A-Rank Mission

Smoking quietly by himself, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave it some thought.

With a snap, Hiruzen Sarutobi set his pipe on the table, having reached a decision.

"In another month, it'll be the Chunin Exams. The major ninja villages will all come here to take part!"

Rather than mentioning Mirai, Hiruzen Sarutobi brought up the upcoming Chunin Exams.

"Keep Mirai's matter under wraps for now. Let him put on a good performance during the Chunin Exams! We can use this opportunity to show the other ninja villages and the daimyo just how strong Konoha is!"

Kakashi froze. He had not expected the Third Hokage to treat Mirai as Konoha's trump card for the Chunin Exams.

Though the Chunin Exams were nominally promotion exams for genin, they were actually a way for the genin of major ninja villages to display their village's strength through competition.

These exams were held twice a year, and each one determined the number of mission commissions a village would receive in the latter half of the year, as well as the funding and treatment it obtained from the feudal lords.

It could be said that the Chunin Exams were akin to a small-scale war between the major ninja villages.

"By the way, should Naruto be allowed to participate in the Chunin Exams?"

As Naruto's teacher, Kakashi naturally knew that Naruto was Konoha's Nine-Tails jinchuriki.

Thinking of Naruto's special status, Kakashi had no choice but to ask Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage.

"Kakashi, this is Konoha!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was uncharacteristically imposing for once.

Looking at the imposing Hiruzen Sarutobi, Kakashi said with a sigh, "Yeah, this is Konoha!"

Kakashi fully understood what Hiruzen Sarutobi meant.

This was Konoha. As a member of Konoha, what did Naruto have to fear from taking an exam in his own village?

Could he possibly be afraid of what others might do to him in his own home? Of course not.

"If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving first!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, and Kakashi departed.

"Tenzo!"

An ANBU member wearing a cat-face mask suddenly appeared before Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Send someone to secretly keep an eye on Uchiha Mirai. Report back immediately if anything happens!"

"Also, starting today, strengthen security throughout the village in case people from other villages try to sneak in!"

"Yes!"

As soon as the words fell, the figure vanished without a trace.

Mission Hall!

"Uncle Yuri, what missions can we take?"

Uzumaki Naruto stared at the mission board before him, having no idea which missions he was qualified to accept.

Haruno Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke, standing on either side of him, were also looking at Yuri, the mission issuer.

As for Uchiha Mirai, he was off to the side chatting with Hinata, completely ignoring the three rookies.

After all, feelings could easily fade with time.

He had to show up from time to time and flirt with her a little, so he could deepen his impression in Hinata's heart.

That would help with a certain plan in the future.

"There are D-rank missions. Take a look and see what you want to accept!"

Yuri took out a file and placed it before the three of them.

"Find a cat!"

"Catch a thief!"

"Unclog a toilet!"

Looking at the outrageous list of missions, Naruto's face was filled with unwillingness.

"Why are they all jobs like this? Aren't there any higher-level ones?"

Naruto stared at Yuri with tearful eyes, but Yuri remained unmoved.

Expressionlessly facing the teary-eyed Naruto, he said, "These are the missions genin can take. Once you become chunin, you'll be able to accept higher-level missions."

The three of them were speechless.

"Yuri, help me check what missions jonin can accept!"

At that moment, Mirai walked over, and his first words stunned everyone.

Yuri frowned at Mirai and asked, "Jonin? Which jonin are you?"

"I'm here to pick a mission on behalf of our teacher, Kakashi!"

Mirai decisively dragged Kakashi into it.

Sure enough, when Yuri heard Kakashi's name, his furrowed brows relaxed slightly.

"Are you picking a mission on Kakashi's behalf?"

Seeing that Yuri still looked unconvinced, Mirai pointed at Naruto and the other two.

"The three of them and I are all Kakashi-sensei's students. As our teacher's students, can't we pick a mission for him?"

At that moment, Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke caught on as well.

"That's right! Can't we help our teacher pick a mission?"

Uzumaki Naruto planted his hands on his hips, looking completely justified.

Mirai awkwardly covered his face. What an embarrassment.

Yuri was also taken aback by Naruto's behavior. He truly hadn't expected a child to act like this.

Just moments ago, he had looked so wronged that his eyes were brimming with tears, but now he was acting all high and mighty.

He was practically a master of changing faces, his expression shifting at the drop of a hat.

"Since you're picking one for Kakashi, that's a different matter!"

Yuri began selecting missions that only jonin could carry out.

As Mirai watched Yuri search through the records, a crafty smile appeared on his face.

It wasn't actually that Mirai wanted to help Naruto. He just happened to want to go out for a stroll himself.

Of course, taking a stroll wasn't his true objective.

His real target was the Second Hokage's weapon: the Sword of the Thunder God.

According to the village records, the Sword of the Thunder God had already been stolen.

The one who had stolen it was Morino Itate.

Mirai wanted to use this chance to leave Konoha and secretly snatch the Sword of the Thunder God from Morino Itate.

With the Sword of the Thunder God, the swordsmanship he had obtained through the system would finally have a chance to shine.

His strength would also improve through this opportunity.

"Take a look. These are missions that jonin can accept!"

The moment Naruto and the other two looked, their eyes nearly popped out of their heads.

For no other reason than that the missions were difficult, and the rewards were generous.

Shaking his head, Mirai took the documents from Naruto's hands.

"Let's take this A-rank mission: capture the rogue ninja Ishikawa Kazuo!"

Mirai handed the documents back to Yuri and had him register it.

After Yuri finished registering the mission, he gave Mirai the mission information scroll.

Afterward, Mirai led the three of them to Team 7's meeting spot.

As soon as they arrived, they saw Kakashi lying alone on a tree branch, reading Make-Out Paradise.

"Kakashi-sensei!"

Naruto waved his arm from afar and greeted Kakashi.

Seeing them, Kakashi jumped down from the tree.

"What's with all of you?"

Looking at their excited faces, Kakashi was utterly puzzled.

"Kakashi-sensei, we accepted a mission for you just now!"

Unable to keep it in, Naruto immediately told Kakashi what had happened.

"Oh, so you accepted a mission for me. Is that really enough to make you this happy?"

Kakashi said with a smile, sounding rather helpless.

It was just accepting a mission. Did they really have to be this excited? What a bunch of brats.

But as soon as he finished speaking, Kakashi realized something was wrong.

"Naruto, what did you just say? Say it again!"

Seeing Kakashi suddenly become anxious, Naruto scratched the back of his head in complete confusion.