Dazuna, the Land of Waves, and the Demon of the Hidden Mist! / A Twenty-Million Appearance Fee? Off to the Land of Waves!

Asuma Sarutobi watched Cangyue walk away and let out a bitter sigh. "Sigh..."

No wonder Kurenai Yuhi admired Cangyue. Who could turn down a man who was both strong and clever?

Cangyue Hyuga often teased Kurenai until she was furious, but she didn't seem to dislike him.

So nice guys really did finish last!

Shikamaru Nara yawned. "What a drag. Let's get grilled meat after the mission."

Ino Yamanaka cheered. "Huh? Are you treating us, Asuma-sensei? Awesome!"

Asuma Sarutobi pulled out his wallet and looked at the little money he had left. "I don't mind treating you, but don't eat too much. You'll get fa—"

He stopped mid-sentence when he felt Choji Akimichi's gaze, fierce as an enraged beast's, and swallowed the rest.

Around Choji, "fat" was a forbidden word!

Tazuna, the Land of Waves, and the Demon of the Mist!

Two days later...

In just two days, everyone on Team 7 had learned to walk a little on the lake surface, though they hadn't quite mastered it yet.

They should complete the master-disciple mission soon.

Team 7 had also completed several D-Rank missions during those two days. Cangyue Hyuga had no interest in joining them and had spent his time going around town, splashing cash.

Hokage Building.

The office.

Naruto Uzumaki folded his arms and plopped down cross-legged on the floor. Stubbornly refusing to budge, he said, "Third Hokage, I'm a ninja who can handle things on my own now! Give me some tougher missions. I'll even take one to wipe out bandits!"

"A few A-Rank missions would be fine too! If you don't give me a tough mission, I'm sleeping right here tonight until you do!"

Naruto Uzumaki had had enough of D-Rank missions. He believed ninja should take on the hardest missions out there.

And after training for the past few days, he could clearly feel that he'd grown stronger.

Now that he was stronger, of course he wanted to fight an enemy!

So today, he was getting a top-tier, high-difficulty mission. At the very least, it had to be above D-Rank.

"Naruto, you idiot! Stop making things difficult for Lord Hokage!" Sakura Haruno raised a fist and punched Naruto Uzumaki hard.

That's right, Naruto. Keep complaining!

Every day it's finding cats and dogs or looking after babies. I'm sick to death of it!

Thud! Naruto Uzumaki hit the floor. Sakura Haruno grabbed him by the collar and punched him several more times in the stomach.

Holding Naruto down, Sakura Haruno bowed repeatedly to Hiruzen Sarutobi and apologized in a fluster. "I'm terribly sorry, Lord Hokage. I'll discipline Naruto right now."

A red lump rose on Naruto Uzumaki's head. Fear filled his eyes as he stammered, "S-Sakura, you already have."

Sakura's been so violent lately... Even scarier than before.

Two idiots, Sasuke Uchiha cursed inwardly.

He wanted a difficult mission too, one that would let him prove the power of the Uchiha Clan to everyone.

He would prove that he, Sasuke, was the strongest Genin of his class!

"It's fine. Young people should have energy." Hiruzen Sarutobi took a drag from his pipe and exhaled a cloud of pale smoke. Watching the lively three members of Team 7, a complicated look crossed his eyes.

Sigh.

They really were alike.

The lively three members of Team 7 reminded him of Orochimaru and his teammates back in the day.

The foolishness, the coldness, the violence—the resemblance was almost exact!

"You little brats. Didn't I teach you to respect your elders and care for the young? The Third Hokage is getting on in years. Can you stop upsetting him?" Cangyue Hyuga entered the office and walked up to Hiruzen Sarutobi with his hands in his pockets.

"I'm sorry, Cangyue-sensei. I'm disciplining Naruto right now..." Sakura Haruno grabbed Naruto's collar, ready to punish him again for his rudeness, but before she could finish—

"What if you upset him so much he drops dead?" Cangyue Hyuga bent forward with his hands in his pockets, a mocking curl to his lips. "Right, old man?"

