Mission Continues

Naruto arrived at the main hall and saw Hinata and Hiashi drinking tea.

Upon seeing Naruto, Hiashi said indifferently, "You've come."

Hinata called out softly, "Naruto-kun, you're here."

Naruto politely addressed Hiashi, "Greetings, Uncle Hiashi. I am leaving the village for a mission tomorrow, so I came to bid you farewell and, incidentally, to take Hinata out for a stroll." After saying this, he smiled at Hinata.

Hinata's face instantly flushed red, and she lowered her head. Seeing her like this, Naruto was instantly mesmerized, staring straight at her.

Hiashi coughed at the sight of the two, and they snapped back to reality, looking embarrassed.

Seeing Naruto regain his composure, Hiashi said, "Oh, you are heading out of the village for a mission? I recall you all only just graduated not long ago. You should be performing D-rank missions within the village, shouldn't you?"

Naruto replied confidently, "That is true, but D-rank missions are meant to hone coordination between teammates. Sasuke and I have been training and sparring together since we were children, so our coordination is already excellent. As for Sakura, I can guide her along the way."

"Besides, D-rank missions really lack any challenge for Sasuke and me, so I begged Kakashi-sensei to help us secure a higher-level mission. That way, we can have more room to grow."

Hiashi knew of Naruto's strength, so he said, "That is fine, too. It will be helpful for your growth."

Hinata asked with concern, "Naruto-kun, will there be any danger?"

Naruto laughed, "It's fine, Hinata. Besides, if I don't strive to become stronger, how can I protect you?"

Hearing Naruto say he wanted to protect her, Hinata shyly lowered her head again, feeling very happy in her heart.

Hearing Naruto say this, Hiashi felt comforted and said, "That's right. Young people should work hard to improve their strength so they can protect those they care about. Hinata, you don't need to worry. With Naruto's strength, are you really afraid he might get hurt?"

Hinata knew she was worrying too much; with Naruto-kun's strength, it was impossible for anything to happen to him. Being asked this by Hiashi made her face turn even redder.

Hiashi knew his daughter's personality and said nothing more, instead turning to Naruto. "Naruto, although you and Hinata are only dating for now, I can see that you are truly sincere about being with her, so I don't treat you as an outsider. Take this." Hiashi took an envelope from his robes and handed it to Naruto.

Naruto took it and asked curiously, "Uncle Hiashi, what is this?"

Hiashi said calmly, "It is just some money. When members of the Hyuga clan go on missions, how can we let the team leader foot the bill? Do not decline; since you are with Hinata, you are half a son to me."

Naruto originally wanted to refuse, but since Hiashi had put it that way, he could only accept it. He politely said to Hiashi, "I understand. Thank you."

Hiashi waved his hand and said, "Alright, go and have fun. Remember not to be back too late." Naruto replied, "We understand." With that, he and Hinata went out together.

Walking down the streets of Konoha, Naruto said, "By the way, Hinata, when I went to find you earlier, I saw Neji. That guy is still the same as ever."

Hinata replied with a hint of sadness, "Yes, Neji-niisan seems to be getting colder and colder. I am very worried about him, but I don't know how to comfort him."

Seeing Hinata feeling down, Naruto comforted her, "It's alright. I've finally thought of a way to undo the Caged Bird Seal. That guy has become so cold because of it, but I believe that once the Caged Bird Seal is broken, he will surely change for the better."

"Furthermore, in these past few years, all the power of the Hyuga clan has finally been grasped by Uncle Hiashi. I believe those old fogies in the Hyuga clan wouldn't dare to oppose him anymore. Even if they object to Uncle Hiashi breaking the Caged Bird Seal, they won't be able to stir up any trouble. You don't need to worry."

Hinata said in surprise, "Really? Naruto-kun, can you really break the Caged Bird Seal?"

Naruto said proudly, "Of course. Don't look at who your future husband is. How could I be stumped by a mere Caged Bird Seal?"

Hearing Naruto call himself her future husband, Hinata shyly lowered her head, her face blushing. Seeing Hinata like this, Naruto was once again mesmerized.

He pulled Hinata to sit under a tree and held her, saying, "Hinata, you are truly too cute. I can't get enough of looking at you. What should I do? Just thinking about not seeing my Hinata for several days makes me so sad."

Hinata lowered her head, blushing, and replied in a very small voice, "Me too." Naruto heard her clearly. He gently lifted Hinata's head, which she had lowered out of shyness.

As their eyes met, Naruto and Hinata both saw deep love in each other's gaze. Finally, Naruto lowered his head and kissed Hinata's lips, and Hinata closed her eyes, responding to Naruto's passion. The sunset of Konoha shone upon Naruto and Hinata, casting long, long shadows of the two young lovers embracing and kissing.

The next morning, Naruto arrived at the village gate where they were to assemble. Naruto was in a great mood and took the lead, saying happily, "Alright, let's set off! Onward to the Land of Waves!"

Sasuke asked curiously, "Naruto, you seem very happy today. I've never seen you this excited before."

Sakura added, "That's right, Naruto. What has you so happy?"

