Chapter 247: S-Rank Mission Rewards
"We're finally back," Obito exclaimed, gazing up at Konoha's tall wooden walls.
Only after going on missions did he realize how comfortable it was to sleep on a soft bed.
Obito felt he had discovered one of life's great truths: when training in Konoha, he longed to go on missions, but when on missions, he longed to return home. Maybe that was just human nature.
"I can't wait to start training again," Might Guy said with a fiery grin.
After the chaotic battles on the frontlines, his strength had clearly grown, and his sparring with Dekai had given him new insight. Guy was eager to push himself further through training.
Kakashi, who had planned to take a day off, froze when he heard that. If Guy started training again while he rested, it would feel like stopping mid-run while the other person kept going.
"Mugetsu-sensei, will you be going to the South Border Forest later?" Kakashi asked.
"If you plan to train, you can come. I'll guide you as usual," Mugetsu replied with a warm smile and nod. "But if you want to rest, you can take a day off. Normal training resumes tomorrow."
Normally, after such a major mission, they should have had at least two days of rest. But while stationed in the camp, Mugetsu had already reduced their training intensity to accommodate recovery.
"Then I'll trouble you, Mugetsu-sensei," Kakashi said, reassured, and prepared to head for the forest.
Seeing Kakashi and Guy immediately dive back into training upon returning home, Obito—who had been planning to develop his photos and tell Rin Nohara about the mission—suddenly felt out of place.
In the end, just as he expected, Guy and Kakashi went straight to the South Border Forest.
Obito could only sigh. He created a Shadow Clone to head to the Leaf Village Main District to develop the photos, while his main body reluctantly joined the others to train. If he didn't, he'd look like the laziest of the group.
---
After parting ways with his students, Mugetsu went directly to the Hokage Building, heading straight for the Hokage's Office to report the mission to the Third Hokage.
Although Jiraiya had already sent back detailed intelligence, it was still Mugetsu's duty to give a full report in person.
Knock, knock!
"Come in," came Hiruzen Sarutobi's calm voice from within.
Receiving permission, Mugetsu opened the wooden door and entered.
Hiruzen looked up, smiled, and set aside his pipe. A puff of white smoke curled upward as he said, "Mugetsu, here to report on the mission?"
"Yes, Third Hokage-sama. We encountered an unexpected situation during the mission," Mugetsu began, his tone steady. "As soon as we arrived at the camp, we were met with a large-scale attack by the Iwagakure forces, and then…"
Hiruzen listened quietly as Mugetsu explained everything in detail.
"Mugetsu," Hiruzen said with a faint sigh, "I don't even know what to say about your team anymore. Every time I assign you a C-rank mission, something unexpected happens. You always find a way to surprise me."
Four C-rank missions in a row had gone completely off-script—the last one escalating into a full-scale battlefield confrontation. There was no one else in Konoha quite like them.
If it weren't for Mugetsu's extraordinary ability, Hiruzen knew that any ordinary Jonin in his place would've lost half their squad by now.
"Perhaps my luck isn't very good," Mugetsu said with a modest smile.
He hadn't expected this last mission to turn into such a disaster. He had simply planned to complete a routine C-rank assignment—yet it ended in a war-scale engagement.
"Perhaps it's Konoha's luck that you happened to be there," Hiruzen said with a chuckle. "You defeated Kari of Iwagakure's Explosion Release unit and even used Water Release to block the Four-Tails Jinchuriki's attack. No wonder Danzo looked displeased when I took you from him. It turns out I took one of his elites."
When Jiraiya's report first arrived, Hiruzen had been deeply surprised. He already knew Mugetsu was stronger than the average Jonin—after all, he had twice defeated enemy Jonin during previous missions—but he hadn't expected the gap to be this large.
During the recent war, Kari, the Explosion Release Ninja, had earned quite the reputation on the Iwagakure side. He had repeatedly decimated small Konoha units in skirmishes. Ordinary Jonin were helpless against him. His combination of taijutsu, Explosion Release, and Hardening Jutsu made him one of the deadliest mid-level combatants on the frontlines.
Hiruzen had even planned to dispatch a special squad to deal with him—but Mugetsu had encountered him by chance and nearly killed him single-handedly.
Reading Jiraiya's written account, Hiruzen could vividly picture the battle. Mugetsu's performance had been exceptional, far exceeding expectations. And Jiraiya's personal letter, praising him directly, only confirmed it further.
Hiruzen Sarutobi rarely saw Jiraiya value someone so highly—he had even sent a personal letter specifically to highlight Mugetsu's strength and potential.
"My current strength is largely thanks to Danzo-sama," Mugetsu said calmly, maintaining the appearance of a loyal Root member.
