Chapter 68: C-Rank Mission
"Hey! When are you gonna let me out?!"
Naruto yelled, lying unhappily in a bed at Konoha Hospital.
Since encountering Itachi Uchiha, Tsunade had ordered him hospitalized.
Even though he felt fine—aside from some exhaustion from the Tsukuyomi—Tsunade insisted on keeping him for "observation." He wasn't even allowed outside for fresh air.
"Can't you just stay put?"
Shikamaru's lazy voice came from the chair beside the bed. He held a bright red apple, spinning a fruit knife expertly in his fingers before slowly starting to peel it.
Naruto shot him a glare and rolled over, turning his back to him. "What's good about it? You aren't the one stuck here! I'm getting moldy! If I stay any longer, I'm gonna start sprouting grass!"
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. Unhurriedly, he sliced the apple into pieces, put them on a white ceramic plate, and pushed it within Naruto's reach.
"What's the rush? Lady Tsunade is doing this for your own good. Besides, you've been here a few days, and I've been here with you. What more do you want?"
"Who asked you to keep me company? You just used the excuse of 'having helped in the hospital before' to slack off here! I haven't forgotten—last time Asuma-sensei asked you to organize mission reports, you used this place to hide."
Exposed, Shikamaru didn't panic. He popped an apple slice into his mouth, mumbling, "So what? Helping out and slacking off aren't mutually exclusive."
"Besides, if no one watches you, you'll sneak out. Last time, the nurse said you tried to climb out the window and got caught by Lady Tsunade. I even got scolded for 'not watching you properly'."
"I swear, I was just going to the bathroom!"
Naruto's face turned red, and he argued, "It wasn't sneaking out! I just wanted some fresh air! That doesn't count as running away!"
Still, he knew Shikamaru was right. Even though he complained about everything being a drag, he showed up every day.
Sometimes with snacks, sometimes with the new Jump, sometimes just sitting there playing shogi with him.
Even when Naruto lost horribly and flipped the board in frustration, Shikamaru would just sigh and reset the pieces.
Seeing Naruto go quiet, Shikamaru poked an apple slice with a toothpick.
"Actually, Lady Tsunade didn't say how long you'd be here. Probably just another two or three days. If nothing's wrong, she'll let you go. Rushing won't help. Might as well rest up so you don't get dragged into hard labor the second you're out."
Naruto sat up, eyes wide. "Really? Just two or three days?"
"Just a guess." Shikamaru shrugged. "But knowing Lady Tsunade, she won't keep you locked up for no reason. She knows better than anyone that keeping you cooped up just causes more trouble."
Naruto thought about it. Tsunade seemed strict, but she took good care of him. When he got hurt training last time, she had treated him personally late into the night.
They chatted idly—Naruto planning to eat three bowls of chashu ramen upon release, Shikamaru grumbling about having to pay for it—when the door opened gently. A breeze carrying the familiar scent of tobacco smoke drifted in.
"What are you two chatting about so energetically?" Asuma's voice rang out.
Since the Land of Whirlpools mission, he had rarely been seen. Even when spotted in the village, he was always in a hurry.
Naruto froze, then waved excitedly. "Asuma-sensei! What are you doing here?"
He thought Asuma was still busy with the aftermath of the last mission.
Shikamaru sat up straighter, dropping his lazy posture. "Asuma-sensei? Haven't you been busy lately?"
Asuma pulled up a chair and sat down. He reached for his cigarettes, then remembered where he was and put them back.
He looked at the energetic Naruto. "I heard Lady Tsunade kept you here. I came to see if the rumors were true—that you're yelling about leaving every day."
"I am not!" Naruto denied immediately.
Shikamaru cut in from the side. "Yesterday, the nurse complained that you used a Shadow Clone to pretend to sleep while the real you tried to sneak off to the training ground. Lady Tsunade caught you red-handed."
"Shikamaru!" Naruto glared, blushing furiously.
"Lady Tsunade is just worried about you. A few days of observation is good," Asuma said. He paused, then added, "I came to see you, but I also have news. When you get out, I'm taking you all on a short C-rank mission. Think of it as a way to relax."
Naruto jumped up on the bed.
"Really, Asuma-sensei?! Is it catching bandits? Or escorting supplies? It's way better than staying in the hospital! Awesome!"
He was desperate for a real mission.
Shikamaru, however, wasn't as excited. He knew Asuma had been secretly investigating border issues since the last mission. He'd been leaving early and returning late, sometimes even injured.
A sudden C-rank mission didn't feel simple.
"C-rank? Where to?"
"Kusagakure," Asuma replied.
"Recently, there have been reports from Kusagakure about unidentified ninja activity near the border and missing supplies. They asked Konoha to investigate and confirm if another village is making moves in the dark."
"Don't worry, it's just an investigation. Not dangerous. It's mostly to get you familiar with different environments and practice team coordination. I've already spoken to Hinata. She's happy to join you."
"Hinata, huh..." Shikamaru's brow smoothed as he switched into strategist mode. "Her Byakugan will be perfect. The Kusa border is full of forests and valleys—lots of blind spots. The Byakugan can spot hidden ninja or traps early. Saves us a lot of trouble."
He paused, thinking. "But we need to tell her to stay hidden during reconnaissance. We don't want to get too close to Kusa patrols and cause a misunderstanding. And Naruto, don't just charge in if you see someone suspicious. Wait for Hinata to confirm their numbers and chakra natures, then we make a plan."
"Hey! I wouldn't be that reckless!" Naruto protested.
"Alright, it's settled. We leave as soon as you're discharged."