Team 3

"So, who exactly was the client who specifically requested me?"

Masayo asked curiously. After all, he was only a Chunin, and his reputation was nowhere near as famous as Kakashi's. Yet someone had actually requested him by name!

"Come in!"

At the Third Hokage's call, the side door to the reception room opened. Two men walked in before Masayo. One of them wore a sunhat and sunglasses, his hair completely white, making him seem rather elderly. He smiled as he greeted Masayo.

"Hello, Masayo. We finally meet!"

Faced with this overly familiar older man, Masayo was completely bewildered. Tilting his head, he asked in confusion, "Who are you?"

"Ha... I knew it. My reputation really is only so-so, hahaha... My name is Kitano, and I'm a director. The man beside me is Sandaime, Miss Yukie Fujikaze's manager."

Director Kitano introduced himself to Masayo.

"Sandaime... You're that crazy woman's manager?"

Masayo made no effort to hide his disdain, along with a trace of childishness he did not even realize he had.

The bearded middle-aged man standing beside Director Kitano was Sandaime. He smiled and nodded, dealing a massive blow to Director Kitano's heart.

"No way! I'm obviously the director of The Adventures of Princess Gale, so how is a manager more famous than me? I'm such a failure of a director!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was now filled with curiosity as well. What exactly was the relationship between Masayo and that actress named Yukie Fujikaze? How had she managed to anger Masayo this much?

In an instant, Hiruzen Sarutobi imagined countless scenarios. The smile on his face grew increasingly strange as he muttered to himself, No wonder. So that's how it is. When did that brat Masayo get involved with an actress?

Sandaime smiled awkwardly, then bowed toward Masayo. "Mr. Masayo, I truly apologize for what happened before. I'm sorry!"

Masayo waved his hand. He was not so petty that he would hold onto such a grievance. At most, he would complain about it. He would not actually go looking for trouble. Besides, that incident had reminded him not to let down his guard just because someone was an ordinary person.

A-rank Mission: Protect actress Yukie Fujikaze!

Is this the butterfly effect caused by me?

Masayo could not help thinking about it. Naruto and Sasuke had not even graduated yet, so why had this Land of Snow incident happened ahead of schedule?

"Mr. Sandaime, Director Kitano, an A-rank Mission shouldn't be assigned to a Chunin like me alone. Why was I chosen? And why are we going all the way to the Land of Snow to film?"

Masayo asked in confusion.

Sandaime explained, "Mr. Kakashi recommended Mr. Masayo to me."

Director Kitano said, "The Adventures of Princess Gale: The Final Chapter, The Last Princess of the Wind and Clouds, is the final installment in the Princess of the Wind and Clouds series. As its last film, it must be made as well as possible, so we chose the Land of Snow as the filming location!"

After saying that, Director Kitano smiled, his teeth seeming to sparkle.

"Princess of the Wind and Clouds is getting a final chapter?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked in surprise. The Princess of the Wind and Clouds films had always been popular throughout the Ninja World. Even he had gone to the theater to watch them when he had free time.

"Lord Hokage, the Princess of the Wind and Clouds plot formula has remained unchanged for too long. People will eventually grow tired of it, so for this final installment, I must create the most perfect ending!"

Director Kitano's words made Masayo wonder whether he knew Yukie Fujikaze's true identity. Everyone knew how things worked in the entertainment industry. Even if he did not know, he should have had his suspicions, right?

Though that was what he thought, Masayo merely said, "What a long and drawn-out movie title. When are we leaving? And Lord Hokage, aside from me, will anyone else be joining this mission?"

Director Kitano smiled and nodded. "No rush. We'll depart in a week, Mr. Masayo."

Hiruzen Sarutobi lightly adjusted the hat on his head. "Team 3 will be carrying out the mission with you. They're watching a movie right now and will be here soon!"

As soon as Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, there was a knock at the door. Under everyone's gaze, Team 3, led by Jonin Might Guy, entered the room.

He had a watermelon-like haircut, green skintight pants, extremely thick eyebrows, and a bright smile. His teeth even seemed capable of reflecting light, and he wore a ninja flak jacket.

The other three ninjas were graduates from the newest class. One of them, Rock Lee, wore no ninja flak jacket, but in every other way—his appearance and his clothes—he looked exactly like Might Guy!

Of the remaining two, one was a female ninja named Tenten, with twin buns and an old-fashioned style that gave Masayo a familiar feeling. The other was Neji Hyuga of the Hyuga branch family. He gave off an indifferent air, and his pale eyes seemed to see through all things.

"Lord Hokage, Team 3 reporting in!"

Might Guy gave a thumbs-up and said excitedly.

Tears streamed down Rock Lee's face in an exaggerated flood as he and Might Guy embraced each other.

"An A-rank Mission, Guy-sensei! I can finally stand on my own! It's an A-rank Mission!"

"Lee, you are my proudest disciple! This is infinite youth!"

Masayo: "..."

Sandaime: "..."

Director Kitano: "..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi: "..."

The four of them did not know whether it was an illusion, but as Rock Lee and Might Guy embraced and wept, it felt as though they were looking at the setting sun.

Cold sweat formed on Sandaime's forehead as he said to Masayo, "Mr. Masayo, I'm counting on you. I'm counting on you for the journey to the Land of Snow."

"Ah, right..."

Masayo nodded. He understood what Sandaime and Director Kitano meant. With Might Guy and Rock Lee acting like that, they truly did not seem very reliable.

Tenten covered her face and stood with Neji Hyuga some distance away from Might Guy and Rock Lee.

"Senior Masayo, um, they're always like this. Please don't take it to heart!"

Tenten came over to Masayo and specifically said so.

Masayo smiled and shook his head. "I've heard about Senior Might Guy before. Now that I've seen him in person, he truly lives up to his reputation. He's very strong."

Might Guy stood up, gave Masayo a thumbs-up, and said, "You're Masayo, right? I've heard Kakashi talk about you. By the way, in my matches with Kakashi, I have forty wins and thirty-nine losses. I'm even stronger than Kakashi!"

"Mm, I believe you."

Masayo nodded and answered seriously. Of course, he knew exactly what kind of power Might Guy possessed.

"Senior Guy, everyone, see you then. Rock Lee, I've heard your name too. I have high hopes for you. Keep working hard, and don't give up!"

"R-Really? Senior Masayo, you know me... Wah, Guy-sensei, Senior Masayo, he..."

Rock Lee burst into tears, while Might Guy wrapped an arm around his shoulder, pointed out the window, and shouted, "Good, Lee! Let us run a hundred laps around Konoha together to welcome Konoha's morning sun!"

"Pfft... Hahaha... Looks like the journey won't be boring!"

Masayo could not hold back his laughter. With Might Guy's Team 3 joining them, the Land of Snow matter was secure. Luckily, they had not assigned some unfamiliar ninja squad to this trip. Otherwise, he truly would not have felt at ease.