"Eh? Another C-rank mission? Don't tell me we're killing bandits again?"
Yuhi Shinku had just picked up a C-rank mission, making the three of them worry it was going to be another bloody one.
"No, not this time. It's an escort mission. A wealthy merchant from the Land of Fire has hired us to escort him to the Land of Hot Water and back. He'll cover our food, lodging, and everything else—we just have to make sure he stays safe. There's also another team taking on the same mission. We'll be working together."
It wasn't a dangerous mission. In fact, it was a good opportunity for the kids to relax a little.
"The Land of Hot Water, huh? I've heard their hot springs are pretty famous."
"Yeah, Konoha has hot springs too, but I wouldn't mind checking out what other countries have to offer."
"Now that you mention it, Kiyosuke, isn't your house on the hot spring street?"
"Ah, yeah. It is. But I don't really go soak much. My family has a private spring at home," Kiyosuke said casually. He actually had plans to turn it into a full public bathhouse one day, but he was still too young to pull that off. The spring wasn't that big anyway. Still, not having to run bathwater every night? Pretty nice.
"You've got a hot spring at home? No wonder your skin's so good," said Kurenai with a hint of envy.
Kiyosuke had amazing skin—enough to make even a girl jealous.
"It's nothing, really! Totally natural! Has nothing to do with soaking in a hot spring every day!"
At that moment, Yuhi Shinku coughed lightly to break up their chatter.
"Alright, head home and pack. Just take a change of clothes and the ninja tools you need. Keep it light. We'll meet at the village gate in half an hour. The other team will be waiting there too!"
"Yes!"
The three of them immediately took off to get ready.
Kiyosuke packed a few changes of clothes and a novel to pass the time on the road. He slung on his backpack and left the house, sending a small snake to deliver a note to Orochimaru letting him know he was going on a mission and wouldn't be around for the next few days.
Honestly, Orochimaru wasn't as cold and unapproachable as he seemed. He just didn't talk much. Well, at least for now.
Who knew about the future...
...
At the Konoha Village Gate
Kiyosuke arrived early. Yuhi Shinku was already there, standing beside a palanquin. Next to it stood a chubby, kind-looking middle-aged man—clearly their client. Talking to him was a handsome blond man with blue eyes.
He wore the standard green flak jacket of a jonin over a tight blue outfit. His warm smile exuded friendliness—definitely a sunshine-type guy.
Hmph. He's good-looking... but I'm still top tier, Kiyosuke thought confidently after a quick glance.
"Shinku-sensei!"
"Shinku-san, is this one of your subordinates? He's early!" the warm-looking man said,.
Ahem.
Thankfully, this was Namikaze Minato, a Konoha shinobi aiming to become Hokage.
"He's alright. This is the squad leader of Team Seven—Namikaze Minato. A very reliable ninja. Minato, this is my student, Asakawa Kiyosuke."
"Hello, Minato-san."
"Nice to meet you, Kiyosuke-kun."
Minato smiled gently—charming, perfect, and completely unflappable. No wonder he'd be the future Fourth Hokage, Konoha's Yellow Flash.
"Kiyosuke-kun, you're classmates with Obito, right? You two should catch up later."
"Uh... I just hope he's not late."
Obito had a godlike ability to be late to all six classes of a five-day school week.
Hearing that, Minato gave a sheepish laugh. Obito was a hardworking kid. Despite being from the Uchiha clan, he didn't have the typical Uchiha personality. He was cheerful, optimistic, and always willing to help others.
His only real flaw?
Always, always late.
"Well... hard to say. He just went home to grab his gear. Shouldn't take too long."
"You never know with him."
Minato could only sigh.
Just then, a silver-haired boy landed nearby. He carried a short sword on his back, wore a black bodysuit, metal guards on his arms, and a face mask that concealed almost everything—only a pair of dead-fish eyes were visible.
This was Konoha's genius: Hatake Kakashi.
"Minato-sensei," Kakashi said flatly, his voice completely devoid of warmth.
Understandable. His father, Hatake Sakumo, had committed suicide after being shunned by the village for failing a mission. Witnessing his father's tragic end had left a deep scar on Kakashi's young heart. He'd stayed in the academy for only a year before graduating and becoming a chunin the next year.
"You're early, Kakashi. This is your old classmate, Kiyosuke."
"Yo, Kakashi." Right now he's a stone-faced brooder... but someday, a total goofball.
Seriously, all hail Might Guy.
If anyone could transform Kakashi into that future self, it was him.
Kakashi gave Kiyosuke a polite nod and quietly stood by Minato's side. The silence was a little... awkward.
Minato forced a smile. This team was going to be hard to manage...
Not long after, Asuma and Kurenai arrived, along with the only girl on Minato's team: Nohara Rin.
Rin's presence was a relief. With Kakashi being so cold and unfamiliar with Kiyosuke and the others, the atmosphere had been tense. But Rin had graduated with them and got along well with everyone.
She'd even mentioned that she, Obito, and Kiyosuke were on pretty good terms—though Obito did get bullied sometimes.
"That guy's late again," Kakashi muttered with clear irritation.
He hated people who couldn't stick to a schedule.
"Haha, Obito hasn't changed a bit."
"Yeah, Rin—didn't you try to get him out the door?" Kiyosuke asked with a grin.
"I did! I called out to him when I left, and he said he was coming right away and told me to go on ahead," Rin replied, a bit embarrassed.
"Mm... then I'm guessing he ran into some old lady who needed help crossing the road or something."
Meanwhile, since they were past the appointed time, Minato had started apologizing to their client, Kazama-san, explaining the situation as politely as he could.
Kazama was a businessman who took punctuality seriously and clearly wasn't pleased. Still, knowing he'd need their protection on the road, he didn't press the issue.
Minato was helpless. He just hoped Obito wouldn't take too much longer.
The pay didn't matter to him—but losing a mission because of lateness would be hard to justify.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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