In the Hokage's office, the Sandaime looked up with a smile, clearly in a good mood.
"Kakashi, how's your rest?"
"It's good. Is there a mission today?" Kakashi asked, his tone calm yet attentive.
"Yes," replied the Sandaime. "As you know, the village is severely lacking manpower at the moment, so we need you to handle several missions."
"I understand."
The Sandaime nodded before tossing a scroll to Kakashi. "This mission is a protection assignment. The client is a businessman who needs to transport a shipment from the Land of Fire to the Land of Wind."
"The Land of Wind?" Kakashi echoed, slightly surprised.
"Yes. Although we maintain friendly relations with the Land of Wind, the region is currently unstable," the Sandaime explained.
"What's happening?" Kakashi asked curiously.
"The One-Tailed Jinchūriki, Bunpuku, is nearing the end of his life. Sunagakure is likely preoccupied with finding a new host, so their security measures are heightened."
"I see," Kakashi replied thoughtfully. Internally, he considered the timeline. 'It's nearly December now. I remember Gaara was born in January, so Shukaku will be sealed into him in just over a month.'
The Sandaime continued, "Proceed cautiously while in the Land of Wind and avoid unnecessary complications."
"Understood!" Kakashi said firmly.
"The mission details are in the scroll. Be careful and return swiftly. The village depends on your strength," the Sandaime added, his tone filled with concern.
"Of course, Hokage-sama." Kakashi bowed slightly before vanishing.
As the door closed behind him, the Sandaime sighed, turning back to the towering pile of paperwork. The weight of the Hokage's responsibilities was evident. He mused briefly, "Kakashi's attitudes both in seeking strength to protect others or being laid back to memorialize Obito's actions both push him away from anything not directly related to the field." He sighs again. "I wonder if I can throw the position onto him while his guard is down."
At home, Kakashi unrolled the scroll and examined its contents carefully.
"The mission involves protecting a businessman named Ryuga and his caravan as they travel from a town in the Land of Fire to the Land of Wind. The journey is long, and with the caravan's pace, it'll take about a month to complete."
His eyes narrowed as he analysed further. "It's an A-rank mission, which implies there's a significant threat—likely shinobi targeting the shipment. The cargo is described as rare and expensive metals, possibly enticing enough for smaller shinobi villages like Ochagakure in the Land of Tea, which we'll pass along the way. That village is impoverished, so it wouldn't be surprising if they're eyeing this shipment. But how does the client know this? Usually, caravan protection is a B-rank mission. For him to pay for an A-rank, there's more to him than meets the eye."
Kakashi's mind raced. "This Ryuga isn't a typical businessman."
While he felt the mission was complicated, Kakashi was confident in his abilities. With his recent training in the Eight Gates, his strength had grown. His Mangekyō Sharingan was reasonably combat-ready, so if necessary, it provided a significant trump card against any real threats that he otherwise couldn't handle. As long as he didn't encounter anyone beyond Kage-level strength, he could manage.
Resolved, he prepared his supplies, packed them into scrolls, and strapped his Millennium Sword to his back.
On the way, he passed Jiraiya's home. Finding it empty, he noticed a note on the door: "Gone travelling."
Kakashi sighed. "Jiraiya-sensei is already wandering the world. A pity—I'd hoped to see him before this mission." Still, he vowed to impress Jiraiya with his growth the next time they met and to seek his guidance then.
The next morning, Kakashi set out with the Sandaime's pass and reached the rendezvous point by sunset. It was a bustling town where he quickly located the client, Ryuga, in a small pub.
Ryuga was a man of medium build, about Kakashi's height, clad in a simple grey-white robe. He looked to be in his thirties, with a calm demeanour and a gentle smile.
Sitting at a corner table, Ryuga sipped sake while enjoying sashimi. His relaxed air was almost unnerving.
Kakashi approached, his mask concealing his guarded expression.
"You must be Konoha's shinobi," Ryuga said without looking up, his voice calm yet confident.
"Yes, and you're Ryuga-san, the mission's employer?"
"Indeed." Ryuga's smile widened slightly. "I'm surprised they sent someone so young. You must be a prodigy."
Kakashi felt a flicker of suspicion. "Thank you for the compliment, Ryuga-san."
"Haha, would you care for a drink?" Ryuga offered, raising his glass.
"Thank you, but I don't drink while on a mission," Kakashi declined politely.
"A shame," Ryuga remarked, his smile never faltering as he took another sip.
Watching him closely, Kakashi thought, 'He's far too composed. Most clients would question my capability because of my age, yet he's unfazed. This mission will be anything but simple.'
Despite the uncertainty, Kakashi's pulse quickened—not with fear, but with anticipation.
'Millennium, whose blood will you draw this time?' he thought, gripping his sword.