Chapter 278 — First Mission
For merchants in the Land of Hot Springs, turning to Konoha for help was perfectly reasonable.
Strictly speaking, though, a mission of this level being ranked B-rank should have made it impossible for two freshly graduated Genin like Sasuke and Naruto — plus a returning spy — to be assigned to it. Even if they applied, the Mission Assignment Department normally wouldn't dare approve it.
But Sasuke and Naruto were hardly ordinary Genin.
Their older brother was a jōnin squad leader.
And the Hokage — Konoha's highest authority — was their father.
As long as they didn't go out of their way to cause trouble, and as long as Uchiha Fugaku remained the Fifth Hokage, neither of them would ever have anything to worry about.
"Oh, oh!" Naruto nodded vigorously, and then perked up again. "So that means… we can go soak in the hot springs again, right?!"
Sasuke gave him a sideways look. "Hot springs? Finish the mission first."
"But after we finish the mission, we can still soak before coming back, right?" Naruto turned to their older brother. "Right, Itachi-aniki?"
Uchiha Itachi smiled gently. "If there's enough time, yes."
Naruto immediately puffed out his chest at Sasuke. "Hear that? I told you so! Itachi-aniki said yes!"
Sasuke snorted, not wanting to dignify him with a response.
"Are you two finished eating?" Itachi asked, glancing at the time. "If you are, we should get going."
"Finished!" Sasuke and Naruto stood up at the same time.
"Alright. Let's move."
This was Sasuke and Naruto's first official mission, and Uchiha Mikoto took it extremely seriously. She pulled Itachi aside and repeated — for perhaps the tenth time — that he must look after his little brothers.
Itachi nodded earnestly. "Don't worry, Kaa-san. Nothing will happen."
Fugaku also stepped in. "With Itachi watching them, what exactly are you worried about?"
Mikoto fetched two prepared ninja tool pouches and handed them to Naruto and Sasuke. "Listen to your brother. Don't cause trouble."
Both boys nodded obediently.
"Auntie, what's this round ball inside?" Naruto asked.
Sasuke opened his own pouch, peeked inside, and immediately scoffed. "That's a Military Ration Pill. Don't you know that? Sensei talked about it in class!"
Naruto blinked. "Oh! So these are Military Ration Pills!"
He picked up a pill through the small transparent bag, examining it with great curiosity.
There were six pills in total, packaged in two small bags of three each.
Sasuke's comment about class made Naruto scratch his head sheepishly. "Huh? Did he? I… don't remember."
Sasuke rolled his eyes, fastened his pouch to his thigh, then carefully retied his forehead protector. Standing in front of the entryway mirror, he adjusted himself and nodded, satisfied.
Meanwhile, Mikoto helped Naruto remove his goggles and tied his forehead protector neatly in its place.
Naruto watched his goggles being placed on the cabinet — but his eyes had no attachment for them anymore. His attention was fixed on the mirror, staring at the new forehead protector on his head.
His heart thumped with excitement.
Woohoo! Starting today… they were real Genin!
And this was their first mission.
Who knew what exciting things awaited them?
"Stop daydreaming! Let's go." Sasuke kicked him lightly.
"Coming!"
Naruto spun around. "Uncle, Auntie, goodbye! We're leaving!"
Mikoto waved warmly. "Have a safe trip. Take care of yourselves."
Even after their silhouettes faded into the distance, Mikoto remained at the doorway, reluctant to look away.
Fugaku gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Alright, alright. Let's go inside. They've already left."
"Husband… do you think Naruto and Sasuke will be alright?"
Fugaku resisted the urge to rub his temples. She had asked this five times between last night and this morning.
"Don't worry. You know our son's strength. I'd estimate that even someone who just stepped into Kage-level might not be his opponent. There's nothing to worry about. The Land of Hot Springs is only potentially affected — it's not the frontline. Iwagakure and Kirigakure haven't even started fighting yet. I heard Iwagakure is still tracking Mist's whereabouts."
He never hid such information from Mikoto — they always talked casually before bed, sharing anything important.
Mikoto nodded. She knew he was right… but she couldn't help worrying anyway.
"Come on," Fugaku said, steering her toward the stairs. "The kids are gone. We should handle our business."
Mikoto suddenly slapped her forehead. "Ah! I haven't cleared the breakfast dishes yet!"
"Later, later." Fugaku waved it off.
"Aren't you going to work today? Usually you leave after breakfast."
"Not today. I'm taking a long break," Fugaku replied cheerfully.
In truth, he had already sent a shadow clone to work. There wasn't much to do anyway — just the occasional document to sign.
His Eternal Mangekyō's fusion with the Rinnegan still had six and a half days left. To be safe, he decided not to go anywhere or meet anyone in person.
If someone insisted on seeing him, he'd send a clone.
If even that wasn't enough and someone insisted on speaking to the real body… he'd consider running away.
…
At 11 a.m., Fugaku came downstairs, grabbed his phone, and sprawled on the sofa to play mobile games.
A moment later, Mikoto — who had changed clothes — came down carrying her bag. She headed out to buy groceries.
She would be back in half an hour, just in time to cook and have lunch ready around noon.
"Husband, please start the rice."
"Got it," Fugaku replied without looking up.
Once he finished the match on his phone, he created a shadow clone to cook — while he continued playing.
Meanwhile…
After Mikoto finished buying groceries and stepped out of the shopping center, she suddenly felt a wave of nausea. It passed quickly, but the sensation was unmistakable.
She froze.
This feeling… she knew it very, very well.
To be safe, she headed straight toward Konoha Hospital for a check-up. She called Fugaku to say she'd be home later.
He didn't mind. He wasn't hungry yet, and even if he were, the fridge was full of snacks and fruit.
…
After leaving the Uchiha compound, Itachi led Sasuke and Naruto toward the village gates.
To save time, the three of them didn't bother with the streets — they leapt directly across the rooftops.