However, just as Naruto was about to give up and obediently endure for a while longer, Team 7 stepped into the Mission Assignment Hall. A figure sitting in the main seat at the assignment desk instantly reignited Naruto's restless heart.
"Whoa?! Grandpa Third! Why are you here at the mission desk today?!"
Naruto shouted in surprise, looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was sitting in the center seat wearing his Hokage robes and hat.
As the Kage of the village...
Most of the time, Hiruzen had to stay in his office dealing with the massive and complicated administrative work. But occasionally, he would take time to inspect various departments within the village.
The Mission Center.
It was one of the most important institutions in a ninja village!
Hiruzen would periodically come here to issue tasks to ninjas personally. It was considered a "man of the people" gesture!
"Heh heh. I happened to have some free time today, so I came to take a look. Your missions are going smoothly, right, Naruto?"
Hiruzen nodded gently, wearing his usual kindly smile.
"Yes, Grandpa Third! We finished this mission perfectly too! So, I want to challenge a higher difficulty mission! Grandpa Third, give our team a C-rank mission or higher! That would be way more challenging!!!"
Seeing Hiruzen...
Naruto immediately changed his mind!
If he missed this chance, he might not get another one anytime soon!
If possible, who the hell would want to keep doing D-rank missions? Naruto wanted a challenge!!
His goal had always been to become the greatest Hokage, far surpassing his father and all previous Hokage!
While handing in the mission report, he couldn't wait to speak up.
"Oh? Why are you in such a hurry, Naruto? There are rules about which teams can take which level of missions. A newly formed team like yours can only perform the lowest-level missions for the first period of time. This is to better cultivate you. Your Jōnin sensei, Kakashi, is an experienced ninja. He knows when to assign you suitable tasks!"
Hiruzen looked at Naruto with a smile.
"I know all that! But it's been over a month, Grandpa Third! And Big Brother Kakashi hasn't shown any sign of taking a high-level mission! D-rank missions have zero difficulty and meaning for us! Don't ninja need more honing and tests to grow? Our team's strength is totally enough for higher-level missions! And at worst, we still have Big Brother Kakashi with us, right?!"
Naruto seemed determined to argue with Hiruzen.
He was relentless.
"I think Naruto has a point. Our team can definitely attempt more difficult missions. After all, at our age, Kakashi-sensei was already a Jōnin!"
Menma chimed in, picking up where Naruto left off.
High-level missions or not...
For the current Menma, the difference wasn't huge. But he really hoped for an opportunity to leave the village.
The reason was simple: for plans that might unfold in the future, Menma needed to be familiar with the terrain around the Hidden Leaf Village!
Descriptions from his past life's anime and paper maps in this life were completely insufficient!
He had to survey it personally!
And to do that, he needed missions that took him outside the village—and more than just one!
Menma didn't want to run into issues with unfamiliar terrain when it mattered most. That wouldn't be a small problem.
As soon as Menma spoke...
Naruto's face lit up with joy.
"Exactly! Exactly! Big Brother Kakashi, you keep saying we're young, but you became a Jōnin at 12! We can totally handle higher-level missions!"
Even Sasuke nodded in agreement from the side.
"You guys..."
Kakashi shook his head, amused.
Just as Kakashi was about to say something...
"Hmm. That does make sense. But Naruto, Menma, you have to think clearly. Every time the mission rank goes up, the difficulty is worlds apart. Although your team has Kakashi, if the mission fails, the evaluation of the ninja involved will drop. Even so, do you still insist?"
Hiruzen asked with interest from his seat.
Seeing Hiruzen speak, Kakashi shut his mouth. As long as the Hokage didn't object, Kakashi didn't care either.
With his strength, in most cases, there really was nothing to worry about.
"Don't worry, Grandpa Third! With our team's strength, we'll definitely complete the mission smoothly!"
Hiruzen's leniency made Naruto's eyes light up. Afraid the Hokage might change his mind, he answered quickly.
"Hmm. Alright then. I'll give your team a C-rank mission in advance. Naruto, Menma, you've said big words. Make sure you deliver when the time comes!"
Hiruzen smiled and nodded.
Hearing this...
Forget Naruto.
Even Sasuke couldn't help but let the corner of his mouth curl up into a faint smile.
D-rank missions.
Honestly...
Sasuke was fed up with them too.
They were a complete waste of time.
"You said it, Grandpa Third! No take-backs!! We'll 100% complete it and show you!"
Naruto thumped his chest, full of confidence.
"Heh heh. Then I'll wait and see."
Hiruzen chuckled and signaled a nearby clerk to hand him another mission log. He scanned it briefly.
"Let's go with this C-rank mission. You'll be escorting someone. This mission requires traveling to another country. I think it should be very suitable for you right now!"
Hiruzen locked onto a standard C-rank mission. While speaking to Naruto and Menma, he signaled for someone to bring the client in.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah!!"
Naruto nodded frantically like a chicken pecking rice.
Escorting someone? Looks like it's highly likely to be THAT mission.
Menma raised an eyebrow slightly, the corresponding plot scenes from the original story surfacing in his mind.
A second later.
Creak.
The side door of the hall opened.
The figure of a scruffy, middle-aged man wearing a conical hat and carrying a bottle of sake appeared in the sight of Menma, Naruto, and the others.
The moment he saw that figure...
A look of "just as expected" flashed quickly through Menma's eyes.