A C-rank mission?
Naruto wasn't even excited.
With his current strength, he could probably handle an A-rank mission without breaking a sweat.
His training over the past two months had been brutal.
And now?
He had tested it himself—he could open the Fifth Gate of the Eight Gates.
That meant five whole minutes of blazing speed and monstrous strength—without any serious side effects.
Not to mention—with Flying Thunder God, he was untouchable.
###
Name: Uzumaki Naruto
Age: 12
Ninjutsu:
Rasengan
Multiple Shadow Clone
Flying Thunder God
Eight Gates (up to Fifth Gate)
Fire Release:
Flame Bullet
Water Release:
Water Formation Wall
Earth Release:
Earth Flow Wall
Hiding Like a Mole Technique
Wind Release:
Gale Palm
Lightning Release:
None
Inventory:
Soldier Pills ×12
Explosive Tags ×15
Fūma Shuriken ×6
Not many flashy jutsu—but his raw power was terrifying.
With the Fifth Gate open, he could crush most Jōnin.
Combine that with Flying Thunder God?
Even elite ninja would struggle.
---
Naruto arrived at the Hokage's office.
Sakura and Sasuke were already there.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was buried in paperwork, barely acknowledging them.
Kakashi?
Still late.
But what caught Naruto's attention—
Was the old man sitting by the window.
A bottle of cheap sake in one hand.
A bamboo hat hanging off his back.
And an expression full of judgment.
The old man squinted at them.
"Huh? So these tiny brats are supposed to protect me?"
Sakura's forehead vein twitched.
Her inner self was screaming.
("You damn old drunk! Do you have any idea how strong we are?!")
But on the outside—she forced a smile.
"Haha~~, uh… Grandpa, don't underestimate us!"
Tazuna snorted.
"Yeah? You kids don't exactly look like warriors. You barely have any hair on your faces."
Sakura's eye twitched harder.
Sasuke scowled.
Naruto?
He just smirked.
Because he knew the truth.
This "simple" mission was anything but.
If he remembered correctly—
Tazuna was lying.
The mission was listed as C-rank…
But in reality?
It was an A-rank mission in disguise.
And the reason for Tazuna's rudeness?
He was trying to bait the Hokage into sending stronger ninja.
Smart move.
But Naruto didn't care.
Let the mission get dangerous.
It just meant more fun for him.
###
Suddenly—
A blur flew through the window.
THUMP.
Kakashi landed gracefully, hand casually waving.
"Yo~"
Sarutobi Hiruzen finally looked up from his paperwork.
"Ah, Kakashi, perfect timing."
He turned back to Tazuna.
"Don't worry, Mr. Tazuna. These young ninjas may be new, but they're more than capable."
Tazuna took another swig of sake.
"Sure, sure. Whatever you say."
He didn't look convinced.
Sakura was fuming.
Sasuke's frown deepened.
And before either could explode—
Kakashi held them back by their heads.
"Alright, alright. Let's not scare our client, okay?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen continued.
"Team 7, your mission is to escort Mr. Tazuna back to the Land of Waves."
Naruto barely listened.
Because at that moment—
A familiar voice echoed in his head.
[Ding! Original Plot Mission Activated: Escort Tazuna Safely to the Land of Waves!]
[Note: This mission is labeled as C-rank but secretly carries an A-rank difficulty.]
[Please select an approach:]
1️⃣ Follow the original plot.
Defeat Zabuza and Haku.
Defeat Gato's criminal gang.
Reward: Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu.
2️⃣ Alter the story.
Save Zabuza and Haku.
Convince them with words.
Reward: Wind Chakra Mastery.
---
He rolled his eyes.
("Really, system? You want me to use TALK NO JUTSU?")
Naruto was not good at convincing people.
But…
Wind Chakra Mastery was tempting.
And if he could save Zabuza and Haku…
It might change everything.
("Damn it. I need to think about this.")
For now—
He just smirked.
"Escort mission, huh?"
He turned to Tazuna.
And grinned.
"Hope you're ready, old man. Because this trip…"
"Is gonna get interesting."