Chapter 17: The First Mission
The night of the celebration banquet had passed, and a new morning had arrived.
Naruto rose early, washed up quickly, and made his way toward the agreed meeting point—the main gate of Konoha. According to Kakashi's instructions, they were to gather at precisely six in the morning.
The gate guards yawned sleepily as they began their daily duties, the rising sun casting long shadows across the village entrance.
When Naruto arrived, he found Sasuke and Sakura already waiting. They appeared to have been there for quite some time—Sakura was shivering slightly in the morning chill, rubbing her arms for warmth.
Seeing Naruto approach, Sakura stepped forward to greet him.
"Naruto, you're here," she said. "It's exactly six o'clock… but Mr. Kakashi hasn't arrived yet." She huffed, stomping her foot in mild frustration. "He said the most important thing for a ninja is punctuality, remember?"
She had wanted to make a good impression. After officially becoming a genin last night, she had been so excited about picking up her first real mission that she had barely slept. She had arrived at the gate far too early, eager and nervous.
And now… nothing. Kakashi was nowhere to be seen.
Naruto smiled slightly but said nothing. He knew Kakashi's habits well. Punctuality was not one of his virtues. Naruto settled in to wait, patient and unhurried.
Nearly an hour later, Kakashi finally appeared.
He materialized beside them in a flicker of the Body Flicker Technique, his visible eye curved in a lazy, apologetic smile.
"Yo," he greeted cheerfully. "I didn't expect you all to be here so early. I drank a bit too much at the celebration last night… almost didn't wake up…"
"Mr. Kakashi!" Sakura stomped her foot again, her cheeks puffing with indignation. "You said punctuality was the most important thing for a ninja! Liar!"
Kakashi waved off her complaints with an easy laugh. "Alright, alright. No harm done. Come on—follow me. I'll take you to pick up your first mission."
Grumbling under her breath, Sakura fell in line behind him. Naruto and Sasuke followed without comment.
——
The Hokage's Office was bustling with activity.
Jōnin instructors had gathered with their freshly graduated genin teams, all queued up to receive their first assignments. The room was filled with familiar faces—Ino, Kiba, Shikamaru, Hinata, and others. Many of them greeted Naruto warmly as he passed.
Ino waved enthusiastically. Kiba called out a loud "Hey, Naruto!" Hinata offered a shy, flustered nod before quickly looking away.
Naruto acknowledged them with small nods but kept moving with his team.
After the other teams had received their missions and departed, Kakashi stepped forward to request today's assignment for Team 7.
As Naruto had expected, Kakashi initially requested several D-rank missions—simple, low-risk tasks suitable for newly graduated genin. Things like chasing lost cats, weeding gardens, and painting fences. Standard practice for fresh teams.
But Sasuke immediately balked.
"Higher-ranked missions," Sasuke said, stepping forward with clenched fists and a fierce glint in his eyes. "Give us something more challenging. I want to hone my skills. I need to become stronger."
His jaw was tight, his expression raw with barely suppressed frustration. The survival exercise yesterday had wounded his pride. He had seen Naruto fight Kakashi on even ground while he himself was swatted away like an insect. The memory burned.
Kakashi did not immediately respond. Instead, he turned to Sakura and Naruto. "What do you two think?"
Sakura hesitated for only a moment. After yesterday's exercise, she was painfully aware that she was the weakest member of the team. She didn't want to be dead weight. She didn't want to be left behind.
"I want a higher-ranked mission too," she said firmly. "I want to get stronger."
Naruto simply nodded in agreement. He had no interest in D-rank busywork.
Kakashi studied their determined faces for a long moment. Then he exhaled and turned to the Third Hokage, who had been watching the exchange with quiet interest.
"Hokage-sama," Kakashi said, "please assign us a C-rank mission. I'll take full responsibility for their safety. Nothing will happen to them under my watch."
Hiruzen considered the request. He understood why the young genin were so eager to push themselves—especially Sasuke, who carried the weight of his clan's destruction on his small shoulders. And Sakura, who refused to be left behind. And Naruto… well, Naruto remained an enigma.
From their academy performance, the Seventh Team was strong. And with an elite Jōnin like Kakashi leading them…
"Very well," the Third Hokage said at last. He reached into his drawer and withdrew a scroll, tossing it to Kakashi. A large letter "C" was stamped on its surface.
Kakashi caught it and unrolled the parchment. Sasuke and Sakura exchanged satisfied smiles.
Naruto leaned in to read the mission details.
His eyes widened slightly.
A single line of text leaped off the page, catching his full attention:
C-rank Entrusted Mission: Escort the client, Tazuna, safely to the Land of Waves.
The Land of Waves.
Naruto's heartbeat quickened, though his expression remained calm.
He had not expected this. But as the realization settled in, a small, satisfied smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
This is perfect.
The Land of Waves was exactly where he had planned to begin.