I Have Something Heartfelt to Say

That's right, this is the kind of mission we ninjas should be doing.

Are we protecting a feudal lord or perhaps a princess?

Burn, my youth!

Excitement instantly bloomed in Naruto's sky-blue pupils.

Seeing Naruto like this, Lin Fan couldn't help but shake his head with a smile.

The brainwashing power of Might Guy's catchphrase is truly no joke.

Ahem, please, come in!

The Third Hokage ordered toward the door with a sense of helplessness.

As the door to the Hokage's office slowly creaked open, a drunken old man holding a liquor bottle with a flushed face appeared in the doorway.

It was none other than the bridge builder from the Land of Waves, Tazuna.

He swept a dissatisfied gaze over the four members of Team 7 and remarked, "Why are they all just a bunch of brats? Especially that shortest one—he looks incredibly stupid."

"Are you really a ninja?"

Naruto then looked around with a grin, trying to figure out who the "stupidest ninja" Tazuna was talking about.

But after comparing his height to Lin Fan and Sasuke, he gradually realized the truth.

The clown was actually himself.

"Baka! You stinking old man, I'm going to kill you right now!"

Naruto immediately prepared to throw a punch at Tazuna, but Kakashi quickly grabbed him by the collar and held him back.

"Old man, you'd better stop with the complaints!"

"It's already generous enough that Konoha isn't charging you extra for this mission; you're in no position to be picky here."

Lin Fan then walked up to Tazuna and whispered into his ear.

Sure enough, Tazuna's body trembled slightly upon hearing this, and he immediately shut his mouth, saying nothing more.

"Alright, Team 7 accepts this mission."

"Everyone, go home and pack your gear. We'll meet at the village gate this afternoon."

After saying this, Kakashi vanished using a Body Flicker technique.

Soon after, once Lin Fan reached home, he quickly packed a series of daily necessities and tossed them into his Other-Dimensional Scroll.

He stopped by Naruto's place to agree on meeting at the village gate that afternoon before heading out early.

His next destination was naturally the Hyuga Estate.

The mission schedule for this trip to the Land of Waves wouldn't be short, and Lin Fan wanted to spend some quality time with Hinata before leaving.

Team 8 had no missions today, and Hinata was in the courtyard of the Hyuga Estate, engaged in rigorous training.

From outside the courtyard, Lin Fan saw her activate her Byakugan from afar, the veins on her face instantly bulging.

Her entire demeanor exuded an aura capable of seeing through everything.

She looked quite fierce in an adorable, "milk-tough" sort of way.

Seeing this, Lin Fan finally understood why Hinata favored him so much.

I'm afraid this little Byakugan girl had discovered his special talents in certain areas long ago!

"Hmm, not bad. Let's end the morning training here. Go and say goodbye to Lin Fan, and remember to come home early to continue your training."

After Hiashi understood the purpose of Lin Fan's visit, he walked over to Hinata and said with great satisfaction.

Soon, Lin Fan and Hinata arrived at a scenic spot by the water to sit and eat a Self-heating Hot Pot.

"Ah, Lin Fan-gege is heading to the Land of Waves this afternoon? What kind of mission is it? Will there be any life-threatening danger?"

Hinata's large eyes were filled with immense worry.

"It's just escorting an old man home; there won't be any danger."

Lin Fan comforted her.

Suddenly, Hinata seemed to recall something.

She reached into her robes, pulled out a lucky bag marked with a sealing formula, and handed it to Lin Fan.

"Lin Fan-gege, this is an Amulet that my father has had me carry since I was young. It contains the secret technique of our Hyuga Main Family: Rotation."

"If you ever encounter a life-threatening situation, it will break the seal and provide an omnidirectional defense. I hope it keeps you safe so you can complete your mission successfully."

Seeing that the clever Hinata had already guessed that his mission to the Land of Waves wouldn't be easy, Lin Fan took the Amulet and placed it over his heart.

"Thank you, though I hope the seal on this Amulet never has to be broken."

Lin Fan said with a smile.

"Mm-hmm, Lin Fan-gege will definitely return to the village safely. I will also work hard on my training in the village and pray for you every day."

Hinata nodded firmly.

In the afternoon, after Team 7 gathered at the village gate, the four of them formed a cross formation to protect Tazuna as they headed toward the Land of Waves.

Not long after the five of them left the borders of the Land of Fire, Lin Fan, who was positioned at the rear, heard the footsteps of someone tailing them.

"Everyone, be careful. Something seems off along the way."

Lin Fan immediately furrowed his brows, becoming vigilant.

Kakashi couldn't help but smile knowingly upon hearing Lin Fan's words.

He had naturally sensed the anomaly in the vicinity as well.

As expected, Lin Fan was truly a genius worthy of going toe-to-toe with him.

The five of them continued to travel for a while longer.

When Lin Fan saw a puddle of water suddenly appear ahead, he deliberately quickened his pace to step in front of Tazuna.

Swish, swish.

At that very moment, two figures suddenly emerged from the puddle.

Lin Fan saw that both men wore Kirigakure headbands and held specially customized iron claws.

They were none other than Zabuza's subordinates, the Demon Brothers, Gozu and Meizu.

The two, who had appeared in an instant, simultaneously flung out sturdy chains attached with iron spikes, binding the leader, Kakashi, tightly.

"First prey, go to hell!"

After the brothers roared in anger, they tightened their grip, and Kakashi was immediately shredded into pieces.

[Ding, a tutorial mission is now issued: successfully kill the Demon Brothers within sixty seconds. Reward: Water Release. Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death Lv1.]

Haku's secret technique, not bad.

Lin Fan's lips curled upward, ready to make quick work of the two.

"Kakashi-sensei!!!"

Seeing Kakashi shredded in an instant, Naruto immediately fell into despair.

By this time, the Demon Brothers had already reached Naruto's back.

Clang, clang.

Lin Fan's two kunai, shot out like lightning, directly deflected the iron claws that were closing in on Naruto's heart.

"Kid, since you want to die first, we'll grant your wish."

The Demon Brothers smiled cruelly, and the spiked chains in their hands unfurled once more.

Once fully extended, a Fuma Shuriken was connected to the front of each chain.

They then charged at Lin Fan from the left and right, sweeping toward him.

Puchi.

Unable to dodge, the two Fuma Shuriken, which were aimed directly at Lin Fan's blind spots, sliced him in half at the waist.

"Big Brother Lin Fan!!!"

Naruto and Sasuke couldn't help but scream at the top of their lungs.

Poof.

A puff of white smoke drifted by.

The Lin Fan who had been cut in half turned into two wooden logs.

"Substitution Technique?"

Gozu and Meizu's pupils constricted sharply.

They found it hard to believe that a mere brat could be this skilled.

[15 seconds remaining, please hurry to complete the mission, Host.]

Just then, Lin Fan used Taijutsu Body Flicker to appear directly behind the Demon Brothers.

He whispered, "I have a heartfelt word I'd like to say to you two."

Zzzzt.

"Lightning Release. Double Chidori."

As soon as Lin Fan finished speaking, lightning flashed from his hands, and in the next second, two Chidori pierced through the hearts of the Demon Brothers simultaneously.

... Naruto: Starting with Infinite Skill Points by Shenqi Xiao Sima