The next day, inside the Hokage Office.
"A C-rank mission?"
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, held his pipe between his fingers as he looked at Kakashi.
"Are you certain Team 7 is ready?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Kakashi nodded calmly.
"They've completed their basic training. It's time they experience a real mission."
The Third Hokage pondered for a moment, flipping through the mission list in his hand.
"There happens to be a suitable escort assignment."
He looked up.
"Escort the bridge builder from the Land of Waves, Tazuna, safely back home. The journey will take about a week. You may encounter bandits along the way, but there shouldn't be any ninja."
Kakashi's heart stirred.
So this was it.
The Land of Waves mission.
"I accept the mission," Kakashi said without hesitation.
"Very well."
The Third Hokage nodded and called toward the door.
"Please come in, Mr. Tazuna."
The door opened.
An elderly man wearing glasses, stubble covering his face and reeking faintly of alcohol, stepped inside.
"These are the brats who are supposed to protect me?"
Tazuna sized up the three genin with open distrust. "Especially the shortest one—he looks particularly unreliable."
"Who are you calling unreliable?!"
Naruto jumped to his feet. "I'm the man who's going to become Hokage!"
"Hokage? You?"
Tazuna laughed dismissively. "I doubt you could even handle an ordinary ninja—"
"Mr. Tazuna."
Kakashi interrupted, his tone flat and cold.
"I suggest you show proper respect to the ninja assigned to protect you. After all, your life is currently in our hands."
Tazuna froze, instinctively intimidated by Kakashi's presence.
"Of course," Kakashi continued evenly, "if you believe we are untrustworthy, you're free to cancel the mission right now. Konoha ninja never force their services on anyone."
"I… I didn't mean it like that…"
Tazuna replied awkwardly.
"Then choose your words more carefully."
Kakashi smiled, though there was no warmth in his eyes.
"Gather at the village gate at eight tomorrow morning. Be punctual. We won't wait."
"Yes… yes…"
Tazuna wiped cold sweat from his brow.
The next day, 8:00 a.m.
At the gates of Konoha.
Naruto arrived carrying an enormous backpack stuffed to the brim with instant ramen.
"Naruto, why did you bring so much ramen?"
Sakura stared at him in disbelief.
"The mission could take a whole week!"
Naruto said confidently. "What if I get hungry on the way?"
Sasuke, by contrast, carried a compact, neatly organized pack filled with ninja tools and supplies.
Kakashi arrived last, carrying only a small bag.
Tazuna was already waiting at the gate, uncharacteristically quiet and well-behaved.
"Everyone's here. Let's move out."
The group of five left Konoha, heading toward the Land of Waves.
On the road, Tazuna endured the march for about ten minutes before finally starting to complain.
"Sigh… this road is really rough. My old bones can't take it…"
"Mr. Tazuna."
Kakashi spoke without turning his head.
"This is the standard route for a C-rank mission. If you wanted a comfortable journey, you should've applied for a B-rank mission. That would've included a carriage escort."
"But B-rank missions are too expensive…"
"Then endure it."
Kakashi's voice remained light. "Or you're free to turn back and walk home on your own."
Tazuna immediately fell silent.
From behind, Naruto whispered, "Kakashi-sensei is awesome… he's got the old man completely under control."
"Shut up, Naruto."
Sakura whispered back. "That's rude."
Another hour passed.
"I'm hungry… can we take a break?"
"No."
Kakashi continued walking.
"According to the schedule, we need to reach the next rest point before noon. If you can't keep up, I can have Naruto carry you."
"No, no!"
Tazuna shook his head vigorously. "I can still walk!"
Let that brat carry him? He'd rather die walking.
Sasuke glanced at Kakashi's back, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
Kakashi-sensei was far less gentle with the client than he was with them.
At noon, they rested in the woods.
Naruto happily prepared a bowl of instant ramen and ate with gusto.
Tazuna sat off to the side, pulling out a flask and raising it to his lips.
"I'd advise against drinking that."
Kakashi spoke suddenly.
"Why?" Tazuna frowned. "Does my drinking bother you?"
"Because there may be a fight soon."
Kakashi's tone was calm and matter-of-fact.
"If you're drunk, protecting you becomes troublesome. And if you die because of it, don't blame us."
