The Hokage Building.
In front of the entrance, a well-decorated carriage—large enough to seat six adults—stood waiting, pulled by two strong stallions.
"What?! Genin? And four genin at that?!"
"I paid you eighty thousand ryō—eighty thousand! And you're giving me four genin?!"
A slightly chubby middle-aged man slammed his palm against the Mission Office chief's desk.
Nara Yōsuke raised his hands helplessly.
"Mizutani-san, this assignment comes directly from the Hokage himself. You can rest assured—this squad is fully capable."
"Bullshit! Even an idiot knows a team must have at least one chūnin leading it. Who sends out four genin on a mission?!"
At those words, Nara Yōsuke's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Mizutani-san, you seem to know quite a bit about ninja matters."
If he remembered correctly, Mizutani Shōto had only been to the Land of Fire twice. This was his first time in Konoha—and yet he commissioned a C-rank mission. Under normal circumstances, he shouldn't be this informed…
"Of course I know! You think I only do business in your little Land of Fire?!"
"My apologies."
Yōsuke gave a polite bow. "But rest assured—Kaito's squad will complete this mission without fail. His strength is already chūnin-level. He simply refuses to advance until he resolves… certain personal regrets."
"What regrets?"
Mizutani Shōto suddenly felt uneasy.
"I'm afraid that's classified. But you can relax—Kaito has a one-hundred-percent mission completion rate. You can trust him completely."
The moment he said this—
Shōto froze.
He sucked in several sharp breaths.
"Hiss—
Don't tell me he's one of those eccentric genius types?!"
"Something like that."
Yōsuke wiped the sweat on his forehead. If I told him Kaito refuses promotion because he wants to perform ninjutsu flawlessly during the chūnin exams… he'd probably explode on the spot.
"Well then, if there are no problems, shall we leave it at that?"
"…Fine. If the Hokage arranged it, he must have his reasons. My safety is in Konoha's hands now."
Shōto crossed his arms.
"In that case, your departure is set for noon today. Head to the village's west gate when the time comes."
Shōto nodded and left the Hokage Building.
Only after he was gone did "the chūnin" standing nearby release his Transformation Technique—revealing Kaito beneath the disguise.
"Well?" Yōsuke asked. "I smoothed things over with the client, right?"
"You know I don't like missions outside the village. My strength isn't enough for that."
"No helping it. You already accepted the request—can't back out now."
Yōsuke smiled but glanced at the mission board, his expression dimming.
"Come back alive, Kaito."
"Hey—don't jinx me with flags."
"There you go again with words I don't understand."
#Konoha's West Gate
The massive doors stood wide open.
During wartime, the village operated under near-maximum alert—every traveler underwent strict inspection, let alone those leaving the village.
After meeting their C-rank client, Kaito and his genin team conducted brief introductions.
"I'm A-Jin, personal guard and coachman for Lord Mizutani."
"I'm A-Yin…"
The two black-haired youths looked like wandering swordsmen, blades at their waists—identical twins who served both as guards and carriage handlers.
"Alright. I understand your situation. No problem—let's depart."
Kaito nodded, then led them to process the exit paperwork.
Once everything was completed, the caravan officially set out.
A faint cool breeze mixed with the heavy summer heat of late June.
Leaves rustled along the roadside forest, bringing a touch of life to the otherwise stifling weather.
Inside the carriage—
When the client asked why the team consisted of two girls and one young man, Kaito casually explained that Might Duy was in a similar situation as himself—restricted in certain areas, preventing promotion.
Mizutani Shōto looked genuinely surprised.
"A girl from the Uchiha clan… You don't mind that your teacher is only a genin?"
He had always heard the Uchiha were cold and prideful—especially the Police Force.
Yet this adorable girl, Uchiha Mikoto, willingly apprenticed under a mere genin? How unexpected.
"Kaito-sensei isn't weak," Mikoto answered calmly.
"Genin or chūnin—it's just a rank. A higher rank doesn't always mean stronger strength."
Yakushi Nonō, sitting on her right, nodded softly.
"Kaito-sensei is very strong."
"Don't underestimate him just because he's a genin. His ability is more than enough," Might Duy added enthusiastically.
Hearing this, Shōto couldn't help glancing again at the handsome black-haired boy sitting beside him.
What kind of charisma does this kid have to earn such unwavering admiration from three genin?
Up front, A-Jin drove the carriage while A-Yin guarded with a blade in hand.
The road grew rougher, causing the carriage to shake more intensely.
To reach the Land of Hot Water, they had to pass through the Land of Iron, then board a ship at a port city known as Tieling Fortress.
Tieling Fortress was surrounded by high mountains, close to the sea, but with a modest local economy—something easily seen from the shabby clothing of pedestrians.
Within Iron Country's borders, the temperature felt like early autumn—barely four or five degrees Celsius.
It seemed snow might fall in a few days.
Meanwhile, the Land of Fire was drowning in summer heat.
Tieling Fortress — A Certain Tavern
In a dim backroom of a gaudy tavern—its flashing red lanterns proof that it was anything but "proper"—three dark-skinned, muscular men were drinking and singing while young women danced before them.
After a while, the leading man—wearing Kumogakure's distinctive tight flak jacket—dismissed the girls with a wave.
Once they were gone, he slung an arm over a younger shinobi's shoulders.
"See, Wei? Didn't I tell you Iron Country had a decent tavern?"
The young man named Wei downed his drink in one gulp.
"Refreshing!"
But his mood darkened a moment later.
"Too bad we Kumo shinobi couldn't join the Second Shinobi War…"
"Right? I bet Konoha, Iwagakure, and that little minor nation are fighting like crazy right now. Makes you jealous! Hahaha—"
"Enough."
Another man with long golden hair—also wearing Kumo's blue-white flak jacket—cut in.
"We should be grateful we avoided the war. And don't speak so loudly—if someone overhears, it could be trouble."
There was no doubt—these three were chūnin or even jōnin.
Only chūnin had the right to wear those protective armored vests.
The bald leader snorted and took another drink.
"Relax. We're here on a mission anyway. The target hasn't arrived yet. What's wrong with blowing off a little steam?
Besides—just four genin? What's there to be afraid of?"
"Isn't that right, Ritsu?"
"Don't drag me into this, Captain Ayei."
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