ALL NOVEL Chapter 70: Continuous Tasks
Chapter
71: Continuous Tasks
Money is crucial for ninjas,
especially those at the middle and lower levels. The saying "poor in
literature and rich in martial arts" is universal in the world of ninjas.
Team 7's second C-rank mission was
an ordinary escort mission without any accidents. Along the way, they
encountered some robbers and bandits, but these were no match for ninjas.
Safely escorting the caravan to Kyoto marked the successful completion of the
mission.
For Menma, Sasuke, and Naruto, it
didn't feel very significant, but for Haruno Sakura, it was meaningful. It
helped relax her mentality and eased her tension, an aspect Kakashi-sensei
deliberately arranged. Although Haruno Sakura didn't hold a very important
position in the team, she was his subordinate and showed great potential worth
cultivating.
In previous chakra control training,
Haruno Sakura demonstrated unique talent, completing the training in just one
day while others took several days. Kakashi-sensei recognized her extraordinary
talent and value. Under the special system of the ninja village, the
relationship between the leader ninja and the team members is strong, second
only to the master and apprentice relationship.
Watching Sakura gradually adapt to
the rhythm of a ninja, Kakashi-sensei nodded in approval. Adaptability is a
basic ability ninjas must have. Many young ninjas who have just graduated
struggle to adapt to the real rhythm of a ninja and the cruel reality they
face. Some choose to retire after a mission, ending their ninja career, a
phenomenon not shown much in the original work but existent. Kakashi's peers
also faced similar issues, with some having mental breakdowns after witnessing
the horrors of the front line.
Kakashi-sensei had similar concerns
about Sakura during the first mission in the Land of Waves. However, he found
that while Sakura had many problems, adaptability wasn't one of them. 'It seems
she is indeed a good seedling worth cultivating,' Kakashi thought.
In fact, the original work explains
this point well. The initial negative perception of Sakura fades as her growth
becomes evident, both in terms of ninja talents and mentality.
A smooth C-rank mission helped
Haruno Sakura gain confidence and adapt to being a ninja. Kakashi-sensei
gradually understood the strengths and weaknesses of his four subordinates.
Team 7 received various C-rank missions, such as escorting caravans, clearing
ferocious beasts, patrolling designated areas, protecting special personnel,
and stealing confidential documents.
For ninjas, the only criterion for
executing tasks is whether they can do it. Concepts like justice are irrelevant
to ninjas; only tasks matter. This is the kind of education Kakashi received
since childhood, and he taught the four members of Team 7 similarly.
Under Team 7's high efficiency, the
number of tasks they performed accumulated rapidly, far exceeding what an
ordinary newly graduated team could accept. In just two or three months, the
number of C-rank tasks performed and completed by Team 7 matched some senior
Genin teams that graduated two years ago. They all handled C-rank tasks easily,
even Sakura.
This improvement in personal
strength and confidence from accumulated experience allowed Kakashi-sensei to
lead Team 7 to their first real B-rank mission. Although the opponents were
just wandering ninjas, it provided significant training. Battles with ordinary
people or beasts mostly accumulated mission execution experience. B-rank
missions were the start of real ninja training.
Team 7 had already surpassed other
teams, including those led by Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi, who were just starting to
do C-rank missions. If Team 7 continued at this frequency, they would soon be
eligible for promotion to Chunin.
As the missions continued, the bond
between Team 7 members strengthened. They began to rely on each other and trust
in one another's abilities.
During one mission to clear
ferocious beasts from a village, Naruto recalled how Menma had taken charge.
Menma strategized their approach, utilizing each member's strengths. When a
giant boar charged at them, Menma directed Sasuke to create a diversion with
fire-style jutsu, while Naruto and Sakura trapped it using Earth Release. The
teamwork led to their success, and it was then that Naruto realized the
importance of Menma's leadership.
Another mission involved protecting
a diplomat traveling through dangerous territory. They faced multiple ambushes,
and Sakura remembered how Sasuke had saved her from a kunai aimed at her back.
It was a turning point for her, seeing Sasuke's dedication to protecting his
teammates. "Thank you, Sasuke-kun," she had whispered, and his brief
nod of acknowledgment had meant everything to her.
In a mission to steal confidential
documents from a rival village, they had to rely on stealth and precision.
Menma led the infiltration, guiding Naruto and Sasuke through intricate traps.
Sakura's chakra control allowed her to disarm several traps, showcasing her
growing confidence. As they completed the mission successfully, Menma praised
Sakura's quick thinking, solidifying their bond further.
Time moved towards the predetermined
plot events and entered the midsummer season. One morning, at the Hokage
Building, dozens of ninjas wearing Konoha uniform vests gathered in Sarutobi
Hiruzen's office. Among them were Chunin and Jonin, all captains leading Genin
teams. Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai Yuhi stood among them, along with several
teachers from the Ninja School, including Iruka.
Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned this group
to his office for a simple reason. "This time, the Chunin Exam will be
jointly held by our Konoha and the Sand Village. The participating teams from
various countries have arrived. We Konoha need to determine the final list of
participants. In addition to the previously reported teams, are there any ninja
leaders who want to recommend their own teams?" Sarutobi Hiruzen sat on
his main seat, puffing out smoke as he spoke.