Tazuna's hand stiffened. He quietly put the flask away.
"Tch… can't do this, can't do that…"
He muttered under his breath.
"Mr. Tazuna."
Kakashi smiled.
"If you complain again, I'll consider tying you up and carrying you to the Land of Waves. That way, you won't have to walk, eat, or drink."
"I… I won't complain anymore…"
Tazuna immediately surrendered.
Naruto stifled his laughter, shoulders shaking.
Sakura burst out laughing despite herself.
Sasuke remained expressionless, though there was a faint smile in his eyes.
After the rest, they resumed their journey.
Kakashi walked at the rear of the group.
Ahead, on the side of the road, he noticed a puddle.
It was a clear, sunny day.
Yet there was standing water on the road.
An obvious flaw.
"Naruto."
Kakashi called out suddenly.
"Huh?"
Naruto turned around.
"Do you notice anything strange?"
Kakashi asked.
"Strange?"
Naruto looked around. "Not really…"
"Observe your surroundings carefully."
Kakashi reminded him. "A ninja must always remain vigilant."
Naruto frowned, forcing himself to focus.
The woods. The road. The sky—
Then he saw it.
"Wait… it hasn't rained in days. Why is there water on the road?"
"Good. You noticed."
Kakashi nodded in approval. "So what should we do next?"
"Prepare for battle?"
Naruto ventured.
"Yes."
Kakashi looked at Sakura and Sasuke.
"What about you two?"
Sakura stared at the puddle and nodded. "It's definitely suspicious."
Sasuke's hand had already moved quietly to his ninja tool pouch.
Kakashi continued forward as if nothing were amiss.
As the group passed the puddle—
Splash!
The water exploded upward as two ninja wearing gas masks burst out. Their wrists were linked by spiked chains, and they lunged straight toward Tazuna.
"Protect the client!"
Kakashi shouted—but he didn't move, remaining off to the side.
"Kakashi-sensei?!"
Sakura exclaimed in shock.
"This is real combat training."
Kakashi said calmly. "The three of you will handle it. I'll guide from the side, but I won't intervene."
"What?!"
Naruto's eyes widened.
But the Demon Brothers were already upon them.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Naruto hastily formed seals, and dozens of shadow clones appeared, blocking Tazuna.
The Demon Brothers swung their chains.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The shadow clones burst apart one after another.
"Too many clones, Naruto. The chakra's spread too thin."
Kakashi instructed. "Reduce the number and increase their strength."
"Got it!"
Naruto formed seals again, this time summoning only a dozen clones.
These were noticeably sturdier, able to withstand several blows.
"Sakura, take command."
"Yes!"
Sakura immediately focused.
"Naruto, flank them from both sides! Sasuke-kun, suppress them with Fire Release!"
Sasuke formed seals without hesitation.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
The blazing fireball roared toward the Demon Brothers.
"Cheap tricks!"
They leapt aside, but Naruto's clones were already closing in.
"Sasuke, the firepower's still lacking."
Kakashi continued calmly. "Increase your chakra output. Remember your control training."
Sasuke clenched his teeth and formed seals again.
This time, the fireball was clearly larger and more intense.
"Good. Keep it up."
The battle intensified.
Under Kakashi's guidance, the three began to coordinate more smoothly.
Naruto's clones provided suppression.
Sasuke handled offense.
Sakura protected Tazuna while directing their movements.
Despite being chunin, the Demon Brothers gradually found themselves overwhelmed.
"Damn brats!"
One of them suddenly surged forward, swinging his chain at Sasuke.
"Watch out!"
Sakura shouted.
Sasuke reacted instantly, raising a kunai to block.
Clang!
Sparks flew.
But the Demon Brother's strength was overwhelming, and Sasuke was knocked backward.
The other Demon Brother seized the opening, his chain wrapping tightly around Sasuke's arm.
"Sasuke!"
Naruto shouted.
"Don't panic."
Kakashi's voice cut through the chaos. "Observe their movements. Find the opening."
Sasuke forced himself to calm down.
The chain tightened, pain searing through his arm.
But his gaze remained locked on the enemy.
Movement… timing… flaw—
Suddenly, a sharp pain stabbed into his eyes.
