Dazna

"This C-Rank mission is to escort old Mr. Dazna to the Land of Waves. It's the most suitable one for you right now."

They'd received the C-Rank escort mission at the Hokage's office. Since it was a mission that would take them outside the village, everyone there was excited. It was their first time leaving the village.

Mufeng Uchiha began recalling the details of this mission from the original story. Dazna had deliberately concealed the details, disguising a B-Rank mission as a C-Rank one.

Two rogue ninja from Kirigakure would ambush them along the way. The real issue was Demon Zabuza, and Yuki Haku, who wielded Ice Style. It would be a shame if those two died.

The next part is a shameless ad.

And Gato was a tycoon! As the saying went, robbing the rich to help the poor. A scoundrel like Gato didn't deserve all that wealth. It should belong to whoever was capable enough to claim it, so I'd gladly take it off his hands.

After accepting the mission, they went to meet Dazna. He was busy tipping a bottle of liquor into his mouth.

"Hic—why are they all children? Hey, can that little runt really protect me? No, no. Give me someone else."

When Dazna saw a white-haired, middle-aged man who looked feeble, accompanied by a bunch of kids who weren't even half-grown, he immediately balked. Could these people really protect him? Wouldn't he end up having to protect them instead?

"Old man, it's just an escort mission. We're enough. You're not expecting Chunin or Jonin to escort you for the meager pay of a C-Rank mission, are you? There's something fishy about you, old man."

Mufeng Uchiha suddenly began pressing Dazna, advancing on him until his Sharingan activated.

"Big Brother Mufeng, that man really was being a little rude. But he only called you short. Be the bigger person and don't take it up with an old man."

Naruto Uzumaki put on a solemn expression. Everyone around him was speechless. Had he really not noticed that he was the shortest person there?

Faced with Mufeng Uchiha, who looked like a demon, Dazna's nerves—numbed by alcohol—snapped back to attention. He began stammering.

"Stay back! I'm your client! As Konoha Ninja, you can't attack ordinary people. Besides, I was only worried the road might be dangerous."

Dazna's hesitant manner immediately aroused suspicion in Kakashi Hatake, who demanded sternly, "Sir, are you hiding anything about this mission? You'd better tell us the truth. This concerns the lives of ninja."

The killing intent of a Jonin bore down on Dazna. As an ordinary man, he'd never faced anything like it, and he promptly wore a miserable expression and told them everything.

"You old geezer! Who are you calling a runt? I'm not short! I just haven't finished growing yet. Once I'm grown, I'll be taller than all of you!"

Only then did Naruto Uzumaki realize the runt had been him. But by now, everyone's attention was focused on Dazna's deception.

"That poor old man. Maybe we should help him after all."

With tears in his eyes, Dazna spoke of his poor, deceased son and his grandson, left all alone. Sakura Haruno was moved by his words, and her heart softened. She wanted to agree.

"Sakura Haruno, you need to understand that our opponent this time is Demon Zabuza, a Jonin who's no weaker than Kakashi-sensei. And he won't be alone. There are other rogue ninja, and every one of them has killed before. Do you think you can fight people like that? Or do you expect someone else to protect you? Don't be naive. And you feel sorry for him? Dazna concealed crucial information, causing the village to misjudge the mission as C-Rank and assign a Genin team to carry it out. He says the village can't afford to issue a higher-ranked mission, but hiding information like this means he doesn't care whether we live or die!"

That was reality. In the original story, Naruto and the others had been the protagonists. If some other Genin squad had taken this mission, they would most likely have died.

This kind of behavior showed a complete disregard for other people's lives. How could "we can't afford to issue a higher-ranked mission" be used as an excuse?

"Mr. Dazna, we're allowed to turn down this mission."

Kakashi Hatake agreed with Mufeng Uchiha. As a battle-hardened ninja, he knew how important information was. It could be the difference between life and death.

As soon as he heard they might refuse the mission, Dazna panicked. With a pleading look, he turned to Sakura Haruno, Naruto Uzumaki, and the two Uchiha brothers.

This time, Sakura Haruno lowered her head. Naruto Uzumaki looked conflicted, while the two brothers remained unmoved, their hearts like stone.

It seemed they were about to refuse the mission outright. Kakashi Hatake was just about to speak when Mufeng Uchiha cut in.

"Not necessarily. If you give us a share of the rights to the Great Naruto Bridge in the Land of Waves, we'll accept the mission. Just so we're clear, this is a private deal, so think carefully. Don't let this white-haired uncle's feeble appearance fool you. He's the Copy Ninja, Kakashi, who's copied over a thousand ninjutsu. At this price, you won't find anyone better. If you miss out on him, you'll regret it."

The pile of titles left Dazna completely dumbfounded, his wrinkled face scrunching up.

He was the Land of Waves' only hope for building a bridge. He had to get back.

The bridge was the key to changing the Land of Waves. How could he hand over part of its rights so easily? He'd be letting down everyone in the Land of Waves!

But if they couldn't even build the bridge, there could be no talk of a future. At last, he made up his mind.

"I agree, but only to part of the bridge's rights. Remember, only part."

Mufeng understood that this was Dazna's limit and decided not to push him any further. Besides, it wasn't certain who would own the bridge in the future.

"Deal. No backing out!"

Kakashi Hatake had wanted to say something, but when he saw that his students had already reached an agreement, he kept quiet.

Demon Zabuza was a difficult opponent. On my own, I really couldn't protect Naruto and the other two.

But with Mufeng—this genius who'd mastered most of the Second's Water Style in such a short time—joining us, their safety was no longer a concern. His ability was on par with that of an ordinary Jonin.

This mission could also serve as a test for them, a chance to become true ninja.

As for Mufeng Uchiha's deal with Dazna, he'd pretend he hadn't heard a thing.

After they reached an agreement, they quickly finished the paperwork to leave the village. Once outside, they looked around curiously.

"So this is what it looks like outside the village. It's beautiful!"

"Big Brother Mufeng, we'll run into ninja this time, right? Just watch me knock them all flat with my Wind Breathing!"

Sasuke Uchiha silently watched Mufeng Uchiha's back. Honestly, he understood his twin brother less and less.

He wondered why Mufeng Uchiha wanted the Great Bridge in the Land of Waves. He knew they'd be facing a Jonin, yet he seemed so relaxed. Was he really that confident in his abilities?

Sasuke Uchiha clenched his fist. This escort mission would also test the results of all his years of training.

Mufeng, I'll prove that I'm the older brother and you're the younger one!

Kakashi Hatake wore an utterly defeated expression. He was now playing tour guide, answering Naruto Uzumaki's endless questions.

It felt like he was taking a group of kids on a field trip. Well, they really were just kids.

"If Rin and Obito were still here, they'd probably be taking their own students on missions, just like me."

He saw the faces of old friends in the children.

As Mufeng Uchiha walked, he kept an eye on their surroundings. The real life-or-death battle was coming up. Demon Zabuza, I wonder whose Water Style is stronger—yours or mine? I can hardly wait.