MISSION

Chapter 4 - Mission.

It's been two weeks since Kain and Akatami had officially become a Genin squad with Reitomi as the leader. Over these weeks they've done nothing but minor E - Rank and D - Rank missions, becoming quite popular with the civilians.

The two never complained as they thought it would be nice to ease into it… But after a full two weeks of that torture… They just couldn't help but ask for a harder mission.

"Reitomi-Sensei! Can't we do something harder than this? We've been doing these chore missions for like… Ever!" Akatami exclaimed, holding a cat in her arms. Currently Team 0 was on their way back to the Hokage's office to turn in the cat to its owner and then report that they were done.

Hearing Akatami's request, Kain couldn't help but agree with her.

"Yeah Sensei… It's kind of obnoxious to keep doing these missions knowing we can handle harder ones. We were fine with it at first, but now that we've got some experience…" Kain dragged.

"We would like a harder one!" Akatami finished with a huff. Reitomi stayed silent and just led the two to their destination. She already had something in mind for their team and while she didn't say it, she mentally agreed with them. Even she was starting to get annoyed at these articulous tasks of catching lost animals and helping clean things up. Be it painting gates to picking up trash.

It wasn't very ninja-like.

'We have peace to blame for that…' She mentally snorted. Giving the two little monsters behind her a harder job would be worth their while. She's also been helping train the two of them in their off time, mostly Kain since he was the one that needed it the most.

His chakra control and jutsu's were top notch, she expected nothing less from an Uchiha genius. His chakra capacity surprised her as well. It was like it was never-ending. Like it was always in a state of being completely untouched. She wanted to question that, but well…

Considering she went quite overboard last time when she talked to him about potential clan secrets, what she said wasn't the nicest. Though, it seemed like Kain didn't really mind.

By now, the group had made it to the Hokage tower. Entering they were greeted with the site of two chunin level ninja's guarding the pathway leading to the Hokage's office and into the hallway, but instead of heading for the Hokage, they took a left.

The request board was situated in a room where there were Genin receptionists and civilians who made their requests. Akatami immediately spotted the nice woman who owned the cat and immediately gave it back, hiding her initial annoyance with a kind smile. Reitomi snickered at how Akatami kept herself from exploding while the woman thanked her consistently. Saying she would repay them all graciously the next time they bring her cat back.

Kain shook his head with a sigh. The woman already knew she was going to lose it again! She had no responsibility!

"Alright, now that that's done… Time to speak to the old foggy himself." Reitomi muttered, informing the duo following her. Kain and Akatami shared a glance of curiosity but didn't question it further. The group arrived in front of the Hokages door and without knocking, Reitomi strode right in, like it was her home.

"How are you doing today, Old-man Sarutobi!" The old man froze before sighing, taking a puff of his pipe before resting his hands on his desk. He seemed mildly disappointed, like he was expecting her to be stopped.

'What do I pay those bastards for!?' His inner-turmoil however, wasn't as secretive as he thought. Akatami snickered and Kain smiled wryly. He knew Sarutobi was a softy when it came to his ninja, but to think he'd tolerate it.

"Sigh, what can I do for you today Reitomi? I don't believe I called for you… Or your team." He spared the two genin a glance, the ends of his mouth arcing up. Smiling smugly, Reitomi pushed her two students in front of her, her eyes glistening with a plot.

She knows how Kain and Akatami have been feening for a harder mission, she never gave in because of what they were. They were a squad meant for back-up, to save the other genin in case of emergency. At first, it seemed like a rather fun and easy job. You never have to leave the village and the times you do it's just to do some clean up.

However, that got her thinking…

How could they be a back-up, 'save another team's ass,' if they've never actually experienced a mission where it's do or die, kill or be killed. She could train them as hard as she wants, but that won't replace actual experience. It's better to have a first hand run in than somebody else's words.

"Well these two… They've been wanting harder missions! I didn't agree at first, but now I think they're ready." Hiruzen's eyes widened in interest, he thought that was why they were here. He's been keeping an eye on these two more than they could've ever thought.

Having two potential clan heirs within a single group wasn't for no reason. While Sasuke was an option for the Uchiha clan, Kain wasn't revenge driven. Sasuke wouldn't fit as the Clan heir and he probably wouldn't want the seat, even if he was the last remaining Uchiha.

"Is that so?" He glanced curiously at the two genin, in response Akatami nodded enthusiastically while Kain nodded with more vigor than usual. Hiruzen smiled and leaned back in his chair, his eyes closed as he fell into thought.

'What mission would be suitable for these two… Plus Reitomi. Knowing her, she might just end up doing it on her own, so one that's incredibly easy wouldn't be a good idea… But these two are still inexperienced and doing anything above C-Rank wouldn't be smart…' His nose scrunched as his brain worked harder to decide what to give them.

Eventually though, he settled on a C-Rank mission.

"Mm, fine. I grant you permission to do a C-Rank mission. ONLY a C-Rank mission Reitomi!" His eyes sharpened as he glared at her, in response she only rolled her eyes and began to walk away. Dragging her students along with her.

Waving over her back, she said sarcastically, "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say Lord Third."

It was safe to say that Hiruzen's stress only seemed to get heavier and heavier, and this meeting definitely didn't ease the old hoots head.

…

"Are we really going to do a C-Rank mission!?" Akatami exclaimed, practically jumping in excitement. Kain was a lot tamer, but he was still visibly pleased by the thought. Reitomi smirked as she looked at the mission board.

"No… We're doing something a little more challenging~" Akatami tilted her head in confusion, Kain squinted and watched as Reitomi picked a mission from the B-Rank section. It was a scouting mission about some missing Ninja's that bordered the Land of Sound.

It was a relatively new village, only being built a few years ago.

'Orochimaru's village?' Kain thought, thinking that this would end up being more troublesome than the other two could've thought. He had a bad feeling about this and he usually trusted his gut, but seeing that Reitomi's strength was nothing to scoff at and his and Akatami's strength were considerable as well…

He ignored the feeling, pushing it to the back of his mind.

"Eh? Are you sure? I don't think we're ready for something this challenging, sensei…" Akatami asked, a little intimidated by the ranking of the mission. She's heard little to nothing about the sound village, but she does know that it's run by one of the Sannin. Perks of snooping around clan head meetings.

Reitomi thought about it some more, taking into consideration the two's strengths. She thinks they would be fine… Plus, if anything bad happens, she'll be right there with them to protect them. So, unless it gets too out of hand for a scouting mission- Which they are perfect for- everything should be fine.

"Mm, you'll be fine~ It's just scouting anyways, it's not like we'll be forced into a battle. But on the off chance that we are… Well, you two have nothing to worry about. I'm sure I'm more than enough to protect you two!" She reassured with a smile.

Kain felt skeptical about it all but decided to trust his teacher. Akatami did the same, though her hesitation was a little more noticeable compared to Kain.

"If you say so…"