Chapter 57: Teaching Moments, Ambush

(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)

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Inside the Hokage building, Naruto was in high spirits.

"Grandpa Third, are you going to give us an A-rank mission?"

He had slept well and woke up refreshed, remembering Colt's words that the Third had promised them no more D-rank missions.

Though Sasuke remained calm, his eyes were also bright.

Colt was already far ahead of him. If he stayed in the village, he'd only fall further behind.

Only Sakura looked nervous about leaving the village.

"Naruto, A-rank missions are beyond your current abilities," the Third Hokage said earnestly, and when he moved his eyes a bit, he noticed Colt yawning behind the others.

"Colt, are you alright?" he asked, feeling a bit guilty about assigning another mission to the kid so soon.

"I'm fine," Colt waved dismissively. "Just didn't sleep well last night."

He'd only slept two hours after returning from Naruto's house. If he'd known they'd gather so soon, he might as well have stayed up.

Remember kids: Staying up late already hurts your body, but if you'll only sleep two hours… it was better to pull an all-nighter.

Still, the sleepless night wasn't without results. His progress on the second stage of the Flying Thunder God technique had increased significantly.

Colt had discovered that while Minato Namikaze was famous for the Flying Thunder God, his other ninjutsu skills weren't weak either.

Not to mention his wife who was from the Uzumaki clan - her sealing skills were the best in Konoha.

Colt had already decided to chat with the Fourth Hokage again in the future and try to learn everything he could from him.

Hearing Colt's response, the Third didn't press further.

"Come in!" he called to the door.

A scruffy, drunk old man with a bottle in hand stumbled in, eyeing the team of five.

"This is the famous bridge builder from the Land of Waves, Tazuna-san" the Third introduced.

"Your mission is to escort him back to the Land of Waves and protect him while he completes the bridge. It's a C-rank mission."

"Only C-rank?" Naruto grumbled, but quickly regained his enthusiasm.

Colt glanced at Tazuna, then closed his eyes to rest.

After some back-and-forth, Tazuna reluctantly accepted the team.

Two hours later, Team 7 assembled at Konoha's gate.

Naruto, excited about his first time leaving the village, was scolded by Kakashi for nearly forgetting everything he needed to bring with him.

As they traveled, Naruto looked around in wonder. Though Sakura and Sasuke were more reserved, their darting eyes betrayed their curiosity.

This worried Tazuna, but at least Colt and Kakashi seemed normal, if a bit sleepy and lazy.

Kakashi took the opportunity to teach his students about the Five Great Nations and mission rankings.

Sakura was relieved to hear that C-rank missions shouldn't involve enemy ninjas.

Tazuna's expression became unnatural at this, which Sasuke noticed keenly.

"By the way, what's the highest-rank mission you've done, Colt?" Naruto asked suddenly.

"Well, A-rank, but only once," Colt answered honestly.

The others were startled. Even Kakashi looked surprised. An A-rank mission just a month after graduation?

Seeing their curiosity, Colt recounted his mission to retrieve the Second Hokage's Thunder God Sword. (Raijin No Ken)

"Amazing! I've read about that sword in textbooks," Sakura said, shocked.

As noon approached, the hot sun beat down on them. Despite Tazuna slowing them, they were far from Konoha's range already.

Suddenly, Colt noticed a puddle on the road ahead.

He exchanged glances with Kakashi, who subtly moved to the front of the group while Colt slowed to reach the rear.

As the last to pass the puddle, two ninjas wearing Mist headbands erupted from there to attack Colt. Their chain weapon quickly wrapped around him.

The sudden attack startled the others.

But only Sasuke gripped a kunai, watching warily.

The Demon Brothers pulled hard, but the chain didn't budge.

"Naruto, remember, as a ninja, you must learn physics," Colt said calmly.

"Think about it - a large puddle on such a hot day is completely unreasonable, no? These Mist ninjas are a perfect example of poor planning."

Thanks to Minato's lessons, Colt was confidently using himself as bait to teach his teammates. Specifically, Naruto.

"Damn you!" The brothers, realizing their mistake, angrily tried to tighten the chain mechanism.

"I'll teach you another truth. Metal is extremely conductive. Never use metal against a lightning-natured ninja."

Suddenly, a strong electric current surged from Colt's body, conducted along the chain. The brothers convulsed as Colt increased the power.

In the end, they couldn't even scream as they were burned to cinders. The smell of cooked meat wafted through the air.

Colt released himself from the chain. "Mr. Tazuna, it's time we discussed your deception."

Ignoring the shocked Sakura and Naruto, Colt approached Tazuna with a stern look. Kakashi also turned his gaze to the bridge builder.

Kakashi had just told his students there would be no ninja on a C-rank mission, and now two Chunin had appeared.

Tazuna swallowed hard, his flask shaking as he explained the situation.

It took a while for him to finish explaining everything.

"Should we continue the mission?" Kakashi asked the team. "This is beyond the scope of a C-rank mission."

Hearing Kakashi consider abandoning the mission, Tazuna grew desperate.

"You can't give up! Don't ninjas see missions through or die trying? Without you, the entire Land of Waves will fall into darkness forever. Can you live with that?!"

His words stunned the inexperienced genins.

Sasuke snorted.

"Who said we're giving up? Even if there are more Mist ninjas ahead, I won't back down!"

Naruto, feeling ashamed of his earlier inaction, pulled out a kunai and stabbed his own palm. The bright blood emphasized his vow:

"I, Naruto Uzumaki, will never abandon this mission!"

Kakashi felt some relief. Though Tazuna had deceived them, at least his students were showing some strong resolve.

As he was about to agree to continue, Colt spoke up.