Chinya, deep within Otogakure, continuously monitored events unfolding in Konoha.
At the same time, Chinya had also instructed Zabuza, who was in the Land of Waves, to keep an eye on the bridge builder there and report immediately if anyone left the country.
A day later, Zabuza contacted Chinya through the Ring, reporting that Tazuna — the bridge builder in the Land of Waves — had secretly fled the country.
Gato had hired Zabuza to assassinate Tazuna, the one currently building the bridge.
However, Zabuza was currently investigating just how many assets Gato truly had.
If Tazuna died, Gato wouldn't need their services anymore.
Because Gato had many hidden assets, directly killing him might result in some being overlooked and wasted.
That's why Zabuza hadn't gone after Tazuna yet — or Gato either.
After learning that Tazuna had left the Land of Waves, Chinya used the Ring to contact Kakashi.
"Kakashi, how are things going in Konoha?"
Kakashi's voice came through the Ring: "Not bad. I'm currently Naruto's team leader, and he already knows that I was your apprentice. Things are progressing well with Neji too."
Chinya instructed, "Kakashi, you recently need to watch for a man coming from the Land of Waves to Konoha. His name is Tazuna. Once he arrives in Konoha and submits a C-ranked mission, make sure to take it."
Kakashi asked with confusion, "Is this mission particularly special?"
Chinya said mysteriously, "You'll find out when the time comes."
Kakashi looked slightly perplexed but agreed, "Understood. I'll watch for this man named Tazuna, though I can't guarantee I'll get the mission."
"Alright. Let me know once you've accepted the mission."
"Okay."
After ending the communication, Chinya stroked his chin.
Now he only needed to wait for Kakashi to accept the mission. Once Kakashi definitively took it, Chinya would inform Uzumaki Miyuki about his plan to visit Naruto in the Land of Waves.
Then Chinya contacted another person.
"Hey, brat, stop gallivanting around outside. Come back to the village with Kimimaro and the others."
"Eh? Why return to the village? We're in the Land of Hot Water right now!"
Chinya asked in confusion, "What did you go to the Land of Hot Water for?"
Uzumaki Sōnagi responded to Chinya, "We're hunting down three rogue ninjas. They intercepted a caravan from our Land of Rice, and those three guys fled into the Land of Hot Water."
"You have one day. Return even if you haven't finished tracking them down."
"Alright, alright. You're so pushy about it."
Before Chinya could respond, Uzumaki Sōnagi cut off communication.
A vein pulsed angrily on Chinya's forehead.
That brat Sōnagi was really getting more disrespectful by the day...
Three days later.
Kakashi observed as Tazuna from the Land of Waves entered Konoha under escort by Konoha ninja, heading directly toward the Hokage Tower.
Upon discovering this, Kakashi found Naruto and his two teammates picking up trash by the river.
"Done picking up trash yet?"
Haruno Sakura let out a long sigh. "Almost done."
Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki weren't talkative at all.
In fact, Sakura had noticed a pattern.
If you didn't specifically call them by name, neither Sasuke Uchiha nor Naruto Uzumaki would respond.
To get a word out of them, you've got to say their names first.
Like asking, "Hey Sasuke, what's your plan next?" or "Naruto, you eaten yet?"
Only then would Sasuke Uzumaki and Uchiha Sasuke reply.
If someone like Kakashi asked a question directly without using their names, they simply wouldn't answer.
So in the end, Sakura had no choice but to respond herself.
Besides...
This wasn't the kind of ninja life she had dreamed of. They had been assigned garbage-picking missions for three days straight.
She didn't mind chores like pulling weeds or chasing cats, but picking up trash was just too gross.
Kakashi said to the three, "Then I'll give you a new one after we finish this mission. Follow me to the mission hall in the Hokage Tower."
Sakura quickly raised her hand. "Kakashi-sensei, can we get a different mission? Something that doesn't involve picking up trash!"
Kakashi smiled. "I'm planning to give you a Class C mission this time."
Sakura asked in confusion, "A Class C mission? Those might involve actual combat. We've only just started doing Class D missions not long ago. Isn't jumping straight to a Class C mission too soon?"
Naruto suddenly spoke up, "I think it sounds great."
Sasuke also nodded, "Agreed."
"If both Naruto and Sasuke are okay with it, then let's go with that. Follow me."
Kakashi led Naruto and Sasuke to the mission hall inside the Hokage Tower.
After completing the current mission, Kakashi approached Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was seated in the mission hall, and said, "Third Hokage, I'd like to request a Class C mission for my squad."
Hiruzen looked surprised. "Kakashi, they've only just become Genin. Do you really think they're ready for a Class C mission?"
Kakashi sighed. "Naruto and Sasuke are already fed up with these boring D-rank missions and keep pushing for higher-level ones. Since that's the case, I figured it was time to let them see for themselves—those higher-class missions weren't as easy as they thought."
Sakura stared at Kakashi, eyes wide with disbelief.
Wasn't it Kakashi himself who suggested giving them a Class C mission?
Although slightly surprised, Naruto and Sasuke didn't object.
After all, they had agreed from the start.
They were thoroughly sick of those dull D-rank missions anyway.
Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe. "If that's the case, then I'll assign you a Class C mission. Coincidentally, a Class C mission has just come in—we need someone protected."
Originally, Kakashi had planned to let them choose a mission for themselves, but when he heard Hiruzen mention the newly arrived Class C mission, he held back what he was going to say.
Since Tazuna had just arrived at the Hokage Tower, the Class C mission mentioned by Hiruzen was likely the exact mission he wanted to request.
Hiruzen called out, "Come in!"
The Mission Hall door slid open, revealing a drunkard clutching a wine bottle.
When Kakashi saw him, he relaxed—it was the drunkard, whom he recognized right away.
"What the hell?" Tazuna muttered, squinting at the group. "Are these all just damn kids? Well, welp, let me introduce myself. I'm the legendary bridge builder—Tazuna! From the moment I head back home until this bridge is done, you kids better fight like crazy—like super crazy—to keep me safe!"
Hiruzen declared, "Starting now, Team Kakashi's mission is to protect our client until that bridge is built!"
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