"You wants us to investigate Kirigakure in the Land of Water?" Kakashi looked at the Third Hokage with some confusion. "Shouldn't our current enemy be the Land of Wind?"
"I've arranged for others to handle the Land of Wind." If he could just contact Orochimaru and make his former student appreciate his teacher's painstaking efforts, he could bring him back to the embrace of the Will of Fire. Coupled with the records in the 'Future Notebook,' Sunagakure in the Land of Wind would be easy pickings, hardly requiring much effort at all. The Land of Wind? Hiruzen Sarutobi was already setting his sights on the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water.
"Moreover, once the war begins, it won't just be a matter between Konoha and Suna. Other nations will be forced, or will choose, to join in. Therefore, I need you to discreetly contact Kiri, ideally to probe their strengths and weaknesses, and, if possible, bring them over to our side." According to the notebook, Kirigakure seemed to be in considerable chaos. The Fourth Mizukage was apparently being controlled by a mysterious person using genjutsu. This golden opportunity was not much different from the situation with Suna. With proper maneuvering, Kirigakure would also be within his grasp. Of course, all of this was predicated on the 'Future Notebook' actually being a genuine record of the future. Otherwise, all his plans and arrangements would be a joke. However, recent intelligence from the Land of Wind did indicate that Sunagakure was secretly amassing power and making restless movements. As soon as Orochimaru confirms this, it will prove the authenticity of the notebook. Then, unifying the ninja world would no longer be a distant dream.
"I see. Lord Hokage, you've thought of everything." Kakashi agreed with Hiruzen's arrangements. But thinking of Uchiha Ying standing beside him, he frowned. "However, Lord Hokage, with Uchiha Ying's current strength, isn't it too risky to have him accompany me on such an infiltration mission?" Although countless children like Ying had died in previous wars, Kakashi still wanted to try and argue. After all, excluding the rogue ninja out there, the Uchiha clan only had two members left.
"Ying, are you willing to accept this mission?" Hiruzen pretended to ponder for a moment, then looked at Uchiha Ying standing behind Kakashi. He had recently recruited quite a few young ninja into the Anbu; Ying was no longer the most exceptional.
"I obey Lord Hokage's orders." *Making a genin carry out what's clearly an S-rank mission, and then fearing rejection and trying to provoke my competitive spirit… that's so like you, Hiruzen Sarutobi.* Ying inwardly grumbled while putting on an enthusiastic expression.
"Good to hear you're confident. I'll send Hayate and Yugao to support you later. The mission's primary objective is infiltration and investigation. Avoid direct confrontation with Kiri ninja as much as possible, understand?"
"Yes, sir!" Kakashi gave Ying a slightly regretful look, then silently accepted the mission scroll from Hiruzen.
"Ying! You're here to receive a mission from Lord Hokage too!" As Ying and Team 8 pushed open the door to the Hokage's office, they were greeted by Naruto's loud voice. "Let me tell you, our Team 7 just received a C-rank mission! Awesome, right?" He beamed, his trademark whisker-like marks prominent on his cheeks.
"A C-rank mission?" Ying looked at Team 7, then at the drunken old man who had just stumbled out of the Hokage's office. *So, it's time for the Land of Waves arc already?*
"That's pretty impressive." *Hopefully, Naruto and Sasuke won't get beaten too badly by Zabuza.*
"By the way, Ying, about last night's mission…" After excitedly showing off his newly acquired C-rank mission, Naruto couldn't help but ask about the follow-up to the previous night's side mission. He had made a significant sacrifice last night, not just with the energy-consuming Harem Jutsu, but also by personally experiencing the feeling of being sealed inside a stone.
"Naruto!" Sasuke warned him against mentioning last night's events in front of everyone. Although he was also curious about the aftermath, he didn't want anyone else to know about what had happened, especially after discovering the near-doubling of his chakra reserves today. Sasuke now regarded last night's 'dream' as his biggest secret. He just didn't know if there would be any new 'dream missions' in the future.
Lowering his voice under Sasuke's warning, Naruto whispered in Ying's ear, "Sasuke said his chakra increased a lot after last night, but I don't feel any different."
"Really?" Ying briefly sensed Sasuke's chakra and found that his previous 0.5 units or so had indeed increased to almost 1.5 units. As for Naruto, it was normal for a jinchuriki like him not to notice such a small increase. *It seems that completing missions in the other world will also strengthen Naruto and Sasuke.*
"But it doesn't matter. The most important thing is… what happened to that woman last night?" Having put in so much effort without seeing the conclusion, Naruto's curiosity was gnawing at him.
"She's in a very safe place and no longer needs to worry about being sealed by 'bad guys.'" *Except she'll be visited daily by this 'bad guy' from now on.* *Besides, the real aftermath of last night isn't something I can tell you kids.*
"That's good. We'll be going now!" Satisfied with the answer, Naruto contentedly followed Kakashi and the others out of the Hokage's office. Sakura was slightly curious about what Naruto and Ying had whispered about, but she was more concerned with Hinata, who was blushing and standing beside Ying. Anyone could see Hinata's feelings for Ying, and they were even in the same genin team… *At this rate, can Ino really win against Hinata in the end?*
"Don't be envious of Kakashi's Team 7. We also have a C-rank mission this time." After Team 7 left, Kurenai Yuhi patted her students' shoulders and took out the scroll she had received from the Third Hokage.
"Searching for treasure buried in the ruins of the Land of Whirlpools?" Ying read the words on the mission scroll while enjoying the pleasant scent of his female teacher.
"Yes. How about it? This mission is much more interesting than some escort mission, right?" Kurenai winked playfully at her adorable students.
"It is pretty good." *The Land of Waves, the Land of Whirlpools… both are near the Land of Water. After completing these surface-level missions, we can immediately rendezvous and set off for the Kirigakure investigation.* From these two missions, Ying could see Hiruzen's good intentions and the village's current shortage of manpower. However, what Hiruzen probably didn't know yet was that Kakashi's Team 7's C-rank mission was actually an A-rank mission involving combat with a jonin. Moreover, if the original plot remained unchanged, Kakashi would be bedridden for at least a week after this mission due to overuse of his Sharingan. Therefore, Kakashi, the main force for the Kirigakure investigation, might not even be able to participate. If that were the case… then this mission to gather intelligence on Kirigakure would become interesting. Unless they abandoned the mission, two special jonin and one genin carrying out an S-rank mission… Ying felt they could only pray that all the Kiri ninja were peace-loving philanthropists for them to have even a sliver of a chance of survival.
"I hope I won't be the only one doing all the work this time…" Shino Aburame, trailing behind Team 8, sighed quietly while watching Ying and the shy Hinata following him.
"Cheer up, Shino. Don't lag behind. Slacking off is not allowed."
"No, sensei, the one slacking off is clearly…" Shino started to retort to his oblivious teacher, only to see that she had already walked ahead, chatting and laughing with Ying. *Damn, another day of being ignored…*