Silence filled the office.
Hiruzen nodded slightly while holding his pipe.
His eyes were full of approval.
Naruto had handled the situation with courtesy, defended his team's dignity, and completely cut off the client's unreasonable demands.
Under his mask, Kakashi's mouth curled into a proud smile.
Naruto truly was his most impressive student.
Quiet most of the time—but always capable of surprising people when it mattered.
Tazuna's face shifted between red and pale.
He had only intended to bluff his way into getting higher-rank protection for a C-rank price.
But Naruto saw through him instantly.
With his scheme exposed—and lacking the money to upgrade the mission—Tazuna could only grumble.
"Hmph. Sharp-tongued brat. Fine, fine. C-rank it is. As long as that jōnin is coming along, you'd better be as useful as you claim."
He had no choice but to accept.
Naruto nodded politely.
"Please rest assured. Team 7 will carry out the escort mission to the best of our ability."
Hiruzen spoke again.
"Very well. Team 7 will escort Mr. Tazuna safely back to the Land of Waves. The mission duration will depend on the journey. Kakashi, you are responsible for the details."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"Mr. Tazuna, please follow us," Kakashi said.
"We'll discuss the travel arrangements."
Tazuna grumbled but followed Kakashi out.
Sakura and Sasuke followed as well.
As Sakura passed Naruto, she whispered quietly:
"Thank you, Naruto."
Sasuke bumped Naruto's shoulder lightly.
He said nothing.
But the meaning was clear.
Nice work.
Naruto lingered for a moment.
Before leaving, he glanced back at Hiruzen.
The Third Hokage gave him a small nod.
Konoha Main Gate
Chūnin guards Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane were on duty.
"Oh, Kakashi-senpai, heading out on a mission?" Izumo asked.
"Yeah. C-rank escort mission," Kakashi replied lazily, handing over the documents.
Kotetsu checked them quickly.
"All clear. Safe travels."
With that, Team 7 officially departed Konoha.
Soon the bustling streets gave way to thick forest.
At first, Sasuke and Sakura remained alert.
This was their first C-rank mission after all.
But as time passed without incident, the tension gradually eased.
Sasuke began thinking about training again.
Sakura occasionally tried to chat with him, though he rarely responded.
Tazuna nervously clutched his sake bottle.
Kakashi walked while reading Icha Icha Paradise.
Only Naruto remained completely focused.
Though he appeared relaxed, he had deliberately chosen a position where he could watch both the front and rear of the group.
He knew exactly what was coming.
Eventually they reached a quiet stretch of road.
A shallow puddle reflected sunlight on the ground.
Naruto's pupils shrank.
This is it.
The hiding place of the Demon Brothers.
Sakura, tired from walking, drifted toward the roadside shade.
The puddle happened to lie directly beside her path.
Suddenly—
"Splash!"
Two dark figures burst out from the water.
Clad in tight suits and wearing breathing masks, their arms wielded poisoned chain claws.
They were missing-nin from Kirigakure.
The Demon Brothers.
Their target was obvious.
The nearest person—
Sakura.
She froze completely.
The deadly claws rushed toward her.
Am I going to die?
"Bang!"
A figure shoved her aside.
The attack that should have pierced her skull instead grazed a hand.
Naruto.
At the same moment he pushed Sakura away, Naruto wrapped an arm around her waist and rolled backward.
The poisoned claws sliced through the air behind him, drawing a line of blood across his back.
"Naruto?!" Sakura cried.
But the Demon Brothers immediately changed targets.
Their chains shot toward the rear of the group—
Kakashi.
"Kakashi-sensei! Watch out!" Naruto shouted.
But Kakashi appeared completely caught off guard.
The chains wrapped around him.
"Got him!"
The Demon Brothers pulled hard.
"SHRRRK—"
Kakashi's body was torn apart.
Blood and limbs exploded outward.
"KA—KAKASHI-SENSEI!!!" Sakura screamed.
Sasuke stared in disbelief.
Tazuna collapsed onto the ground in terror.
"How… how could this happen…"
But the Demon Brothers turned their killing intent toward the remaining targets.
"Second prey."
Their chains shot toward Tazuna.
"Sasuke! Cover!"
Naruto reacted instantly.
Two kunai flew from his hands.
"CLANG! CLANG!"
Steel rang against steel.
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