Chapter 170: Mission Privileges (3k)
Chapter 170: Mission Privileges (3k)
"Although D-rank missions are the simplest, completing twenty of them in two days is still an impressive feat for a genin." Hiruzen Sarutobi remarked.
"Grand Fire Shadow, does that mean we can take on missions that are D-rank and above?" Obito asked eagerly, his eyes shining with anticipation as he looked at Hiruzen.
"Haha, well, that depends on your teacher. After all, I'm not entirely sure about your capabilities, but if Mu Yue thinks you're capable, then I'll grant you special permission to accept C-rank missions." Hiruzen said with a hearty laugh.
In truth, he didn't foresee any issues. During the final exam of the summer training camp, he had witnessed Obito and Might Guy's battle and had been impressed by their skills. With Kakashi, an experienced chunin, and Mu Yue, who was from Root, he was confident that C-rank missions would be well within their capabilities.
Typically, C-rank missions didn't involve encounters with other ninjas. While there might be combat, the opponents were usually strong commoners or fierce beasts.
"Teacher Mu Yue, you know us well. Our abilities shouldn't be limited to just menial tasks." Obito turned to Mu Yue, his large eyes brimming with hope.
"Third Hokage, I believe they are more than capable of handling C-rank missions." Mu Yue replied to Hiruzen, meeting Obito's expectations.
One of the key reasons he had pushed for the intern program was to provide opportunities for his students to undertake missions.
Life in Konoha had become too restrictive, and even during Mu Yue's training sessions, he dared not unleash his ninjutsu to its full potential. The advanced-level ninjutsu he had mastered packed a powerful punch, and the resulting commotion could easily attract the attention of the ANBU.
Moreover, he yearned for a real battle to test his true strength, rather than mere sparring sessions.
Mu Yue didn't want to end up like Hagoromo Otsutsuki, possessing incredible power but never truly being able to utilize it.
"With your assurance, Mu Yue, I'm relieved." Hiruzen stroked his beard and smiled warmly.
"Thank you for your trust, Third Hokage. I will do my best to protect my students." Mu Yue responded solemnly.
Hiruzen nodded in agreement and turned to the registration ninja, instructing, "From now on, Mu Yue's class can accept C-rank missions. For the other intern classes, the previous restrictions still apply."
The other intern classes didn't have teammates like Kakashi, and it was questionable whether their mentor teachers could even defeat Kakashi.
The registration ninja quickly nodded in acknowledgment. Now that the Fire Shadow had spoken, he had no choice but to comply. In the event of any mishaps, the responsibility wouldn't fall on him.
Although they had gained permission to take on C-rank missions, it was already evening, so it was only natural that they wouldn't be able to accept a mission at this hour. Mu Yue led his three disciples back home.
"Yes!" Obito couldn't contain his excitement as they exited the Fire Shadow's office, pumping his fist in the air.
"Guy, we're probably the only second-years who can take on C-rank missions. The others will still be stuck finding cats and dogs!" Obito burst out laughing.
"It's definitely something to be excited about. It proves that our youth is reaching new heights!" Might Guy joined in the laughter, his voice filled with enthusiasm.
Their loud laughter drew the attention of other ninjas who were at the Fire Shadow's office, and Kakashi quietly lowered his head a little.
He suddenly thought of his previous team, who, despite their lack of strength, wouldn't have behaved so boisterously at the entrance of the Fire Shadow's office.
"Hey, Kakashi, you've done C-rank missions before. What kind of enemies usually show up in those missions? Do they include chunin and jounin?" Obito asked eagerly, his curiosity piqued.
"C-rank missions typically don't involve ninja enemies." Kakashi replied.
"Huh? Not even C-rank missions?" Obito was bewildered.
He remembered how adamant the mission registration ninja had been earlier, only relenting when the Fire Shadow intervened. With the Fire Shadow's involvement, Obito had assumed that C-rank missions must be extremely dangerous, only to be surprised by Kakashi's revelation that they rarely encountered ninja enemies.
"It's not that there are no enemies, but ninja enemies are generally not encountered in C-rank missions." Mu Yue interjected, providing clarification.
"C-rank missions involving combat are usually focused on subduing fierce beasts or eliminating bandits. These types of missions typically don't involve facing ninja enemies." Mu Yue explained that one would generally start encountering ninja enemies in B-rank missions and above.
"Is that so..." Obito's excitement deflated a little as he felt a twinge of disappointment. He had envisioned defeating enemy ninjas from rival nations and then returning to boast about his heroic exploits to Nohara Rin.
However, there wasn't much to boast about when it came to hunting wild beasts. After all, they had already killed a wild boar together during their picnic in the Southern Forest.
As they approached Mu Yue's house, Obito's mood lifted again at the thought of the delicious meal that awaited him.
Mu Yue invited Kakashi and the others to sit in the living room while he began preparing the ingredients for the meal.
"Teacher Mu Yue, let me help you." Kakashi offered, not wanting to freeload.
"Then you can help me wash the vegetables." Mu Yue agreed, seeing the benefit in working together to build trust.
Kakashi stayed in the kitchen, observing Mu Yue's culinary skills, curious about the secrets behind his mouthwatering dishes.
