"So where is our important client?" Naruto asked, arms crossed with his usual skeptical glare.
Kakashi looked around lazily, then pointed toward the village gate. "Right there."
The team followed his gaze. A man wearing a straw hat stood wobbling, clutching a nearly empty sake bottle. He hiccupped, blinked at them with bleary eyes, and let out a loud burp.
"You brats are my protection? Tch. That blonde one looks like he'd trip over a rice ball," the man scoffed.
"WHAT did you say, old man?!" Naruto barked, fists clenched.
"Quiet, Naruto," Kakashi sighed, already tired. "By the mission details, this is Tazuna—our client."
Tazuna took a swig and eyed Haruto. "A redhead, huh? What's with the serious face?"
Kakashi nodded toward him. "That's Haruto. He takes the job seriously, even if it's just escort duty."
After introductions were finished, Kakashi gave a quick command. "Alright, team. Meet me here at the gate in ten minutes. From there, we begin our C-rank mission."
---
Twenty minutes later…
The sun was high as the team walked the dirt road, escorting Tazuna through the countryside. Birds chirped, and the sound of Tazuna gulping down sake ruined the peaceful silence.
Haruto narrowed his eyes. He lightly pinched Kakashi's sleeve to get his attention.
Kakashi leaned down. "What?"
Haruto whispered, "There's a puddle up ahead. It hasn't rained in weeks. Isn't that suspicious?"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow, then glanced toward the puddle. "Good observation…"
Before Kakashi could finish, two masked ninja exploded out of the puddle, launching a surprise attack.
Kakashi was the first to be 'killed'—one of the ninja seemingly sliced him down in a blur of motion.
"KAKASHI-SENSEI!!" Naruto shouted in horror.
Haruto immediately dashed forward without thinking. He swung a punch—but one of the ninja smoothly dodged and kicked him square in the jaw, sending him flying into the dirt with a grunt.
"Haruto!" Naruto yelled.
Blood dripped from Haruto's mouth as he sat up, dazed. I'm not the main character… why did I rush forward?
The two attackers charged again.
"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto roared, slamming his hands together.
Dozens of clones exploded out of thin air and rushed the two enemies. The clones swarmed them, overwhelming them temporarily. But the two ninja were experienced—they cut through the crowd with difficulty, yet determination.
Sasuke charged in, timing his attack. He and Naruto both grabbed a chain one of the attackers carried, twisting it together and yanking them to the ground, immobilizing one.
From the bushes, Kakashi suddenly reappeared.
"Hm."
Naruto jumped, startled. "Jeez! Don't sneak up on me like that!"
Living with Haruto had taught Naruto a lot about reading people—he had already suspected Kakashi wasn't truly dead.
Haruto, meanwhile, clutched his aching jaw. Blood trailed from his lips. His legs trembled beneath him as adrenaline surged through his body.
"I'm surprised you got hurt," Kakashi said, glancing at him.
"Yeah… me too," Haruto mumbled, trying to steady his shaking.
"This confirms one thing," Kakashi said, turning to Tazuna. "This isn't a simple escort. That was a B-rank ambush. Why did you list the mission as C-rank?"
Tazuna looked down, ashamed. "I… I didn't have the money. There's a crime lord in my country—Gato. He's been stealing from us, destroying our livelihoods. I'm building a bridge to save my village, and now he wants me dead."
Haruto clenched his fists.
"Because of you," Naruto snapped, "my brother got hurt!"
Kakashi glanced at Haruto's wobbling knees. Despite the fear, the boy wasn't backing down. Sasuke simply nodded, quiet but understanding.
"Well," Naruto huffed, "it might be dangerous… but it might be fun too! Let's finish the mission!"
"Fun?" Kakashi echoed, raising an eyebrow.
"I agree, Kakashi-sensei," Sasuke added, arms crossed.
Kakashi sighed. "Alright then. But stay alert. This is real now."
---
Later that afternoon, as the team moved through a forest trail, Haruto a bit angered
He dashed straight to the ocean as kakashi and the team followed
Stopping at the ocean he stared back at the ocean
His eyes were still blue shimmering the the light of the sun reflected on the seat
"What happened haruto?" Naruto asked with a raise brow
"I was still feeling fear so I thought a jog may calm me down"
Kakashi nodded as the ninjas who are young do that a lot
...
The boat warfed to the shore as the team with tazuna exited the boat
Going slightly deeper as someone stood before them
His blade gleaming under the tree as he was wearing bandages covering his face