He didn't like Danzo, but at times, Danzo made for a very convenient shield.
"Defeating Kari, killing many Iwagakure Ninja, and rescuing numerous comrades from the village—your overall impact on the battlefield is enough to upgrade this mission to an S-rank," Hiruzen stated, enumerating Mugetsu's contributions.
This time, the situation was different from previous encounters. Before, Mugetsu had merely stumbled into battles during wartime and managed to kill enemy ninja. But this time, he had played a direct, decisive role in a major battle, one that had turned the tide. Hence, it was upgraded to the highest level.
"Additionally," Hiruzen continued, "the battle where you and Jiraiya's squad repelled the Jinchuriki will be counted as a separate S-rank mission."
That decision had been made at Jiraiya's request. He believed Mugetsu's outstanding contribution deserved more than a single S-rank reward. Hiruzen, after reviewing the report, agreed completely. The first S-rank upgrade would count for the entire squad, while this second one would be credited to Mugetsu alone.
"For the supply transport mission, the original reward was 100,000 ryo. The village will grant an additional 1,150,000 ryo, for a total of 1,250,000 ryo. The reward for the S-rank mission repelling the Jinchuriki is 1,200,000 ryo," Hiruzen said, outlining the mission rewards.
"Thank you, Third Hokage-sama," Mugetsu replied with a faint smile, expressing his gratitude. S-rank commissions always exceeded a million ryo, though this was before tax.
Konoha, after all, had a progressive tax system—the higher the earnings, the heavier the deduction. For a team, the final distributed sum wouldn't look nearly as large.
"Besides the commission, you may also choose any ten Ninjutsu from the Ninjutsu Pavilion," Hiruzen continued.
The Ninjutsu Pavilion was where Konoha stored D-rank through A-rank techniques. Most were C- and B-rank, with relatively few A-rank ones. It was a vast archive of the village's accumulated knowledge.
This was an additional reward Hiruzen personally approved, having read Jiraiya's letter praising Mugetsu's deep Ninjutsu foundation. If Mugetsu could quickly turn these rewards into tangible strength, it would be easy to justify investing in his further development.
"Furthermore," Hiruzen added with a small smile, "I will personally teach you two Ninjutsu: Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique and Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique."
He stroked his beard, his tone one of benevolent pride, as though to say, I have high expectations for you.
Mugetsu's expression turned subtly complicated—first surprise, then deep gratitude.
"Third Hokage-sama, I will never forget your great kindness," Mugetsu said, appearing genuinely moved.
Although much of it was acting, even he had to admit that Hiruzen was generous this time—ten selectable Ninjutsu, plus two additional A-rank techniques personally taught by the Hokage himself, one of which was even Hiruzen's original creation.
Mugetsu couldn't help but think that if this were a born-and-raised Konoha ninja, they'd probably be feeling the emotion of a scholar dies for his confidant right about now.
"As Hokage, seeing the younger generation grow is the greatest reward for me," Hiruzen said with a gentle smile.
Hearing those familiar words, Mugetsu couldn't help but momentarily wonder if Hiruzen had some sort of "Konoha Prosperity System," where he gained rewards the stronger the village became.
Of course, he quickly dismissed that absurd thought. If such a system truly existed, Hiruzen would've already dealt with Danzo long ago—and perhaps even reconciled with the Uchiha Clan.
Danzo might have claimed to act for the sake of the village, but in truth, he only fostered internal strife without strengthening anything. A true cancer in Konoha's body.
These thoughts flashed briefly through Mugetsu's mind before he refocused and offered another round of polite flattery to the Hokage.
Whether Konoha was strong or not didn't concern him much. What mattered to Mugetsu were his disciples—the students he had taught, the friends who had supported him.
As a transmigrator who considered himself upright and rational, he felt little attachment to Konoha as an institution. To him, it was simply a military base—a flawed one at that. The world itself was far worse: even with improved productivity, feudal lords and nobles still reigned like parasites over the people. It was absurd.
He couldn't change it now, not alone. But someday—when he and his disciples had grown stronger and wiser—perhaps they could make this cruel world a little better.
"Unless something unexpected comes up, I'm usually home after 7 PM," Hiruzen said, handing Mugetsu a scroll. "If you have any questions, you may come to me between 7 and 8 PM."
When Hiruzen said he would personally teach those two Ninjutsu, he meant it literally. He wasn't just providing training methods—he intended to instruct him directly.
"As for the Ninjutsu Pavilion, I'll handle the procedures for you. Just bring this voucher when you're ready to make your selections."
"I will train diligently and not let down your expectations," Mugetsu said sincerely.
He had already used Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique once before, but he would now need to learn the Great Waterfall Technique properly.
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