"Heh... I may be old, but I don't intend to lose to the young." Hiruzen Sarutobi's brows drew together, then relaxed a moment later. A blade-sharp glint appeared in his eyes, and he gave off the pressure of a Kage Level powerhouse.

"Is that so? Now I'm a little curious," Cangyue Hyuga said with a faint smile.

"Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura. Wanting tougher missions so you can prove to the people who matter most that you're excellent ninja is a good thing." Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored Cangyue's antics, stood, and walked over to the three members of Team 7.

"But you can't rush your way to strength. Chase power blindly, and you'll lose yourself to darkness." With his hands clasped behind his back, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled at the three of them. Yet as he spoke, a trace of sorrow passed through his eyes.

The image of his once-dearest student's back surfaced in Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind.

Orochimaru!

Orochimaru had chased power and ultimately lost himself!

His betrayal had been a source of grief for Hiruzen Sarutobi for years.

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to the window and looked out over the vast village. "A small flame sets a leaf alight. Where Konoha's leaves dance, the fire burns on. Its light will illuminate the village and help new leaves sprout."

"Only when you understand the Will of Fire will you truly be ninja who can stand on your own." Hiruzen Sarutobi turned back to Team 7 with a gentle smile.

"..."

All of Team 7 looked puzzled. They didn't understand what the Will of Fire was.

Cangyue Hyuga clapped. "Beautifully put. Want me to give you an award?"

"Cangyue, stop fooling around!" Hiruzen Sarutobi shot him a glare.

"Where there's light, there's shadow. You can see the dazzling flames, but not the darkness beneath them. A raging fire only spreads hatred." Cangyue Hyuga glanced coldly at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff from his pipe. "I haven't sunk so low that I need a youngster to lecture me."

Cangyue Hyuga patted him on the shoulder, putting on an earnest expression. "Lecture you? No need. Your eyes are getting old, so I'm just offering a word of advice."

This feels great!

Now that I know so much important information, talking in riddles feels great!

"Advice?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, puzzled.

Cangyue Hyuga smiled mysteriously. "You'll understand everything soon enough."

He had no interest in getting involved in a feud between master and disciple. Once Orochimaru showed his face, the old man would understand.

"Did you hear that? The old man said the fire would rage until it burned the village to ashes." Cangyue Hyuga threw an arm around the three members of Team 7 and smiled. "Forget the Will of Fire. Become the ninja you want to be, work hard at what you want to do, and don't leave yourselves with too many regrets."

"Besides."

"If you want to be excellent ninja, don't learn from the old man." Cangyue Hyuga looked thoroughly disgusted. "He's getting on in years and loves spouting long-winded nonsense."

"Cangyue Hyuga!" Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened.

That brat has no respect for anyone!

He thinks he can do whatever he wants!

The Will of Fire was the village's heart, a dream handed down from the First!

Cangyue Hyuga put both hands on Sasuke's shoulders. As though he had seen straight through him, he imitated Sasuke's voice. "I'm a man out for revenge. To hell with the Will of Fire. I just want tougher missions so I can get stronger. Strength is all that matters!"

"..." Sasuke Uchiha's mouth twitched. His face reddened with embarrassment at having his thoughts exposed.

Exactly.

That was precisely what he had been thinking. To hell with the Will of Fire. All he wanted was power—enough power to carry out his revenge!

"Cangyue!" Hiruzen Sarutobi glared.

Naruto Uzumaki pushed up his forehead protector and declared, "Third Hokage, I'm going to become Hokage! Give Team 7 some tougher missions!"

"Marry the old man, and you'll be the Hokage's man tomorrow. As your teacher, you have my blessing." Cangyue Hyuga wore the expression of a father seeing his daughter off to her wedding.

"..." Team 7 was speechless.

"Cangyue Hyuga, enough!" Hiruzen Sarutobi's low voice carried a hint of anger. He was known for his good temper, but even the most patient person couldn't endure Cangyue's relentless needling.

"As it happens, there's a mission available. A C-Rank escort mission." Hiruzen Sarutobi suppressed his anger and tossed a scroll to Cangyue.

