"Naruto, it's not that I don't understand your enthusiasm now that you're a ninja," Kakashi said, his voice laced with boredom. "However, even if you wanted to carry out that many missions, it's simply not possible. Not to mention, there are many other squads, and many other genin..."
"That's right, Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto slammed his fist into his palm. "It's *because* there are other teams that our Team 7 has to fight even harder! We're going to show them just how terrifying the strongest team really is!"
Kakashi lazily turned a page. "I have absolutely no interest in that kind of thing."
Seeing that his usual provocations had failed, Naruto was at a loss. If this were Might Guy, he'd probably be burning with the fire of youth by now. When asking for a favor, you're supposed to cater to the person's preferences, but the Jonin standing before him seemed completely unreasonable.
*Hmm...* Naruto crossed his arms, thinking hard. *What does this guy really want? He doesn't seem to care about anything except that book in his hand. And I can't exactly write a book for him... so if I can't please him, I have to do the opposite! What is a lazy person most afraid of? Trouble!* A mischievous grin spread across his face.
"Hey, Kakashi-sensei," Naruto said, sidling up to him with a conspiratorial tone.
"What is it now, Naruto?" Kakashi asked, clearly impatient.
"Hehe, I know you think we're a nuisance and you just want to read quietly by yourself. Actually, I have a solution..."
Kakashi wasn't stupid; he immediately understood where this was going. "Naruto, you want me to take on a ton of missions for you three to do, don't you?"
"As expected of Kakashi-sensei! You catch on quick!"
Kakashi sighed. "Naruto, you do understand what it means to be a supervising Jonin, right? If you're on a mission, I have to follow you the entire time."
"No need!" Naruto shook his head emphatically. "We can handle D-rank missions like finding cats and dogs ourselves!"
Kakashi's interest was finally piqued. "Really?"
"Definitely!" Naruto's gaze swept over Hinata and Sasuke. Hinata nodded in agreement. Sasuke just snorted softly, but it was clear he agreed as well.
Kakashi smiled slightly and closed his book. "Very well. In that case, hurry up and find the daimyo's wife's cat. I'll give you half a day. If you can complete this task within that time, I'll take on a few more for you."
"Alright!" Naruto was ecstatic. "Let's go, Hinata!" Hinata was naturally happy to agree. As for Sasuke, he just snorted again and rushed off first, clearly planning to find the cat all by himself.
"Sasuke, you jerk! We have to search together!" Naruto roared, but he was already gone. "That guy has absolutely no sense of teamwork! Come on, Hinata, let's look for it together."
Hinata's heart fluttered. *A mission, together with just Naruto-kun?* This was more than she could have hoped for. "Okay, Naruto-kun!"
Since it was just a search within the village, Kakashi wasn't worried. He found a comfortable spot and settled in to read. Sasuke immediately activated his Sharingan, but when it came to searching, the Sharingan was no match for the Byakugan. Hinata activated her own eyes, and she and Naruto raced through the village's streets and alleys, across the surrounding fields, and through the forests outside the walls.
Before long, Hinata stopped. "It seems to be up ahead, Naruto-kun!" Her Byakugan had spotted the figure of a small cat deep in the forest.
"As expected of Hinata! You're amazing!" Naruto cheered. The Byakugan's telescopic and x-ray vision was truly unparalleled for this kind of task.
The two quickly approached, confirming with the photo that it was indeed the lost cat. "Hah!" With a burst of speed from his Wind Body Flicker, Naruto snatched the plump cat before it could even react. The cat let out a startled "Meow!" and began to struggle.
Naruto stood with his hands on his hips, laughing triumphantly. "We found it in less than an hour! Let's see what Kakashi-sensei has to say now! And that Sasuke..." He grinned at Hinata. "This is all thanks to you!"
Hinata smiled shyly. "It's because we worked together, Naruto-kun."
Naruto scratched his head and immediately returned to the village with Hinata, holding the cat up like a trophy in front of Kakashi.
Kakashi was slightly surprised. "You found it so quickly?" He glanced at Hinata. "The Byakugan really lives up to its reputation."
Just then, Sasuke returned from his fruitless search. Seeing that Naruto and Hinata had already completed the mission, he snorted in resentment. Naruto, of course, had to cheekily step forward and provoke him. "So, Sasuke, looks like we finished first!"
"That's the power of the Byakugan, not your achievement, you loser," Sasuke retorted coldly. Naruto was furious but couldn't completely refute it.
"Kakashi-sensei! Can we go take on more missions now?!"
Kakashi stretched and yawned. "Alright, a promise is a promise. Come with me."
The squad went to the mission hall to hand over the completed task. The daimyo's wife was overjoyed to see her beloved cat, showering it with kisses. "No wonder the cat tried to run away," Naruto muttered under his breath. She was generous, however, and paid them double the mission reward. Kakashi didn't take a cut, giving it all to the three of them. Sasuke, being too proud, refused his share, so Naruto and Hinata each received 10,000 ryo. It was enough for over a hundred bowls of Naruto's favorite ramen.
Kakashi then led them to the Hokage's office. "Team 7, here to receive a mission."
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his pipe, flipping through a mountain of documents. "Hmm... there's a task here to help weed a field. Perfect for newly graduated genin."
"Aren't there any more exciting missions?!" Naruto complained. "This is nothing like a ninja's job!"
"Naruto, all genin start with D-rank missions," Hiruzen said, his brow furrowed. "You are no exception."
Naruto sighed. "Fine, fine. At least let us take on a few more."
"How many more?" Hiruzen asked.
Naruto grinned and held up one finger. "One hundred!"