C-Rank Mission

It has been fifteen days since that talk with Hokage and other elders. Soon after that, they continued doing missions and training.

Although he asked Hokage to give them a C-Rank, they still needed to train and complete more missions.

They have completed nearly 60 missions within these fifteen days. It caused quite a sensation throughout the village.

Today was the sixteenth day since their team's establishment. Just like any other day, they were at the Hokage's Office for the mission.

But unlike the other days, Naruto had enough. His Old Naruto Mind began to corrupt Gamer Mind and started shouting.

"Old Man, enough is enough! We have finished sixty D-Rank missions, sixty and you are still making us do C-Rank. It's impossible. Today, I won't budge unless you give us a C-Rank mission."

"Hahaha!"

Suddenly, Hiruzen started laughing, startling the entire room and everyone in it. Even Iruka Sensei sitting next to him stopped doing whatever he was going to do with Naruto.

After a bit of laughter, Hiruzen looked at Naruto and said.

"I was waiting for you to throw a tantrum. I wanted to see just how long you can keep your new persona. In fact, you were ready for C-Rank missions five days ago."

"Lord Hokage!" Iruka shouted in shock from his seat.

"Iruka, I know you are worried for Naruto but he along with his team has gotten a lot stronger than you can imagine."

Hiruzen raised his hand and stopped Iruka from speaking. He took out a scroll and threw it at Kurenai instead of Naruto.

Since this was a C-Rank mission, it was her decision whether to take it or not.

Kurenai opened the scroll and her face was filled with a worried expression. She looked at Hiruzen and asked.

"Lord Hokage, are you sure they are ready for this kind of mission?"

Hiruzen released a puff out his mouth and said.

"Normally, a Hokage can't be partial to his people but after watching your team's progress, I can honestly say your team is the strongest team of Genin with only Team Gai being your competition."

"But since they were one year above you, I won't count them. I was honestly surprised seeing how much all three of you have improved. Naruto was an understandable case but you two were not."

"It made me realize that if we follow the example of the past, we can't surpass the future. Shikamaru, you might still be as lazy as your father but I can guarantee that you are stronger than him in your age despite the difference in time and situation."

"Hinata, you were not weak and never succeeded in utilizing your full potential during your academy days. But right now, you can probably fight and even defeat the Rookie of the Year of your class."

"Originally, I would've blamed Kakashi for that but I realized Naruto was right. Whenever you gain strength not for yourself but for others, you will surpass others in no time."

"Sasuke is trying to gain strength for his revenge while you two are gaining strength to help Naruto. Your motivation and belief are much stronger than his. Thus, you two are much stronger than him."

"But, this mission will be another test for you. It might not affect Naruto but it will definitely affect you two. So brace yourself and keep that same motivation and belief in your heart intact."

Hearing his words, Hinata and Shikamaru felt pride dwelling in their hearts. They never thought Hokage would praise them so much, especially without any hesitation.

"Yes, Lord Third!" Both of them bowed and backed away.

Kurenai gave a bow and left with her team. Naruto was already ahead of them.

"Do you really think they can do it, Lord Third?" Iruka turned his head at Hiruzen and asked.

"I am sure they will do it." Hiruzen smiled and continued with his paperwork.

Soon, the team gathered in front of the Konoha Gate after half an hour. They were given a chance to gather all the essentials for the mission.

Kurenai finished registering her team with Gatekeeper and walked in front of her team.

"Alright team, this might be the hardest mission you will ever face. It will also be the first step for you to become a shinobi. Let's start with the details of the mission."

"On the Outskirts of the Fire Country, there is a small village that was attacked by the bandits. That village didn't have any ninjas so they couldn't defend themselves and asked Konoha for help."

"Since it is under the jurisdiction of Fire Country, we must do anything to help them. And, since it was attacked by bandits, it falls upon C-Rank. Our job is to find the bandit camp that is said to be near the village and exterminate them."

As soon as those words rang, Hinata and Shikamaru's blood ran cold. Naruto was able to keep his mind calm with Gamer Mind but even his Old Naruto persona was trying to shout at Kurenai.

Despite them being bandits, he couldn't think of killing them. Capturing them? Yes! But killing them? No!

Though his Gamer Mind didn't allow Old Naruto persona to interfere. No matter how good of a person he might be, Naruto knew that his Gamer Mind was right.

His mind was turning scary each day. He had a total of three minds.

Gamer Mind which was logical.

Old Naruto mind which was brass, obnoxious, and full of kindness.

Decision mind which would make a decision based on the situation.

It turned out that even when there was only Old Naruto's Mind, there were times when he would reject the ideas given by Old Naruto's mind.

It's like two different people sitting on his shoulders and fighting each other. And, Naruto at last would listen to the winning mind.

He shook his thoughts about his own mind and took a deep breath.

"Let's start our mission, Kurenai Sensei!"

Kurenai gave him a look and nodded.

As they began to travel outside the village, Hinata moved closer to Naruto and asked.

"Naruto-kun, aren't you worried?"

Naruto paused for a moment and said.

"I was. My Old Naruto Persona was screaming at Kurenai Sensei."

Hearing that, Kurenai turned her head and stared at him for a moment before Naruto continued.

"But, I sided with my New Naruto Persona. Because I believe it is the right thing to do."

Shikamaru suddenly butted in and asked.

"Just because the village asked you to do it?"

"It has nothing to do with the village." Naruto shook his head and continued.

"You see, for me there are three kinds of people. Good, Bad, and I don't care. Good people are people like you and Hinata. Bad people are those who hurt innocent despite the circumstances."

"I don't care are villagers. I fight for Good because they gave me strength. When I fought against Mizuki, I fought for Iruka Sensei. That belief gave me the strength to make a decision."

"The decision that led to my first kill. That might've been a worst decision for some but for me, it didn't matter. Because I was fighting for my belief."

"Now, I am doing the same. I am fighting so that innocent people won't have to die. I can imprison them or even cripple them but does that make them innocent?"

"Shikamaru, when Kage starts a war, the consequences will always be his. The moment that bandit started to attack innocents, he will receive the consequences."

"In simple terms, I am fighting for belief, not for the village and not for those people who died. As long as I keep winning, I will be proving to others that my belief is right."

"But what if it is wrong? What if you lose?" Shikamaru asked.

"Shikamaru!" "Shikamaru-kun!"

Hinata and Kurenai instantly glared at him but Shikamaru didn't care. He just stared at Naruto.

"Isn't it simple Shikamaru? My belief is that I get stronger by fighting for others. If my belief was wrong, how could it give me strength and motivation?"

"And, if I lose...…. Those I fought for will fix my broken belief. Because they are the ones who made that belief in the first place. So, there can only be two consequences in my battle. I win or I die."

Hearing his words, Shikamaru clenched his fist.

Hinata looked at Naruto and said.

"I will never let anyone break your belief, Naruto-kun."

"And, if someone does break it, we will always be there for you, Naruto." Kurenai smiled and answered.

On the other hand, Shikamaru released a deep breath.

'Remember Shikamaru, those who fight for selfish reasons might win but those who fight for selfless reasons always come out on top.'

'Because in the game or in the life, King is a person who always protects his people, a truly selfless person. And, that's why we have to be the selfish ones.'

'Only then we can protect our king.'

Shikamaru eyes fell on Naruto as he silently vowed.

'If it is to protect you, Naruto. I will become the most selfish man in this world.'