Naruto: Young Teacher
Chapter 25
A month had passed since Ren and the others graduated from the academy. Their days were filled with constant training, missions, and steady growth as shinobi.
Ren regularly rotated between Team 7, Team 8, and Team 10, assisting them as a support ninja. Most of their missions had been simple D-rank tasks, but they still provided valuable real-world experience.
One morning, Ren received a new assignment.
He had been called to join Team 7 on a C-rank escort mission.
"Well… looks like it's time to meet the Demon of the Mist," Ren muttered with a faint smile.
Ino, who was sitting nearby, immediately frowned at his words.
"Demon of the Mist?" she repeated. "Isn't that the title of Zabuza Momochi? Why would someone like him be involved in a C-rank mission?"
At that moment, Ren, Ino, and Hinata were relaxing at their hidden safe house on a deserted island. They sat in the garden, casually eating while discussing the situation.
Ren chuckled lightly at Ino's reaction.
"Well, I've already gathered some information," he said calmly. "Zabuza is currently in the Land of Waves."
He leaned back slightly as he continued explaining.
"The client we're escorting is a bridge builder. He's constructing a bridge there."
Ren's expression became slightly more serious.
"My mission is to protect him while he completes the bridge. However, Zabuza is working for a man named Gato, who wants to stop the bridge from being built."
He paused briefly before finishing his explanation.
"So a confrontation is guaranteed."
Hinata listened quietly before nodding in understanding.
"With Kakashi-sensei and you there, he won't stand a chance," she said softly.
Ino crossed her arms, thinking for a moment before speaking again.
"So… you won't be here for a few days?" she asked.
Ren nodded in confirmation.
"Yeah," he replied. "While I'm gone, you two should continue training with your teams."
He smirked slightly before adding another suggestion.
"You can also come here or explore the nearby islands for training if you want."
Ino immediately grinned and stretched her arms dramatically.
"Sure, senseiiii," she said playfully.
Hinata simply smiled warmly.
"Be careful," she said gently.
"Yeah," Ren replied with a small nod.
A moment later, the three of them used the Flying Thunder God Technique to return to Konoha. After arriving, Ino and Hinata headed back toward their homes while Ren prepared for his upcoming mission.
The calm before the storm had ended.