Time flies.
This morning.
After finishing the last D‑Rank mission, the four members of Team One walked back toward the Village.
The midday sun was a bit harsh, making the street shine brightly.
"Time really flies," Yamato looked up at the sun and sighed, "Suddenly it's noon again."
"What's wrong with that, Sensei Yamato!" Kobayashi Takeshi replied instantly, his voice full of anticipation, "After noon comes special training time!"
Satō Yū also nodded, brimming with energy: "These special trainings have been so rewarding! I feel like I learn something new every day!"
Yamato smiled at the eager looks of his two students.
After three months together, he thought that, as the leading teacher, guiding these young Genin felt... actually pretty good.
Unlike the dark missions he once did in the Anbu and Root, this mentorship, watching the juniors grow step by step, felt simple and fulfilling, and for the first time this former "tool" truly experienced the satisfaction of being a "mentor."
"You all seem in good shape. After we submit the mission report, meet at the usual spot, the Third Training Ground, right after lunch."
As soon as he finished speaking, a familiar ruckus came from around the corner.
"It's all your fault for being so stubborn..."
"Hmph, you're always causing trouble."
"Ahhh! Sasuke, stop looking down on people!"
As the voices drew nearer, another group emerged from the corner.
Silver hair, a mask, dead‑fish eyes – it was Kakashi Hatake.
Behind him followed a glaring Naruto Uzumaki, Uchiha Sasuke, and a helpless Sakura Haruno.
Team 7.
The two teams met unexpectedly in the middle of the street.
Yamato's eyes lit up, a bright smile spreading across his face. He quickened his steps and, with a familiar wave, greeted:
"Yo! Sashiburi‑dana... Kakashi‑senpai!!"
Kakashi shifted his gaze from the "Icha Icha Paradise" in his hands, raised the exposed eye, and after recognizing the newcomer, responded lazily:
"Oh, so it's Yamato." He closed the book, casually slipped his ninja tool pouch back on, and asked, "You guys just finished a mission, right?"
"Exactly," Yamato nodded. "We just helped them finish the last D‑Rank mission and were about to submit the report. Kakashi‑senpai, what brings you here?"
"Just the same."
Kakashi was concise, his eyes casually sweeping over the three Genin behind Yamato.
His gaze lingered on Tejima Shinichi.
He couldn't help recalling the private conversation Yamato once had with him about Tejima's encounter – a solo frontal defeat of a Root Jonin and four Chunin in a coordinated ambush, even turning the tables on all four... 'Solo‑taking down a Jonin and three Chunin...'
Kakashi silently recited that feat in his mind.
Even now, he must treat it with caution!
'...No wonder the Third Hokage was so decisive, breaking tradition to take him under his wing. That potential and already shown strength truly merit such heavy investment from the Hokage.'
At that moment, the Genin on both sides had already locked eyes.
Naruto Uzumaki was the first to lose his composure, pointing at Team One, especially Tejima, and shouted loudly:
"Hey! It's you guys! Coming back from outside the Village —did the Third Hokage favor you and give you some fancy mission?"
Uchiha Sasuke stayed silent, but hearing that, his ears perked up... He was also fed up with the endless D-Rank missions.
'There are so many powerful guys out there...'
Sasuke felt a surge of frustration, then fixed his gaze on Tejima, his black eyes openly challenging.
"Not at all."
Facing Naruto's rant and Sasuke's intense stare, Tejima's expression didn't change:
"We just finished a D‑Rank mission, that's all!"
"Yeah," Satō Yū added from beside him, "We were clearing the river on the east side of the Village."
Kobayashi Takeshi chimed in, "So far we've only completed two C-Rank missions: one was a bandit hunt outside the village, the other just drove wild boars away from the fields."
Hearing that, Sasuke's eyes suddenly brightened.
Two C-Rank missions!?
And the Wave Country mission they did was a B-Rank mission, battling powerful Ninja to the death!
A B-Rank mission versus two mere C‑Rank tasks... In that instant, Sasuke felt he had finally turned the tide in his mission record —instantly feeling more confident!
Even his glance at Tejima became a lot more assertive!
Full of swagger!
"Hmph!"
Naruto, hearing Kobayashi's words, proudly let out a hum, puffed out his chest, and gave himself a thumbs‑up:
"We just completed a B-Rank mission not long ago! Huh? How about that? Impressive, right?"
Tejima raised an eyebrow at Naruto's eager bragging and said dryly:
"Wow, how scary~~~ Want me to give you an award? Dattebayo!"