090: The Butterfly Effect, a C-Rank Mission!

Half a month had passed since the boss battle, and the title of "Konoha's Little Hero" was becoming increasingly prominent. The little was added later by those who saw how young the actual hero was.

The legendary Nine Nether Heaven-Severing Roaring Immortal-Slaying Great Sword, the weapon used to slay the Blazing Evil Beast, was also gaining notoriety. 

Its power, exaggerated through rumours, became increasingly absurd. Some claimed the greatsword could cut down even the Sage of Six Paths—though those who spread that rumor were swiftly apprehended. 

The legend then morphed into the sword being able to sever the heavens above and pierce the nine hells below, capable of slaying gods and demons with a single swing. 

Simply put, Its popularity exploded.

Unscrupulous merchants, seizing the opportunity, mass-produced peculiar-looking, outrageously flamboyant plastic replicas of the weapon. 

They were a massive hit with children. Natsuki, naturally, was the first to capitalize on this trend.

Groups of children frequently dashed through the streets, brandishing plastic greatswords nearly as tall as themselves.

"Ha! Evil Beast, you can't escape!"

"Obliterate!"

"Netherworld Roaring Demon Slaying Slash!"

Various imitations of Natsuki's dramatic pronouncements echoed throughout the village.

Observing this scene, Natsuki nodded approvingly: 

"Konoha's martial spirit is growing stronger, and the reserve of potential members for my Congregation is steadily increasing. In time, we will surely sweep across all dimensions!" He then promptly ordered the production of more toys, gleefully counting his profits.

For over half a month, Team 8 had taken no missions, focusing on rest and recuperation. 

Since the night she drank too much, Kurenai had been subtly avoiding Natsuki, frequently visiting the hospital for unknown reasons, despite her usually robust health.

Finally, one day, Natsuki secretly followed her and discovered the reason behind her visits. 

She stammered and hesitated for a long time before finally asking the female doctor: "Um... for a 12-year-old boy... down there... being very large... is that normal?"

"Hmm? Very large? How large?" The young female doctor's eyes lit up as she instinctively inquired.

Kurenai instantly regretted her question. This was hardly information to be casually shared! Her brother's specific measurements were for her to know and her alone. Flustered, she sought out other medical ninjas for a second opinion.

"A youthful appearance with... impressive endowment?" The medical ninja seemed to be lost in thought for a moment. "It should be normal. Some people develop differently."

Hearing the confirmation of normalcy, Kurenai finally breathed a sigh of relief.

By this time, the team had rested sufficiently. With no injuries to recover from, further idleness would lead to stagnation. Kurenai summoned Team 8, and they set out once more for the Hokage Tower, which had been swiftly rebuilt after the recent damage.

"Hah! Some missions after all this while! After so many days of rest, I'm practically growing moss!" Kiba exclaimed, his excitement evident as he bounced around like an overeager puppy.

"Woof woof!" Akamaru wholeheartedly agreed with his owner, bouncing along beside him.

"By the way, Teacher Kurenai, can we take on some higher-ranked mission now?" Kiba pleaded. "Doing D-rank missions all these days was so boring! We defeated such a powerful Evil Beast that; we're totally capable of handling greater challenges. Right, Akamaru?"

"Woof!!!"

"See? Akamaru agrees!" Kiba pressed his case.

Kurenai rolled her eyes. Akamaru only barked once! 

She lightly rapped Kiba on the head to quiet him down.

"Did we defeat it? It was the Konoha ninjas, the Hokage, and of course, our Natsuki who resolved the situation."

"Natsuki, what do you think?" Kurenai turned to her brother for his opinion.

"The Eyes of Death have recharged and are ready to accept any challenge," Natsuki declared, his expression stoic, his clothes billowing dramatically around him. 

He struck a pose of otherworldly grace, something he'd picked up while observing the photoshoot for the Hokage.

Kurenai's face twitched. 

She turned to Hinata, who had her hands raised and was using her powers to make Natsuki's robes flutter. "Hinata, what are your thoughts?"

"I'll follow Natsuki," Hinata replied, glancing at Natsuki with a subtle sparkle in her eyes.

'Right, I shouldn't have asked them,' Kurenai thought. 'I'll just decide myself.'

"Well," she said, "Your teacher has been thinking, and D-rank missions are indeed insufficient for your training. So, today we'll take on a C-rank mission." Kurenai had considered the matter carefully. 

These individuals didn't require excessive protection; in fact, it might hinder their growth.

Inside the Hokage Tower, Kurenai requested a C-rank mission directly from the Third Hokage.

"A C-rank mission already?" Hiruzen questioned, glancing at Team 8. 

"You've participated in such a dangerous battle and made such great contributions. You could have rested for a while longer." C-rank missions marked the true beginning of a ninja's career.

Weeding gardens, babysitting, and catching cats were often intentionally assigned to genin as practice. 

However, D-rank was genuinely unsuitable for Team 8; it was a waste of their considerable combat experience.

"The children are ready, Lord Hokage," Kurenai responded, forcing a smile.

Hiruzen eyed Team 8 curiously.

Their expressions had been rather odd since they entered the room. His gaze fell upon the straw hat on his desk.

'Oh no!' In his work-induced fatigue, he'd unconsciously removed his hat. 

'Next time, I should glue it on!' he thought in frustration. 'I must never remove my hat again!'

"Ahem! Let me see which missions are suitable for you," Hiruzen said, his internal panic masked by a calm facade as he seamlessly replaced his hat. 

He unfurled a large mission scroll, scanning the available C-rank tasks.

"Here's one, a C-rank escort mission, perfect for you. You've all been staying in Konoha, your perspectives are inevitably limited. This mission will allow you to experience the culture of another land. It will take some time, however. Will you accept it?" Hiruzen asked with a friendly smile, habitually stroking his beard—or where his beard used to be. 

His face stiffened again as he remembered the fire had claimed that as well. 

Although Natsuki had saved Konoha, Hiruzen couldn't shake the feeling that wherever Natsuki and Hinata were, trouble followed. 

Hinata, in particular, was directly or indirectly connected to both instances of the Hokage Tower's destruction. 

Clearly, their destinies clashed with his. 

It was best to send them far away, to become someone else's problem.

"We accept! It's time to let the people of other lands learn the name of the Mighty Dimensional Lord!" Natsuki declared before Kurenai could respond. 

'Escort mission?... Could it be that mission? The timing seems about right,' he mused.

Hiruzen nodded with relief and summoned an ANBU member. "Go and call Mr. Tazuna."

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