Chapter 170: Mission Privileges
"Although D-Rank missions are the simplest, completing twenty of them within two days is an excellent record for Genin," said Hiruzen Sarutobi, his expression filled with approval.
"Grandpa Hokage, does that mean we can finally take missions above D-Rank?" Obito asked eagerly, eyes full of anticipation.
"Haha, well," Hiruzen chuckled, stroking his beard, "that depends on your teacher's judgment. After all, I'm not entirely familiar with your team's current strength. If Mugetsu believes you're ready, I'll make an exception and grant permission for your team to take C-Rank missions."
He didn't see any issue with that. Hiruzen had personally watched Obito and Might Guy's performance during the summer special training exam — both displayed impressive strength. With Kakashi, an experienced Chunin, and Mugetsu, a former Root operative, leading the team, even C-Rank assignments should pose little trouble.
C-Rank missions typically involved minor combat, but rarely against enemy Ninjas. Most involved bandits, smugglers, or wild beasts — opponents stronger than civilians but far from true Shinobi.
"Mugetsu-sensei, you know us best. Our strength shouldn't be wasted on catching cats and cleaning parks," Obito said, turning toward him with hopeful eyes.
"The Third Hokage-sama doesn't need to worry," Mugetsu replied calmly, bowing slightly. "I believe they're fully capable of handling C-Rank missions."
Part of Mugetsu's goal with the intern program was precisely this — to give them real-world experience outside the village. Konoha's walls were too restrictive. Here, he couldn't unleash his full power without drawing Anbu attention, and many of his mastery-level Ninjutsu created destructive aftereffects.
He needed to test his true limits — not in sparring, but in actual combat.
He didn't want to end up like Kaguya Ōtsutsuki — possessing overwhelming power, yet unable to wield it freely.
"With your assurance, Mugetsu, I can rest easy," Hiruzen said, smiling warmly.
"Thank you for your trust, Hokage-sama. I'll ensure the safety of my students," Mugetsu replied with sincere confidence.
Hiruzen nodded, then turned to the registration desk. "From this moment on, Mugetsu's team is permitted to take C-Rank missions. The other intern teams will continue under the previous regulations."
After all, no other team had someone like Kakashi. In truth, most instructors wouldn't even stand a chance against him.
The Registration Ninja quickly nodded. With the Hokage's direct order, he had no objections — nor any responsibility if things went wrong later.
---
Although they had earned the right to take C-Rank missions, it was already evening. Taking one now would be impractical. Mugetsu dismissed his students, leading them home instead.
"Yay!" Obito cheered, pumping his fist into the air as they exited the Hokage Building.
"Might Guy! We're definitely the only fourth-year students allowed to do C-Rank missions! Everyone else is still out there catching cats and chasing dogs!" he said, laughing proudly.
"It truly is something to celebrate! Our youth has reached a new level!" Guy declared with a loud, hearty laugh.
Their laughter echoed down the street, drawing curious looks from nearby Ninjas entering the building. Kakashi lowered his head slightly, sighing.
He couldn't help but recall his old teammates. They might not have been strong, but they'd never burst into laughter right outside the Hokage's office.
"Hey, Kakashi," Obito suddenly asked, his curiosity bubbling over. "You've done C-Rank missions before, right? What kind of enemies usually appear? Are there Chunin or Jonin involved?"
"C-Rank missions usually don't involve Ninja opponents," Kakashi replied evenly.
"Huh? No Ninja enemies?" Obito blinked, visibly disappointed.
He still remembered how firm the Registration Ninja had been earlier. It took the Hokage himself intervening for them to get this privilege. With how serious the process was, he'd expected C-Rank missions to be dangerous. Yet Kakashi was saying they might not even fight any real Ninjas?
"It's not that there are no enemies," Mugetsu corrected gently, "just that they're rarely Ninja."
"C-Rank missions involving combat usually deal with subduing wild beasts or clearing out bandits," he explained. "Neither requires facing trained Shinobi. True Ninja opposition only appears from B-Rank missions and above."
Obito's shoulders slumped. "How could this be…"
He'd been fantasizing about fighting enemy Ninjas, saving villagers, and returning heroically to brag about it to Rin. But defeating wild boars and mountain bandits? That didn't sound like something worth boasting about.
They had even hunted a wild boar once during a picnic in the southern forest.
---
By the time they returned home to Konoha, Obito's disappointment had already faded. His mood brightened instantly when he smelled the rich aroma wafting from Mugetsu's kitchen.
"Alright, you three, sit and relax in the living room," Mugetsu said, tying his apron as he stepped toward the kitchen. "Dinner will be ready soon."
"Mugetsu-sensei, let me help," Kakashi said politely, unwilling to just sit around and freeload.
"Then help me wash the vegetables," Mugetsu replied with a smile. He didn't refuse — working together helped strengthen trust.
Kakashi followed him into the kitchen, quietly watching every movement. He couldn't help but study Mugetsu's technique closely. He'd cooked for himself from a young age, but no matter how he analyzed it, he couldn't figure out what made Mugetsu's food so special.
