C or S, Too Foolish to Tell Apart

"I don't care! You have to give me a mission today!"

In the mission hall, Team 7 frowned deeply.

Kakashi Hatake said, "I knew this guy's patience would run out sooner or later."

Sakura Haruno said, "Isn't it pretty nice staying in the village...?"

Sasuke Uchiha said, "That does seem to make sense."

Beneath the towering Hokage hat, Hiruzen Sarutobi wore an expression of complete understanding. After a brief explanation, the Third Hokage gave Team 7 a simple rundown of the standards for ninja missions, then declared sternly:

"Therefore, Naruto, the only missions you can accept right now are the lowest-ranked D-rank missions!"

Little did he know that Naruto, already naturally unruly, had picked up Uchiha Sen's reckless temperament after spending so much time by his side. Naruto said without a care:

"Third Grandpa, I'm not that brat who only knew how to pull pranks anymore! I'm a ninja working tirelessly toward becoming Hokage!"

The speech was impassioned and utterly useless, yet Iruka, their instructor, was deeply moved. The Third Hokage sitting nearby also revealed a gratified smile.

Naruto really seemed to have grown up. Since that was the case, I understood how you felt.

"All right, then I'll assign you a C-rank mission. You can protect someone while you're at it."

After Naruto and the others left, Kakashi Hatake and Uchiha Sen were summoned separately to the Hokage's Office.

"Hole-Hole Monster, we've just received news from headquarters. This time, you and Double-Zero Two will pretend to protect a bridge builder traveling to the Land of Waves. However, your true purpose is to leave the village and investigate the situation of outside forces, so Planetary Headquarters can analyze the local combat strength."

Uchiha Sen looked as though he might have understood, staring eagerly at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

[Ding! Main quest detected: Journey to the Land of Waves. Danger level: S-rank. The host is advised to refuse.]

When Uchiha Sen failed to respond for a long while, Hiruzen Sarutobi became somewhat uncertain. Did this approach not work? Or had I gone about it wrong...?

"Uh, of course, I can also use official channels to provide you with a rather substantial reward."

It was as if someone had flipped a switch. A sharp gleam flashed through Uchiha Sen's previously vacant eyes.

A reward!

Though he was not quite right in the head, he understood one thing: money could buy delicious food. The ramen Double-Zero Two seemed to love so much apparently required money to buy.

He immediately stood at attention and shouted with a solemn expression:

"Rest assured! The planet's bravest warrior is ready at any time!"

Only then did Hiruzen Sarutobi understand. This kid wanted money. Anyone with preferences was easier to control, and liking money was the simplest and most straightforward weakness of all.

Outside the room—

"I really don't know why Lord Third agreed to that brat's unreasonable demand."

With his hands in his pockets, Kakashi Hatake slowly entered the office.

What?!

Wasn't that...?!

Yes, everyone in the Hidden Leaf Village knew about Uchiha Sen, the Uchiha Clan's sole mental patient.

At that moment, Uchiha Sen had some unidentified strip of cloth tied around his head. He wore a white tank top and black shorts, with a wooden sandal tucked into his waistband. One foot had no sock, while the other wore two socks, and he stood in slippers. He was exceptionally eye-catching.

"Oh, Kakashi, you're here."

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, called out, pulling Kakashi's gaze back.

"Lord Third."

Kakashi leaned forward slightly in greeting, then glanced at Uchiha Sen beside him, seemingly asking why this guy was here.

"Uchiha Sen will join Team 7's C-rank mission this time as a special member."

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused after saying this, silently took out his wallet from his waist, pulled out a ten-thousand-denomination bill, and handed it to Uchiha Sen. Then, with an embarrassed glance at Kakashi, he covered his mouth with one hand, leaned close to Uchiha Sen's ear, and whispered:

"Hole-Hole Monster, you'll be leaving by tomorrow at the latest. This is my personal sponsorship for you. Keep it safe and buy whatever supplies you need. Don't tell Double-Zero Two—I didn't give him any."

Sen did not listen to a word Hiruzen Sarutobi said. Taking the bill, he excitedly ran out. Strictly speaking, this was the first time Sen had ever held money in his own hands.

The village had determined that Uchiha Sen lacked the ability to live independently. Sasuke Uchiha, his fellow clansman, had no desire to burden himself with extra baggage and was extremely disgusted by Sen, so Sen's relief payments could only be issued together with Naruto's.

Kakashi clearly understood that the Third Hokage had deliberately sent Uchiha Sen away, but so far, he had not seen anything exceptional about Uchiha Sen.

Could it be that the Third Hokage wanted to use my hand to get rid of Uchiha Sen?

Was that really necessary? Have a jonin like me kill an unarmed lunatic?

Couldn't they just send some rookie ANBU to do something like that?

After Uchiha Sen left, Hiruzen Sarutobi was met with Kakashi's suspicious expression.

"Ahem, that guy just now is far from simple."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's meaningful expression revealed a side of Uchiha Sen unknown to others, and Kakashi leaned closer curiously.

"Could it be...?"

"That's right..."

He then recounted everything that had happened on the night Naruto stole the Scroll of Seals.

Watching Kakashi's eyes gradually widen, Hiruzen Sarutobi wore a smug expression as if to say, What an ignorant country bumpkin.

"But..."

Kakashi quickly identified the crux of the matter. Everything the Third Hokage had described required one premise: Uchiha Sen himself needed immense chakra and extraordinarily strong control over it.

He knew the Rasengan very well...

A Rasengan as large as a single-story house... it sounded downright absurd.

"This is your other mission during this trip. If you encounter danger, train those youngsters as much as possible while keeping a close eye on Uchiha Sen."

Kakashi frowned slightly before nodding solemnly. It was somewhat troublesome, but it was hardly difficult. He still had to give the Third Hokage this much respect.

The next day—

"Awesome! Let's go, everyone!" Naruto raised both hands and shouted at the village gates.

The other four had no intention of responding to him. Sasuke, Sakura Haruno, and the famous bridge builder Tazuna all wore different expressions as they stared at Uchiha Sen, who stood at the back of the group picking his nose.

Sakura: Why would the Third Hokage arrange for someone like this to join the mission...?

Sasuke Uchiha: Damn it, why does the proud Uchiha Clan have a clansman like this? He's a disgrace to the Uchiha Clan!

Tazuna: Has the Hidden Leaf Village really declined to this extent?

Kakashi Hatake: Don't look at me. I don't know anything. Everything has been arranged for the best.

[Ding! S-rank quest triggered: Journey to the Land of Waves. Please assist Team 7 in completing the mission. Reward: Bloodline Awakening (Intermediate)]