Chapter 20: First D-Rank Mission
Kakashi ultimately didn't remove his mask in front of them. Instead, while the three were focused on eating their ramen, he turned sideways and slurped the entire bowl in one go.
No one knew whether it burned his mouth.
"Hey, what do you guys think Kakashi-sensei looks like under that mask? Why won't he let us see his face?"
The next day, while Team 7 was waiting at the meeting point, Sakura suddenly asked out of curiosity.
"Who knows? Maybe he has uneven eyes and sausage lips," Naruto replied maliciously.
Sakura and Sasuke immediately pictured Kakashi with mismatched eyes and thick sausage lips and couldn't help but snicker.
"Should we try to pull his mask off and see his real face?" Sakura suggested.
"Not interested."
"Too boring."
Naruto and Sasuke rejected her idea one after another, leaving Sakura sulking.
At that moment, Kakashi finally arrived at the training ground.
"Yo, good morning everyone!"
Seeing Kakashi late again, Sakura couldn't help complaining, "Kakashi-sensei, why are you always the last one to arrive? Did another black cat block your path?"
"Ah… this time it was a white cat~"
"..."
The three looked at him speechlessly.
"Ahem."
Kakashi cleared his throat. "Back to business. Today, Team 7 will carry out our first mission together. Everyone, stay alert!"
"Let's move out!"
...
Half an hour later, Team 7 accepted their first D-rank mission at the Hokage Building — babysitting the Tanaka family's child for a day.
"Do we really need ninjas for a mission like this?"
At the Tanaka residence,
Naruto and Sasuke stood on the roof beams, watching Sakura play happily with a three- or four-year-old kid on the lawn.
"Every day, the village assigns us a large number of missions — some difficult, some easy," Kakashi said, standing beside them.
"Missions are ranked from D to C, B, A, and S."
"As rookie Genin, you must complete at least ten D-rank missions before you can take on higher-ranked ones."
"Having to do ten missions like this is really annoying," Naruto couldn't help complaining.
"By the way, how much is the reward for this mission? How much money will we get?"
"Um… five hundred ryo."
"..."
"Five hundred ryo split between four people means one hundred and twenty-five ryo each. One bowl of ramen costs four hundred ryo, Kakashi."
Naruto rolled his eyes, utterly speechless.
After working all day, they couldn't even afford a single bowl of ramen!
He really didn't want to eat instant noodles again today.
"Ah, sorry. I'll ask the Hokage to assign us higher-paying missions tomorrow," Kakashi said apologetically, seemingly remembering Naruto's financial situation.
Naruto didn't reply, just stayed silent.
Looked like he would have to freeload at Konohamaru's house again tonight.
Although he had received five thousand ryo from completing Little Ai's previous task, that was only enough for three or four days of decent meals.
He still needed to be frugal.
'Little Ai, any new tasks?'
[Ding!] [Yes, Master!] [Beginner Task: Perfectly complete your first D-rank mission as a ninja!] [Reward: Max-Level Chakra Control + 500 ryo!]
Five hundred ryo was better than nothing — at least more generous than that old Hiruzen.
As for max-level chakra control…
This ability would solve his inability to swim.
Naruto couldn't swim not because the Glint-Glint Fruit was weak to water, but simply because he didn't know how to swim!
He had tested it the very night he ate the fruit. His powers were not afraid of this world's water.
Whether seawater would suppress the Glint-Glint Fruit, he didn't know yet — Konoha had no ocean.
If adding a little salt to fresh water didn't count as seawater, then he was safe.
"Sakura!"
"What is it, Naruto?"
"Be careful!"
Sakura didn't know why Naruto suddenly cared about her safety, but her heart still warmed a little.
"Got it, Naruto!"
Sakura replied happily, thinking that Naruto was becoming less annoying and more likable.
Of course, if she knew Naruto was actually telling her to protect the Tanaka child's safety, she would immediately take back her positive evaluation.
Kakashi, watching from the side, felt genuinely relieved.
Team 7 is getting better and better~
Evening soon arrived.
When Mr. Tanaka returned home, they handed the child back to him and the mission was officially complete.
"The mission reward will be issued tomorrow morning after we report it to the Hokage. You'll have to wait a bit, Naruto," Kakashi said.
New teams usually reported the previous day's mission the next morning when picking up the new one. This saved time and reduced unnecessary trips to the Hokage Building.
Of course, it was also a small trick from Kakashi to lighten the Third Hokage's workload.
Naruto waved his hand, indicating he didn't mind.
Considering Kakashi had treated them to lunch, he wouldn't fuss over such a small matter.
Besides… he was planning to freeload dinner at Konohamaru's house tonight anyway. One hundred and twenty-five ryo had already become insignificant to him.
Seeing that Naruto had no objections, Kakashi announced the team was dismissed and told them to assemble at 7 AM sharp the next day.
"Sasuke-kun, let's go home together!" Sakura jumped in front of him with a smile.
"No thanks."
Sasuke walked past her and stopped in front of Naruto. "Naruto, do you have time?"
"?"
"?"
Why does it feel like Naruto has become my love rival?Why does it feel like I've become Sakura's love rival?
Naruto and Sakura looked at each other, two big question marks popping up above their heads.
"What's up?" Naruto asked.
"I want to spar with you," Sasuke said.
"Spar…"
Naruto hesitated for a moment, then set a condition. "If you treat me to dinner, I'll agree."
"Deal."
Unlike Naruto, Sasuke hadn't inherited the entire Uchiha fortune, but he was far from short on money.
At least when it came to food, he wasn't in the same dire situation as Naruto.
Seeing Sasuke and Naruto about to leave, Sakura hurriedly stepped forward. "Sasuke, Naruto… can I come too?"
Sasuke looked at Sakura. Under her nervous gaze, he nodded. "Come along."
"Great! Thank you, Sasuke-kun!"
Sakura excitedly hugged Sasuke, only to be pushed away with obvious disgust.
"Let go of me, you idiot!"
Naruto watched from the side and couldn't help but chuckle.
After these two days of interaction, although their bond wasn't particularly deep yet, they had at least become real teammates.
Even Sakura was starting to seem a lot less annoying…
--------------------------
If you want to read 100 chapters ahead and support the story, check my P@treon: patreon.com/inkshield