"Another C-Rank mission?!"
Hokage Building, Hokage's Office.
When the Third Hokage announced the mission to Team Seven with a beaming smile, their expressions were a sight to behold.
Naruto immediately stepped forward, shouting, "Grandpa Third, why don't you just make this an A-Rank or S-Rank mission from the start? It'll save us the hassle of all the paperwork afterward. It's such a pain!"
Sakura remained silent, but nodded vigorously in agreement.
Since graduating, Team Seven had undertaken three so-called "C-Rank" missions:
The first involved encountering several Rain Ninja Anbu squads and a former Konoha rogue ninja, Aoi Rokusho, who stole the Sword of the Thunder God and wiped out an elite Anbu squad.
The second mission, also supposedly C-Rank, pitted them directly against two members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
The third was even more absurd—they faced off against an entire nation's ninja and soldiers!
Each mission grew progressively more difficult and dangerous.
Sakura's womanly intuition screamed that this latest "C-Rank" mission was bound to involve some new kind of trouble.
"Cough, cough," the Third Hokage coughed violently several times, set down his cigarette, and said, "Naruto, this is just a simple escort mission. You won't encounter any—"
"Grandpa Third, you said the same thing last time!" Naruto interrupted, waving his hand and shouting, "Last time, you told us we were just escorting people to the Land of Snow to shoot a movie! But as soon as we arrived, we were ambushed by ninjas and soldiers!"
Hearing this, the Third Hokage's face froze, and he was momentarily speechless.
With Konoha's intelligence network, Kazahana Koyuki's alias, Fujikaze Yukie, couldn't possibly remain hidden from the village.
He had initially suspected something was amiss, but the compensation offered was simply too lucrative to ignore.
Confident in Team Seven's capabilities, he seized the opportunity to assign the recently returned-from-leave team to the mission.
However, the Third Hokage hadn't anticipated that the Land of Snow mission would involve helping Koyuki reclaim her throne.
Fortunately, although the situation had deviated from expectations, the final outcome proved to be a significant financial windfall.
His mind raced like lightning, the Third Hokage swiftly organized his thoughts and declared in a deep voice, "I assure you, this mission is a simple escort task."
After a brief pause, he continued, "Even if unforeseen complications arise during the mission, I promise you, upon its completion, you won't need to file any further paperwork."
The Third Hokage knew Naruto's frustration stemmed not from the mission's potential upgrade, but from the subsequent bureaucratic red tape.
Moreover, the Third Hokage had personally confirmed that this mission was indeed a routine escort operation.
Unless, upon Team Seven's arrival in Takigakure, the Seven-Tailed Jinchūriki suddenly went berserk, there was no possibility of the mission escalating.
Of course, such a scenario was virtually impossible. Why would the Seven-Tailed Jinchūriki suddenly lose control?
"Really?" Naruto asked skeptically, his expression doubtful.
"Heh, of course. When have I ever lied to you?" the Third Hokage chuckled softly, then adopted a serious expression.
"Very well, Team Seven, your mission is to escort the young leader of Takigakure, Shibuki, safely back to Taki Shadow Village."
After receiving their mission briefing and meeting their somewhat timid and weak-looking client, Team Seven exited the Hokage Building.
"I have a bad feeling about this mission," Sakura murmured, touching her forehead and sighing softly.
"Don't worry, Sakura!" Naruto declared loudly, giving her a thumbs-up. "No matter what dangers we face, I'll protect you!"
"Who asked for your protection?" Sakura rolled her eyes, counting on her fingers and muttering, "First C-Rank mission became B-Rank, second became A-Rank, third became S-Rank, and now, the fourth..."
'Could it be a double S-Rank?!'
Sakura's mind jolted. S-Rank was already the highest mission tier; she struggled to imagine what could possibly exceed it.
'Are we going to encounter two S-Rank wanted ninjas this time?!'
Her eyes narrowed as she exclaimed in disbelief.
Sasuke frowned slightly, his voice low and steady. "Don't overthink it, Sakura. It probably won't—"
He tried to reassure her, but by the end of his sentence, even he sounded uncertain.
"In any case, being cautious won't hurt."
"Mm."
Sakura nodded solemnly, her expression grave.
Kakashi, who had been silently observing their conversation, twitched his lips and pressed a hand to his forehead in exasperation.
"While caution is good, you're being too cautious," he remarked. "Don't worry, nothing will go wrong. When we get back, I'll treat you all to a feast—and share some good news too."
Hearing this, Sasuke shot Kakashi a meaningful glance.
'You've just set a major flag!'
Everything might have gone smoothly before, but Kakashi's words now guaranteed disaster.
'Could it be that the Seven-Tailed Jinchūriki suddenly goes berserk after we arrive in Takigakure?'
Sasuke stroked his chin thoughtfully. In his mind, the greatest threat in Takigakure was undoubtedly the Seven-Tailed Jinchūriki.
____
Land of Waterfall, a secluded location.
"I never imagined Takigakure would be hidden in a place like this," a young man wearing a mask and a Rain Ninja headband murmured, gazing in awe at the towering waterfall.
The curtain of water cascaded down from a height of nearly three or four hundred meters, its roar echoing through the valley.
"But... is it even possible to get inside, Lord Suien?" the young man asked, turning to a middle-aged man with a turban, his eyes perpetually closed.
"Of course," Suien replied, opening his eyes. "Though surrounded by four major nations, it is precisely this massive waterfall and unique geography that have kept the village safe from invasion all these years."
"Heh," the young man chuckled, his tone carrying a double meaning. "Lord Suien, you truly live up to your reputation as a former Jōnin and advisor of Takigakure. Your understanding runs so deep."
"Then, let's go."
"Wait, Kirisame," Suien called out, his voice grave. "No indiscriminate slaughter. Remember—minimize casualties. Those villagers and ninjas still have their uses."
"Is it because of your homeland that you can't bear to see them harmed, Lord Suien?" Kirisame asked with a faint smile, about to continue when—
"Shut up, Kirisame!"
Another Rain Ninja, a woman, cut in. "We will cooperate fully with you, Lord Suien."
She shot Kirisame a warning glare, emphasizing each word: "After all, this is our leader's command."
Kirisame, who had been about to retort, visibly paled and hastily swallowed his words.
"Remember: no indiscriminate slaughter!"
Suien brushed aside the brief tension, reiterating his order.
He wasn't concerned about the villagers' lives; they were merely useful assets. More importantly, he feared that indiscriminate slaughter would ignite the wrath of the Seven-Tailed Jinchūriki!
"Prepare yourselves. The operation begins!"
"Understood!"
As soon as the command rang out, dozens of ninjas vanished from their positions.
Far away, atop a towering mountain cliff, two figures clad in black cloaks adorned with red clouds silently observed the scene.
___
This Sasuke Is Strange 225 advanced chapters: (5 ch updates everyday)
Patreon.com/rashta
Be a member so you can also read:
1. 345 adv ch of Talent System In Naruto (Completed)
2. 487 adv ch of This Danzo Is Weird
3. 270 adv ch of Uchiha Madara's Cousin
4. 163 adv ch of WDQK: Divorcing Ling Qingzhu (Completed)
5. 560 adv ch of Qian Renxue's Younger Brother
6. 274 adv ch of I'm Huo Yuhao's System
7. Adv chapters of Naruto: Galgame System (Upcoming)