Chapter 36 A-Rank Mission
Terumi Mei glanced curiously at Yuto, clearly wondering whom he had chosen for the task.
The mission was not simple—an old veteran jonin, plus a child of unknown identity and ability.
Though she was curious, she did not ask. Instead, her expression carried a faint trace of interest as she quietly waited for the two people who would soon arrive.
Since Yuto had moved into her house, Terumi Mei had discovered that the legendary Lord Yuto was not as serious as the rumors claimed. Rather, he was casual—except for one thing: he spent a lot of money.
Over the past few days, he had often taken money to the shore, returning each time with piles of fish. They had been eating nothing but fish for several days now.
Thinking of the supply still enough to last half a month, Terumi Mei couldn't help but sigh.
Knock, knock.
A gentle knock came at the door.
Moments later, under her gaze, a red-haired girl entered the room.
Ringo Yuri stepped into the Mizukage's office. Seeing Terumi Mei behind the desk watching her, nervousness flickered across her face. She quickly bowed respectfully.
"Mizukage-sama!"
Ringo Yuri—Kirigakure's lightning-style prodigy of recent years. Against Kurosuki Raiga, who also specialized in lightning, she would be a good match.
The instant Terumi Mei saw her, the girl's name and record surfaced in her mind.
"This mission requires two people. Besides you, there will be another."
Her lips curved faintly as she spoke to the nervous Yuri.
"Yes, Mizukage-sama!" Yuri froze, then quickly responded.
"Well now, long time no see, Miss Yuri."
A light chuckle reached her ears.
Startled by the familiar voice, Yuri turned and saw Yuto sitting lazily on the sofa.
She stiffened for a moment, then quickly bowed, her expression flustered. "Lord Yuto!"
Yuto's face showed mild disappointment. He had thought she might still be unaware of his identity, but clearly she already knew.
Terumi Mei's eyes flickered with curiosity. The two of them seemed to have met before.
She recalled Ao once reporting that when Yuto first arrived in Kirigakure, a girl had guided him through the village. She hadn't paid much attention then, but now it seemed that girl was Yuri.
Knock, knock.
Another knock sounded, and Utakata walked in, his expression calm.
Yuto remained impassive, but Terumi Mei and Yuri's faces both changed.
Yuri's body tensed instinctively, her hands unconsciously shifting back.
Realizing her own reaction, embarrassment flashed in her eyes as she forced herself to relax again, though nervousness lingered on her face.
Utakata—the jinchuriki of the Six-Tails, known throughout Kirigakure as its most dangerous figure. Few had seen him directly, but none were ignorant of his existence.
As he entered, he naturally noticed Yuri's subtle reaction, yet his expression stayed calm. He had witnessed this scene too many times before.
Compared to Yuri's nervousness, Utakata was far more composed. His eyes swept the room once, then suddenly froze when they fell on Yuto.
In that instant, he clearly sensed the tailed beast chakra inside him contract.
Even a beast as powerful as Saiken… had something it feared?
"Well now, Utakata." Yuto greeted him with a faint smile.
Utakata stiffened, replying stiffly, "Lord Yuto."
Terumi Mei cast Yuto a deep look. She had not expected that the second person he summoned for this mission would be Utakata.
And this was a mission outside the village.
Though countless thoughts passed through her mind, her face still carried its calm smile.
"Since everyone is here, let me explain the mission."
Although she had already guessed when Utakata walked in, hearing it confirmed from the Mizukage herself still left Yuri in disbelief—her partner was to be a jinchuriki.
"Your mission is an A-rank mission. The details are in this scroll. You may read it yourselves."
Terumi Mei flicked her finger, sending a scroll from the desk into Yuri's hands.
An A-rank mission!
At the mention of the rank, Yuri's eyes lit up. The rewards for A-rank were far from small.
She quickly unrolled the scroll and went straight to the section listing the payment.
Ninja missions were generally divided into six ranks:
Super S-rank: Transnational, top-secret missions requested by other nations or individuals. These tasks reached the level of national interest and could not be measured by reward alone.
S-rank: National-level confidential matters. Rewards typically exceeded one million ryō.
A-rank: Tasks concerning national or village affairs. Rewards ranged from one hundred fifty thousand to one million ryō. Guarding important individuals or subjugating ninja forces fell into this class.
B-rank: Personal requests, usually involving combat. Rewards ranged from fifty thousand to one hundred fifty thousand ryō.
C-rank: Personal requests with little to no combat expected. Rewards ranged from ten thousand to fifty thousand ryō.
D-rank: Simple errands or menial tasks.
When Yuri saw the final figure, a trace of disappointment flickered in her eyes. Though not low, divided between two, it seemed a little thin.
Still, compared to her last B-rank mission, this was far more generous.
She then turned her gaze to the mission content. The next moment, a cry rang out in the office.
"This is… the Thunder Swords: Fang!"
Watching Yuri's excitement, Terumi Mei looked slightly puzzled, but still nodded.
"That's right. Your target is the rogue ninja Kurosuki Raiga. You must recover one of the Seven Ninja Swords, the Thunder Swords: Fang."
"Raiga has a child with him as well. Bring him back to the village if possible."
Yuto rubbed his ear lazily, then smiled faintly at the excited Yuri.
"The village will soon select new members for the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. If you're interested, you may participate."
Yuri froze, then her face filled with excitement. "I'll definitely bring the Thunder Swords: Fang back!"
Compared to Yuri's enthusiasm, Utakata remained indifferent.
At that moment, a hand suddenly extended in front of him.
He blinked in surprise, glancing at Yuri's outstretched hand.
"Please take care of me."
She grinned, revealing her sharp teeth.
Utakata felt a faint tremor deep inside, but his face showed no expression. He turned and walked toward the door.
As he neared the exit, a calm voice drifted back to Yuri.
"Finish the mission quickly. I'd like to return sooner."
Yuri pouted in dissatisfaction, then hurried to follow.
(End of Chapter)
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