Almost at the very last second before five, Kakashi Hatake appeared before them as usual with a soft pop, using the Body Flicker Technique.
He still wore that lazy look and held his little copy of Make-Out Paradise.
"Morning, everyone." His eye curved in greeting.
"You're too late, Teacher Kakashi!" Naruto and Sakura complained in unison.
Kakashi closed his book and looked over the three of them. His gaze lingered for a moment on the energetic Naruto before he stepped aside, revealing someone behind him.
The man looked middle-aged and down on his luck. His graying hair was a mess, small round glasses sat on his nose, and his weathered face held a trace of tension he could not quite hide.
He carried a bottle of liquor and smelled faintly of alcohol. His eyes kept darting around.
"This is our client for the mission, Mr. Tazuna," Kakashi introduced him.
Tazuna cleared his throat awkwardly by way of greeting.
Kakashi turned to the three Genin of Team 7, his tone growing a little more formal. "Now, for the mission briefing."
Naruto immediately pricked up his ears. Even Sasuke opened his eyes.
"Mission rank: B. Escort Mr. Tazuna safely to the Land of Waves," Kakashi said succinctly.
"The Land of Waves?" Sakura looked puzzled. "It doesn't sound that far away. Why is an escort mission B-rank?"
Kakashi glanced at Tazuna, who looked somewhat uncomfortable, then continued. "The problem is that Mr. Tazuna seems to have run into some trouble."
"According to the information he provided, someone has hired bounty ninja to assassinate him on his way back to the Land of Waves."
"Assassinate him?!" Naruto cried. Far from frightened, his eyes blazed with fighting spirit. "So it really is a B-Rank Mission! There are enemies!"
Sasuke frowned almost imperceptibly and said calmly,