Chapter 107
Sasuke finally caught his breath, let out a cold snort, and walked away without looking back.
Hinata shyly said, "Naruto-kun, I have to go home too..."
"See you tomorrow."
"Okay, see you tomorrow, Hinata!"
After bidding farewell to Team 7, Naruto returned home. He originally wanted to immediately practice his newly acquired Ninjutsu, Wind Release: Great Breakthrough, but it was already too late. The system commanded that it was bedtime, so Narutohad no choice but to lie down on his bed and instantly fell into a dream... The next day, Narutowas still full of energy and high spirits.
He woke up early and, before it was time for Team 7 to gather, began his training.
Crushing everyone was not just talk.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Naruto formed the hand seals according to the ones in his mind, then refined his Chakra and activated this new Ninjutsu.
In an instant... Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
A strong gale roared out, sweeping across the ground and streets ahead. For a moment, sand and stones flew, and dust danced wildly.
But Naruto pouted, quite dissatisfied with its power.
"This can only obscure vision and blow enemies away; it doesn't cause much damage at all..."
"It's not even as good as my Wind Release: Gale Palm."
"However, it must be that my mastery is far from enough..."
Naruto wasn't discouraged and quickly continued his diligent training.
Once, twice, thrice... Now, even without the system's compulsion, he could completely be self-disciplined and seize every moment to train.
Especially after joining Team 7 and becoming a true Ninja, the time spent on missions increased, and training time was squeezed. Naruto could only seize every free moment for fragmented training.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Naruto released the new Ninjutsu one last time. This time, its power had soared significantly compared to the first.
The wild wind roared, sweeping across the heavens and earth, no less than a sudden storm.
Naruto checked, and his Wind Release: Great Breakthrough proficiency had already increased to 61 points.
He nodded in satisfaction.
After all, this Jutsu was not difficult; it was much simpler compared to techniques like Wind Release: Gale Palm, and he had also laid a solid foundation for Wind Release under Asuma-sensei.
So, in just one morning, he had already initially grasped its essence.
The rest was to continue improving its proficiency and power.
Seeing that it was almost time, Naruto quickly stopped his training. After eating breakfast, he hurriedly prepared to meet up with Team 7.
At the Konoha training ground, Hinata, uncharacteristically, had not yet arrived; only Sasuke was already there.
"Enemies" meeting, eyes blazing with animosity.
A gust of autumn wind blew, and the two stared intently at each other, both sensing an inexplicable spark.
However... although the two had always been at odds, it was better when others were present, as they could openly bicker, mock, and even fight.
But when it was just the two of them, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward... If they immediately started bickering, it seemed a bit strange; if they didn't, it would look like they had a good relationship...
Another gust of autumn wind blew. Sasuke leaned against a wooden stake, arms crossed, head bowed, eyes closed, too lazy to bother with Naruto.
Naruto, however, couldn't stand this awkward silence.
He let out two dry laughs: "Ha, Hinata is late today, that's really rare..."
Sasuke snorted, "Loser, don't try to get close to me."
Naruto was furious; the familiar feeling was back.
"What did you say, you bastard Sasuke!"
Fortunately, Hinata arrived in time, preventing a tragedy from occurring.
"S-sorry, I'm late, Naruto-kun, Sasuke..."
Naruto then changed his expression.
"It's okay, Hinata. Compared to Kakashi-sensei, you're not late at all, you're early!"
Team 7 was already familiar with Kakashi-sensei's style.
If he said to gather at 7:30, he would at least arrive at 8:00.
Hinata smiled knowingly, "You're right..."
Naruto slammed his fist, "Anyway, that guy won't be here for half a day, so why don't we continue training!"
Hinata was startled but nodded in agreement.
"Mm, Naruto-kun is still so diligent..."
Sasuke's heart stirred. He also wanted to see how strong Naruto truly was now.
And so... "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Naruto's Wind Release: Great Breakthroughdirectly blew all the wooden stakes on the training ground away.
Including the one Sasuke was leaning against.
Sasuke was startled. The strong wind rushed at him, and he quickly dodged, barely managing to escape.
