Land of Waves Mission

"Teacher, what is our mission today?" Sakura asked curiously.

Kakashi looked at the mission scroll and said, "Uh, today we're catching a cat."

Naruto said excitedly, "Alright, alright, Teacher, you remember what you just said. After we catch the cat, we're going to ask for a higher-level mission."

Kakashi laughed, "Sure, as long as you want it, no problem." After Kakashi replied nonchalantly, he described the appearance of the cat they needed to catch to the three of them and said, "Alright, go find it now. Let's finish early so I can go ask the Third for a C-rank mission."

Naruto said confidently, "No need for that much trouble, watch me." After saying this, amidst the confusion of the other three, Naruto took out a Kunai, tossed it into the air, formed a seal, and said, "White Eye. Activate."

Then, Naruto used the Flying Thunder God technique to appear in mid-air. Suddenly, the entire Konoha was within Naruto's field of vision. Kakashi sighed, "What a clever little guy. Heh."

Sasuke replied, "Hmm, only a Naruto like this is worthy of being my opponent. If he weren't strong, he wouldn't be qualified to be my rival."

Kakashi looked at Sasuke and sighed inwardly again, This one is also a handful. At such a young age, he already has the Three-Tomoe and is proficient in various Fire Style ninjutsu. With two geniuses like this, I feel like the pressure on me as a teacher is immense. Sigh. Kakashi felt melancholy.

Because teaching geniuses is the least rewarding thing, and it only hurts one's own ego. Just as Kakashi was feeling melancholy, Naruto had already returned and said, "Found it, I'll be right back." After saying this, he dropped a Kunai and disappeared again, but he reappeared very quickly, only this time he had a cat in his hands.

Sakura said in surprise, "Is this the target for this mission? You caught it so fast."

Kakashi explained, "That's for sure, Sakura. The Flying Thunder God is a space-time ninjutsu known for its speed. It was only invented by the Second, and besides the late Second and Fourth, only Naruto can use it currently."

After hearing Kakashi's explanation, Sakura was even more surprised, "Although I've known since we were little that Naruto could use this ninjutsu, I didn't expect it to be this powerful. But since this ninjutsu is so powerful, why is it that only Naruto can use it?"

Kakashi replied, "I don't know that either. If you want to know, you should ask Naruto."

After hearing the conversation between Sakura and Kakashi, Naruto laughed, "Actually, it's nothing much. My father taught it to me, and I just happened to learn it. It's not actually that difficult; you just need to be able to sense the gaps in space and then use your own chakra to form the formula for the space-time coordinates."

At this moment, Sasuke replied coldly, "Easy for you to say. Just sensing the gaps in space is something an ordinary person can't do; otherwise, why wouldn't I be able to do it?"

Naruto smiled sheepishly. In fact, Naruto had once tried to teach the Flying Thunder God to Sasuke and Hinata, but neither of them could learn it, and in the end, they had to give up.

Naruto said awkwardly, "Alright, let me take everyone to Old Man Third's place; I just left a coordinate at the Hokage Office." After saying this, he placed his hands on the shoulders of Sakura and Kakashi, and Sasuke also cooperated by placing his hand on Naruto's shoulder.

Sakura was still confused by what Naruto had said and was about to ask a question when she suddenly felt a sense of weightlessness. Sakura closed her eyes in fear, and when she opened them again, they were already outside the Hokage Office.

Sakura was still dazed when she heard Naruto in front of her say, "Sakura, let's go, we still need to turn in the mission."

After Sakura regained her senses, she chased after the three of them and asked, "Is this the Flying Thunder God technique? I didn't expect it to be so fast; we returned to the Hokage Office in an instant."

Naruto said proudly, "That goes without saying. Why else would it be called the fastest space-time ninjutsu?"

The three of them arrived at the Hokage Office to turn in the mission. Looking at the cat named Tora being held by Madam Shijimi, the wife of the Land of Fire's Daimyo, the three of them were speechless.

Sakura said weakly, "No wonder that cat wanted to run away."

Naruto also sighed, "Yeah, if I were that cat, I'd run away too." Sasuke didn't speak, he just nodded.

At this moment, the Third looked at the mission in his hand and said, "Then, the next mission for Team 7 is..."

Before the Third could finish, Naruto interrupted him, "Old man, wait a second. Teacher Kakashi, hurry up and apply for a higher-level mission from the Third."

Kakashi looked at Naruto and said helplessly to the Third, "Um, well, Lord Third, I would like to take on a C-rank mission."

The Third looked up and asked curiously, "Oh, Kakashi, do you want to take them on a C-rank mission?"

Kakashi said, "Uh, yes, Lord Third. I feel that with our team's strength, we can take on higher-level missions. D-rank missions don't serve the purpose of training them."

At this moment, Iruka, who was next to the Third, said nervously, "Um, Mr. Kakashi, wouldn't that be a bit too early? They only graduated a little over a month ago. Wouldn't it be dangerous to take on a C-rank mission so soon?"

Kakashi looked at the nervous Iruka and laughed, "It's fine, Iruka-sensei. With me here, they won't be in any danger."

After hearing Kakashi's words, Iruka realized that his worry was excessive. With a Jonin-level ninja like Kakashi present, a C-rank mission indeed posed no danger to his students.

