[Patreon :Evilbuddha _7]
Naruto's downcast expression was not noticed by Iruka and the others.
"Loser."
Sasuke glanced at Naruto and curled his lip in disdain.
However, there was a serious look in Sasuke's eyes; he would never forget the Nine-Tailed's immense power.
"Sasuke is a genius."
Sakura looked at Naruto, raised the fist in her hand, and chimed in from the side.
Seeing this scene, Iruka smiled. After spending this time together, Sakura had returned to her original attitude towards Naruto.
Although Iruka was not very clear about the Nine-Tailed, and without the Third Hokage's order, he naturally couldn't tell Sakura and the others.
However, there were other reasons.
"Speaking of geniuses, your Kakashi-sensei is a true genius."
Hearing Sakura's words, Iruka spoke with some emotion.
"Really?" Sakura's face showed a look of suspicion.
Not only Sakura, but Sasuke and Naruto had the same expression on their faces.
Seeing their disbelieving expressions, Iruka raised his eyebrows:
"Lord Kakashi Hatake is the disciple of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze."
Iruka paused here, seeing the surprised expressions on Naruto and the others' faces. A hint of smugness flashed in his eyes, and he continued.
"You graduated from the Ninja Academy at twelve, but do you know how old your Kakashi-sensei was?"
"The graduation age for the Ninja Academy is five, which means Lord Kakashi was already a Genin at five, a Chunin at six, and at your age..."
Iruka's face showed a serious expression, and his tone was respectful:
"A genius Ninja in Konoha who became a Jonin at just 12 years old."
After Iruka finished speaking, his peripheral vision looked at the stunned Sasuke. There was another genius in Konoha, but unfortunately, this genius was a taboo in Konoha Village.
"So... so amazing!"
Naruto was stunned for a long time before slowly speaking.
This could no longer be described as just amazing; only the word 'genius' could describe Kakashi-sensei.
Although Sakura's face also showed a shocked expression, there was a hint of disbelief in her heart.
How could such an amazing Ninja faint after fighting Zabuza?!
Although Sasuke was a little surprised, he didn't doubt Iruka's words and felt a sense of excitement rising within him.
"Let's go, there are still two D-rank missions to complete," Iruka said with a smile.
"What, more missions?"
Naruto, who had been excited about Kakashi-sensei's feats, suddenly deflated.
"Of course. Although you can participate in the Chunin Exams, there are certain conditions. You must complete a certain number of missions, and you are still short two D-rank missions."
Iruka shrugged and said helplessly.
"Then let's go!" Naruto said resolutely as he turned around after hearing this!
Although Sakura and Sasuke didn't speak, they showed the same expression and turned towards the mission assignment location.
A smile appeared on Iruka's lips. It seemed letting them participate in the Chunin Exams was the right decision.
...
A light rain drizzled down, causing a thin layer of mist to rise throughout the small town.
This was a small town located not far from the border of the Land of Water.
Ding-dong—
Ding-dong—
Accompanied by the sound of the fine rain and the gentle ringing of bells, two figures wearing black cloaks with red clouds and straw hats appeared on the town's street.
"It seems this rain won't stop for a while."
The rain mixed with the damp air, causing Itachi Uchiha to frown slightly.
"If that's the case, let's find an inn to rest."
Kisame Hoshigaki glanced at Itachi Uchiha and said casually.
For Kisame Hoshigaki, rainy weather was one of his favorite combat environments.
Itachi Uchiha nodded, and the two walked towards a small shop in the town.
Entering this small shop, which resembled a tavern, Itachi Uchiha casually surveyed the surroundings. There weren't many people.
Everyone was more or less wet from the rain.
Clearly, these people were similar to them, travelers on the road.
The two found a secluded spot and sat down, taking off their straw hats.
This revealed the headbands on their foreheads, each marked with a deep horizontal slash.
That was the mark of a rogue Ninja!
"Pain's task for us hasn't been completed yet. Konoha Village or Mist Ninja Village, which one should we go to?"
Kisame Hoshigaki's tone was casual, but his gaze was on Itachi Uchiha, clearly waiting for his opinion.
Itachi Uchiha was slightly silent. After a while, he slowly spoke:
"Recently, Orochimaru has been planning something, and his movements have been frequent."
"You mean that guy? If that's the case, then let's take a trip to Konoha."
Hearing the name Orochimaru, Kisame Hoshigaki frowned.
"Mm." Itachi Uchiha nodded and didn't speak further.
Before long, under the Boss's disdainful gaze, two bowls of hot water were placed in front of the two.
Itachi Uchiha didn't mind, picked up the bowl of hot water, and drank it in small sips.
If it weren't for Kisame Hoshigaki's fierce appearance sitting opposite him, the Boss might have already driven them away.
The light rain continued to fall.
However, at this moment, Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki both frowned.
Itachi Uchiha didn't make any moves and continued to drink the hot water from his bowl.
Kisame Hoshigaki, however, turned his head and looked at a corner of the small shop.
He saw a young boy hiding in a corner, secretly observing them.
Kisame Hoshigaki grinned at the boy, and his fierce expression scared the boy's head back immediately.
Seeing this scene, Kisame Hoshigaki withdrew his gaze. Just as he was about to say something, the boy opposite him poked his head out again.
Kisame Hoshigaki couldn't be bothered to pay attention, but after a while, the boy actually walked towards them cautiously.
When the boy was about one meter away from the table where Kisame Hoshigaki and Itachi Uchiha were sitting,
Both of them looked up at the same time, watching the approaching boy.
Feeling their gaze, the boy took a step back in fear.
"Do you want to die, kid?"
Kisame Hoshigaki said with a fierce expression and a cold tone.
"Th-that... I..." The boy looked nervous and stammered.
Itachi Uchiha looked at the boy's frightened expression, his face calm, and said in a cold tone:
"What's your name, and what do you want?"
Compared to Kisame Hoshigaki's fierce appearance, Itachi Uchiha was clearly much more approachable.
Seeing Itachi Uchiha's expression, the boy slightly relaxed, clenched his clothes with both hands, and spoke nervously:
"My name is... is Ranmaru."