"This is our first mission. You've made your choice."Kakashi led Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura into the assignment hall, holding several mission scrolls he'd just received from the Third Hokage. His voice was as flat as ever, that lazy kind of tone that could make even a battle cry sound boring.
"No need, just give it to Sasuke," Naruto said, not even bothering to look. He already knew the truth — it'd be another D-rank job. Chasing cats, walking dogs, pulling weeds… the kind of "ninja work" that made civilians happy and genin miserable.
Sasuke and Sakura, however, were still new to all this. For them, it was the first real step into the ninja world — something to remember. Unfortunately, expectations had a way of crashing into reality.
"Kakashi-sensei, why are these all chores?" Sakura complained, flipping through the scrolls in disbelief. "Babysitting, cleaning, pulling weeds — seriously? We're ninja! Shouldn't we be guarding nobles or escorting caravans?"
If the Hokage hadn't been right there, she probably would've thrown the scrolls back at Kakashi's head. Naruto could only sigh — it was almost cute how predictable it all was. He glanced at Sasuke, who, of course, said nothing but looked equally unimpressed.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "You all act like this is unexpected. I figured you'd react this way."He looked toward Naruto, curious. "Especially you. I thought you'd be the first one shouting about unfair missions."
Naruto shrugged. He had no energy for it. Maybe this was the curse of knowing too much.Low-level missions were the first reality check for every new ninja — the collective heartbreak of all genin dreams.
He folded his arms, watching the other two pout. "D-rank missions, huh? The traditional first step into misery."
Kakashi sighed. "This is the only way forward. You think you can handle high-level missions from day one? These smaller tasks teach you teamwork, adaptability, disguise, patience — all things you'll need later."
Sakura looked away. Sasuke kept silent, but his expression screamed boredom. Naruto, meanwhile, didn't even pretend to care.
"So what's for lunch today?" Naruto asked suddenly, completely ignoring Kakashi's lecture.
"Lunch?" Sakura blinked. "Uh… I haven't thought about it."
"I don't know," Sasuke replied curtly.
"Really? That's tragic," Naruto said with a grin. "Guess I'll stick to Hinata's cooking, then. Her bentos always taste like heaven."
Sakura froze. Sasuke shot him a side glance — half envy, half resignation. Everyone at the Academy knew about Naruto's "Love Lunches."
"So romantic…" Sakura muttered, both jealous and impressed.
It wasn't like she'd forgotten how popular Sasuke and Naruto had been back at the Academy — the cool prodigy and the unpredictable underdog, both competing for top scores and attention. But somehow, it was Naruto who'd ended up with a girlfriend who could actually cook. Life wasn't fair.
Her eyes drifted to Sasuke again, heart pounding like a teenage drum. Maybe I should pack him a lunch too…
She could already see it: tomorrow, she'd hand Sasuke a lovingly made bento, he'd thank her (politely, of course), and their lifelong romance would begin. Totally realistic.
"Are you three even listening to me?" Kakashi finally snapped, rubbing his temple. His tone was still mild, but his patience was hanging by a thread.
Sakura immediately straightened up. "Of course! You mean we're not strong enough yet, so we have to build experience!"
"Not… exactly," Kakashi sighed. "But close enough."
He pulled out a scroll and handed it over. "Today's task: help Aunt Yamada pull weeds on the west side of the village."
Sakura froze. "We're… pulling weeds?"
Naruto frowned. "Why does that sound worse every time I hear it?"
"Because it is," Kakashi replied dryly. "Welcome to the life of a genin."
Sakura's face twitched. "This is ridiculous—!"
"Damn it, are you even listening?!" she yelled as Kakashi yawned, clearly unbothered.
And so began the proud tradition of Team 7's first mission — pulling weeds while the rest of the world kept spinning.