Konoha: The Female Ninja Fell Apart After the Diary Was Exposed

At Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, excitement spread across Sasuke Uchiha's face.

Finally.

He finally wouldn't have to do those damn D-rank missions every day!

"Don't celebrate yet, Sasuke."

"C-rank missions aren't like D-rank missions. One careless mistake could get you killed."

Kakashi Hatake gave him a calm warning from the side.

"Hmph!"

"Don't underestimate me, Kakashi."

"I'm not who I used to be."

Sasuke Uchiha snorted.

He had awakened his One-Tomoe Sharingan,

and his Chakra had grown severalfold.

Now,

he could keep a shadow clone going all day to handle those D-rank missions, too.

At the thought,

Sasuke Uchiha stole a glance at Naruto Uzumaki.

Naruto,

just watch.

This time, I'll show you

the mighty power in the blood of the Uchiha Clan!

"See? What did I tell you?"

Seeing the corners of Sasuke's mouth curl upward again, Naruto shrugged at Sakura.

Sakura covered her mouth and giggled.

She remembered how Naruto had described Sasuke in his diary: Fair-Weather Sasuke!

The sky cleared, the rain stopped, and Sasuke thought he was unstoppable again.

It fit Sasuke perfectly.

"Lord Third, could you tell us about the mission?"

Kakashi Hatake asked.

"This is an escort mission."

"The client has hired Konoha Ninja to protect a bridge-building expert until the bridge is complete."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke slowly.

Naruto Uzumaki's eyes lit up at his words.

Could this be the Land of Waves escort mission?!

If he remembered correctly,

the Land of Waves

was a small island nation.

Every route connecting the island to the outside world was controlled by a merchant named Gato.

To escape Gato's oppression, the master bridge builder Tazuna planned to build a bridge across the sea with the people of the Land of Waves.

Because of that,

Gato had sent people after Tazuna.

To save his life, Tazuna had taken the money the villagers scraped together to Konoha, hoping to hire ninja to protect him.

In the original story,

it was Team 7, led by Kakashi, that helped Tazuna finish the bridge.

Talk about perfect timing. I'm just short on cash.

Naruto Uzumaki thought to himself.

Gato was one of the richest men in the Shinobi World. If Naruto got control of him, he would never have to worry about money again.

As someone from another world,

Naruto Uzumaki had none of the other ninja's scruples about targeting ordinary people.

Gato's money would be his!

"An escort mission outside the village?"

"Lord Third, are you sure it's C-rank?"

Kakashi Hatake asked.

The Land of Waves was a long way from Konoha. Better to ask a few more questions.

"The mission rank is based on the client's information. You can ask him about the details yourself."

After speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi called toward the door.

"Tazuna, come in."

As his words faded, an old man wearing glasses and reeking of alcohol walked in.

"Hello. We're the ninja assigned to escort you."

"I'd like to confirm the details of the mission."

Kakashi Hatake then briefly introduced Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno to Tazuna.

"What?"

"I paid all that money, and Konoha's sending these brats to brush me off?"

"I won't accept it! Give me someone else!"

Tazuna started shouting as soon as Kakashi Hatake finished.

"Hey, who are you calling a brat?"

Sakura and Sasuke snapped.

Sasuke in particular

was the Uchiha Clan's last prodigy, carrying its honor alone. He had even awakened the Sharingan. He was no brat!

"If you aren't brats, then what does that make an old man like me?"

Tazuna snorted.

"Mr. Tazuna, they may be young, but all three are excellent Genin who graduated from the Ninja Academy."

"They're more than capable of handling a C-rank mission."

Kakashi Hatake explained patiently.

"That still won't do."

"I don't trust brats like them one bit."

"If we run into danger on the road, what use will they be?"

Tazuna still shook his head and refused.

"You can rest assured. I'll be coming along on this escort mission."

"I'm a Konoha Jonin: Kakashi Hatake."

"Normally, the fee you paid wouldn't come close to hiring a Jonin."

"I see..."

Tazuna nodded thoughtfully at Kakashi Hatake's words.

Then,

he waved a hand impatiently.

"Fine, then."

"But these brats don't need to come, do they?"

"If something happens, are you going to protect me or them?"

Tazuna muttered.

Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura all frowned at his words.

How could he still be unhappy after they'd made it so clear?

Was this drunk making a scene?

It was only a C-rank escort mission. What was there to worry about with a Jonin coming along?

Just as Kakashi was about to explain further, Naruto Uzumaki walked up to Tazuna.

"Hey, what do you want, you blond brat?"

Tazuna asked irritably.

"There's something I've been wondering. Even on a C-rank mission, danger isn't guaranteed."

"But you seem certain we'll run into trouble."

"So certain, in fact... that you think Kakashi will have to divert his attention to protect us Genin from it."

Naruto Uzumaki studied Tazuna.

"On a C-rank mission, we might run into a few bandits at worst. They wouldn't pose any threat to us."

"But you keep fixating on safety."

At that,

Naruto Uzumaki narrowed his eyes, a dangerous smile curving his lips.

"Say, old man... you wouldn't be hiding something, would you?"

Earning Money to Support the Family—Being a Man Is Hard!

"H-how could I be?"

Cold sweat beaded on Tazuna's forehead at Naruto Uzumaki's words.

When he commissioned the mission,

he had indeed concealed some information.

The truth was,

Gato had been sending people to kill him to prevent the bridge from being completed.

That was why

he had come to Konoha to hire ninja and seek protection.

But

Gato controlled all the wealth in the Land of Waves.

Even with the money the villagers had scraped together for him, he only had enough to pay for a C-rank mission.

If he told the truth, Konoha would never accept his request.

So,

with no other option, he had chosen to hide it.