Naruto chuckled foolishly, "It's nothing, nothing. I'm just a bit excited about leaving the village for the first time." Although Sasuke remained suspicious, he didn't say anything more.

Kakashi led the four of them forward. When they passed a puddle, Naruto instantly sensed that the water was created by a Transformation Jutsu. Seeing that Kakashi didn't move, Naruto remained calm.

He looked at Sasuke and saw that Sasuke was looking at him; clearly, Sasuke had noticed it too. After Naruto nodded at Sasuke, Sasuke also returned to his normal state.

Kakashi deliberately lagged behind. As he walked past the puddle, two ninjas wearing gauntlets tied with sharp chains lunged out. They used their chains to "dismember" Kakashi together and said, "First one."

Then they turned and attacked Naruto with their chains, saying, "Second one." Sakura was so frightened by this sudden turn of events that she couldn't move, but Naruto and Sasuke were not so easily rattled.

Just as they rushed toward Naruto, he suddenly vanished from their sight and appeared behind one of them, while Sasuke appeared behind the other. Both of them delivered a fierce punch to these idiots.

They sent the two ninjas flying. Seeing that they couldn't take down Naruto and Sasuke, the two ninjas immediately charged at Tazuna. Sakura was already frozen in fear.

Naruto and Sasuke were just about to move, but they saw the two ninjas fly back at an even faster speed. Appearing alongside them was the "dismembered" Kakashi.

Sakura said in surprise, "Kakashi-sensei, so you weren't dead! I thought you had died."

Naruto said, "Kakashi-sensei, are you not going to continue playing dead? Sasuke and I were already thinking about preparing your funeral."

Kakashi, who had been in a decent mood, suddenly felt quite sour. He looked at Naruto with resentment and said, "Naruto, why do you seem so disappointed that your teacher didn't die?"

Naruto replied leisurely, "A teacher who makes his cute students worry is better off dead."

Kakashi said helplessly, "Didn't I appear just in time? Besides, with you two here, nothing would have happened even if I hadn't shown up. Naruto, you are too gentle with Sakura; that's not good."

Naruto replied, speechless, "Fine, I admit you're right, but Sakura is a girl after all. Let her learn about the cruelty of this world a little later."

Hearing Naruto's words, Kakashi thought with emotion, What a truly gentle person.

Hearing their conversation, Sakura said to Naruto with gratitude, "I'm fine, Naruto. Actually, I knew, I was just a bit unaccustomed to it for a moment. I will adapt quickly." After saying this, Sakura clenched her fist as if to cheer herself on.

Naruto also smiled, "Alright then, I believe you can do it."

At this moment, Kakashi turned his head and said to Tazuna, "Mr. Tazuna, I think you owe me an explanation."

Tazuna felt very guilty under Kakashi's gaze and replied with difficulty, "Wha... what?"

Kakashi said, "A C-rank mission does not involve ninjas; at most, there are only some bandits. Once ninjas appear, it becomes a B-rank mission.

The reason I hid just now was to see who their target was. Clearly, their target is you, which means this mission is B-rank or higher. You concealed the difficulty of the mission, and we have the right to terminate it."

Knowing he could no longer keep up the act, Tazuna sighed helplessly and said, "Do you know of the Land of Waves? It is an island nation controlled by that lawless merchant Gato. The country is very poor, so poor that I cannot afford the fees for a high-level mission.

He controls all the ports, and only I can build the bridge across the sea that will allow the Land of Waves to see hope again. He fears that if I build the bridge, it will threaten his power.

If you do not protect me, I will be killed by Gato, so I hope you can continue to protect me so that I can successfully build the bridge. Of course, the choice is in your hands; whatever you decide is fine."

After hearing Tazuna's reply, Kakashi turned to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura and said, "You choose. Whether to continue or terminate this mission is up to you to decide."

Naruto and Sasuke both fell silent, and Sakura said nervously to them, "Sasuke, Naruto, let's terminate the mission. A mission above B-rank seems a bit too early for us."

Naruto smiled at Sakura and said, "I think we should continue our mission. Regardless of anything else, we have already accepted this mission, so we should complete it, shouldn't we?"

Sakura was still a bit afraid and argued, "But, but, we have the right to terminate this mission."

Sasuke then said coldly, "I also choose to continue the mission."

Sakura exclaimed in surprise, "How can even you, Sasuke?"

Naruto smiled at Sakura and said, "I know you're a little scared, but Sasuke, Kakashi-sensei, and I will protect you. Besides, it's not easy to get a high-level mission, and I really can't bring myself to give up just like that. Furthermore, I promised Hinata and Hanabi that I would bring them gifts back, so how could I give up?"

Seeing that both Sasuke and Naruto insisted on completing the mission, Sakura had no choice but to say helplessly, "Alright then."

Seeing Sakura agree, Naruto said excitedly to Kakashi, "Kakashi-sensei, the mission continues."

Kakashi was also pleased that they did not give up because of the increased difficulty of the mission, and he smiled, "Then Team 7, the mission continues." After the announcement, Kakashi smiled at Sakura and said, "Sakura, don't worry, Sensei will protect you all."