Wave Country Mission

A month had passed since Team 7's last mission!

Over that month, Team 7 had completed twenty missions, all C-Rank Missions—and every single one had involved killing!

The three youngsters had become somewhat numb to it. Over the past month, they had done nothing but travel and kill!

When the other rookie teams heard about those accomplishments, they were utterly stunned!

Team 7 was insane not only when it came to missions, but in person as well!

Once their classmates learned what they had been doing, every one of them broke out in cold sweat!

Truly, one ancestral killing star had raised three little killing stars!

However, the three had also improved greatly over the past month!

Sakura had already mastered Monster Strength and begun studying medical ninjutsu!

Naruto had learned the Rasengan and begun training in chakra nature transformation. Moreover, he could remain conscious while in Two-Tails Mode!

Sasuke had mastered Chidori and Lightning Cutter as well. However... with his chakra reserves, he could only use it once. He was also working on nature transformation training!

Furthermore, under Tian Ge's guidance, he had begun developing Chidori Stream!

It was not just ninjutsu. Tian Ge had not neglected their taijutsu training either!

Although Tian Ge had not completed his swordsmanship inheritance and had temporarily set it aside, he had still come into contact with another system!

Combined with everything he knew from his previous life, Tian Ge understood that the body was the foundation of everything!

The human body held endless mysteries. Though they could not be explored here, as long as one's body was strong, one could never go too wrong!

Tian Ge also knew that the nonstop Slaughter had caused all three of them some psychological problems!

So this time, he intended to take an easier mission and let the three of them relax together!

"This one!"

The Third Hokage looked at the mission Tian Ge had selected and let out a breath of relief. Good, good!

It was only an escort mission. This ancestor had finally stopped choosing Slaughter missions!

Tian Ge's repeated mission selections had alarmed the Third Hokage, who personally stationed himself at the mission office.

He had repeatedly tried to dissuade Tian Ge, using Naruto and the others' young age as an excuse!

Unfortunately, it had been completely useless. His status as Hokage meant nothing in front of Tian Ge!

Not only was Tian Ge stubborn himself, he had also raised three little stubborn mules!

The three had no complaints whatsoever about Tian Ge's choices!

Naruto had even bluntly told the Third Hokage to his face that he was being long-winded and trying to stop them from growing stronger!

"Fine, this one!"

The Third Hokage quickly registered Tian Ge and Team 7, afraid that Tian Ge might change his mind. Then he called out toward the outside!

"You may come in!"

An old man with a drunken expression, still carrying a bottle of alcohol in his hand, walked in!

"This is the client for this mission!"

"Dazuna, a master bridge builder from the Wave Country!"

"Your mission is to protect him until the bridge has been completed!"

"Mr. Dazuna, this is the team that accepted your mission!"

After introducing both sides, the Third Hokage quietly sat to one side and smoked!

This mission was great. It would take at least a month and would not involve much killing!

It would let the three kids rest properly and adjust their mental state!

The Third Hokage was deeply worried about the condition of Team 7's three members. He was already beginning to regret letting Tian Ge lead Team 7!

Naruto especially was the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki, and his strategic importance to the village was immense!

The Third Hokage did not want him to become a madman who only knew Slaughter, because then Naruto would no longer be under his control!

Unfortunately, there was no medicine for regret in this world. The Third Hokage could use other means to force others into line!

But Team 7's leader was Tian Ge. The Third Hokage did not dare do so. He could only try to dissuade him again and again, without daring to push too hard!

After the Third Hokage finished his introduction, Dazuna examined Tian Ge and the other three.

Seeing three young brats and a teacher who looked absurdly young, he was rather dissatisfied!

"You three little brats, and a ninja this young—can you really protect me?"

"You should know, I am..."

"Shut up!"

Before Dazuna could finish, Naruto's furious shout cut him off. Naruto and the others stared at him with murderous intent!

"If you keep babbling, you'll become the first client I've ever killed!"

"Want to give it a try?"

Seeing their incomparably sinister smiles, Dazuna's face turned pale beneath their killing intent!

"L-Lord Hokage, c-can I request a different team to p-protect me?"

Dazuna stammered out his request to the Third Hokage. He had concealed the mission's true rank from the start!

He had not revealed his real circumstances. If these people discovered it, he feared they might kill him first!

"My apologies!"

"Once a mission has been registered, it cannot be changed unless the team that accepted it abandons the mission, or the entire team is wiped out!"

"There's no other way?"

"I really don't want their team protecting me!"

Even after the Third Hokage refused him, Dazuna still would not give up and wanted to change teams!

"There is one way!"

"What way?"

"The client can cancel the mission and post it again!"

"Then I'll cancel it!"

"If the client cancels the mission unilaterally, we will not refund the reward! Are you sure, Mr. Dazuna?"

"This..."

Dazuna froze instantly. They would not return the reward he had paid when posting the mission?

He had initially been afraid that revealing the truth would raise the mission rank too high!

With his funds already tight, he had wanted to save wherever he could. After buying a jug of alcohol and drinking it!

He had mustered the courage to falsely report the mission rank. But now... posting it again would require him to spend another large sum!

Dazuna was unwilling!

Though he had posted an escort mission, he had required protection until the bridge was finished, making it far too time-consuming!

Even though the payment he offered had reached the upper limit for a C-Rank Mission, no one had been willing to accept it!

It was not worth it. With that amount of time, people could complete several D-Rank Missions and earn more money!

If they did C-Rank Missions, they could earn several times as much. Anyone could do that math, yet Dazuna had thought he was the only clever one!

As a result, his mission had remained posted here for a week without anyone showing interest!

Konoha's cost of living was not low. During that week, Dazuna had scrimped and saved.

He only ate one meal a day, using a jug of the cheapest alcohol to get through the other two meals!

Even so, he had spent quite a bit. Just as he was anxiously returning to the mission office and hesitating over whether to raise the mission rank!

Someone suddenly told him that his posted mission had been accepted!

After excitedly gulping down several mouthfuls of alcohol, he had come to meet the ninja who had taken the mission, only to encounter four killing stars!

Now, if he reposted the mission, he would not get his previous money back!

If he continued the mission, his life would be in danger!

For a moment, Dazuna was caught between a rock and a hard place!

"Are you continuing this mission or not?"

"Make it quick!"

Naruto was extremely impatient as he glared at Dazuna and demanded an answer.

"We'll continue!"

Urged by Naruto, Dazuna hardened his heart and gritted his teeth!

"One hour to prepare. Gather at Konoha's gates. Dismissed!"