A lot more goes into a ninja mission than the average person might think, which is why, after agreeing to accept the Springtree mission (lovingly codenamed Birthday Party by Naruto), things don't just end there.
This is our first mission together. Our first mission as a team. There are certain details that need to be ironed out now, while still in the safety of the village and without the pressures of a client to satisfy.
In fact, even if this weren't our first mission, some pre-mission briefing will still need to be done, so the four of us head indoors to do so.
For most ninja teams in the village, this would not be a private activity.
Ordinarily, teams are called in, briefed on whatever mission they're being sent on, approved whatever resources they're expected to need for that mission, then sent on the mission.
But we're not an ordinary team. We're a team on the Jōnin Mentorship Program, colloquially known as the Fast Track.
Of every graduating class in The Academy, there are three teams of three picked out for the Jōnin Mentorship Program (JMP).
The JMP, or Fast Track, is a program that takes the best nine of every graduating year, sets them up in teams, and places those teams under the direct supervision of one of the village's elite ninja, a jōnin, for a period of two years.
On paper, the idea is that, like the name suggests, the jōnin will mentor the young genin, better nurturing their talents and providing elite ninja to secure the village's future.
In reality though, considering it's mostly clan scions (whose training will primarily be overseen by their own clans) that make it into the program, the Fast Track is simply an efficient, and maybe even productive, way for the village to protect future investments.
Any number of things can go wrong on a mission, and having a jōnin close at hand can, and has saved the life of more than one new genin, usually from the consequences of their own recklessness.
Of course, for a team like mine, our jōnin supervisor's duties involve much more than simple babysitting, which is why I'm pleased that Kakashi has so far been stepping up to his responsibilities as our sensei.
"We're going to have to show the flag," Sakura says presently, as we sit together to discuss the fine details of (even in my head I have to restrain a sigh) Mission: Birthday Party.
Unaware of my Naruto-caused inner embarrassment, Sakura continues: "If we're really going there to be show ponies and to, as Naruto said, make their Chief look cool, we'll need to stand out."
Idly, I note how… different Sakura can be in moments like these, when she's applying herself to something or other.
She looks confident, one could even say impressive.
She really should try to be like this more often.
"What do you mean 'stand out'?" Naruto asks.
Sakura shrugs. "You know, wear uniforms, interact with the locals, talk about the village, maybe find an opportunity or two to put up some sort of display of our skill," Sakura says. "I know you don't like this mission because there likely won't be any fighting, but missions like these give the village money with very little risk. If we impress those people enough they might be willing to rake up the cash to make this a yearly thing."
Kakashi smiles. "Well, looks like someone paid attention during their public relations classes," the jōnin says, though not unkindly.
In fact, he looks rather pleased.
Sakura blushes a little.
"Well, if all we have to do is impress them, then that's easy," Naruto says. "I'm very impressionable." He shoots Sakura a thumbs up with all his teeth exposed in a wide smile.
Sakura gives the boy a look that almost looks like pity. "You obviously don't know the meaning of that word."
Getting the discussion back on track, I say; "We're assuming too much."
My teammates look at me.
I elaborate.
"Yes, it's very likely that this Chief, or whoever sent in the request, just wants an excuse to see ninja, but it's also possible that they have genuine security concerns."
"But then wouldn't they have mentioned it?" Sakura asks.
"Maybe they didn't want to risk it," Naruto says.
"Exactly," I agree. "Maybe they were worried that the missive could be intercepted before it got to us. For all we know it's the Chief himself that they need securing from for whatever reason.
"My point is, Springtree is a tiny village out in the middle of nowhere, we know next to nothing about it. We can't let ourselves get carried away by our assumptions."
"So we'll treat it like any other mission then," Sakura says. "We prepare for all possibilities."
Naruto lets out an unsettling laugh. "Damn, I hope that something really crazy is actually going on there and we get to fight like, enemy ninja or something," the blonde says.
"What?" he asks when we keep staring at him.
"Naruto, Springtree is deep into Land of Fire territory, if we come across enemy ninja there that's a very bad sign," Sakura explains.
Naruto blinks. "Oh. Well, I guess we could fight rogue Leaf-nin or something," he amends.
"So now you want Leaf-nin to go rogue?" I ask.
"Look, I don't care who it is, okay?" Naruto says angrily. "I just wanna fight somebody."
We just stare at him.
"Naruto," Kakashi says finally, "you have problems."
The blonde pouts.
I turn to Kakashi. "Anything to add?" I ask.
The jōnin smiles. "Well, you guys seem to figured everything out," he says.
I scowl, a sneaking suspicion rising within me. "This isn't some bullshit mission you made up as some kind of ridiculous test, right?" I ask.
My teammates eyes widen in realization.
"Wait, what?" Sakura asks.
"The mission is fake?" Naruto adds.
Kakashi smiles, his bearing the picture of innocence. "I guess you'll have to go to find out," he says, answering both Naruto's and my question at the same time.
"Kakashi-sensei, seriously?" Sakura asks angrily.
The jōnin giggles.
"He's trying to mess with us," I say. "Let's continue to treat this as a real mission."
"But what if it isn't?" Naruto asks.
"Then we'll still have what we need to pass whatever test he's planning."
My teammates think about it for a minute, then finally, they agree. Neither looks happy about it though, and to be honest, neither am I.
"Oh, Sasuke," Sakura says, clearly remembering something, "can we use your clan's gear for the mission?"
"Hey, that's a great idea, Sakura," Naruto says. "This way I won't have to deal with those annoying quartermasters who're always asking me why I need stuff and what happened to it?"
"And you think I will be any less diligent with my clan's property?" I ask the boy rhetorically.
Naruto gives me a look of genuine disgust. Before he can say anything though, his stomach rumbles. Loudly.
The blonde groans.
"Thanks to you I didn't get to eat today, Kakashi," Naruto says pointing accusatorily at the jōnin. "You know, if you were a good sensei you would treat us to breakfast."
Kakashi sighs, then, to all our surprise, says; "Fine. Let's go eat."
"Wait, what?" Naruto says.
Kakashi rises. "I know a good breakfast place," he says. "Come on." He begins to leave.
With the promise of food, Naruto doesn't hesitate to jump up and follow.
Sakura and I stare at each other. She shrugs and rises too, following behind our sensei and the overexcited blonde.
I get up and follow.
I am pretty hungry.