A-Rank Mission

In the streets and alleys, Koki was walking side by side with Shisui and Hayate. The three of them were chatting and laughing, their steps light and quick as they moved through the crowd.

Not long ago, they worked together to help Lady Daimyo successfully find her beloved kitten that had accidentally gone missing.

Another task completed!

Throughout the journey, Koki remained in high spirits, occasionally teasing her younger brother beside her, fully enjoying this leisurely time.

Upon entering his home, he immediately pulled Kakashi and Obito together, and they sat around a mahjong table, beginning a joyful game of cards.

Laughter and cheerful chatter filled the room, making it feel like a blissful, carefree life!

However, this peaceful atmosphere was short-lived and was soon ruthlessly shattered.

In the late afternoon, the bright sunshine lazily shone on the earth. The three had just successfully completed a rather easy and enjoyable task and were preparing to take a short rest when they suddenly received an urgent notice from Minato — the Lord Hokage summoned them!

Upon hearing this news, Koki frowned slightly. Here we go again? What exactly does that old man want?

Despite their grievances and dissatisfaction, they still rushed towards the Hokage Building as fast as they could.

Before long, they arrived at the Hokage Building and entered one of the spacious and bright offices.

Upon entering the room, it was already packed with all sorts of people, creating a rather noisy and chaotic scene.

Koki glanced around and realized it was the mission reception area.

As always, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat high up, a cigarette dangling from his lips, the smoke obscuring his face and making it impossible to discern his true thoughts and feelings.

Once everyone had gathered, Hiruzen Sarutobi reached for the scroll on the table, coughed lightly, and said, "This time, I have a very urgent and important task for your class to complete."

"An emergency mission?" Minato Namikaze was slightly taken aback, a hint of doubt involuntarily rising in his mind.

Normally, such urgent missions are usually assigned to experienced, battle-hardened Jonin.

Their class had only recently graduated from the Ninja Academy; they were practically greenhorns, and by all accounts, it seemed they shouldn't be the ones taking on this important task.

Thinking of this, Minato immediately replied, "Lord Hokage, shouldn't a mission of this level be carried out by the Jonin? After all, they've only just Jonin."

Although he phrased it rather tactfully, his meaning was quite clear—he hoped to refuse the task.

Because he was fully aware of the enormous risks and challenges of this mission, he couldn't bear to let his beloved student experience such a severe test so early in life.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was not angered by this, as if he had expected Minato to react this way.

"Minato, you have to trust your students. They're not easy to defeat. The village is short-handed right now, so this mission has to be entrusted to you. Come on, let's take a look at the details of this mission."

After saying this, he gently handed the mission scroll to Minato.

Minato hesitated for a moment, but still reached out and took the scroll, slowly opening it with his eyes focused intently on it.

Minato's brows were initially slightly furrowed, but as more information unfolded before him, his brows gradually relaxed, and the tense expression on his face began to ease.

Clearly, by reading this mission scroll, Minato already had a clear understanding of the situation.

This mission was indeed very simple and straightforward—simply escorting the daimyo's son to the Land of Fire.

The entire journey was not far, and it was entirely within the territory of the Land of Fire, so there was naturally no need to worry too much about safety.

Moreover, a large number of well-trained and powerful guards and ninjas will accompany and protect them throughout the journey. Even if they encounter some minor troubles or unexpected situations along the way, they will surely be able to resolve them smoothly.

"Lord Hokage, please rest assured, we will definitely complete this mission!"

"Hmm, very good!"

"Go and invite them over," Hiruzen Sarutobi ordered one of the ninjas beside him.

Upon hearing this, the ninja immediately bowed in agreement, then turned and hurriedly left.

Not long after, a series of crisp boot sounds rang out. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a young man dressed in a magnificent brocade robe with an extraordinary demeanor, surrounded by several agile guards, slowly stepping into the spacious room.

The boy was still young, but his appearance was exceptionally outstanding. His long, lustrous hair cascaded over his shoulders, and his dark eyes were dazzling. However, between his brows, there was a hint of undisguised arrogance.

Minato forward, bowed to the daimyo's son, and said, "Greetings. We are ninjas from Konoha, here to escort you safely to the Land of Fire."

Faced with Minato's humble and polite attitude, the daimyo's son merely glanced at him casually, letting out a cold snort from his nose, his tone arrogant.

"Yes, I understand. We should set off as early as possible tomorrow morning and not linger here too long, lest we cause any problems."

After saying this, he couldn't help but feel contempt in his heart. "Hmph, I really don't know why Father insisted on sending these ninjas to escort us. It's completely unnecessary! They're nothing but a bunch of incompetent fools."

A clear, slightly angry voice suddenly rang out. "Can't you speak properly?"

Everyone was taken aback and turned their gazes to the person who had spoken. Koki's brows were furrowed, and her eyes flashed with obvious dissatisfaction.

In this world, he encountered only well-behaved and sensible children. Suddenly seeing the son of a powerful figure so arrogant and conceited instantly evoked memories of the rebellious and unruly teenagers of his past life.

He clenched his teeth, trying his best to suppress his strong urge to beat the brat in front of him.

"Hmm?" Kohaku let out a soft, disdainful chuckle.

His gaze swept over them casually with disdain, his eyes as cold and piercing as frost in the dead of winter, revealing an air of arrogance and self-importance.

Very well! He wanted to see for himself who dared to question him.

Just as his gaze inadvertently fell on Koki, he froze on the spot as if he had been frozen in place.

In that instant, Kohaku realized that all the colors around her seemed to have dimmed, and only Koki's figure was dazzling and impossible to ignore.

His heart pounded faster and faster, like a wild horse breaking free of its reins, as an inexplicable emotion surged within him, making him dizzy and disoriented.

Kohaku stood frozen in place, staring intently at Koki, caught off guard by her intense attraction and at a loss for what to do.

He subconsciously pursed his lips, his teeth gently rubbing against his canines, trying to calm himself down. However, the violent pounding in his chest could not be calmed down; instead, it grew stronger.

"I must have this person!" Kohaku vowed silently in her heart.

His eyes revealed a kind of determination, as if Koki was already his.

Koki felt uneasy under Kohaku's strange gaze. He frowned, wondering why the son of a daimyo was suddenly looking at him like that, a feeling that sent chills down his spine.

Kohaku tried to take a few steps forward, but the resolute look in Shisui's eyes froze her in place.

"Let's go." Minato seemed to sense the tension in the air and just wanted to get Koki away from this troublesome place as soon as possible.

The group exchanged nods and followed closely in Minato's footsteps.

Kohaku stood still, not stopping him, her gaze following Koki's receding figure, her longing growing ever stronger...

Stepping out of the Hokage Building, Minato's gaze swept over them, his tone serious. "The mission may seem simple, but we cannot be careless. After all, this is an A-rank mission, and it involves the son of a Daimyo. The slightest mistake could have unimaginable consequences."

"Meet at the Konoha Gate promptly at 7:00 AM tomorrow. Now go back and get some rest."

"Yes, sir!"