The Clichéd Land of Waves Mission? No, This Time We're the Villains?!

A month had passed since their first mission ended. During that month, Menma and the other two took on simple D-rank missions in the village while training under Kakashi's guidance.

Sasuke had been practicing Lightning-nature chakra transformation with Kakashi. Both his hands were wrapped in bandages, so he had probably already begun formally training in Chidori.

Sakura had been studying medical ninjutsu under the director of Konoha Hospital. Menma had no idea how far she had progressed, but whenever he saw her, she had dark circles under her eyes and looked sleep-deprived.

Menma had also received Danzo's scroll of Wind Release training notes long ago. It detailed training methods for Wind-nature shape transformation and nature transformation, along with the method for learning the Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere ninjutsu.

As for whom he should train under, Menma had discussed it with his family. Minato and Kushina both agreed that Jiraiya was the best choice of teacher.

However, Minato had no way to contact Jiraiya either. In this world, Minato was nominally Jiraiya's student, yet he had not even signed the contract with Mount Myōboku. That truly surprised Menma.

Still, according to Kakashi, Danzo had already sent someone to notify Jiraiya, and he would return soon. Menma could only follow Danzo's training notes and figure things out on his own for now.

It was worth mentioning that during this time, Kushina had also completed the development of a sealing technique. Drawing on her experience as a jinchuriki sealing a tailed beast, she carved a Double Four Symbols Seal centered on Menma's dantian.

The outer Four Symbols Seal had deliberately been left with a tiny opening, allowing chakra to leak out. The amount leaked was roughly equivalent to that of an ordinary Chunin, making others think Menma was a somewhat talented, but not exceptionally so, Genin.

Naturally, there was also a method to release the seal in a crisis. To keep Menma from panicking and failing to undo it when danger struck, Kushina turned into a devilish instructor and drilled him mercilessly for several days, making him memorize the release method with his body.

Besides steadily studying and developing Wind-nature chakra, Menma also learned the Object Sealing Method. That way, he would not have to lug around bags of luggage whenever he left the village for missions.

At the current rate, Sasuke was learning Lightning Cutter under Kakashi, Sakura was studying medical ninjutsu at Konoha Hospital and would most likely become Tsunade's apprentice in the future, while Menma himself would be taken on as Jiraiya's student.

Well, damn. This off-track world seemed to be slowly getting back on course? Menma thought during his free time.

The days passed one by one, and the training of Menma and the other two proceeded steadily.

One day, Kakashi suddenly gathered the three of them and said there was a mission. Then he brought them to the door of the Hokage Office.

What was going on? Menma and the other two looked at one another. Were Genin missions not supposed to be accepted directly from the mission hall? There was no need for the Hokage to assign one personally, was there? Still, none of them spoke. They simply waited quietly.

Menma suddenly thought of a possibility. Could this be the Land of Waves mission from the original storyline? Protecting that foul-mouthed old man, the Land of Waves bridge-building expert... what was his name again? Tazuna?

If that was the case, then this would be troublesome. They would have to face the Demon of the Hidden Mist, Zabuza Momochi, and Haku, whose gender he did not know—but who had better be a girl, or it would be such a waste.

This mission's danger level was a little high. He wondered whether they could refuse it.

Just as Menma's thoughts wandered, Danzo's voice came from inside the office. "Kakashi, come in!"

At those words, Kakashi pushed open the door and entered. The three hurriedly followed him in and stopped before Danzo's desk.

"Kakashi, how has Team 7 been performing on their missions?" Danzo asked.

"Reporting to Lord Danzo, as of today, Team 7 has completed thirteen D-rank missions and two C-rank missions, with a mission completion rate of 100% and a client satisfaction rate of 100%!" Kakashi stood straight, his voice loud and clear.

"Mm, good, good. Not bad at all." Danzo nodded in satisfaction, then said to Menma and the other two, "I believe Team 7 has accumulated enough experience as Genin. It is time for you to try a B-rank mission. What do you say? Do you have confidence?"

"Yes!" ×3. Menma and the other two likewise stood straight, their voices loud and clear.

"Mm, good. That's the spirit!" Danzo praised them with a smile, then tilted his head slightly and gave a light wave of his hand.

Yamanaka Fū, Danzo's secretary and bodyguard standing behind him, gave a slight nod and headed outside. Before long, he returned with a short middle-aged man wearing a black suit, sunglasses, and slicked-back hair.

At Danzo's signal, Yamanaka Fū briefly introduced the mission to Team 7:

"This is the client, Mr. Kado, a merchant from the Land of Waves. He wishes for us to escort him back to the Land of Waves and prevent the bridge connecting the Land of Waves to the outside world from being completed. Following our assessment, this mission has been classified as B-rank."

After hearing the mission briefing, Menma was completely dumbfounded. It was indeed the Land of Waves mission, but the roles had been completely reversed, damn it!

Weren't they supposed to protect that foul-mouthed bridge-building expert? Weren't they supposed to defeat that blackhearted merchant? Why were they protecting the villain now? This was so unlike Konoha!

Menma did not want to accept such a completely butchered mission. He wanted to refuse.

But this was a mission personally assigned by the Hokage. Even the Jonin instructor had said nothing. Could a lowly Genin like him really voice an objection? Did he think the Hokage was some kind of pushover?!

Danzo seemed to notice Menma's inner conflict and asked, "What is it, Menma? Is there something you wish to say?"

Menma's expression stiffened. He really wanted to tell Danzo that he wished to refuse the mission, but when the words reached his lips, they changed:

"Reporting to Lord Danzo, the Land of Waves lies east of the Land of Fire. It is a small country between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water. If we encounter shinobi hostile to the Land of Water during the mission, what should we do? If we clash with hostile shinobi, will it affect Konoha's diplomatic relations with other countries?"

Kakashi's expression changed when he heard Menma's words. He lowered his voice and snapped, "Shut up, Menma. That is not something you should be considering."

Kakashi immediately turned, bowed to Danzo, and apologized. "My deepest apologies, Lord Danzo. I have failed to discipline him properly!"

Danzo did not mind. Smiling, he waved for Kakashi to rise and said, "I have long heard that Menma, one of your subordinates, is outstanding. He can consider problems with the mindset of a Hokage. Today, I have finally seen it for myself."

Then he said to Menma, "To be able to think this far ahead is, frankly, quite commendable. But you still lack experience and do not understand Konoha's foreign policy, which is why you would ask such a question.

Konoha does not seek trouble, but we are never afraid of it either. Carry out your mission boldly. Do not fear damaging Konoha's relationship with other countries. Remember: as long as you protect Konoha's interests, Konoha will be your strongest support!"