Chapter 4: B-Ranked Mission (1)

When Might Guy finished his sentence, his face turned stern and serious.

Tenten's eyes widened in awe as her lips parted in surprise.

Her voice trembled as she asked the teacher a question in the shock's wake.

"This is Newgate's first mission, and it's our first time doing a B-ranked mission! Isn't this a little too much?"

Rock Lee and Neji didn't speak as Might Guy changed the mission details from yesterday, the air thick with anticipation rather than depression. Guy-sensei's instructions were always followed to the letter by Lee, whereas Neji was more eager to take on a greater challenge.

Guy looked into Tenten's eyes, and his expression softened as he put her doubts to rest. "You have been honing your skills for over a year. It's time to put your combat experience into play now. As for Newgate." Might Guy paused for a moment and looked directly at him, "Do you really think that he'll struggle?"

He ended his sentence and spun around, locking eyes with Tenten.

Tenten nodded, thinking about how Newgate knocked Neji out in a single go and the fierce aura he let off. No matter what, her heart was still burdened with worries.

"Now then, let's put our youth to blaze, and take down this mission!" Might Guy's face broke out into a wide smile and he flashed a thumbs up.

"Yes, Guy-sensei!" Rock Lee tried to emulate his style, the sound of his feet shuffling across the floor.

Tenten gazed at the duo, her mind still numb from all the agony she had suffered for the past twelve months.

Neji and Newgate nodded in silence, their minds wandering to different places.

The four ran, their feet pounding the soft earth of the forest. They felt the gentle caress of the wind on their faces and heard sticks snapping underneath their feet. They left the bounds of the land of fire, the sun setting in the western sky.

"Newgate, this should be your first time out?" Tenten asked.

Newgate's gaze was steady as he nodded his head in acknowledgement.

"Don't stress too much. We'll do most of the work for you, so just relax." Tenten said, her voice smoothing, trying to comfort Newgate.

Newgate looks at her like a fool, "Gurararara! Do you think I'm afraid? I'm Whitebeard, little girl."

Something made Tenten tick hearing Newgate's words and lashed out on him. "Humph. Who are you calling a little girl? This little girl can beat any man in taijutsu any time of the day!"

Neji responded to Tenten's words with a sharp, dismissive snort. Women exhibiting greater physical strength than men in taijutsu? Dream.

"I didn't mean that. I believe girls can be better than men in taijutsu, but I think you underestimate me a bit," Newgate explained, calming Tenten's nerves.

Tenten takes a moment to inhale the calming scent of the trees, realising she had been a bit too emotional. "Sorry."

After speaking, she cast her gaze downward and then, her eyes twinkling, lifted her head again.

Newgate looked at her and said nothing when he saw her eyes filled with determination.

With each step they took, they felt the warmth of the sun on their skin as they approached the village. The four took a break and refuel their energy for the upcoming battles, the birds chirping in the trees providing a peaceful soundtrack.

"Hey, Newgate. Where did you get such an enormous weapon? With all the research I've done, I have seen nothing like it," Tenten asked, her eyes glued to the giant naginata.

As Newgate's eyes shone with a white light, memories of the past filled his mind.

When the system first came to him at the age of eight, he was met with the same task.

Every day, he would swing 10,000 times, his arms straining as he wielded multiple weapons. It just didn't work.

It was then he had a flash of inspiration.

Since the system is a Whitebeard template type, what if I used a naginata?

For two days, Newgate searched for the perfect bamboo and rock to craft his inaugural naginata.

And well, sure enough, it worked!

Of course, that was just the scuffed one to use for training.

Once he was 11 years old, Newgate reached 10% on the system template.

The system was grateful enough to give him a reward for his hard work and dedication.

This is how he got the Murakumogiri.

But Newgate couldn't just tell her the current weapon he got was from the system, so he made up a casual lie saying that he made the base model, which is true, then told her he gave the weapon to a blacksmith to make a proper version of the Murakumogiri.

Tenten smiled and continued their pleasant conversation during the break.

Might Guy, Rock Lee, and Hyūga Neji glanced at the two chatting and heard their cheerful laughter.

"They seem to get along well Guy-sensei," Lee said.

When Lee spoke, Neji felt a flutter in his chest that he couldn't control, but he quickly told himself it was just a sign of his own vulnerability.

Might Guy nods with a broad grin, then his expression shifts and he calls out to the group.

"Everyone! Come here and listen up!"

Tenten and Newgate, who had been in the midst of a lively conversation, paused and walked over to Might Guy, their laughter still lingering in the air.

Might Guy's usually cheerful face was set into a stern expression.

"Listen closely. Remember, the mission is to rescue Sawa Kei, a popular merchant in the land of fire."

All heads nodded in agreement, their eyes narrowed in concentration as they memorised the information.

"We at least know of three Chūnin ninjas that are protecting the captured target. There are also 10 Genin ninjas on guard."

Newgate gave a slight nod of his head. The mission doesn't seem dangerous to him at all.

His Haki was so strong, it allowed him to even traverse sideways through this world, and no ninjutsus could harm him except those involving water.

He also has a perverted physique. One punch and they're out.

Even though his current strength was no match for the challenge, he knew that only a Jōnin with battle-tested skills could make him face it, yet he'd still come out unscathed.

He felt his strength surging through him, giving him the confidence to fight for a full day and night.

His eyes sparkled with confidence as he braced himself to ask the important question, knowing he was well-equipped to handle the answer.

"How far away is the village from us now? And what's the plan?"

Might Guy's eyes turned to Newgate. "The village is roughly 15 minutes from here."

Newgate's eyes leapt in response to the sound of this. Camping 15 minutes away from the enemy village? Guy-sensei got some balls.

"As for the plan," Might Guy paused, and the atmosphere became so tense that it was almost suffocating, "Just walk into the village as normal people. Each person has to pay 1000 ryo to enter though, then we gather intel throughout the day and meet back up here to plan out our next engagements."

Newgate's lip twitches. He thought he could finish the mission swiftly, but it would take more time than expected.

The four bobbed their heads in understanding, the rustle of their clothes making their way to the village.

(A/N [1]: Tenten won the poll at the time of writing this, so I shall make Tenten the love interest. Also, thank you for all the support in this book, as this is my first time writing something like this.)

(A/N [2]: Finally, some action in the next chapter! The reason I delayed it is that I want to ask you guys a question. Would you like the MC to be overpowered? Or would you like to see him grow up from weak to strong? Although he has 12% of Whitebeard's strength, he has no combat experience. Of course, I could change that by saying the system gives Whitebeard's combat experience. All up to you guys!)

(A/N [3]: Sorry for the delayed updates and the brief chapter. Mother's Day came up so I've been busy, then got sick yesterday. I'll maintain 3 chapters a week from now on)