Return to the Village

Sharing life-and-death experiences was the best way to strengthen friendship.

After one mission, the three graduates were clearly far more in sync than when they had first set out.

They returned to the village, dusty and travel-worn.

"I just want a good barbecue meal right now. These past few days, it was either rations or military food pills. They tasted awful!"

"Once we turn in the mission, I'll treat everyone to barbecue!" Seeing Inuzuka Kawa's expression, Minato smiled and reassured him.

"Awesome! Thank you, Teacher Minato!" Hearing that Minato intended to pay, Inuzuka Kawa was thrilled beyond measure.

The group arrived at the mission center and submitted the mission completion report signed by Oda.

The Third Hokage happened to be on duty at the mission center that day.

Taking the mission report Minato handed over, the Third Hokage wore a pleasant smile.

"I didn't expect your team to undertake a C-rank mission so soon, Minato. You've all worked hard!"

"Reporting to the Hokage, this escort mission was attacked by Grass Ninja. The enemy consisted of four Jonin and three Chunin in a special formation."

"Hmm... Such a thing happened? I've reviewed the mission report. It was only an ordinary C-rank escort mission. How could Jonin-level opponents have been involved?" The Third Hokage was greatly startled.

He carefully reviewed the mission report again, along with the accompanying mission scroll. The scroll clearly stated the person to be escorted, the possible risks of the journey, the risk assessment, and other details.

"It seems the personnel responsible for mission evaluation were careless. The Intelligence Department also bears responsibility for failing to detect the relevant information. I will investigate this matter thoroughly and give you an explanation. In addition, this mission will be upgraded from C-rank to A-rank in your records. The difference in compensation will also be covered by the village."

Having swiftly dealt with the matter, the Third Hokage still looked at Team 7 with his usual gentle, benevolent expression.

"Then thank you, Lord Hokage." Minato, who had already expected this, bowed politely. He then led his three excited subordinates out of the mission center.

After they left, Shimura Danzō flashed into existence before the Third Hokage.

"Didn't you say the plan was foolproof?" A reproachful tone came from the Third Hokage, who had been smiling warmly only a moment ago.

"Perhaps we underestimated the capabilities of your disciple's grandson. There definitely won't be any problems next time!"

"Do you think this incident was not enough to make Sakumo wary? Will he still give us time?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said displeasedly.

"It should be fine. We did not leave many clues from back then. Besides, although this operation failed, our intentions should not have been exposed."

"Then let's leave it at that for now. Don't make any more moves during this period. Wait..."

After leaving the mission center, Aburame Haru's expression remained unreadable, while Kakashi removed his disguise and returned to his usual calm demeanor. Only Inuzuka Kawa, delighted by the mission's promotion in rank, looked at Minato with expectant eyes.

Knowing exactly what he meant, Minato smiled and took the lead toward a barbecue restaurant in the village.

Not long after they entered, sat down, and placed their orders, a fiery red-haired woman wearing a Konoha shinobi vest strode in through the entrance.

"Minato! You dared return to the village without telling me! And you came to eat barbecue by yourself!!" The red-haired woman stood before Namikaze Minato and the others with her hands on her hips, glaring furiously at Minato.

"Th-this... Kushina, listen to my explanation..." The instant he saw Kushina Uzumaki, Minato knew he was in trouble.

Normally, it would not have mattered, but before his subordinates, Minato still wanted to preserve some of his image.

"I'm not listening! I want to eat too!!" Kushina gave Namikaze Minato no chance to explain. With a rough wave of her hand, she squeezed Minato farther into the seat before plopping down herself.

This made things difficult for Kakashi, who had originally been seated to Minato's right. He was nearly crushed against the wall.

Only then noticing someone in the corner, Kushina said with slight embarrassment.

"Oh, there's a little kid in here too... I'm really sorry..."

"It's fine, Big Sis Kushina."

"Uh..." Minato.

"Uh..." Kushina.

That "Big Sis" brought up Kushina's childhood nickname, leaving both her and Minato deeply awkward.

"So it's you, Hatake Kakashi! I've heard of you—the child of Senior Sakumo and the disciple of Senior Orochimaru." After Kakashi called out her childhood nickname, Kushina gave him another serious look. From his white hair and the short blade visible behind his back, she recognized who he was.

"Let me introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Kushina Uzumaki! She's also a Jonin of Konoha." Seeing the two people across from him staring blankly, Minato introduced Kushina to them.

"Hello, Teacher Kushina!"

"Hello, hello!" After saying that, she seemed to realize the occasion was inappropriate. She could not be too violent. She had to maintain the image of an elder!

Kushina silently reminded herself of that. Yet when she thought of Minato leaving the village on a mission and returning without informing her first, instead coming straight here for barbecue, the anger in her heart still would not fade. Under the table, she fiercely pinched him several more times.

The henpecked Minato silently endured it all.

Everyone enjoyed the barbecue meal. When it came time to pay, Minato specifically had Inuzuka Kawa pack some food to take back for his ninja hound, Kairi.

After bidding farewell to their companions, Aburame Haru and Inuzuka Kawa each went home. Kakashi and the other two walked together for a while.

"Kakashi, I hope you remember what you said on the way back. I don't want there to be such a day..."

"Don't worry. I have always taken responsibility for my own words." Kakashi knew what Minato meant and answered firmly.

"By the way, Teacher Kushina, if I get the chance, could I ask you to teach me some sealing techniques? My father and my teacher are both less proficient than you in that area." Since he had encountered Kushina today, Kakashi naturally brought up his long-standing desire to learn sealing techniques.

"Sealing techniques?" Kushina did not agree immediately. She tilted her head slightly and looked at Namikaze Minato. When she saw him nod, she grinned.

"No problem. If you want to learn, come to my house and I'll teach you! My home is right next to Minato's. It's easy to find."

"Alright, thank you very much, Teacher Kushina!" Kakashi politely expressed his gratitude to Kushina.

When he returned home, Hatake Sakumo was unusually there.

"How did the C-rank mission feel?"

"It was upgraded to A-rank. We fought Grass Ninja." His words greatly surprised Hatake Sakumo.

"Did that group make a move in the shadows?"

"Probably."

"They really are filthy..."

"There may be even filthier methods in the future. By the way, I think I've started to grasp the threshold of swordsmanship this time. Could you test me?"

As he spoke, he drew the short blade he carried and walked to the center of the courtyard.

"So quickly? Let me see. Come at me with everything you have."

A flash of white light danced through the courtyard of the Hatake Residence, while Hatake Sakumo strolled calmly within it. From time to time, he offered Kakashi a few pointers.

Only after Kakashi began to feel somewhat exhausted did the two finally stop and rest.

"Kakashi, your swordsmanship has indeed reached a bottleneck. A bottleneck of forms and techniques. The forms and techniques you use were all learned from me. What you need to do next is deepen your understanding of swordsmanship and of the blade in your hand. Then forge a path of your own."

Hatake Sakumo watched Kakashi, who had already surpassed his teacher, with deep satisfaction.