Konoha: The Female Ninja Lost It After the Diary Was Exposed

"So fast... How could a little kid move like that?!"

The Kirigakure ninja muttered in disbelief, then hit the ground with a heavy thud.

Meanwhile,

Sakura Haruno dodged the other Kirigakure ninja's attack and drove her foot into him.

The ninja calmly raised an arm to block Sakura's kick.

But the next instant,

There was a sharp crack of bone.

Disbelief flashed in the ninja's eyes before he went flying.

Bang!

He slammed into the ground and passed out on the spot.

Sasuke, Why Are You Blushing?

"Mr. Tazuna, are you all right?"

After the two Kirigakure ninja were dealt with, Sakura walked over to Tazuna.

"I-I'm fine."

"But your teammates..."

Tazuna looked terrified.

The two Konoha ninja had died in an instant.

And he had concealed information from them.

Now,

Forget Gato.

Even the Konoha ninja wouldn't let him off, would they?

"Don't worry. Look."

At Sakura's words, Tazuna looked ahead.

The blood that had covered the ground was gone. Only a few pieces of wood lay scattered there.

"W-what happened?"

Tazuna rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

Then,

Kakashi Hatake appeared before him.

"Sakura, Sasuke, well done."

Kakashi Hatake's voice rang out.

Sasuke Uchiha folded his arms, pride showing on his face.

In his first real fight, he had taken down his opponent in an instant.

Of course.

He was still the genius ninja he had always been!

"Morning~"

Naruto Uzumaki strolled up to the group.

"Naruto-kun!"

Sakura had suspected he was fine, but it was only when she saw Naruto unharmed that she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"You did well, Sakura."

Smiling, Naruto lightly flicked Sakura's nose.

"Ow..."

Sakura let out a soft whimper, then stood obediently beside him.

Kakashi Hatake pursed his lips.

Come on.

Could you two kids spare a thought for everyone else before getting all lovey-dovey?

Can't you see there's an outstanding older bachelor right here?

"Naruto, you ran off pretty fast," Sasuke Uchiha said, sounding annoyed as he watched Naruto and Sakura.

"Had to pee."

Naruto Uzumaki answered offhandedly.

His dismissive reply only annoyed Sasuke more.

"Hmph!"

"It's fine if you admit you were scared. I won't laugh."

"You and I are different."

"This was my first fight against ninja too, but I carry the honor of the Uchiha Clan. I wouldn't back down even if it cost me my life."

Sasuke Uchiha spoke with pride.

"Yeah, yeah."

"You really did great this time, Sasuke. Keep it up~"

Naruto Uzumaki patiently offered Sasuke a word of praise.

He couldn't help it.

Sasuke had Tell me how well I did written all over his face.

If Naruto didn't praise him,

Who knew how long Sasuke would keep going on about it?

"Hmph!"

"I don't need some dead-last loser judging me."

Despite his words, Sasuke Uchiha couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from lifting.

"This one's awake!" Tazuna cried.

Then,

The group gathered around the Assassin Ninja.

"Who are you?"

"And who was your target this time?"

Kakashi Hatake's voice was cold.

"Hmph!"

The Assassin Ninja snorted. A trickle of blood ran from the corner of his mouth, and the life went out of him.

Kakashi Hatake sighed at the sight.

"He took poison."

Then,

Kakashi turned his gaze to Tazuna and began to reason aloud.

"Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura have never left the village before, and they're only Genin. They're unlikely to be the targets."

"As for me... I have a bit of a reputation in the Shinobi World. If I were the target, they wouldn't have sent two Genin."

"So there's only one possibility..."

Kakashi's eyes turned cold.

"Mr. Tazuna, is there anything you'd like to explain?"

Cold sweat ran down Tazuna's face at Kakashi's question.

The thing he had dreaded most had happened.

"I..."

"If you don't tell us the truth, we have the right to abandon this mission."

"And the mission fee won't be refunded."

Kakashi spoke evenly.

"Wait! I'll talk!"

Tazuna panicked at Kakashi's words.

The villagers had scrimped and saved to put together the mission fee. If it was lost, how could he face them?

Left with no choice,

Tazuna told them the whole truth.

After hearing him out,

Kakashi Hatake nodded.

"Naruto, you'd already figured it out, hadn't you?"

"More or less."

"Then why didn't you say anything?"

Kakashi Hatake asked.

"The old man's pretty annoying, but I feel sorry for him too."

"I'm willing to help him."

Naruto Uzumaki's voice was calm.

Obviously.

If I'd said something earlier,

Kakashi probably would've dropped the mission.

Then how would I have a good reason to take care of Gato?

"Naruto, you're so kind!"

Tazuna had no idea what Naruto Uzumaki was really thinking. Naruto's words moved him to tears.

He was a breath away from dropping to his knees.

"Idiot. You did the right thing this time..."

Sasuke Uchiha smiled faintly.

That fool.

Sometimes he's pretty reliable.

Kakashi Hatake looked pleased too.

The Fourth had been just as warmhearted and kind.

Only Sakura rolled her eyes.

Oh, come on.