry out the mission or register it, you'll be severely punished if you're caught. You could even lose your qualification as a ninja." Jiraiya warned them sternly.

At the registration desk, however, the administrative ninja handling registrations was surprised to see a C-rank mission notice. "Lord Jiraiya, they've only just graduated from the Ninja Academy, haven't they? Normally..."

Normally, no matter how trivial the D-rank errands were, newly graduated Genin would start with those to get used to doing missions.

These completely safe D-rank missions were practically a perk. There was a limit to how many D-rank missions each ninja could take per year.

Even when Jiraiya had just graduated, Sarutobi had taken them on D-rank missions. But...

"It's fine. I know what I'm doing. They're all reliable ninjas!" Jiraiya explained.

Seeing that Jiraiya had said so, the registration clerk didn't press the issue. Instead, he fetched the official mission forms and had Jiraiya and the three of them sign.

The three of them had just finished signing when—

Smack, smack, smack—

Jiraiya pulled out a folded paper fan from who knew where and gave each of them a whack on the head!

"Did you even check what the mission was before signing?" Jiraiya immediately scolded them.

Akashi, Minato, Ranwu: ...

They had no comeback.

They really had trusted Jiraiya and been so excited to take on their first mission that none of them had carefully read the mission form from start to finish!

"Remember, the most important thing for a ninja is completing the mission. You have to be cautious about every aspect of it!" Jiraiya said righteously.

At his words, Akashi immediately looked a little indignant, but stopped himself before speaking...

Seeing this, Jiraiya asked, "Akashi, is there something you want to say?"

"Teacher Jiraiya, wasn't Konoha founded to protect everyone? Aren't missions just a way for the village to earn money? Shouldn't 'protecting every comrade in the village' be more important?" Akashi countered.

Jiraiya: ...

Jiraiya faltered at his words. Minato and Ranwu both stared at Akashi in surprise, apparently not expecting Akashi Uchiha to care so much about his comrades.

"Ahem. You're right. I misspoke... But understanding the mission better is also key to protecting yourself and your comrades." Though Jiraiya had been contradicted, there was a note of comfort in his voice.

Akashi immediately started looking rather smug. Ranwu, standing beside him, found it a little strange and asked, "Is this... something your Uchiha Clan usually teaches?"

Caring about comrades and protecting everyone... Wasn't that supposed to be the Uchiha's motto? How was it completely different from what her grandfather had told her?

"Of course! Ordinary ninjas only have to carry out missions. We Uchiha have to manage everyone in the ninja village, so we have a lot more to think about... Hahaha!" Akashi said matter-of-factly, then... broke into the Uchiha's signature laugh.

Jiraiya, Minato, Ranwu: ...

Now the three of them understood. The Uchiha Clan really had taught him that, but the lesson wasn't about how important comrades were. It was that... missions weren't all that important!

It made sense when they thought about it...

After the Second Hokage established the Military Police Force, most Uchiha joined it after becoming Chunin. Most of the clan members hardly ever had a chance to take on missions—or rather, serving in the Military Police Force was their mission.

Only a tiny handful of clan members were exceptions.

In that situation, it was only natural that the Uchiha Clan would promote the idea that "missions are useless." You do missions to earn money, and you earn money to fund us so we can protect the village. How could missions be the most important thing? Of course the village comes first!

If the Uchiha admitted that missions were the most important thing, wouldn't they, as managers living off the village's funding, be reduced to groveling for money?

"For a moment there, I actually saw this guy in a new light. I must've lost my mind!" Ranwu said with a sigh, watching the Uchiha cackle in front of her and rubbing her forehead.

"Ahem. All right, take a good look at the mission document." Jiraiya cleared his throat twice.

[C-rank Mission: Wanted Thieves in the Flower Capital.

Mission Location: Flower Capital, Land of Fire.

Mission Contact: Naiku, Security Officer.

Reward: 50,000 ryo.

Will the client provide food and lodging: No.

Deadline: April 4.

Summary: Assist the Flower Capital Office in arresting the thieves who have been running rampant recently. The client will provide assistance. Low danger rating, low reward. Recommended to take this mission along the way.]

That's right. Team Jiraiya's first mission was not only a C-rank mission, but one that would take them out of Konoha and all the way to the Flower Capital!

It would take two days just to reach their destination from Konoha.

Fortunately, all three of them were prepared and could set off with their bags in hand.

"Thieves, huh... It'd be better if they were bandits." Ranwu said, never satisfied with what she had.

With thieves, the main problem was finding them. Pure strength alone wouldn't solve it.

"Catching thieves could still lead to a fight. If it's an organized theft ring, they'll definitely have muscle backing them." Minato reminded them.

"But since it's only a C-rank mission, that means there won't be any enemy ninjas involved." Akashi added.