Itachi moved quickly. The very next day, he took Sasuke out on a mission.
Strictly speaking, Sasuke was not yet a Genin and was not allowed to take on ninja missions.
But once everyone learned it was Kazan's idea, no one objected.
Sasuke was thrilled. Going on a mission with his brother was something he had always wanted.
But the mission was nothing like he had imagined.
"Nii-san, this is our mission?"
"Yes. This is what we're here to do."
Farm work.
The brothers arrived at a farm in the Land of Fire. Their client was a middle-aged man with a family of four who needed help because he had injured his arm.
Normally, an injury like that would not have been enough to post a mission and hire Konoha Ninja.
But Kazan had spoken, so the mission existed.
"Let's begin, Sasuke. No Chakra or Ninjutsu."
"Why?"
Sasuke's face scrunched up.
This mission was a world away from what he had imagined. Farming was bad enough, but he could not even use Chakra or Ninjutsu?
"It's what Teacher Kazan asked for."
"...I understand."
Sasuke still did not understand, but he trusted Kazan. If Kazan had said it, he must have his reasons.
With no other choice, Sasuke took off his shoes and stepped barefoot into the rice paddy.
It was tedious. Incredibly tedious. After just an hour, Sasuke could barely stand it.
Itachi watched his younger brother and began to understand what his teacher intended.
Suppressing his sympathy, he brought Sasuke a straw hat and placed it on his head. "If you want to become an excellent ninja, you need to be patient with every mission. Don't get restless."
His younger brother had grown up in the Forest of Death. Kazan had never said he was taking Sasuke as a