That night, Sakumo came to see Hayato with some good news.
He had accepted an important mission to travel to the Land of Artisans, purchase ninja tools, and escort them back to Konoha.
They were set to leave in three days.
Time flew by, and three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Early that morning, sunlight streamed through the gaps between the leaves, casting dappled shadows across the ground.
With a backpack full of essentials on his back, Hayato set off for the Konoha Gate.
When he arrived, he found several people already waiting there.
It was Minghui, Koichi, and Kenta. They also had travel packs on their backs and looked full of energy.
"You're heading out of the village too?" Hayato asked curiously, looking them over.
Minghui smiled and explained, "Didn't Teacher Sakumo tell you? The five of us are going together on this ninja tool transport mission."
Five people? With the team as it stood, that meant one jonin and four Chunin.
This mission must be more complicated than it looks, Hayato thought. It was probably B-rank or higher.
"How many people are going, exactly? Teacher Sakumo didn't tell me outright," Hayato answered honestly.
Koichi came over to Hayato with a mischievous grin. "Heh, I didn't expect we'd be going on a mission together so soon. Hayato, are you ready for what's coming?"
"Ready for what?" Hayato tilted his head, looking confused.
"You'll find out!" Minghui said with a laugh, glancing at Kenta, who was busy eating snacks.
Listening to the two of them speak in riddles, Hayato's mouth twitched.
Riddle-tellers, get out of Konoha!
Just then, Sakumo's voice drifted over like a spring breeze. "Hey, you all look lively."
His voice arrived before he did. Then he landed lightly on one foot, appearing before the