The man used the same ingredients, the same seasoning… and yet, everything he made tasted better than anything Kakashi had ever cooked.
Just as he was pondering this mystery, a familiar, gentle voice came from outside the door.
"Mugetsu, are you home?"
Mugetsu glanced up. "Minato, just come in. I'm cooking right now," he replied with a faint smile.
After receiving Mugetsu's permission, Minato opened the door and stepped inside.
The moment he entered, he noticed two young boys sitting in the living room. Both immediately turned their heads to look at him.
Obito's eyes widened at the sight of the man's dazzling blond hair, clear blue eyes, and warm smile — it was a face that seemed oddly familiar. In that instant, his mind overlapped Minato's face with Mugetsu's.
"Hello, I'm—" Minato began with his usual gentle tone, intending to greet them.
"I know! You must be Mugetsu-sensei's twin brother!" Obito declared confidently before Minato could finish.
"He really does look like Mugetsu-sensei without glasses!" Guy chimed in enthusiastically, nodding in agreement.
"He looks just like him with glasses too! Look at that smile — that same warm aura!" Obito added, analyzing intently. No one, in his opinion, understood Mugetsu-sensei better than he did.
Minato blinked once, then smiled helplessly. This wasn't the first time he'd heard such remarks. During Jonin meetings, even some of his peers had joked about it.
"I'm Minato Namikaze," he said warmly, "a friend of Mugetsu's."
"Eh? But isn't his last name Hayate?" Obito asked suspiciously, still convinced there was some hidden brotherly connection.
"Minato, I'm sorry," Mugetsu said with a small smile as he turned from the kitchen. "They're my students. They came over for dinner today."
"It's fine," Minato replied easily. "We do look quite similar sometimes."
He truly didn't mind the comparison. If he resembled someone unpleasant, perhaps he'd take issue — but looking like Mugetsu, who was calm and kind-hearted, only made him feel it was fate.
Just then, Kakashi emerged from the kitchen after finishing the vegetables. When he saw Minato, he paused briefly. Watching Minato smile and explain himself, Kakashi immediately understood why Obito and Guy thought they were brothers. Their gentle expressions, their calm presence — even their hair and eyes were similar.
However, upon closer inspection, Kakashi noticed a subtle difference. Minato's demeanor carried a faint air of absent-minded gentleness, while Mugetsu's was more grounded and composed.
"Mugetsu, need a hand?" Minato asked, already walking toward the kitchen.
"You came just in time," Mugetsu said, nodding. "Help me trim those vegetables — cut off the unnecessary parts."
The two had been neighbors for quite a while. Sharing meals had long become a routine between them, with Minato frequently helping out in the kitchen — though usually as an assistant rather than the main cook.
As they worked side by side, Mugetsu said casually, "Minato, remember what I mentioned before about the intern program? I'm leading a team myself now."
"I remember," Minato replied. "But why does one of them already have a forehead protector?"
"His name's Kakashi Hatake," Mugetsu explained. "It's a special case — a bit complicated to go into, but he's part of my team now."
At the mention of the name "Hatake," Minato froze for half a second. Seeing Kakashi's white hair, he immediately recalled certain painful memories. He decided not to ask further and let the matter rest.
After dinner was ready, Mugetsu gathered everyone around. "This is Minato," he introduced with a smile. "He's a Jonin — and a very powerful one. Many of the village's top Jonin still feel inferior to him."
"Wow, then he must be super strong!" Obito said, eyes sparkling. If Mugetsu spoke so highly of him, and he even looked like Mugetsu, then Minato must be incredible.
Minato smiled modestly. "That's an exaggeration. There are still many seniors in the village I have much to learn from."
"Mugetsu, about today…" Minato began, sounding slightly embarrassed.
Mugetsu gave a small laugh before Minato could finish. "I know. I've already packed your dinner."
He handed over a neatly prepared lunchbox.
"Thank you," Minato said sincerely. He knew Mugetsu had probably guessed the truth. Picking up food every day was hard to explain — especially when he sometimes wasn't even busy.
But there were things he simply couldn't tell him. Kushina's identity was too sensitive. If he involved Mugetsu in any way, it would only bring unnecessary danger.
All Minato could do was continue sharing training methods and tactical insight, helping Mugetsu grow stronger in his own way — strong enough to safely weather whatever was coming.
"Mugetsu-sensei," Obito said suddenly, leaning forward. "I think you should investigate — maybe he really is your long-lost brother!"
Smack!
Mugetsu flicked two fingers precisely onto Obito's forehead.
"If you don't start eating now, Kakashi and Guy will finish everything," Mugetsu warned calmly.
Only then did Obito notice that Kakashi and Guy were already eating like a pair of hungry wolves, their chopsticks leaving afterimages across the table.
"Hey! Leave some for me!" Obito shouted, diving in with renewed determination.
Mugetsu chuckled softly, creating a Shadow Clone to deliver packed meals to Shisui and Rin before sitting down to eat himself.
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