The Land of Waves.
A blazing sun hung in a cloudless sky.
"What kind of plant is that? I've never seen it before."
Naruto, carrying an enormous backpack stuffed full of snacks, scanned the scenery left and right with the excitement of a tourist. It was his first time leaving the village on an official mission, and he was practically vibrating with energy.
Sasuke walked ahead with his hands in his pockets, a tiny backpack slung over one shoulder. He shot Naruto a cool glance and said flatly,
"Idiot. While you're wandering around acting stupid, an enemy could jump out at any moment."
Sakura, also carrying a small pack, glared sharply at Naruto.
"Naruto! Learn from Sasuke! We're escorting a client — stay alert!"
Of all Three in Squad Seven, only Naruto had listened to Ayato's advice and stuffed his bag with snacks for the road.
"Tch! What's so great about that stuck-up Sasuke anyway?" Naruto pulled out a kunai and exaggeratedly scanned the area left and right. "I remember the mission! We're supposed to run into some scary bandits! I'm totally ready for them!"
He jabbed his kunai into the air dramatically.
"Just let them show up! I'll beat them all with one punch!"
"Super idiot." Sasuke snorted. "Do you really think enemies are going to stroll out in the open? They're probably waiting for us to relax… and then kill the client."
Squad Seven had already crossed into the Land of Waves. Not a single bandit had appeared on their route — which meant either the bandits had given up…
Or they were waiting for the perfect moment.
"Sasuke-kun is so smart…" Sakura's eyes sparkled as she looked at Sasuke — then shifted into a disdainful glare toward Naruto. "Compared to Naruto…"
Even on his first mission outside the village, Sasuke was coolheaded and analytical.
Sasuke is amazing, she thought.
"Damn you! Acting all cool again!" Naruto gritted his teeth and glared back.
"It's just a few bandits. Hardly worth worrying about."
Ayato casually reached into Naruto's backpack, pulled out a bag of salt-and-pepper chips, opened it, and threw a look at their client, Tazuna.
"Right, old man?"
Tazuna stiffened. His gaze drifted away awkwardly.
"A-Ah… yeah…"
Naruto puffed up in outrage.
"Ayato-sensei! I paid for those snacks! The only reason you told me to bring food was because you wanted to eat it yourself!"
Ayato held up a potato chip and wiggled it.
"Want one? Don't be shy."
He really did like snacks — he just hated carrying huge bags himself.
Naruto nearly burst into flames.
"That's not the point! Those are my chips!"
Sakura stared at Ayato with a look somewhere between disbelief and exhaustion.
"Sensei… Naruto being an idiot is one thing, but could you at least act serious? We're still on a mission."
From start to finish, Ayato had treated the C-rank escort mission like a leisure stroll. Sakura, meanwhile, couldn't relax even a little. They were still dealing with potentially dangerous bandits — carelessness could be fatal.
"No need to worry so much." Ayato patted Sakura's backside lightly. "If things get dangerous, we'll just use the old man as bait and run."
"WHAT PART OF THAT IS SOMETHING A BODYGUARD SHOULD SAY!? A-And what did you just touch!?"
Sakura's face flushed scarlet as she covered her stinging rear and glared at Ayato.
Pervert!!
Why does Ayato-sensei always take advantage of me!?
Is he… does he actually like this type of girl!?
Sakura's already-red face heated even more. She sneaked a glance at Ayato… then at Sasuke.
Ayato-sensei was handsome, yes.
But Sasuke was handsome and cool.
Ugh… this is so hard. Who is better!?
Ayato munched on chips.
"I know I'm good-looking, but don't overthink it. I only mess with you because you're the only woman here."
Because the road was boring.
Small butt. Nice feel.
Naruto let out a long sigh.
"Sakura-chan's such a hopeless romantic…"
"WHO'S A ROMANTIC!?" Sakura, humiliated, turned and punched Naruto without hesitation.
THUD.
Naruto sprawled on the ground, holding his head.
"Why am I the one who gets hit!?"
Ayato glanced at Sakura.
A moment ago, she'd been frightened of potential ambushes… but now, after some noise and chaos, she looked far more relaxed.
"Stop."
Ayato lifted his hand.
"Enemy?"
Squad Seven instantly formed defensive positions, kunai drawn, gathering around Tazuna.
Tazuna's face turned grim. He already knew death might be waiting for him on this road — but he hadn't completed his dream yet.
He had to finish the bridge. He had to save his country.
"There's a lake," Ayato said, pointing ahead.
"…A lake?"
Squad Seven froze.
Tazuna blinked.
A lake?
What about it?
Ayato nodded.
Naruto suddenly puffed up proudly.
"Ayato-sensei! I noticed something strange about that lake ahead too! The enemy must be hiding inside it!"
He snuck a glance at Sakura.
Heh. See that, Sakura-chan?
I'm smart too!
"In the lake?"
Sasuke and Sakura both frowned. Something felt off.
Sasuke snorted.
"Idiot. The enemy doesn't know our exact route. Why would they conveniently hide in a lake right in front of us?"
"You—!!"
"Enemies…? Sort of," Ayato said lightly. "Since the exam is always your greatest enemy."
"Huh?" Sakura tilted her head. "An exam? You mean… water-walking practice?"
"Exactly."
Squad Seven exchanged bewildered looks.
Why would their jonin teacher suddenly bring up chakra-control training… in the middle of a mission?
"Hey—are you serious—" Naruto began.
"Stop whining. Start testing."
Ayato grabbed Naruto and hurled him toward the lake.
"AAAAAH—!!"
SPLOOSH!
Naruto burst from the surface moments later and knelt shakily on top of the water, soaked head to toe.
"Damn it! One day… I swear I'll get you back!!"
"Perfect score," Ayato said, satisfied.
"Sensei, we're still on a mission—can't this wait until—" Sakura began.
Ayato grabbed her too and threw her into the lake.
"KYAAAA—!!"
SPLOOSH!
Sakura surfaced three seconds later, trembling from the cold but standing firmly atop the water.
"T-Tch… so cold… Ayato-sensei is the worst…"
"Good," Ayato nodded.
Sasuke looked at the two of them — dripping wet and humiliated.
He immediately raised a hand.
"I'll jump myself."
Something wasn't right.
Why was Ayato suddenly testing chakra control?
Then it clicked.
They hadn't encountered a single enemy on the journey.
Because they were too alert.
Ayato must be pretending to test them, deliberately creating an opening… to lure the real enemy out.
He shot Ayato a meaningful "I understand everything" look, then stepped calmly onto the water's surface.
At that moment—
[Squad Seven has passed the final assessment.
Master–Disciple Mission complete.]
[Reward acquired: Ability of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit (no side effects).]
[New Master–Disciple Mission:
Teach Naruto the Rasengan.
Teach Sasuke the Chidori.
Teach Sakura the Strength of a Hundred Seal.]
[Rewards upon completion:
Power from One Piece — the Quake-Quake Fruit (no side effects),
Eternal Youth,
Lifespan doubled.]
[Time limit: One year.]
To be continued…
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