He was annoyed, Naruto was clearly deliberately provoking him!
"What are you doing, Loser?"
"Do you want to fight?!"
Naruto, however, became excited: "Ah, I'd love to!"
Sasuke also instantly became eager to fight, adopting a combat stance.
Hinata quickly said, "Naruto-kun, Sasuke, don't be like this. Kakashi-sensei is about to arrive..."
"Wind Release—"
"Fire Release—"
The two ignored the advice and immediately prepared to release Ninjutsu.
But at that moment, Kakashi's figure, accompanied by a soft sound and a puff of white smoke, suddenly appeared beside them, eyes smiling, extending his hand in greeting.
"Yo!"
Naruto and Sasuke's fight was interrupted again.
"You're too late, Kakashi-sensei!"
Naruto couldn't help but complain loudly.
Kakashi smiled slightly: "Sorry, sorry, I was delayed helping an elderly lady cross the street, so..."
"Who would believe that!"
Kakashi didn't mind: "You two wanted to fight again?"
"It would be much better to use that energy on enemies."
Naruto complained, "I want to too, Kakashi-sensei! But all the missions these days have been about finding cats and dogs, or helping with chores. Isn't it time for a higher-level mission?!"
As if to echo Naruto's words.
[Please complete at least a B-rank Ninja mission within seven days. Upon completion, you will receive a random reward from the system. If you fail, you will face the system's Lightning Releasebaptism!]
Naruto's heart trembled: "B, B-rank?!"
According to the Village's regulations, a B-rank mission is at least Chunin-level difficulty or even higher!
They were just Genin, and Genin who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy. Logically, it was absolutely impossible for them to encounter missions of this level.
However... Naruto's blood also burned fiercely!
With his current strength, completing Chunin-level missions was already easy!
He immediately said loudly, "Kakashi-sensei! Please apply for a B-rank mission for us!"
Although Sasuke was still indignant, his heart stirred when he heard Naruto's suggestion.
"A B-rank mission?"
"Indeed, with Team 7's strength, it can certainly be completed..."
At times like these, Sasuke recognized Naruto's value.
Because if it were him, even if he thought the same, he wouldn't be able to say it out loud like Naruto.
Kakashi's brows furrowed.
"Naruto, who was it that said last night they would absolutely not make unreasonable demands today?"
"Did you forget everything after a night's sleep?"
Naruto, however, was confident: "Hehe, Kakashi-sensei, this can't be considered unreasonable, can it?!"
"After all, our Team 7 is inherently the strongest!"
"Kakashi-sensei is like that, and the three of us... hmm, even counting Sasuke, our strength has long surpassed the average Chunin level, hasn't it?!"
Kakashi knew Naruto was speaking the truth.
However... he sighed, "Naruto, last time you messed around, Hokage-sama already scolded me. Do you want me to get scolded again?"
Naruto thought for a moment: "Then I'll tell Hokage-sama myself!"
Kakashi said, "I'm the Jonin leader. If you mess around, I'll be the one who gets scolded!"
"No, you won't. Just give it a try, Kakashi-sensei!"
Kakashi, helpless, brought Team 7 to the mission hall. He couldn't bring himself to speak, so he simply gave up and let Naruto cause a ruckus.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's facial wrinkles deepened a few more lines when he heard Naruto's request.
"Naruto, no messing around."
"You don't understand the level of a B-rank mission at all!"
"That at least involves fighting Ninja from other countries' Ninja Villages, which is still too far for you Genin!"
Naruto pleaded in every way, but Hiruzen Sarutobirefused to budge.
But in the end, Hiruzen Sarutobi also showed extra mercy.
"Forget it, Naruto, a B-rank mission is impossible. Given that you completed a hundred missions in seven days, I'll entrust you with a C-rank mission."
"C-rank?"
Naruto pouted. Logically, it was already quite good, but his system mission was B-rank!
And if he didn't complete it in seven days, he would be struck by lightning!
"Hokage-sama, I..."
Kakashi quickly said, "Hokage-sama, we'll take this mission."
"Kakashi-sensei?"
"Naruto, a C-rank mission is already the limit for your stage, and..."