Chapter 26: C-rank Mission (2)

Kakashi stood to the side, not interfering.

He was observing.

Faced with Naruto's question, the two ninjas remained silent and lowered their heads.

They wouldn't easily divulge information just because of a question.

However, this resolute attitude already indicated some issues.

Their lack of surprise or instinctive rebuttal to Naruto's straightforward inquiry, and their silent refusal to answer, brought forth only one conclusion: "Yes."

Naruto tilted his head and looked at Kakashi.

It was now clear that the enemy's target was Tazuna, and it was time for the person in charge to make a decision.

Kakashi waved his hand with interest.

Naruto responded with an "Oh," and shifted his gaze to Tazuna.

This time, Kakashi wasn't shirking responsibility.

He wanted to see how Naruto would handle it.

"Tazuna-san, their target is you," Naruto took out the mission scroll, "This is different from the information you provided us."

"We need an explanation."

Tazuna sighed, scratched his head, and repeated his complaints for the third time, this time in more detail, revealing the main culprit obstructing and sabotaging the bridge construction: a wealthy businessman named "Gato."

Naruto nodded and made a decision: "In that case, please come back to the village with us."

Tazuna's face turned pale: "Are you going to abandon the mission?"

"If I die, my ten-year-old grandson, my daughter..."

"You're backing down already, Naruto?" Kakashi also spoke.

Naruto glanced at him in surprise.

This... shouldn't be something a leading Jonin, or even any ninja, would say.

"I am responsible for the team, Hatake-sensei," Naruto retorted seriously.

He then continued to Tazuna: "We're not abandoning the mission; we're replacing the ninjas carrying it out."

"When we left the village, I noticed a lot of chakra gathering nearby, with many observing us."

"These two are among them."

"There's no doubt that if we continue, we will encounter more enemies."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over his teammates: "These two ninjas, Hatake-sensei and I can easily handle."

"One-on-one, Sasuke might also win."

"As for Haruno, she might be killed within a few moves."

Sakura's pupils dilated, her face turning pale.

"Moreover, they are from Mist Village," Naruto pointed his sword at one of their forehead protectors, "No scratch marks, they're not rogue ninjas."

"There's a possibility of hidden identities."

"But after all, it's Mist Village, it's the Land of Water. It's better to leave it to the village to handle."

Kakashi raised his hand, supporting his head, lost in thought.

"My money is only enough to hire you," Tazuna clenched the sake bottle in his hand, "I can't come up with more."

He was very poor.

Naruto glanced at him: "Drink less sake, maybe you could hire a Chunin."

"The Land of Waves doesn't have a ninja village. Opening the road might be a good thing for our village."

"If you explain the benefits clearly, you might get support from Konoha."

"If that doesn't work, I can lend you money. After the bridge in the Land of Waves is completed, you will have more opportunities to make money and won't have to worry about repaying it."

At this point, he paused and looked at Kakashi.

Kakashi didn't speak immediately.

He was amazed at how Naruto handled the situation.

"Being capable and having some leadership ability" is one of the conditions for being promoted to Chunin.

But what Naruto displayed surpassed not only Chunin but even some Jonin.

Clear in regulation, with a clear purpose.

What warmed his heart was the last sentence.

Indeed, the softest and brightest parts of his teacher and teacher's wife hearts were inherited by him.

However...

Why was he so excellent?

Handling affairs isn't something that, like "ninjutsu training," can be done recklessly or against common sense just because of talent.

No matter who, even the most talented ninja, needs to learn these things step by step.

This is a matter of "cognition," unrelated to "talent."

Even the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, learned gradually before becoming qualified and excellent.

"Hatake-sensei?" Naruto reminded.

Kakashi snapped out of it. "Great job, Naruto."

"You are right, but since a ninja has accepted a mission, there's no reason to give up easily."

"And you must be able to protect your comrades."

Naruto nodded slightly.

"Then let's proceed..."

Kakashi bit his thumb, formed seals, and performed the technique.

He bent down and slapped the ground.

The curse mark expanded.

"Summoning Technique: Eight Ninja Dogs!"

White smoke surged and quickly dissipated, revealing eight dogs of different colors, sizes, and appearances at the center of the seal.

"Yo, Kakashi, what are you calling all of us out for this time?" the pug on the largest black bulldog said lazily. "It doesn't seem like there's a battle, and you don't look too tense."

"Pakkun, I'm on a mission with my students, how can you say I'm not tense?" Kakashi corrected it. "I have a task for you now."

Pakkun barked in agreement.

"Take these two Mist ninjas back to Konoha."

"Inform the Hokage that our mission intelligence was incorrect, and we might encounter a large number of enemy ninjas, so we need reinforcements."

Pakkun nodded and jumped off the black bulldog. "Understood."

Kakashi threw the captives onto the bulldog.

The ninja dogs departed.

Kakashi smiled with narrowed eyes. "Let's move on."

Uchiha Sasuke did not object.

He was eager to test his strength in real combat.

Haruno Sakura was a bit worried. Naruto's earlier comment about "getting killed" still had her heart pounding. However, with the strong Uzumaki Naruto and Kakashi-sensei, along with Sasuke, things should be fine.

Naruto glanced at Kakashi curiously.

This was an unusual decision.

Not to mention that "changing personnel" doesn't count as abandoning a mission.

Using ninja dogs to send people back to the village and relay messages was a good option, but not the best solution.

This approach made him feel like Kakashi was rushing them to continue the mission.

He didn't say it out loud, just observed.

They continued on their way.

Tazuna was extremely grateful. After Naruto's earlier persuasion, he was okay with changing ninjas, but now, not having to spend more money and being able to continue employing the reassuring "Uzumaki Naruto" was clearly the best result.

No new enemies appeared until they reached the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Waves.

They boarded a boat and crossed the sea.

As they neared the Land of Waves, a thick fog immediately rolled in.

They smuggled through the national border via the sewers and walked a bit further.

They disembarked.

Walking in the familiar woods, Tazuna stretched comfortably. "Thanks to you all, I got home safely."

"But it's not as dangerous as you said. So far, we haven't encountered any new enemies..."

As he spoke.

Naruto suddenly turned his head, looking at the dense forest not far away.

"Enemy?" Sasuke immediately grabbed a kunai.

Naruto nodded. "Yes, someone has been watching us for a long time without leaving."

"Their chakra is not weak."

"Just a bit weaker than Kakashi-sensei."

Weaker than a Jonin by just a bit?

That means the enemy...

Whoosh—

A violent wind tore through, and a dark figure attacked from the forest.

Spinning, shredding leaves and bushes.

It slammed heavily into a tree trunk, embedding itself.

It was a giant, irregularly sized sword.

It vibrated, causing leaves to fall, and before the first leaf hit the ground, a figure silently appeared, standing on the sword. "That blond kid is quite perceptive. Does he have sensory abilities?"

"No wonder the Demon Brothers failed."

"And there's also the Copy Ninja, Hatake Kakashi."

"Didn't expect to see you here."

Without a doubt, he was a Jonin.