Chapter 18 — Team Kazuki's First C-Rank Mission
A few days after that chicken incident, Team Kazuki once again stood in front of the Hokage's desk.
Kazuki crossed his arms on his chest, his face full of confidence.
"Lady Hokage! This time… please give us a mission truly worthy of a ninja!"
Shikamaru stood with a relaxed look.
"Hhh… I still want to sleep. But if this mission is serious, maybe it's better than chasing chickens."
Hinata, as usual, lowered her head while stealing a glance at Kazuki.
"I-I-I'm ready, Lady Hokage…"
Jiraiya, who for some reason was still hanging around in the Hokage's office, suddenly interrupted while rubbing his head that still had a bump from Tsunade's sake bottle.
"Be careful, a serious mission means a bigger chance to see beautiful girls in trouble… eh, I mean… a chance to sharpen your skills!"
PLAAK!
Tsunade smacked Jiraiya's head with a scroll of documents.
"Shut up, you perverted old man!"
Kazuki froze, then muttered quietly with sparkling eyes.
"If that's part of 'ninja research'… then I also have to be ready to face it."
"WHAT?!" Tsunade glared at him, a vein popping on her forehead.
Kazuki quickly straightened his back.
"I mean, ready to face the challenges of life and death, Lady Hokage!"
Tsunade only sighed hard while massaging her temples.
---
A New Mission: Escorting Tazuna
Tsunade finally handed over the mission scroll.
"Alright. Team 7—this time you will undertake a C-rank mission. You are assigned to escort a bridge carpenter named Tazuna back to the Land of Waves."
Kazuki was stunned.
"Wow! So this isn't about catching chickens or babysitting anymore, right?!"
"No," Tsunade replied flatly.
"But don't get too excited. A C-rank mission is not a game."
Shikamaru yawned.
"Hhh… more troublesome than I thought…"
Tazuna then entered the room. The old man, dressed in shabby clothes with a sake bottle in his hand, looked at them with doubt.
"Hah? So these kids are the ones who will escort me? You must be kidding… they look like babies just learning to walk!"
Kazuki pointed at himself with enthusiasm.
"Don't worry, old man! I am Kazuki Akihiro, I will definitely protect you! You are in safe hands!"
Tazuna glared.
"Hmph… let's hope your mouth is as big as your skills."
Hinata lowered her head, her face red because Kazuki spoke so confidently.
"Ka-Kazuki-kun…"
Shikamaru sighed again.
"Hhh… this is going to be very long."
---
The Journey Begins
Team Kazuki departed early in the morning. The road out of Konoha felt peaceful, with birds chirping and sunlight piercing through the leaves.
Kazuki walked at the very front while glancing left and right.
"Ah, finally! The true adventure begins! This is the first step toward the legend that will be remembered for hundreds of years!"
Shikamaru lazily responded.
"Please don't be dramatic. We're just escorting a drunk old man."
Tazuna was immediately offended.
"HEH?! I'm not a drunk old man! I'm a hardworking man, you hear! Drinking is just a hobby!"
Kazuki held back laughter. Hinata gave a small smile, trying to ease the atmosphere.
"I-I'm sure… everything will be fine as long as we work together…"
Suddenly, Kazuki stopped. His eyes narrowed.
The water in a puddle on the road rippled unnaturally.
Kazuki bent down and murmured.
"This… is not an ordinary journey. There's something here…"
Hinata activated her Byakugan, swallowing nervously.
"Ka-Kazuki-kun… there are two chakras… hiding under the water…"
Shikamaru instantly got into position.
"Hhh… finally, something troublesome shows up."
Tazuna turned pale.
"W-what do you mean?! Isn't this just a simple escort mission?!"
Kazuki looked back, his gaze sharp but his smile still on his lips.
"Looks like… our C-rank mission just leveled up."
The puddle water suddenly exploded, and two masked shinobi with spiked chains appeared.
"We are Mist Ninja! Hand over the old man to us!"
Kazuki stepped forward, his body faintly radiating chakra.
"In that case… this is the true trial for Team Kazuki Akihiro!"
Hinata clenched her hands tightly, her face nervous but her determination firm.
"Ka-Kazuki-kun… I-I will support you!"
Shikamaru sighed deeply, but his hands were already forming the shadow formation.
"Hhh… really troublesome. But fine, let's end this quickly."
Tazuna trembled in fear behind them.
"W-what have I done to be chased by ninja?!"
Kazuki stared at the two enemies with sharp, glowing eyes.
"Don't worry, old man. From now on… you are under our protection. And I… will not let anyone touch you."
The wind blew strongly. Their very first serious battle had begun.
...
TO BE CONTINUED…