The smell of ink from freshly printed scrolls filled Konoha's mission assignment office that morning, mingling with the faint scent of sweat from the ninja.
And with that peculiar air of excitement and apprehension that surrounded fledgling Genin.
Team Seven-Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha-had waited through their supervising Jonin Kakashi Hatake's trademark half-hour delay.
At last, they accepted the first official mission of their ninja careers.
C-rank mission: escort the merchant Mishima Heihachi and his goods to Tanzaku Town, and assist him in completing an antiques transaction.
The description was simple, the pay unremarkable-a typical "practice run" for rookie Genin.
Their client, Mishima Heihachi, was a plump middle-aged merchant with an affable smile and shrewd eyes.
He wore silk clothes of decent quality, and behind him stood two donkey carts laden with crates and trunks.
"Oh my, sorry for the trouble, esteemed ninja of Konoha."
Mishima Heihachi rubbed his hands together, all smiles. "Mostly old odds and ends collected down south. They aren't worth much. I'm just worried we might run into some foolish petty thieves along the way.
With Konoha's finest escorting me, I can rest easy."
Kakashi gave a languid acknowledgment, his gaze sweeping over the goods behind Mishima.
Then he glanced at the merchant's attendants and guards. They looked ordinary enough, but their muscles were lean and powerful, their eyes alert. He had a fair idea of what was going on.
This mission probably wasn't as simple as it appeared, though it still fell within C-rank parameters. It would be a good opportunity to observe his three new subordinates.
Naruto, on the other hand, was brimming with enthusiasm. He thumped his chest and promised, "Don't worry, mister! With me around, not even a stray cat will dare come near your goods!"
He was raring to