The morning sun streamed through the window, warmly illuminating Naruto's newly renovated small apartment.
Just as Naruto finished breakfast, the doorbell rang repeatedly.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!"
Naruto mumbled a response and shuffled in his slippers to open the door.
"What do you mean Kakashi took Sasuke to train, and only the two of us are going on this mission?"
Although the mission reward would only be split between the two of them, Naruto didn't really care for that small amount of money. His Shadow Clone had recently finished writing *the romantic ninjutsu tales of shimura: Volume Seven* and a side story volume, ready to earn serious cash.
But what are Kakashi and Sasuke doing? It's almost time for the Chunin Exams, and they're secretly getting special tutoring now?
Naruto stared blankly at Sakura Haruno standing at the door.
Just then, a calm and gentle voice came from behind Naruto, near the dining table: "Are you going on a mission? Naruto, you go ahead. I'll wash the dishes and then head to work."
Inoichi Yamanaka was seen sitting elegantly at the dining table, with a steaming cup of clear tea and an empty plate in front of him, having clearly just finished breakfast.
He unhurriedly wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, his movements calm and composed, as if this were his own home.
Inoichi Yamanaka picked up the napkin and wiped his mouth.
"Huh? Why is Ino's dad at Naruto's place?"
Only then did Sakura Haruno notice Inoichi Yamanaka by the dining table.
Facing Sakura Haruno's shock, Inoichi Yamanaka simply chuckled, looking completely at ease: "Hehe, it's Sakura Haruno. Good morning.
It's nothing major, just due to some circumstances, I'll be imposing on Naruto for a few days."
He casually explained the "cohabitation" situation, then very understandingly waved his hand at the two youngsters.
"You two have a mission, so hurry up and go. Don't delay your work."
Naruto left a note on the refrigerator about his mission, so Hanabi wouldn't worry if she came looking for him and couldn't find him.
The two of them then went downstairs together.
Konoha Village's streets were already bustling in the early morning.
Having moved away from the shock caused by the weighty tenant at home, Sakura Haruno finally regained her ability to think and remembered Naruto's question from earlier.
She sighed, her shoulders slightly drooping, and explained with a mix of disappointment and resignation:
"Kakashi-sensei sent a message via his Ninken this morning, saying that... he wants to teach Sasuke a new Ninjutsu and needs a quiet place for special training for a few days.
So this mission..."
"Only the two of us can complete it. Kakashi-sensei said... hmm..."
She spread her hands, imitating Kakashi's lazy, slightly annoying tone.
"Although I really want to teach you both, the moves I specialize in aren't quite suitable for the two of you~"
"He really is unreliable."
Naruto rubbed his forehead.
That certainly sounded like something Kakashi would do.
And he didn't even notify me about this? Is he still mad because of that time I scared him?
I gave you a wife, and you're still unhappy.
Kakashi, why don't you just go back to playing Gintoki?
"So, what kind of mission do we have this time?"
Sakura Haruno pulled a scroll from her ninja tool pouch and shook it in front of Naruto. The stamp of the Mission Assignment Office was clearly visible on the scroll, and the rank was marked "D".
"Here, the mission scroll is here."
She unrolled the scroll and quickly scanned the contents.
"It's to go to Konoha Hospital's logistics warehouse and help the Medical Unit move a batch of newly arrived supplies."
"Huh? Helping the Medical Unit move supplies?"
"Can't the Medical Unit's own logistics personnel handle this kind of job? The Village has been peaceful lately, and I haven't heard of any major war breaking out that would require stocking up on massive medical supplies?"
Hearing Naruto say that, Sakura Haruno also slightly furrowed her delicate brows and thought carefully: "Hmm... now that you mention it, it is a bit strange.
The hospital hasn't seemed particularly busy recently either."
But since they accepted the mission, they had to go and check it out.
Konoha Hospital's logistics warehouse was located behind the main hospital building; it was a large, standalone bungalow.
The air was filled with a faint scent of disinfectant and the unique bitter aroma of medicinal herbs.
Tall shelves were stacked with various boxes, sacks, and medical equipment, making the space feel crowded but generally orderly.
After arriving at the warehouse, a strong arm hooked around Naruto's neck.
"Yo!"
A vigorous, slightly rough greeting suddenly exploded next to Naruto's ear.
Immediately afterward, an extremely strong, smoothly muscled arm hooked tightly around Naruto's neck from the side, like an iron hoop.
"Well, if it isn't Naruto! What a rare guest! What brought you here today?"
The voice was hearty and unrestrained, carrying a familiar teasing tone.
Although the pressure prevented him from turning his head, based solely on the unrestrained posture and the magnificent bosom, Naruto knew who was holding his neck.
"Cough, cough... Hana, Big Sis Hana, easy! I can't breathe!"
Struggling to escape the overly enthusiastic "chokehold," Naruto managed to turn his head with difficulty and saw a face that was smiling brightly and full of vigor.
It was none other than Inuzuka Kiba's older sister, Inuzuka Hana.
She was wearing a green vest, but perhaps because... well... certain parts of her development were too prominent, the vest was stretched tightly, outlining an extremely impressive figure.
She held Naruto casually, her other hand resting on her hip, exuding an aura that was healthy, vibrant, and powerful.
"Big Sis Hana, we're here for a mission!"
Sakura Haruno quickly stepped forward, explaining while involuntarily widening her eyes, her gaze lingering uncontrollably for several seconds on the magnificent area tightly encased by Inuzuka Hana's vest.
'S-so big!'
This thought, which was both direct and slightly rude, popped out uncontrollably, making her cheeks flush slightly. She quickly averted her gaze, pretending to look at the nearby shelves.
When would she be that big?
Inuzuka Hana was a Ninja from the same graduating class as Uchiha Itachi and had already become a Jonin.
The three large brown dogs beside her were her Ninken, the Haimaru Brothers.
"So you guys took the mission to help move supplies. Not bad. You've only been graduates for less than three months, and you're already taking independent missions."
"Come with me. These are medical devices that Hiashi-sama exchanged from Hidden Mist. The Bloody Mist Regime policies there have caused their medical Ninjutsu to develop rapidly recently, and these medical devices are quite a bit better than ours."
Just like Konoha Village, which specializes in treating poisoning due to dealing with Hidden Sand Village's poisons; or Hidden Cloud Village, which specializes in treating electric shock because they often shock themselves or their comrades while practicing or learning Ninja Taijutsu.
Because the policies of the Bloody Mist Regime led to massive casualties among their Medical Ninja, the Medical Ninja in Hidden Mist Village have progressed with astonishing speed.
The Medical Ninja who survived that hellish environment were forced to grow at the fastest possible rate.
They accumulated terrifying experience in handling fatal injuries, emergency battlefield surgery, controlling massive hemorrhages, temporary organ replacement and maintenance, and maximizing the survival of the wounded under rudimentary conditions.
Treatment cannot rely solely on medical Ninjutsu, because many Medical Ninja do not have a strong level of medical Ninjutsu.
Surgical operations are very necessary.
Medical machinery is also consequently more advanced.
Although Hidden Mist Village hasn't produced a Medical Ninja who can surpass Tsunade since the implementation of the Bloody Mist Regime, they are still very impressive.
Their average standard definitely surpasses the other four Great Ninja Villages.