In the morning, Mokgetsu went to the mission hall in the Hokage Building to search for a mission.
Obito's life mission progress has reached 19.2%, just 0.8% more to reach 20% for another reward settlement.
If the mission type is suitable, it's possible to quickly sprint past that threshold.
Of course, if it's not suitable, the effect might not be as good as staying in Konoha to cultivate and improve strength, so Mokgetsu didn't bring Obito and the others along but went to the Hokage Building alone.
If there's a suitable mission, go for it; if not, focus on cultivation.
"B-Class mission, investigate the Minister of Loulan, An Lushan..." Mokgetsu's eyes narrowed at the mention of Loulan, and he quickly read through the entire mission.
Loulan is quite a unique place in the Naruto World because the Dragon Vein beneath it possesses the power to travel through time and space.
However, Mokgetsu remembers clearly that when Minato went to the Dragon Vein, he was already proficient in using the Rasengan, so the Loulan mission shouldn't be at this point in time.
Mokgetsu carefully recalled the entire Loulan storyline and found that the Loulan mission in front of him and the one Minato took weren't the same.
The mission Minato took back then was to protect Queen Sara, while the B-Class mission before him was issued by Sara's mother, and at this point, Sara wasn't even the Queen of Loulan.
"I'll take this mission," Mokgetsu thought for a moment and then told the registrant ninja.
Although he might not see Naruto by going at this time, this mission is indeed very suitable for sprinting mission progress. If Obito performs well, he could become a small-country hero like in Snow Country.
Even if not for Obito's life mission reward, Mokgetsu still wanted to take this mission to Loulan for a glimpse of the Dragon Vein.
After all, it's a power capable of time travel; not seeing it and studying it would be a pity.
After taking the mission, Mokgetsu returned to the Southern Border Forest to explain the situation to his disciples.
"Just a B-Class mission, Teacher Mokgetsu, why didn't you take an A-Class mission?" Obito scratched his head and asked in confusion.
Obito had been involved in many A-Class missions on the battlefield, so doing a regular B-Class mission felt lacking in challenge.
"Don't you like taking photos of different landscapes? Loulan is an ancient small country with unique architecture found only in Loulan," Mokgetsu replied with a warm smile.
"Is that so? Then this mission absolutely has to be done." Obito's eyes lit up instantly, deeply moved.
"You change your mind so quickly," Kakashi couldn't help but tease as he noted Obito's drastic shift in attitude.
"What do you know, it's not like I understood Teacher Mokgetsu's intentions at the start," Obito said nonchalantly.
"I think it mainly has to do with you not seriously studying ninja world geography," Kakashi retorted expressionlessly.
"I bet you don't know more than ten countries."
"How could that be? Kakashi, don't underestimate me. It's just ten countries; I can list them for you right now." Obito got angry, how could he not know ten countries? The Five Great Countries alone make up five.
Obito quickly listed the full names of the Five Great Countries, then continued, "Snow Country, Land of Grass, Land of Rivers, Land of Hot Water... Loulan!"
"And then? That's just ten," Kakashi said with a mocking smile.
Obito blushed, mind racing to think of any countries he had yet to mention.
"There's also the Land of Rice Fields, that's eleven! Kakashi, what do you have to say now?" Obito's mind flashed, recalling another country's name, and he loudly questioned Kakashi.
Clap, clap.
Kakashi clapped his hands and said with a faint smile, "Remembering eleven countries, including those in the Five Great Countries, is indeed impressive, Obito."
Obito's face turned even redder. Clearly, Kakashi was complimenting him, but Obito felt it was a great insult.
"Do you know about the Land of Rain, Moon Country, Land of Waves, Land of Waterfall, Bird Country, Land of Bear...?" Kakashi abruptly listed a string of small country names.
Hearing so many unfamiliar small country names, Obito showed a trace of confusion in his eyes. Are there this many countries in the ninja world?
"Kakashi, don't bully Obito anymore. Geography isn't Obito's strong suit," Nohara Rin said with a helpless smile.
But what Nohara Rin didn't know was that her words delivered an even greater blow to Obito.
"So in Rin's heart, I'm actually an idiot," Obito couldn't help but squat down and draw circles on the ground with his finger.
He really wished someone would give Kakashi a good lesson for being so mean.
"Alright, everyone, get ready. We're about to set off," Mokgetsu stepped in at the right time and said.
Since this mission is a B-Class mission, Mokgetsu didn't bring Shisui and the others along; instead, he left a Shadow Clone to instruct them.
Once everything was ready, Mokgetsu led Obito and the others towards Loulan.
As they traveled westward, Mokgetsu and the group's surroundings gradually transformed from forest to grassland, then to arid grassland, and finally to an endless desert.
Seeing the vast golden expanse, Obito couldn't help but pull out his camera and take a couple of shots.
"Last time, we barely spent a moment before encountering enemies. This time, we can make up for it," Obito said with an excited smile, finding the desert around Loulan an unexpected delight.
His first encounter with a desert was less than ideal, as they barely arrived before stumbling upon the Hidden Cloud AB duo, and he didn't have a camera to capture the moment back then.
"Stay a few days and you might start missing Konoha," Mokgetsu activated his Byakugan, scanning the surroundings before commenting.
The desert scenery is indeed magnificent, but after staying a while, it becomes uncomfortable due to the repetitive visuals and harsh living conditions.