met free Chapter 109: The First Independent Mission, Starting at Rank D
Chapter 109: The First Independent Mission, Starting at Rank D
The next morning, "Bang bang bang..."
Ishikawa, who was still asleep after a night of cultivation, was woken up by his two underlings before he quickly washed up and left the house.
"Seriously, are you two really that excited? It's only seven in the morning!" Yawning, Ishikawa glanced at the two sleepy-looking men.
Do these two even know how to respect their elder brother? He was exhausted yesterday, studying during the day and cultivating until 2 a.m. before finally going to sleep.
"Big brother, today is a mission personally entrusted to us by the Hokage. How can we not go early?"
"Yes, yes, Kakashi-sensei used to always be late, but now that we're in charge, of course we should accept mission assignments earlier."
Hearing his two underlings' answers, Ishikawa's face darkened! He would be cultivating at home until one or two in the morning from now on; how could he possibly get up that early every day?
"Let's call it a day for now. From now on, barring any unforeseen circumstances, we'll stick to Kakashi-sensei's schedule and meet outside the Hokage Building at 9 AM to receive our missions." Ignoring his two underlings' shocked expressions, Ishikawa made the decision directly.
What a joke! Being late is a fine tradition of Kakashi's team; how can we abandon such a virtue?!
"Uh……"
Taro and Jiro exchanged a glance, looking at each other in disbelief. They hadn't expected their older brother, Ishikawa, to be such a lazybones, revealing himself so soon after becoming the Chunin captain.
But what can you do when your older brother is the squad leader? Oh well, they're all used to Kakashi-sensei's schedule anyway. At least Ishikawa's 9 o'clock is 9 o'clock, he's no more unpredictable than Kakashi-sensei.
Seeing that his two underlings did not object, Ishikawa did not say anything more and led the two of them to a nearby breakfast shop.
After treating each other to breakfast, the three of them leisurely made their way to the Hokage Building at eight o'clock in the morning.
The Hokage's office.
"Lord Hokage, Team 7 of Kakashi's team is reporting for duty." As soon as he entered the office, Ishikawa took two steps forward and spoke.
"Hehe! You three don't need to be so nervous. Just treat this old man like family." The Third Hokage laughed heartily, his eyes quickly scanning the three before finally settling on Ishikawa. "You've only just become a Chunin and you're already taking on the responsibilities of a squad leader. Ishikawa, you don't feel any pressure, do you?"
"There is some truth to it, but I'm prepared for that if I become a Chunin. Please give me the mission, Hokage-sama. We will do our utmost to complete it." Ishikawa's gaze was resolute, displaying the attitude of a fearless and passionate young man ready to die.
"Hahaha, actually you don't need to be nervous. For now, I will only assign you D-rank missions, there won't be any danger!" The Third Hokage laughed again upon seeing this, and his admiration for Ishikawa grew even stronger when he thought of Kakashi's report to him last night.
This is a genius boy who is willing to sacrifice himself for Konoha. He must be nurtured to become an important pillar supporting the next era.
"I've prepared your mission. Today's D-rank mission is to help clean the bathhouse at the Inano family's bathhouse. Here's the mission request form. Go ahead and do it yourselves."
"Cleaning the bathhouse?"
"It's a cleaning task!"
Tarojiro cried out in despair, his burning passion extinguished by the harsh reality. Another easy D-rank mission. He'd thought the Hokage himself would assign something exciting and unique!
Only Ishikawa seemed unfazed. He accepted the mission assignment, exchanged a few pleasantries, and took his leave. Since they were just starting out on independent missions, they needed to familiarize themselves with the procedures, starting with the easier ones.
"By the way, Ishikawa can just come alone to submit the mission later. There's no need for all three of us to come together, which is too much trouble." Just as he was about to leave, the Third Hokage's voice suddenly sounded meaningfully from behind.
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Ishikawa's heart stirred, but he nodded in response without showing any emotion.
"So, does this mean we can just disband right after we finish our missions?"
"It seems that's what the Hokage means. Looks like I'll have to work hard for you from now on, big brother!"
As soon as he stepped out of the Hokage Building, his two underlings grinned at Ishikawa, clearly gloating. Being spared the need to report to the Hokage Building meant they were far more free than Ishikawa.
"Well, there's nothing I can do about it. Who told me to be the Chunin Captain!" Ishikawa said with a faint smile, then looked around at the two of them with a mischievous expression. "But it doesn't matter if I'm a little tired. I heard from the teacher that, according to custom, the Chunin Captain can take 40% to 60% of the mission reward. Since you're worried about me working hard, I'll take a little more and ask for 60%."
"What?! No way, big brother!!"
"We were wrong. From now on, whatever you say goes, big brother. We'll both do the work, and the pay can't be less..."
"Yes, yes, we have no objection to you taking 40%, you can just watch us do it."
"45% at most, no more than that! Waaaaah..."
In an instant, Tarojiro, who had been gloating for only two seconds, burst into a wail!
To this, Ishikawa simply chuckled and remained noncommittal...
As the two underlings, looking indignant, set the conditions to 48%, the three of them finally arrived at the mission location: Inano Hot Spring.
"It's 40%. I'll be waiting for you here." After handing over the task to the client, Ishikawa leisurely turned to look at the two of them.
"40%? Brother, from now on you're my real brother."
"Brother, you are so kind and righteous! I will go through fire and water for you!"
The two underlings, who had already prepared a 50% discount, suddenly took a dramatic turn for the better and rushed into the bathhouse to start cleaning as if they had been injected with adrenaline.
"Getting 40% without doing any work is enough for daily expenses!" Ishikawa shrugged and muttered, then walked to the side to begin practicing his Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique.
Compared to the small amount of money lost, Ishikawa valued the training time and team relationships saved for him more.
He hadn't originally intended to exploit the two of them; he was just trying to scare them.
Time flies when you're focused on something, and that's how it was with Ishikawa and the others! Amidst their training and sweating, time slipped away and it was already two in the afternoon.
At that moment, Ishikawa, who was taking a nap due to fatigue from his training, was woken up by his two underlings.
"Is it over? Then you two can go home." Looking at the sweating Tarojiro, Ishikawa took the signed authorization form and stretched.
"Thank you for your trouble, brother," the two henchmen replied in unison, without any sign of dissatisfaction.
My brother gave them 20% of his real money as payment, so what's a little hard work? Just consider it exercise!
After watching his two underlings leave, Ishikawa didn't linger and headed straight for the Hokage Building.
If he wasn't mistaken, what the third generation meant today was...
"Ishikawa, Kakashi told me you want me to set up a sealing technique to prevent your brain from being spied on?" The Third Hokage asked solemnly in the Hokage's office after the task was handed over.
Just as I expected.
Ishikawa thought to himself, then looked resolutely at the Third Hokage and nodded in confirmation, "Without Kakashi-sensei, I'm worried something might happen. This is also to protect the village's secret."
"So, I'm begging you, Hokage-sama..."