Problem Child

Upon hearing Kakashi's sudden request, Natsuhiko couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

Compared to Kakashi, this kind of request seemed more like something Obito, with his carefree attitude, would ask for.

"Could it be that Kakashi is already tired of those mundane tasks like catching cats and pulling weeds, and that's why he suddenly wants to join my mission?"

Natsuhiko pondered to himself, then adopted a teacher-like stance, speaking earnestly:

"Kakashi, you've just graduated."

"The most important thing now is to follow your supervising Jōnin and learn how to become a qualified Genin."

"I know those D-rank missions aren't challenging for you, but they're meant to help you and your teammates build chemistry and mutual understanding. It's not just a waste of time..."

However, before Natsuhiko could finish, Kakashi, as if he had anticipated this, calmly said:

"Sensei, actually, I already left that Genin squad a while ago..."

"Huh?"

Kakashi's one sentence made Natsuhiko swallow all the lengthy advice he had prepared, and he looked at Kakashi with a headache:

"It hasn't been that long; how did you already leave your Genin squad?"

Kakashi, still in the same indifferent tone, replied:

"Because even if I hadn't left, they probably would've kicked me out eventually. So, I figured it was better to quit early—it's a good thing for both sides..."

Kakashi then continued, in his calm voice, to recount his recent experiences.

In truth, the situation wasn't that serious. It was just that Kakashi, who was still stubborn, wasn't compatible with his teacher and teammates.

Given that Kakashi's abilities far exceeded those of an average graduate, he wasn't placed with the other new graduates upon graduation. Still, he was instead assigned to a more experienced Genin squad.

Perhaps the Third Hokage intended for these more seasoned members to look after the overly young Kakashi.

But in reality, unlike a newly formed Genin squad, this one had been together for some time, and the members knew each other well.

So, Kakashi, the newcomer, felt like an outsider, finding it hard to fit into their little group.

Due to the age difference and Kakashi's extreme "mission-first" mindset, friction quickly arose between him and his teammates.

Although everyone seemed to accommodate him because of his young age, Kakashi, sensing the significant gap in their philosophies, decisively applied to leave the team not long ago.

Thus, now, without a new team, Kakashi was operating solo, which is why he asked Natsuhiko to let him join his mission.

After hearing Kakashi's explanation, Natsuhiko couldn't help but facepalm and sigh.

He had almost forgotten—this guy is still a problem child.

Natsuhiko vaguely remembered that in the original story, Kakashi went through a similar stubborn phase.

If nothing unexpected happened, he would likely continue joining and leaving teams for various reasons over the next few years until his destined teammates, Obito and Rin, graduated and joined him under Minato, forming their Genin squad.

It was clear that even though Kakashi seemed to have changed a bit after his battle with Obito, even joining a sealing technique research group, the emotional scar left by White Fang's death still hadn't healed. That's why these situations are still happening.

Seeing his teacher sigh, Kakashi felt a pang of unease.

Although he had quit the team decisively at the time, he soon regretted it afterwards.

When he went alone to the mission hall to take on a task, he realised a significant problem.

No one wanted to hire him except for the simplest tasks.

No matter how much of a genius he was, people were reluctant to entrust life-and-death missions to a mere five-year-old boy, regardless of his unparalleled talent.

If he had some significant accomplishments, that would be a different story, but so far, all he had done were those essential D-rank missions.

So Kakashi found himself stuck in a strange loop:

To get missions, he needed accomplishments.

To gain accomplishments, he needed missions.

It was like being stuck in an RPG, and Kakashi felt as if he were drifting further from his goal of restoring his family's name.

Despite his outward calm, he was anxious inside. That's why, upon hearing Natsuhiko had a mission, Kakashi was so eager to promote himself.

"Sensei Natsuhiko, I know my request might be a bit abrupt."

"But I am sincere—I don't need any of the mission rewards. I'll bring my provisions, and I can even handle all the chores along the way. So please consider it."

Kakashi looked up at Natsuhiko, his eyes rarely showing a hint of pleading.

Get it together, Sixth Hokage!

Seeing the ordinarily aloof Kakashi being so humble, Natsuhiko felt a bit uncomfortable...

He quickly used the Multi-Shot Camera Technique to capture Kakashi's expression and keep it as a souvenir.

Blackmail material acquired.

Suddenly, Kakashi felt a chill run down his spine but couldn't figure out why.

He then noticed Natsuhiko thoughtfully stroking his chin, which made him even more nervous. He temporarily forgot the strange chill.

After a tense wait, Kakashi finally heard Natsuhiko slowly say:

"Since you're so insistent, Kakashi, alright then."

"Besides, this mission shouldn't be too dangerous."

Yes!

Hearing Natsuhiko's apparent response, Kakashi clenched his fist, calming his excitement.

Finally, he could get started. And on a mission with a seasoned ninja-like Natsuhiko, no less.

Then Natsuhiko added:

"If you don't have anything else, Kakashi, go pack your things. I'm leaving shortly."

"Understood."

Not wanting to waste any time, Kakashi quickly got up, worried his teacher might change his mind, and hurried to pack his things.

As he was packing for the different tasks ahead, a thought occurred to him.

He stopped and asked:

"Sensei, what's the mission rank and the specific details this time?"

Natsuhiko, as if waiting for this question, smiled and replied:

"S-rank mission: Capture Lady Tsunade..."

...

Half an hour later, Natsuhiko and a backpack-laden Kakashi were walking through the streets of Konoha, heading toward the village gates.

Earlier, Natsuhiko had taken Kakashi to the Hokage building to register and officially add his name to the mission.

Yes, whether it was out of his usual mischief or just wanting to rack up mission points, Master Mito had actually spent money to post this S-rank mission at the mission centre.

Since Kakashi, as a formal Konoha ninja, couldn't leave the village without a mission or permission, Natsuhiko had to bring him along to get the clearance.

The Third Hokage's shadow clone, stationed at the mission centre, was quite surprised to learn Kakashi was joining this mission.

However, like Natsuhiko, he didn't think the mission would be too dangerous, and with Natsuhiko's experience, he approved it without much hesitation.

Even though they had already left the Hokage building some time ago, Kakashi still looked incredulous.

When Natsuhiko had first mentioned the mission details, he thought it was a joke.

But to his surprise, it was real!

How did he go from doing D-rank missions to suddenly jumping to an S-rank mission?

The problematic jump was too big! Even Kakashi, who was usually confident, was worried about his ability to handle this task.

And what was this "Tsunade capture mission" about?

Was this "Tsunade" the same Tsunade-sama he knew?

Was the term "capture" used the way he understood it?

Why would Konoha want the legendary Tsunade, one of the Sannins?

Even Kakashi, who usually didn't read novels, couldn't help but imagine all kinds of dramatic scenarios.

He had the distinct feeling he might have accidentally gotten involved in something huge.

But given his current predicament, Kakashi gritted his teeth and signed the mission scroll.

Though he had resolved himself, Kakashi still looked worried—the Sannin's reputation was too overwhelming. Even that man had praised them.

Could Natsuhiko-sensei and a "bonus" like himself really manage to capture Lady Tsunade?

Kakashi even began to wonder if Natsuhiko-sensei had offended someone to get assigned such a suicidal mission...

Just as a relaxed Natsuhiko and a confused Kakashi approached Konoha's gates, they unexpectedly ran into someone both of them knew very well.

Uchiha Obito.

(End of Chapter)