Not the unfamiliar pain from before.
But something eerily familiar.
That night.
The night of the massacre.
When he saw his parents lying in pools of blood—his eyes had burned like this.
So it had already happened back then…
The world sharpened.
Every muscle contraction, every twitch of the Demon Brother's body became clear.
He could predict the chain's path before it moved.
In his eyes, two crimson tomoe rotated slowly.
Not one.
Two.
So he had awakened the single-tomoe Sharingan that night… only for it to fall dormant after.
And now, under the pressure of battle, it had not only reawakened—
It had evolved.
"Ding! Major breakthrough detected for problem student Uchiha Sasuke!"
"Uchiha Sasuke has awakened the Sharingan (Two Tomoe)!"
"Character Card Advancement: C-rank → C-rank Special Form: Sasuke – Sharingan!"
"Special Form Effect: All attributes ×1.5!"
"Rewards obtained: C-rank Special Character Card 'Sasuke – Sharingan', System Points ×300!"
"Original C-rank Sasuke card automatically upgraded to C-rank Special Form!"
Kakashi was ecstatic.
Not just awakened—but two tomoe.
And a special form, multiplying his attributes by one and a half.
Far stronger than an ordinary upgrade.
"I see it…"
Sasuke murmured.
Through the Sharingan, the Demon Brothers' movements slowed to a crawl.
He saw the moment of exertion.
He saw the flaw.
With his free hand, Sasuke hurled a shuriken straight at the chain's joint.
Clang!
The weak point shattered, the chain loosening.
Sasuke broke free and spun, delivering a sweeping kick.
Bang!
The Demon Brother slammed into the ground.
Without pause, Sasuke formed seals.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
Multiple fireballs rained down from different angles.
"What?!"
The Demon Brothers screamed as the flames engulfed them.
"Sasuke-kun… your eyes…"
Sakura stared in shock.
Naruto was stunned. "That's… so cool…"
Sasuke turned his gaze to the remaining Demon Brother.
The Sharingan locked onto him.
The man stumbled backward in fear.
"Sharingan… two tomoe… what kind of monster is this kid?!"
"Retreat!"
Abandoning the mission, the Demon Brothers fled.
"No need to chase."
Kakashi's voice sounded.
In the next instant, he vanished.
When he reappeared, he was already behind them.
"I said this was real combat training."
Kakashi grabbed them by the backs of their necks.
"But I never said I'd let you escape."
Bang! Bang!
Two dull thuds echoed.
The Demon Brothers collapsed unconscious before they could react.
"So fast…"
Naruto's eyes were wide. "I didn't even see him move!"
Even Sasuke's Sharingan only caught an afterimage.
Sakura stood frozen in disbelief.
Kakashi returned, tossing the unconscious pair onto the ground.
"Naruto, tie them up."
"Yes!"
Naruto quickly took out a rope.
Kakashi then turned to Tazuna, his gaze sharp.
"Mr. Tazuna, it's time you explained yourself."
Tazuna broke out in a cold sweat.
"I… I don't know what you mean…"
"Enemy ninja don't appear in C-rank missions."
Kakashi said calmly. "Those were Hidden Mist chunin. Which means you concealed the true difficulty of this mission."
"You lied to us?!"
Naruto shouted angrily.
"I… I had no choice…"
Tazuna lowered his head.
"Talk."
Kakashi's voice was unyielding. "Who wants you dead? What's the real mission rank? If you don't tell the truth, we return to Konoha immediately."
Tazuna sighed deeply and finally spoke.
"It's Gato… the biggest crime boss in the Land of Waves. He controls all shipping and trade. Once my bridge is completed, his monopoly will collapse…"
"So he wants you dead."
"Yes…"
Tazuna nodded. "He hired rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist…"
"Zabuza Momochi."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed. "The Demon of the Hidden Mist. A jonin-level rogue ninja."
"Jo… jonin?"
Sakura's face went pale.
"As strong as Kakashi-sensei?"
Naruto swallowed nervously.
Sasuke clenched his fists.
Kakashi looked at the three of them.
"By regulation, the mission has escalated to at least B-rank. We can choose to abandon it and return to Konoha."
He paused.
"So—what's your decision?"