"Mr. Tazuna, come in." Hiruzen Sarutobi looked toward the door.

Sucking on a lollipop, Cangyue Hyuga sat on the sofa with his legs crossed. He watched the drunk old man enter with a thoughtful look.

Tazuna?

The Land of Waves, then.

Which means we'll run into the Demon of the Mist on this mission.

That should be interesting.

It's a good chance to test the power of Hadō #90: Black Coffin.

He had used Black Coffin a few times before. It was indeed a formidable technique, but he hadn't tried it on a person yet.

A Twenty-Million Appearance Fee? Off to the Land of Waves!

With everyone watching, a short old man walked into the office. He wore shabby gray work clothes and swayed as he drank from a wine bottle. The heavy reek of alcohol clung to him; he had clearly drunk a lot.

"Hic. These little brats look weak. Hic. Can a bunch of Genin really get me safely to... hic... the Land of Waves?" Tazuna drunkenly sized up all of Team 7.

"You're the client?" The smell of alcohol made Naruto Uzumaki pinch his nose as he stared at the thoroughly drunk Tazuna in confusion.

He stinks!

The smell of booze is so strong!

"The black-haired kid looks dependable." Tazuna glanced at the cool, aloof Sasuke, then at the goofy Naruto Uzumaki. He took another drink and said with disdain, "This idiot's a ninja too? Run home and drink your milk, brat."

"Hmph." Sasuke Uchiha sneered and glanced coolly at Naruto Uzumaki, a hint of smugness in his smile.

"You bastard! Client or not, I'll teach you a lesson and show you what I can do!" Naruto Uzumaki stared blankly for a moment, then a vein bulged on his forehead and he lunged at Tazuna like an angry cat.

He hated being looked down on!

And the old man thought Sasuke was more dependable than him?

What a joke!

Sakura Haruno hurriedly grabbed Naruto Uzumaki and glared at him. "Naruto, show the client some respect! You'll hurt the village's reputation!"

"Let go, Sakura! Come on, let go! I'm going to punch that old man sober!" Naruto Uzumaki struggled fiercely, glaring at Tazuna in a huff.

"Who's the Jonin leading the team? You?" Ignoring Naruto Uzumaki, Tazuna looked at Cangyue Hyuga on the sofa.

That white-haired man is the Jonin in charge?

He had a handsome face and a tall, lean build, but he wore neither a forehead protector nor a ninja uniform identifying his village.

Sitting cross-legged on the sofa with a lollipop in his mouth and a faint, cocky smile on his face, he gave off a frivolous impression.

He looks weak. Isn't he just the kind of flirt who hangs around taverns picking up women?

Cangyue Hyuga sucked on his lollipop and smiled faintly. "That's me."

Bottle in hand, Tazuna staggered up to Cangyue and studied him through drunken eyes. After a long swig, he hiccupped. "Hic. You look weak. You don't seem like a ninja at all. More like some womanizer who hangs around taverns... hic... tricking girls into paying for him."

He wasn't deliberately putting Cangyue down. He was telling the truth: he genuinely thought Cangyue looked weak, nothing like a Jonin.

Can I rely on this white-haired man?

Cangyue Hyuga flipped through Icha Icha Paradise. "Don't worry, don't worry. I'm strong," he said casually.

"I think that black-haired Genin on your team is more dependable than you." Tazuna took another long drink and swayed, nearly losing his footing.

Cangyue Hyuga turned to Tazuna with a small smile. "Drop dead, you old geezer."

Sakura Haruno glared at Cangyue and protested, "Cangyue-sensei, what are you saying?"

Cangyue-sensei just told Mr. Tazuna to drop dead?

Telling the client to drop dead?

Only you, Cangyue Hyuga!

Tazuna looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, speechless. "Lord Hokage, could you give me a more dependable Jonin?"

Cangyue Hyuga struck him as frivolous, nothing like the other reliable Jonin. Tazuna even suspected he might abandon the client and run the moment danger appeared.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, his head aching.