"Mu Yue, are you back?"
Minato's voice echoed from outside the door.
"Minato, come in. I'm cooking," Mu Yue replied, turning around.
Hearing Mu Yue's permission, Minato opened the door and stepped into the house.
Obito stared at Minato's dazzling golden hair, blue eyes, and somewhat familiar warm smile, instantly superimposing Minato's face over Mu Yue's in his mind.
"Hello, I'm..." Minato said, offering a warm smile as he prepared to greet the two boys.
"I know! You must be Mu Yue's long-lost twin brother!" Obito interrupted excitedly.
"You look just like him without the glasses!" Might Guy agreed, finding Obito's speculation reasonable.
"And you resemble the glasses-wearing Mu Yue as well. Look at that smile and the warmth it conveys," Obito analyzed in detail; no one knew Mu Yue better than he did.
While he was misunderstood, Minato was used to such occurrences. Similar jokes had been made by acquaintances during the Jonin conference.
So, with a smile, Minato explained, "I'm Namikaze Minato, a friend of Mu Yue."
"Hey, isn't your surname 'Uchiha'?" Obito now believed that Minato and Mu Yue were long-lost brothers.
"Minato, don't mind them. They're my disciples and guests in my home today," Mu Yue explained.
"It's fine. We do look quite alike, after all," Minato said with a smile, indicating that he didn't mind.
He was quite open-minded about such matters. If he resembled someone with a vile personality or a villain, he might have been more concerned. But since Mu Yue had a gentle disposition, he only felt that it was a twist of fate.
Curious, Kakashi stepped out of the kitchen after washing the vegetables and glanced at Minato, just in time to see him smiling and explaining. Instantly, he understood why Obito thought Minato and Mu Yue were twin brothers.
Indeed, their demeanor was strikingly similar, and their hair and eye colors matched. At first glance, he had thought the same.
However, upon closer inspection, Kakashi could discern the differences. Minato's aura had a slight hint of absent-mindedness, whereas Mu Yue's did not.
"Mu Yue, do you need any help?" Minato asked, even though he was already making his way to the kitchen.
"Minato, you're just in time. Help me with these vegetables. Cut off the parts we don't need," Mu Yue instructed.
The two men had been neighbors who frequently shared meals for a long time, and they had cooked together on numerous occasions. However, most of the time, Minato played a supporting role.
"Minato, I wanted to talk to you about the intern program. I'm also in charge of a class," Mu Yue said after finishing the cooking.
"I remember. But why is one of them already wearing a forehead protector?" Minato asked, curious.
"His name is Kakashi Hatake. It's a unique situation, and the story is a bit complicated. But for now, he's a member of my class," Mu Yue replied.
"Hatake..." Hearing that surname and seeing Kakashi's white hair, Minato immediately recalled some unpleasant events. Thus, he refrained from asking further questions about Kakashi.
Subsequently, Mu Yue introduced his disciples to Minato.
"Minato is a powerful Jonin. Many formidable Jonin in the village acknowledge his superior strength," Mu Yue praised with a smile.
"Wow, so he's super strong!" Obito exclaimed, listening to Mu Yue's praise of Minato and seeing the resemblance between the two. He instantly felt that Minato must be as powerful as Mu Yue.
"It's not as exaggerated as Mu Yue makes it sound. There are still many seniors in the village whom I look up to and learn from," Minato said humbly.
"Mu Yue, I... I mean, today..." Minato trailed off, feeling a bit embarrassed. He often came over for meals and even took food to go.
"I know. I've already packed a meal for you," Mu Yue said, handing Minato a lunch box.
"Thank you for your trouble," Minato expressed his gratitude.
He felt that Mu Yue might have guessed something. Taking meals to go every day was indeed suspicious.
If he was busy, he wouldn't have come over to take the food with him, and if he wasn't busy, using busyness as an excuse to take packed meals seemed disingenuous.
However, Minato had no other choice. Whether Mu Yue guessed something or not, this was not something he could explicitly discuss. Kushina's identity was too sensitive, and informing Mu Yue about it would do more harm than good.
The only thing Minato could do was share his cultivation experiences with Mu Yue, helping him become stronger so he could safely navigate this perilous period.
"Teacher Mu Yue, I think you should investigate. Maybe he's your long-lost brother," Obito suggested.
Smack!
Mu Yue's two fingers accurately landed on Obito's forehead.
"If you don't eat soon, Kakashi and Guy will finish all the food," Mu Yue reminded him.
Only then did Obito realize that Might Guy and Kakashi were wolfing down their food while he was talking. Their chopsticks moved so fast that afterimages were left on the table.
"Leave some for me!" Obito joined them, no longer concerned about manners as he began to eat quickly.
After Mu Yue sent his shadow clone to deliver meals to Itachi and Nohara Rin, he also started eating.
I'm not feeling well today, so I only managed to write 8k words. I'll try to write another chapter before 2 AM, but if I can't, I'll definitely update tomorrow. So, everyone, don't stay up late, and get some rest. I can't guarantee tonight, but there will definitely be an update tomorrow.
(End of Chapter)
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