Iruka said sheepishly, "I was worrying too much. Then, I'll leave it to you, Mr. Kakashi."

Kakashi laughed, "Heh, it's nothing." The Third looked at Naruto and Sasuke, thinking that was true. D-rank missions really didn't serve any training purpose for Naruto and Sasuke.

Over the past few years, the Third knew exactly how much progress Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata had made, even if others didn't.

Naruto alone possessed strength not inferior to an elite Jonin; if not for his lack of experience, he might have already surpassed the strength of an average Kage. As for Sasuke and Hinata, they also had Jonin-level strength. Not to mention C-rank missions, even A-rank missions were just the right level of difficulty for them.

Therefore, the Third said, "Then, I happen to have a C-rank mission for you here." After saying this, the Third found the mission and said, "This mission is to protect someone to the Land of Waves."

When Naruto heard Land of Waves, he recalled something and thought, It seems there is such a mission, involving a rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist and a boy named Haku. Whatever, I'll know when I get there.

Just as Naruto was trying hard to recall, a man reeking of alcohol walked in.

The Third said, "Mr. Tazuna, they will be the ones protecting you back to the Land of Waves."

Tazuna drank his liquor and looked at the three children in front of him, "What is this? They're all brats. Is this really okay? Especially that shortest one, he looks like an idiot."

Naruto was just about to laugh when he realized he was the shortest one, and he immediately became unhappy. What a rude client. Especially saying he was short and calling him an idiot—that was a personal attack.

So, Naruto appeared behind Tazuna with a dark face, held a Kunai to Tazuna's neck, and said, "I wonder if we are qualified to protect you, Mr. Tazuna?" Tazuna was so scared that cold sweat streamed down his face.

Kakashi said helplessly, "Naruto, what are you trying to do? Killing the client will affect the village's reputation, and you will also be stripped of your ninja title."

Naruto smiled and pulled the Kunai away, saying, "I know that, Teacher Kakashi. I was just proving my strength. Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Tazuna? Do we have the strength to protect you now?"

Tazuna wasn't stupid, and he laughed, "Heh, yes, yes, I believe you will safely escort me to the Land of Waves." But anyone could see that his laughter was forced.

Kakashi didn't dwell on it, and after accepting the mission, he said, "Then, let's meet at the village gate tomorrow."

After saying this, he bid farewell to the Third and left. The three of them also left; Sasuke and Sakura had to go home to tell their families about the mission and prepare some things, while Naruto went to the Hyuga compound, intending to tell Hinata.

Just as he arrived at the Hyuga compound, he ran into Hanabi, and Naruto smiled, "Hanabi, are you going out?"

Hanabi looked at Naruto as he walked over and said, "Why are you here, you big idiot?" Naruto was hit hard by Hanabi's words.

He didn't know why, but ever since he had met Hanabi, she had always called him a big idiot. He couldn't figure out why, as he didn't think he had ever offended her.

Naruto helplessly said to Hanabi again, "It's nothing, I just came to see Uncle Hiashi, and Hanabi, how many times do I have to tell you? Don't call me an idiot. Besides, I haven't offended you, so why do you always call me that?"

Hanabi tsundere-ly turned her head away and huffed, "I like to, what are you going to do about it? Big idiot, every time you come here, isn't it just to find my sister? You always use such lame excuses, as if I don't know."

Naruto said awkwardly, "Is it that obvious?"

Hanabi said with disdain, "What do you think?" Naruto could only scratch his head and laugh foolishly in embarrassment.

Hanabi muttered in a low voice, "And he says he's not an idiot; he looks exactly like one."

Actually, Hanabi cared quite a bit about Naruto. After all, they had known each other since they were little, and he was dating her sister, making him one of the few people she cared about, but Hanabi would never admit it.

So she asked arrogantly, "Speak up, what is it exactly?" Naruto also knew that although Hanabi was arrogant on the surface, she was actually concerned about him.

He smiled and said, "Heh, it's nothing much. I'm just leaving the village for a mission and might be gone for a few days, so I came to say goodbye to your sister and, by the way, check on Uncle Hiashi and our little Princess Hanabi."

Hearing Naruto's words, Hanabi hurriedly turned her head away, her face slightly flushed, and she said with deliberate arrogance, "Who cares about you, you big idiot? Sister and Father are in the living room, go in yourself." After saying that, she rushed away.

Naruto called out to Hanabi's retreating figure, "I'll bring back a gift."

Hanabi huffed, "Do whatever you want, I don't care."

Having said that, she walked even faster and soon disappeared from Naruto's sight. Naruto shook his head with a smile and walked toward the house. Halfway there, he ran into Neji, who was practicing.

Naruto greeted him with a smile, "Neji, you're here. I haven't seen much of you lately."

Neji turned his head, saw it was Naruto, and replied coldly, "Why is it you, you meddlesome guy, again? Is there something you need?"

Naruto smiled, "Nothing, just here to see Uncle Hiashi and Hinata."

After hearing this, Neji didn't say anything and continued his training. Seeing that he was still so cold, Naruto felt helpless. He was just about to go up and say something, but before he could, Neji stopped his training and walked toward the gate.

It was clear he didn't want to talk to Naruto. Watching Neji's back, Naruto felt a sense of helplessness in his heart.