This guy... No wonder that old lady Tsunade was so proud when she quoted the price. Turns out she never intended to pay the full amount.
"Master Tsunade was really honest this time. She actually gave me 100,000. I thought she wouldn't give me a single penny."
After a few seconds of silence, Morkel smiled with relief.
"It's not easy for Master Tsunade either. She just became Hokage, and many people in the village are watching her. If she causes trouble now, she won't be able to hold her head up high."
"I understand…"
Shizune was stunned. She had expected Morkel, who cherished money like his life, to scold her harshly or at least complain, but instead, he was calm.
After all, Shizune had seen firsthand the suffering Morkel endured during his research. He got up early and went to bed late every day, so busy he barely had time to eat. Just last night, he stood at the operating table for over 20 hours.
This money was rightfully his. Tsunade had promised it, and he had earned it. Yet, Morkel was still thinking about Master Tsunade, who had broken her promise.
His selflessness suddenly made Tsunade's actions seem particularly despicable!
"Morkel, don't be sad. I will remind Lady Tsunade every day to pay you back as soon as possible," Shizune said, feeling distressed.
Morkel shook his head and replied sympathetically, "No need. Master Tsunade is very busy as Hokage. I don't want to bother her with such a small matter. Besides, my goal was to cure Xiao Li. Now that he's fine, I've achieved my goal."
Shizune was moved by his words and quietly stepped aside.
As soon as she left, Morkel's true nature surfaced.
"Damn old woman! You offered me a million to trick me into doing something for you! Now that the deal is done, you give me only 100,000?! Isn't this just burning the bridge after crossing it?!"
Morkel's Daily Life
After helping Xiao Li with his surgery, Morkel returned to his peaceful ninja life. Ino, worried that he wouldn't eat properly due to training, would often bring him lunchboxes. Every time she delivered one, Morkel simply thanked her politely.
Even Naruto couldn't stand it anymore.
"Hey! Can't you see how Ino feels about you?!"
Morkel scratched his head. "What do you mean? She's just being nice as a classmate. I often help out at her flower shop."
"Damn it! Can't you see Ino likes you?!"
Hearing this, Morkel tilted his head, confused. "Do you have a fever? You've been talking nonsense these past two days. I'm not a super handsome guy. Why would she like me?"
Naruto was speechless. This guy had no idea how good-looking he was! With sharp features, bright eyes, and flowing red hair, Morkel was effortlessly cool!
"Vrr..."
Before Naruto could argue further, there was a knock on the door. He went to open it and turned back to Morkel. "If it's Ino, be nice to her."
Morkel nodded. "Don't worry, I have plenty of charm."
Naruto: "..."
Opening the door, Naruto was surprised to see Shizune instead of Ino.
"Hey? Shizune-san, what's up?"
Shizune waved slightly. "The Hokage has summoned Team 7. She asked me to inform you."
"A new mission?!" Naruto's eyes lit up.
Shizune shook her head. "I don't know the details. Just go quickly."
Naruto immediately grabbed Morkel. "Let's go find Kakashi-sensei! If Granny Tsunade personally named us, this must be an important mission!"
Morkel sighed. "Another mission... I just wanted to stay home a couple more days."
Kakashi had been away on missions lately, leaving only the three of them to do small chores like helping farmers and milking cows. The last thing Morkel wanted was another mission.
"Maybe we'll get to escort a daimyo! Let's go!"
Compared to Morkel, Naruto was enthusiastic and dragged him along.
Morkel used the Flying Thunder God Technique, teleporting them to the grove where Sasuke was training.
Meeting with Tsunade
Konoha Village, Hokage's Office.
Thanks to the Flying Thunder God Technique, Morkel and the team arrived even before Shizune.
"Granny Tsunade, you called us in such a hurry! Is this an important mission?!" Naruto asked eagerly.
Tsunade nodded and pulled out a scroll from under her desk.
"This is a B-rank escort mission, which may be upgraded to A-rank depending on the situation. Since all the Jōnin are out on missions, we're sending you three."
"Morkel has been promoted to Chūnin and will lead the team. Additionally, the client specifically requested Morkel."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Who specifically asked for Morkel? Could it be a trap from another village?"
Tsunade shook her head. "Unlikely. The client is an old friend of mine."
Morkel remembered meeting Tsunade's friend, Wasabi Jironaga, from the Tea Country. He had invited Morkel to guard a ritual held every four years.
"No time to waste. You three should leave immediately."
The Journey to Tea Country
"Great! No Kakashi-sensei leading us! It's just the three of us!" Naruto cheered.
"Don't get ahead of yourself. We're just tagalongs. This mission was given to Morkel," Sasuke scoffed.
Naruto smirked. "Luck is part of strength! We were lucky to be assigned to Morkel's class."
After a half-day journey, they reached the Tea Country.
"There's still some distance to go. Let's rest here for a while," Morkel suggested.
Sasuke and Naruto agreed. They found a teahouse and sat down.
Inside, Morkel noticed a man in a bamboo hat watching them. Using his chakra perception, he sensed a weak chakra presence from the man.
Naruto grumbled. "Tsunade doesn't even know who we're protecting. I heard the target was attacked by assassins."
"That means this mission will be tough," Morkel nodded.
At that moment, the strange man stood up and approached them.
Removing his hat, he revealed a youthful face. "The Tea Country doesn't welcome ninjas. We don't need your help. Especially from kids like you! Go home!"
"What did you say?!" Naruto clenched his fists angrily.
Morkel stopped him. "Naruto, ninjas can't attack civilians unless threatened."
However, Morkel knew this boy had chakra. He wasn't just a civilian.
"You have chakra but no headband. That makes you a coward who abandoned being a ninja."
The boy's face darkened. "You brat! Don't think I won't hit you!"
Before he could attack, Morkel kicked him in the chest!
"Bang!"
The boy flew backward, smashing into the teahouse wall!
"Hey... Morkel, didn't you say ninjas can't attack civilians?" Naruto asked.
Morkel shrugged. "That was before he tried to hit me. It was self-defense."
Naruto and Sasuke: "..."
The boy, struggling to get up, wiped the blood from his mouth. "I, Morino Itoten, will remember this! Don't let me see you again!"
Seeing Morkel raise his hand again, the boy panicked and fled.
Naruto sighed. "What an idiot."
Morkel smirked. "Looks like this mission will be interesting."
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