The next day, Hanabi stood at the village entrance with her forehead protector on, alongside Hyuga Natsu.
Hyuga Natsu was Hanabi's team-leading Jonin. Besides her, Neji was also on the team.
"Neji, Sister Natsu, do you think we'll run into powerful enemies like Zabuza or someone with a Kekkei Genkai during our first C-Rank Mission, just like that dead last Naruto? A mission that looks like C-rank on the surface but is actually A-rank!" Hanabi asked eagerly.
Hyuga Natsu rubbed her forehead. My Lady Hanabi, it was precisely because she said things like that that Lord Hiashi had worried and specially asked the Hokage to have Neji accompany them as well.
Ever since she had started spending time with Naruto, Hanabi had changed somewhat. She had become more rebellious than before and even dared to talk back to Lord Hiashi at times. Hyuga Natsu recalled a scene she had happened to witness: Hyuga Hiashi had been viciously training against a wooden post, venting his dissatisfaction with Naruto as he struck it, convinced that Naruto had ruined his daughter.
"Lady Hanabi, you must be careful and cautious when carrying out missions. Just as you said, unexpected things may happen, but the most important thing is to protect the client," Hyuga Natsu reminded her.
"Mm-hmm! Sister Natsu, Brother Neji, don't worry!" Hanabi looked eager to get going, without a trace of fear.
Neji and Hyuga Natsu rubbed their foreheads helplessly. Hanabi had been completely led astray by Naruto.
The client also arrived at the village entrance. After joining up with everyone, they left the village.
A little over an hour later, Naruto came rushing anxiously to the village entrance, panting heavily as he carried a gift box.
Kotetsu Hagane, who was standing guard at Konoha's gates, asked curiously, "Naruto, what's wrong? Why