An S-rank mission meant a huge reward. Moreover, setting aside the reward, an S-rank mission alone would add a significant stroke to one's Ninja resume.
"We're only taking beautiful girls for this mission, and it's not a combat-oriented mission."
After Kano said this, Ino thought for a bit and said to her.
"Actually, we could also form a Boy band, right? That would increase the success rate."
"But a Boy band also has looks requirements, right? Kiba is just too..."
"Hey! If you're going to talk bad about someone, at least do it behind their back!"
Kano's words were truly heart-stabbing, which made Kiba very sad. He had confessed to Kano before, but unfortunately, he was rejected.
"If you're not fighting, what do you need Hinata for?"
"We're going to form a girls' band to celebrate the Princess's birthday."
"Eh?! A girls' band... No, no... I can't do it, Kano, Ino, I can't do it. You should find someone else..."
When the introverted Hinata heard they were forming a band, she thought of how Kano always sang in public. If it were her on stage, she would definitely blush so hard she wouldn't be able to sing a single lyric.
"It's fine. With your personality, wearing a pink tracksuit and playing the guitar is very suitable. If that doesn't work, a Bass is fine too; that way you won't be nervous."
Regardless of what Hinata thought, the two of them carried Hinata away. Of course, it was Karin and Ino; Kano wasn't tall enough.
Hinata also knew she couldn't escape, so she gave up struggling. Along the way, the four girls chatted, allowing Karin and Hinata to get to know each other.
"Where should we look for Sakura next? How about the training ground? Maybe she'll be training there alone."
The four of them agreed it was possible, so they came to the training ground. Sakura wasn't there, but they ran into another target.
"Tenten, Neji!"
"Neji-niisan..."
"Kano? You guys came to train too?"
Neji and Tenten also stopped their training when they saw their friends arrive.
"Where are Lee and Guy-sensei?"
"Them? I don't know if they're running laps around the Village on their hands again. Never mind them, you guys don't look like you're here to train. Did you come looking for Neji and me for something?"
Kano was the leader, so she spoke up to explain why they were there.
"Yes, indeed. We have an S-rank mission here that needs Tenten."
"Is it my turn to show off? Leave the Ninja tools and taijutsu to me!"
"It's not a combat mission. We're going to celebrate the Princess's birthday and need to form a girls' band."
"Is it okay if I'm not good at playing instruments?"
"It's fine, I can teach you. The kind where I guarantee you'll learn. You're so smart, you'll probably get the hang of it quickly."
"Then of course I'll choose to join. This is an S-rank mission, after all."
Tenten wasn't pretentious; she would naturally accept such a simple, safe, and high-paying mission. At this point, Ino reminded them from the side.
"If we're forming a Boy band, Neji has a very good image. How about taking him and giving it a try?"
Sister, are you still thinking about the Boy band? But what Ino said made sense; a Boy band might be more able to win the heart of a young Princess than a girls' band.
However, before they could even ask, Neji had already heard and refused.
"Boring. I won't participate in such house-playing missions, even if it's an S-rank mission." Neji turned his gaze toward Kano, "Instead of doing such things, it's better to hone one's strength. I wonder if you've regressed since the Chunin Exams, Kano."
Neji was originally the strongest newcomer, but his thunder had been stolen by Kano. He wasn't satisfied; he felt he wasn't weaker than Kano.
"Looking at you, it seems you want to challenge me?"
"If that's how you understand it, then you're not wrong."
Neji instantly got into a fighting stance and challenged Kano.
Karin, who was on the side, couldn't stand it anymore. She couldn't bear to see someone provoke her Big Sister and stepped forward to beat Neji up. Kano knew Karin couldn't beat Neji, so she held her back.
"Alright, if I win, you join the Boy band, how about that?"
"No problem, but I won't lose."
Neji had studied Kano's strength; she was only slightly better than Sasuke. After this period of cultivation, he believed he could crush Sasuke, so in that case, Kano probably wouldn't be his match either.
If Sasuke could handle those weird Shadow Ninjas, he certainly could as well.
"Fine, I accept your challenge, but don't say I'm bullying you. These four Shadow Ninjas of mine all have combat power above Jonin level. You can just pick one of them to challenge."
Shadow Zabuza, Shadow Deer Tube, Shadow Hiruzen, and Shadow Orochimaru, the four shadows stood up.
Neji wasn't overconfident either. He could feel that these four Shadow Ninjas were all extraordinary, and they all had massive Chakra inside them. But he wasn't weak either. Even if he couldn't fight one against four, he would pick the strongest one among them.
First, he excluded the scrawny old man, who didn't look strong at all. The other two with normal physiques looked too much like background characters. Only the tall, muscular Shadow Deer Tube fit Neji's image of a powerful figure.
"Then I'll choose him."
"Oh, you chose the simplest one."
Kano had the other shadows retract, leaving only Shadow Deer Tube, and incidentally told him to throw away his Water pipe.
"Why did you throw away your weapon?"
"I'm afraid of accidentally beating you to death."
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