Chapter 9: Rookie Mission
Anko looked at the instantly petrified Haruko, the gloating expression on her face deepening.
"Hey, Haruko, are you alright? It's just a mission, isn't it? Is there any need to look like your Chakra has been drained?"
Anko poked Haruko's stiff cheek with her finger, then deliberately emphasized her tone: "You are a Genin of Konoha now! A Genin's job is to go on missions! Do you want to spend your whole life doing chores in the Ramen Shop?"
Hearing this, Haruko's body seemed to have its last bit of strength drained away, and he slumped feebly into his chair.
Anko felt a secret thrill; she had finally seen this lazybones get deflated.
Before, she would see him either counting money until his hands went numb at his snack stall or just lying flat and slacking off leisurely.
She had been stressed out about the Cursed Seal, and it was only after asking the Third Hokage to personally intervene that it was finally sealed, so she had felt a bit unbalanced for a long time.
Now that the tables had turned, let's see how you slack off!
"Alright, don't look like you're half-dead. Get ready these next two days; we'll be heading out on a mission once the notification comes down."
Anko was in a great mood. She stood up, leaned in, and hooked her arm around Haruko's neck, her voluptuous curves fully revealed beneath her trench coat.
"Kid, I see you've been a bit lazy lately. Do you want big sister to help you 'find your state' again?"
Her fingers traced Haruko's cheek flippantly, and Haruko felt his ears burning.
As their bodies made significant contact, the energy within Haruko spontaneously began to sort out the residual Natural Energy within Anko's body.
He took a deep breath to stabilize his mind, trying to actively suppress it, and the energy returned to his body and went dormant.
Anko naturally sensed it, and the smile on her lips deepened.
"It seems little brother Haruko has some secrets..." She whispered into Haruko's ear, then let him go and left in a pleasant mood.
Haruko watched Anko's retreating back and let out a heavy sigh.
He knew that his peaceful days were truly over.
...
Three days later.
Haruko was wearing loose gray clothes similar to a Ramen Shop uniform, leaning against a thick tree trunk, closing his eyes to rest.
In front of him were two boys arguing.
"Ichi! Did you even look at the map I drew? We just need to follow the ambush plan, and we can catch that cat..."
"Makire, do you think a cat is a Ninja? Does it need an ambush? Just find it and chase it down, and it'll be done! With your kind of armchair theorizing, when will you ever become a real Ninja?"
Mino Ichi had a sturdy build and slightly dark skin. He looked capable enough, but that boyish face was filled with "I am the best in the world."
Makire had a sharp, thin face, and he was wearing an oversized trench coat with a clean, neat lining underneath, meticulous. He exuded a scholarly air.
The two argued back and forth, completely ignoring Haruko, who was slacking off and fishing on the side.
"What do you know! Strategic deployment! This is an essential quality for becoming an excellent Ninja! Do you think being a Ninja is just about brute force? How is that any different from a fool?" Makire pushed up his glasses, his tone carrying a hint of superiority.
"What's wrong with brute force? Being able to catch the cat is what matters! It's better than those flashy theories of yours!" Ichi retorted.
"Alright! You two brats, arguing before the mission has even started."
A voice, stern yet playful, came from behind them.
The presence of a (Special) Jonin made both of them fall silent instantly, their bodies stiffening as they turned around.
"Anko-sensei!" Ichi and Makire shouted in unison, both wearing somewhat awkward smiles.
Anko crossed her arms and looked at the two brats with a smile.
Her gaze swept over the two and finally landed on Haruko under the tree.
"Haruko, you brat, you're slacking off as usual." Anko walked to Haruko's side and kicked him gently, "Get up! Your teammates are about to fight, and you're not even trying to persuade them."
Haruko yawned and sat up straight.
"Oh, is it starting?"
Honestly, he really didn't want to go on missions.
Although being a Ninja was a high-income profession and doing missions diligently could actually save up a small fortune, that applied to Chunin and above.
To him, Genin chores were just a waste of time; if it weren't for the fact that he couldn't refuse due to his status and position, he wouldn't have come at all.
Makire and Ichi looked at each other, clearly confused by Haruko's lazy appearance.
Both of them were "elites" who had graduated from the Ninja Academy early and were full of passion for becoming real Ninjas, while this guy in front of them was like a salted fish.
"Alright, since everyone is here, let's start today's first mission!" Anko clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention.
She pulled a scroll from her bosom and unfolded it, then read in an exaggerated tone: "D-rank mission! Capture the lost pet cat 'Tora "!"
Ichi was full of fighting spirit: "A piece of cake! Watch me!"
He couldn't wait to show off.
Makire also pushed his glasses, a flash of sharpness in his eyes. He was equally eager to prove his abilities through the mission.
Only Haruko's facial muscles twitched when he heard the word "cat."
Catching a cat? This was the D-rank mission with the most uncertainty.
If you're lucky, you solve it in an hour and make a few thousand Ryo happily. If you're unlucky, you run around for a day or two only to earn a thousand Ryo of hard-earned money.
"Very good, it seems you are all very motivated." Anko's gaze turned to Haruko again, "Haruko, what do you think?"
"It's not a Ninja cat, just a house cat. Since you all have ideas, let's show our skills."
Anko nodded: "Good! Then act separately. There is only one goal: catch that cat named 'Tora " and bring it back to me!"
"Yes!" Ichi and Makire replied in unison, then glared at each other and rushed out according to their own ideas.
Ichi took the lead and rushed directly towards the forest. He believed in his intuition and speed; a small animal like a cat would never be able to escape once he set his sights on it!
Makire was much more cautious. He unfolded the map in his hand, muttering something, and walked along the edge, looking for traces the cat might have left behind. He believed that the cat's range of activity was limited, and as long as he observed carefully, he could find its hiding place.
And what about Haruko? He just found a comfortable position again, leaned against the tree trunk, and was about to close his eyes—
But he was grabbed by Anko, who leaned over and shook him back and forth.
"So your idea is to lie here?!"
"Isn't this giving young people a chance? They have to suffer a bit to recognize reality. Isn't that what you think too, Anko-sensei?"
"Hmph, I suppose. But I think you just want to slack off." Anko snorted, let go of Haruko, and turned to lie down beside him as well.
"By the way, are you really thirteen? I always feel like you're like an uncle."
Haruko's mouth twitched slightly upon hearing this.
'Because there is an uncle inside..."
"Ahem, this is maturity. Poor kids take charge of the house early."
"By the way, Anko-sensei, is your body okay? That time before..."
"No problem, Hokage-sama personally intervened to help me solve it."
Seemingly remembering something, Anko reached out and turned Haruko's head towards her, the two locking eyes.
"You brat, you did something back then, didn't you? Confess honestly!"