In the hot summer, Team 7 has begun to perform missions as a Ninja Team. As newly graduated students, they were given D-Rank missions from the mission reception area to help them get used to their roles as Ninjas.
These missions included things like weeding fields and finding lost animals, simple and somewhat boring missions. Logan thought he wouldn't have to be involved in this, but Kakashi firmly pulled him back, stating seriously that as the teaching assistant of Team 7, he had to work with the students, sharing both the burdens and the efforts. This meant he had to take on a bunch of heavy tasks.
Kakashi earnestly adhered to Hiruzen's decisions, and Logan painfully accepted the baptism of menial work. Right now, he really wanted to go back to his high school live.
The very idea of wanting to study was frightening for Logan. He would often glare threateningly at Kakashi within the team, but it's a pity that this leader ignored him.
It was another bright day, and Konoha Village was busy and peaceful. Team 7 gathered on a sparsely populated street.
Just after handing over a D-Rank mission, Kakashi, with his hands in his pockets and eyes half-open, announced, "Okay, that concludes today's team mission. Dismissed."
"Clap clap clap." Logan clapped his hands immediately, with a look of relief and support on his face, "Great job, everyone. Another day as Ninjas completed..."
"..."
Sasuke and Sakura gave him blank looks.
His words were insincere, but what could he do? As a former high-ranking ANBU's Captain who handled only A-Rank and above missions, he had no interest in these low-level mundane tasks, even if it was with the future pillars of the Ninja World, Team 7!
"What? It's over already? Naruto's loud voice interrupted the harmonious atmosphere (which existed only between the two teachers).
Naruto waved his fists and looked at the two teachers in front of him, who seemed to be looking forward to getting off work as soon as possible and had no intention of working, " Hey, hey, sensei, isn't this a bit irresponsible?!"
"Hey, what do you mean irresponsible?" After hearing this, Logan immediately corrected Naruto, "We have just graduated and formed a team. The mission assignments are all arranged by Hokage-sama and the people of the mission reception area. Ending the day early isn't because Kakashi-sensei wants to slack off. If you want to complain, you should complain to Hokage-sama."
The corners of Kakashi's mouth twitched under the mask, 'The logic was sound, but why are you trying to shift the blame?'
"Damn it, I'm tired of the boring missions like weeding, fixing things, and finding things. Isn't there something more challenging, such as S-Rank missions to practice my skills?" Naruto said, eager for action as he stretched his legs.
"Come on, Naruto, we just became Genin. There aren't going to be any high-difficulty missions." Sakura said. After complaining about the lazy teachers in her hearts, she sided with reason. After all, as a young girl, she didn't want to be running around all day either.
"Kakashi-sensei, is there really no more challenging mission?" Naruto pleaded without giving up.
"No, no." Kakashi had already turned around and left, waving his hands perfunctorily, "Everyone, dismiss."
After Kakashi disappeared around the street corner, Sakura's eyes sparkled, her face blushing as she hinted to the boy beside her: "Sasuke, since we're free today, how about we..."
"No, I want to go home and train." Sasuke declined without hesitation, then glanced at Logan.
This was his way of saying, 'When will you finish teaching me the super cool Chidori?'.
Logan understood young people's desire to seek advice from experts. In addition, teaching indoors is better than sweating under the scorching sun.
"Oh, Hattori-sensei, do you and Sasuke know each other?" Naruto asked curiously when he saw Logan and Sasuke walking together.
"Ah, well, Sasuke and I have known each other for a few years now. It was a coincidence that I was assigned to be the teaching assistant of Team 7." Yu Xiaobai explained, "But why do you suddenly ask this?"
Naruto scratched the back of his head, seemingly embarrassed, "It's nothing. I just saw you and Sasuke walking together several times, sensei, and I was curious to ask... Sensei, do you two live together?"
Sakura's eyes suddenly widened, 'Wait a minute!'
Logan chuckled and wiped non-existent sweat, "No, Naruto, you're overthinking it."
"I see…"
Sasuke glanced at Naruto speechlessly, "Boring."
"Haha, actually, Hattori-sensei, what I want to say..." Naruto seemed to really have something to say, scratching his face and looking elsewhere, "Do you still remember the money I owe you for a bowl of ramen..."
Logan was stunned and digested the information for a while. The vague impression allowed him to realize that he had met Naruto by chance at Ichiraku Ramen before. At that time, Kakashi, who is still in ANBU, also happened to be eating ramen there. He helped Naruto, who had no money, pay for a bowl of ramen in advance, but Naruto was still very young at that time, as it's still Konoha's Year 54.
"Oh, yes, I didn't expect you to remember it." Logan smiled, "It wasn't much; you don't need to pay it back."
"Ah, oh." Naruto's eyes moved slightly and he pursed his lips.
"Next time we finish a mission, just treat me to a bowl of ramen." Logan added with a chuckle.
Hearing this, Naruto's face lit up, "Alright, that's settled. Hattori-sensei, I'll treat you to Ichiraku Ramen next time!"
"Um."
…
The group dispersed, and Logan walked back with Sasuke. On the way, Sasuke also asked some questions about what Naruto mentioned just now.
There are many coincidences in the world. Sasuke thought about the dead last who seemed to have strange similarities with him. Their solitary hearts always found each other because they were so conspicuous, like white lights timidly standing in the vast darkness. They often bumped into each other during quiet times.
"Have you remembered everything I said before?" Logan asked while sitting on the tatami. Seeing the young man opposite him nodding, he prepared to teach the remaining parts of Chidori, "Alright, let's finish this early so I don't have to keep thinking about it."
Under the eaves, Logan spoke in a connected yet occasionally fragmented manner, and from time to time, a cold voice would ask questions. Outside, another day in Konoha passed like this.
The initial Ninja career of Team 7 was spent as ordinary as all teams. Logan occasionally sent out a shadow clone to sneak out and exchange information with the pawns set by Akatsuki in the Land of Fire. Logan began his old habit of giving useless intelligence, but wondered if he should release some valuable information. The internal information on Space-Time Ninjutsu Zetsu said was something he could just ignore. And it would not be difficult for him to steal some low-level confidential documents and read them.
After catching frogs, moving things, and countless D-Rank missions, all three students in Team 7 were discontent. Both Sasuke and Sakura understood that this was what new Genin must experience, but Naruto was not the patient type. After a mission to find the lost pet cat of the Daimyo's wife, Naruto could no longer restrain his frustration and confronted Hiruzen.
Hiruzen smiled faintly and, after a mild reprimand, he surprisingly agreed and come up with a C-Rank mission for Team 7.
The mission was to escort the important person, Tazuna, a bridge builder from the Land of Waves.