"Are we really about to take on a B-rank mission?"
Shisui and Kurenai arrived at the meeting point, immediately questioning Asuma as soon as they saw him.
"I don't know! I just… I just casually mentioned wanting a more advanced mission. I didn't think they'd actually approve it!"
Asuma was just as confused. He had only briefly brought it up to his old man, and by the afternoon, he received the call to gather.
"Let's head out first. I'll explain on the way," Kyoichi said succinctly.
Once everyone had gathered, they registered at the village gate and immediately set off westward.
After leaving Konoha, Kyoichi explained the mission.
"This time, I'm implementing wartime protocols," Kyoichi announced. "No cooking meals on the road—your food will entirely consist of military ration pills. No resting until we reach designated distances. Stay alert at all times."
"Yes, sir!"
"Move out!"
While the three students were thrilled at the prospect of a high-ranking mission, they couldn't help but feel a little tense. Judging by their teacher's tone, this mission might involve actual combat with enemy ninja.
As they traveled, Kyoichi's thoughts wandered.
This was a turbulent time—Akatsuki was just beginning to rise. Although the Land of Rivers had no ninja village of its own, the turmoil in the region was bound to have ties to Akatsuki.
It all lined up too well.
However...
Given Akatsuki's current state, they likely wouldn't target Konoha ninja directly. Their mission was merely to rendezvous with Minato, not to engage in direct combat, so the risks weren't as high.
Even Hiruzen must have thought Minato's mission was relatively low-risk.
But what if things went wrong?
These were unstable times, and the village couldn't afford unnecessary losses. Sending Kyoichi's team was an additional layer of security—and perhaps an opportunity to gather intelligence.
Kyoichi understood this perfectly.
"Sensei, does that mean Kakashi's team also received a C-rank mission?"
Asuma, after running a long stretch, suddenly blurted out a question.
Kurenai was speechless.
You're only realizing this now?
Kyoichi didn't even bother to respond.
Kurenai, exasperated, explained, "Kakashi's a Chūnin. His team is already stronger than an average Genin squad, so taking on C-rank missions is normal."
"I heard Guy-senpai's team also took a C-rank mission," Shisui added.
"Oh…"
Hearing this, Asuma scratched his head. He had assumed their team was special, but now it seemed that all the elite squads had already started handling C-rank missions.
The pride he had been feeling quickly deflated.
"C-rank missions are mostly escort tasks with limited combat. What we experienced last time was an exception. This time, the mission was classified as B-rank because of the likelihood of encountering enemy ninja," Kyoichi explained.
Generally, C-rank missions paid between 20,000 to 50,000 ryō and were primarily defensive in nature. Their last mission had escalated into a proactive strike, far exceeding the usual scope of a C-rank.
In simple terms, they had gone above and beyond.
Of course…
The rewards reflected that.
The final payout was 60,000 ryō—20,000 more than the original estimate. This increase was due to their elimination of the bandits and recovery of stolen goods from several villages.
The group pressed on, quickly picking up signs of Team 7's movements.
But as they neared the border of the Land of Fire, the trail abruptly vanished—Minato's team had clearly begun erasing all traces of their presence.
"Proceed to the mission location," Kyoichi instructed.
Consulting the map, he led the group toward Minato's last known coordinates.
As they traveled deeper into the Land of Rivers, Asuma couldn't help but notice the desolation around them.
"Sensei, there are so few people in the Land of Rivers."
"It's too chaotic here. People can't survive, so they leave," Kyoichi replied.
"Is it because they don't have a ninja village? But doesn't the daimyo have enough money to hire ninja?"
Asuma's confusion was evident.
Kyoichi paused before explaining, "The Land of Rivers is surrounded by too many major nations, and its territory is relatively large. Even if it established a ninja village, it would be nearly impossible to sustain."
"What about the Land of Rain?"
Shisui thought of the nation sandwiched between the three great powers.
Wasn't the Land of Rain even worse off than the Land of Rivers?
Yet during the Second Shinobi World War, the Land of Rain had stood its ground against the three major nations, earning great renown.
"The Land of Rain has Hanzo," Kyoichi said with a sigh.
In its earlier years, Hanzo had been an immensely powerful figure with clear ideals. But after the Second Shinobi World War, even he couldn't withstand the pressure from the three great nations.
Hanzo had made waves, seemingly victorious.
However…
The major nations recovered within a few years. What about the Land of Rain?
Aside from the anomaly of Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato, the country lacked the educational and medical systems needed to produce another Hanzo. Everything relied on rare outliers.
That was the fundamental difference between a small nation and a great power.
Kyoichi's explanation left his students in thoughtful silence.
For years, they had seen things from Konoha's perspective, viewing the smaller nations as instigators of war. But now, imagining themselves as ninja from a minor village, they couldn't help but feel a deep sense of despair.
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Asuma, Shisui, and Kurenai seemed lost in thought.
But then...
A sudden notification broke Kyoichi's focus:
[You've successfully guided Sarutobi Asuma's ideology. He now sees you as a life mentor.]
[Evaluation: Excellent]
[Reward: Flying Swallow]
Huh?
Asuma, you've finally repaid me!
Kyoichi couldn't help but smile as he accepted the reward.
The Flying Swallow technique wasn't merely a weapon style—it was a high-level combination of taijutsu and Wind Release chakra manipulation, making it a deadly skill in close combat.
For Asuma, this would eventually become his signature technique.
But for Kyoichi…
It was much more.
Not only did he gain the technique itself, but he also received a boost to his dexterity. His left hand, in particular, now felt significantly more agile.
This wasn't something most techniques could offer.
"This settles it—I need a second chakra blade as soon as possible," Kyoichi mused, thrilled by the possibilities.
As he glanced at Asuma, who was still deep in thought but quickly shook himself out of it to refocus on the mission, Kyoichi smiled again.
Asuma had grown a lot.
Once an impulsive troublemaker, the young Sarutobi was now a far cry from the boy who had left the village over minor conflicts.
All thanks to me, Kyoichi thought smugly.
Of course…
Even as he reveled in his students' progress, Kyoichi kept his chakra senses active, scanning the surroundings for any signs of Minato's team or potential threats.
Finally…
"I've found them! This way!"
Kyoichi pointed in the direction of the trail.
Asuma and Shisui looked startled, while Kurenai appeared unfazed.
She kept pace with Kyoichi and remarked, "You didn't seriously think Sensei had no idea where the bandits were back in Hakuen Town, did you?"
Realization dawned on Shisui.
Their teacher must have pinpointed the bandits' location long before testing them in Hakuen Town.
"That explains why he showed up so quickly afterward."
"And I remember my father once mentioned the Second Hokage had a sensory technique that could detect chakra from great distances…"
"Enough chatter. Keep moving," Kyoichi interrupted.
He didn't deny their observations—there was no point.
As long as he had Tsunade's backing, he didn't have to hide his abilities. And if push came to shove, he could always leave the village.
No big deal.
****************************
Read advanced chapters ahead of everyone else on my P@treon.
p@treon/GodDragcell