"Another C-rank?"
The words landed flat in the Hokage's office.
The Third Hokage smiled as he finished the briefing, pipe resting between his fingers. Across from him, Team Seven wore three very different expressions. None of them were convinced.
Naruto stepped forward immediately. "Old man, just call it A-rank. Or S-rank. Saves everyone the trouble when it blows up in our faces again."
Sakura nodded without thinking.
Three C-rank missions since graduation.Each one worse than the last.
The first had turned into a clash with enemy ANBU and a missing-nin tied to the Thunder God Blade.The second ended with former Seven Swordsmen of the Mist.The third escalated into open conflict with a nation's military.
Her instincts itched.
The Third Hokage coughed and set his pipe down. "This time is different. It's a simple escort mission. Nothing more."
Naruto crossed his arms. "You said that last time. You said we were escorting an actress."
The Hokage stalled.
He had known Snow Country carried complications. He had also known the pay was generous. Team Seven had been capable. The rest had… escalated.
"This time," he said carefully, "I give you my word. And if something unexpected happens, you won't need to file additional reports afterward."
That caught Naruto's attention.
"Really?"
The Hokage smiled again. "When have I lied to you?"
After a pause, he continued, voice firm. "Your assignment is to escort Shibuki, the young leader of Takigakure, safely back to his village."
The client was introduced shortly after. Young. Hesitant. Not someone who inspired confidence.
Once outside the tower, Sakura exhaled slowly. "I've got a bad feeling about this."
Naruto grinned and raised a thumb. "Relax. I've got you covered."
She shot him a look. "I didn't ask."
She began counting on her fingers. "C turned B. B turned A. A turned S. So this one…"
She stopped.
"…two S-ranks?"
Sasuke frowned. "Don't jump to conclusions."
The words lacked conviction.
"Still," he added, "staying cautious isn't wrong."
Sakura nodded grimly.
Kakashi, who had watched the exchange in silence, sighed. "You're overthinking it. We'll be back before you know it. I'll even treat you to dinner. And I'll share some good news."
Sasuke glanced at him sideways.
That sounded dangerously optimistic.
Far away, hidden deep within the Land of Waterfalls, mist curled around a colossal cascade. Water thundered down from hundreds of meters above, swallowing all sound.
A masked shinobi stared up at it in awe. "Hard to believe a village hides behind something like this."
He turned to a man beside him. Head wrapped in cloth. Eyes closed.
"Is this really the entrance, Suien?"
Suien opened his eyes. "It is. The terrain kept Takigakure untouched for generations."
The masked shinobi chuckled. "You really do know your former home."
"We move now," Suien said.
"Wait." He raised a hand. "No unnecessary killing. Keep casualties to a minimum."
The masked shinobi smirked. "Sentimental?"
Before he could continue, a female shinobi in Rain gear cut in sharply. "Enough. We follow orders."
Her glare silenced him.
Suien repeated himself. "No excessive bloodshed."
Not out of mercy.
But because provoking the Seven-Tails was a risk no one here wanted.
"Prepare," Suien said. "Begin the operation."
Dozens of figures vanished into the mist.
High above, on a distant cliff, two cloaked silhouettes watched in silence. Red clouds shifted against black fabric as rain fell between them.