NARUTO: Ninja World Scientific Revolution

The synergy within a squad is cultivated through time and shared experiences. For Hyuga Mirai's team to successfully cast a Genjutsu on a Konoha Jonin despite their brief acquaintance was proof to their exceptional capabilities. 

Hyuga Mirai, despite having spent a significant amount of time with Kiyo Hyuga, had not developed any real rapport or teamwork with her. From Kiyo's perspective, Mirai's inability to even execute the Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms meant he would likely be defeated within a few moves against a Jonin. 

Mirai, however, had no intention of exerting himself in the test. Instead, he aimed to steer both Kiyo and Kurenai Yuhi into taking action. If not for the small preparations he had made in advance, their performance might have been evaluated even more harshly by Akimichi Fuu. 

After indulging in a hearty meal at a barbecue restaurant, Kurenai's ruby-like eyes were transfixed, stunned by what she had witnessed. Fortunately, she hadn't insisted on footing the bill herself; otherwise, she would have been embarrassed to call her father to settle the check. 

Kurenai couldn't fathom how someone from the Hyuga Clan could have such a voracious appetite. Mirai had single-handedly consumed forty to fifty plates of grilled meat—amounting to nearly ten kilograms. 

Kiyo Hyuga's expression was strained when it came time to pay. Although she was the eldest daughter of the clan's main family, this one meal nearly emptied her purse. Even with her family's generous allowances, hosting a meal like this regularly was out of the question. If Mirai hadn't decided to call it a day to resume training, the feast might have lasted another hour or two. 

---

The next morning, the team gathered in front of the Hokage Building bright and early. Akimichi Fuu arrived precisely at the agreed-upon time, neither early nor late. 

"Let's go and pick up some tasks," he announced before leading the group into the building, with Mirai and the others obediently following behind. 

Task assignments were handled in the Hokage's office, where a few assistants helped process requests. 

Mirai immediately noticed the short figure seated at the central desk—Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage. The Hokage was engrossed in village affairs and didn't so much as glance up at Fuu's team when they arrived. 

Although Mirai possessed medical talents that rivaled even Tsunade's, the report submitted by Nakano had already reached Hiruzen. However, upon learning that Mirai was from the Hyuga Branch Family, Hiruzen lost interest. 

The Caged Bird Seal, which bound the Branch Family, superseded all other forms of control, including even Danzo's seals. Members of the Branch Family owed their primary allegiance to the Main Family before anyone else. 

For the Hokage to deploy members of the Branch Family to the battlefield, prior approval from the Main Family was necessary—a rule strictly observed between the Hyuga Clan and the Hokage's office. This understanding was so firm that not even Danzo's Root contained members of the Hyuga Clan; sensory ninjas were instead sourced from the Yamanaka Clan. 

Both Hiruzen and Danzo knew this balance well. No matter how much effort they poured into nurturing Mirai, the end result would always favor the Main Family of the Hyuga Clan. Accepting this inevitability, they dismissed the thought of personally cultivating Mirai. 

"Let him grow on his own. If the Hyuga Clan wishes to raise a strong medical ninja, they can use their own resources. If Mirai grows stronger, he's still a ninja of Konoha, and I can assign him missions," Hiruzen thought. He adhered to the village's rules, even as he remained steadfast in his Will of Fire. 

Such was Hiruzen's stance toward the Hyuga Branch Family. 

---

When Fuu stepped up to the Hokage's desk, he respectfully said, "Lord Hokage, I'm here to accept missions." 

"Ah, it's you, Fuu. Let me see what's available for your team." Hiruzen picked up a stack of mission scrolls, reviewing them briefly before offering several options. "You can help villagers with farming, drive away wild boars, or assist merchants in moving goods from storage." 

Fuu considered the options before responding. "Lord Hokage, if possible, I'd like to take all three." 

"Oh? Very well," Hiruzen replied with a hint of surprise before agreeing. It was standard for newly graduated Genin teams to start with D-rank missions to gain experience—a rite of passage for all novice ninja. 

Even though Fuu trusted his team's abilities, he wouldn't bypass tradition by jumping directly to C-rank missions. However, by taking on multiple tasks simultaneously, he could accelerate the process. Each member could complete one task independently, expediting their accumulation of mission experience. 

After receiving the assignments, Fuu led the team outside. Opening the scrolls, he handed them to the group. "Pick one. Complete it by 3 PM and meet back here at the Hokage Building." 

Mirai stepped back, motioning for Kiyo and Kurenai to choose first. Among the three tasks, driving away wild boars seemed the easiest, while farming and moving goods appeared physically demanding. 

As former classmates, Kiyo and Kurenai decided to settle the matter with a game of rock-paper-scissors. In the end, Kiyo took the boar task, Kurenai chose to assist the merchants, and Mirai was left with the farming assignment. 

"D-rank missions… what a hassle," Mirai thought as he headed toward the fields. These tasks were practically pointless, offering nothing beyond mission credits. For most rookie Genin, they provided an opportunity to hone chakra control, but Mirai's skills in this area were already advanced enough to use B-rank medical ninjutsu—a level on par with top-tier medics at Konoha Hospital. 

---

After two grueling hours, Mirai finally finished cultivating a large plot of land. Once the client signed off on the task, he headed straight to a ramen shop, downing five bowls in one sitting before he felt slightly satiated. 

"Mirai-kun, have you finished your task?" 

Hearing the familiar voice behind him, Mirai turned to see a pair of crimson eyes he knew well. 

"Kurenai? Yes, my task is done." 

Kurenai's ruby eyes lit up at his reply, though her expression quickly turned sheepish as she asked hesitantly, "Mirai-kun, can you help me with my task? There are so many goods to move, and I don't think I can handle it all alone." 

"Sure." 

"Huh? Really?" Kurenai's eyes widened in disbelief. 

Mirai smiled gently. "I said yes. We're teammates; helping each other is the right thing to do." 

"T-thank you so much, Mirai-kun!" Kurenai exclaimed, genuinely touched. She considered offering to treat him to a meal as thanks, but the memory of his immense appetite at the barbecue stopped her short. Instead, she promised cautiously, "Once I've saved up some mission rewards, I'll treat you to a meal." 

Mirai chuckled and replied, "Let's focus on eating first. Then we can finish the task together." 

"Alright, Mirai-kun." 

With Mirai's assistance, the two completed the task in no time and rested briefly before regrouping at the Hokage Building by 3 PM. 

Seeing the sweat-soaked state of Mirai and Kurenai, Kiyo silently congratulated herself for avoiding the more strenuous tasks. 

After handing in the completed missions, Fuu dismissed the squad for the day, reminding them to reconvene the next morning. He was determined to have them gain enough experience to qualify for C-rank missions as quickly as possible. 

(Chapter End)