Chapter 12: The Difficulty of Missions Cannot Be Lumped Together!
Chapter 12: The Difficulty of Missions Cannot Be Lumped Together!
Why spies again?
Nara Keisuke followed behind Tsunade, quickly scanning the mission information on the panel.
But, another B-rank mission?
'The B-rank shinobi combat mission I triggered yesterday was rated B-rank because the enemy was a Jōnin.'
After Browse the mission information, Nara Keisuke's brow furrowed slightly.
'But for today's B-rank mission, Tsunade clearly said that the strength of those low-level Iwagakure spies is at most Chūnin!'
'Is this a mistake by the
Nara Keisuke carefully considered the panel functions he had figured out so far.
'According to the panel's strength-level classification, E-rank is for academy students, D-rank for Genin, C-rank for Chūnin, and B-rank for Jōnin.'
'The difficulty of shinobi combat missions is also classified according to the enemy's strength level.'
'But the ninja commissioned missions issued by Konoha...'
Knowledge about missions taught at the academy flashed through Nara Keisuke's mind. In Konoha Village, the difficulty of ninja missions was divided into five levels, from the lowest D-rank to the highest S-rank. Among them, C-rank and D-rank missions generally did not involve combat. B-rank missions would clearly state the presence of an enemy, but their strength would only be Chūnin level or below. Only A-rank and S-rank missions would involve Jōnin, ninja squads, or even "Kage-level" existences.
'This means there's a level gap between the <
A glint flashed in Nara Keisuke's eyes, and he felt a little pleased.
'For the same B-rank mission, a combat mission requires facing a Jōnin, while a commissioned mission only requires facing a Chūnin!'
'The key is... whether it's a combat mission or a commissioned mission, the reward is a B-rank Shinobi Secret Scroll!'
The difficulty of missions cannot be lumped together. If given a choice between B-rank missions, Nara Keisuke would definitely choose the less difficult "commissioned mission."
'But correspondingly, commissioned missions are more tedious, while combat missions are more direct and concise...'
'You never cease to amaze, <
Nara Keisuke closed the panel. At this moment, another question popped into his mind.
'Since Konoha can act as a client and issue commissioned missions, can other people, or rather, can I issue a commissioned mission to myself?'
Nara Keisuke decided to find some time to test the "mission commission function" of the <
"Big Sis Tsunade."
Nara Keisuke omitted a word; he wasn't used to using reduplicated words when addressing people.
"I have some questions I'd like to ask."
"Go ahead."
Tsunade slowed her pace, and the two walked side by side towards Konoha Village.
Nara Keisuke kept his eyes straight ahead.
"First, if I remember correctly, B-rank missions issued by the village are for Chūnin and even Jōnin. I'm just a reserve Genin. I shouldn't be able to accept a mission of this level, right?"
"That's right. So this B-rank mission was accepted under my name. You're just here to assist me."
Tsunade clasped her hands behind her back and said with a grin.
"Actually, what happened yesterday could have easily been rated an A-rank mission. It's just that Konoha doesn't have a system for retroactively assigning missions. At most, they'll just add an A-rank mission record to your service history."
Nara Keisuke nodded, accepting Tsunade's explanation. He continued, "Second question, why me?"
"What do you mean, 'why'?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. She bent down and poked Nara Keisuke's cheek with her finger.
"You were the one who dealt with that Iwagakure Jōnin! Besides you, who else could do this mission?"
Actually, there were others. Konoha rarely had a backlog of missions. A large number of young and strong ninja were waiting to do missions to earn money! Tsunade had simply taken advantage of the fact that no one else had discovered this B-rank [Apprehend the Spies] mission yet and accepted it ahead of time. Who else but her would have been the first to discover this mission scroll when reporting to the old man last night? Although, what she discovered wasn't just this mission, but another ninjutsu scroll as well...
Nara Keisuke silently shifted a short distance to the side, away from Tsunade's fingertip. He was especially a fan of big-breasted blondes. He really couldn't handle Tsunade's intimate little gestures. If their relationship was really that close and familiar, Nara Keisuke guaranteed he could sweet-talk Tsunade for a whole month without interruption, reservation, or repetition. His mouth would move closer, her lips would meet his, and they would speak mouth-to-mouth, so the words could go straight into her heart without taking the long way around.
But in the end, even counting today, this was only their second meeting. Nara Keisuke wasn't a lone wolf seeking solitude. Being in a foreign land, lonely and cold, it was inevitable to want to find someone to play with... emotionally. However, Nara Keisuke wasn't so full of himself as to make a rash move.
Tsunade withdrew her finger and straightened up, arching an eyebrow. She really liked this type of shy, introverted little boy!
"I'll reluctantly accept that explanation."
Nara Keisuke took a deep breath.
"Third question, have you thought about how you're going to deal with the enemies?"
"Can't I just leave that kind of thing to you?"
Tsunade's eyes crinkled with a smile.
"You took down a Jōnin all by yourself! And the Nara clan's secret arts are very insidious... uh, I mean, they're best for backstabbing... sneak attacks... binding... you know, that kind of thing."
It's the day after my academy graduation, and you're throwing me against Chūnin? The corner of Nara Keisuke's mouth twitched.
But Tsunade's words did have some truth to them. The Nara clan's [Shadow Secret Arts] were indeed difficult to guard against. Paired with Nara Keisuke's [Lacquer Eye] jutsu, which completely omitted the time-consuming process of hand seals, even a Jōnin could fall for this combo if they weren't careful.
Facing Chūnin it is! It's a good opportunity to test my current strength level.
"Last question—"
"Why do you have so many questions today? Fine, ask away!"
"Today is the team assignment day for academy graduates. Although I don't have to participate, I need to report to the Beast Rearing and Therapy Class on time."
"No need."
"Hmm?"
"You haven't been to the Medical Department yet, have you? The Head of the Medical Department is none other than me, you know!"
Tsunade lifted her chin slightly, gave a thumbs-up, and pointed it at herself.
"Get it? Little intern of the Medical Department~ So now, come do a mission with your big sis department head!"
...
Inside Konoha Village.
Based on the mission intelligence provided by Tsunade, the two soon arrived near the district where the first Iwagakure spy was located.
"My identity is too conspicuous. Moving around the village with you will interfere with the operation."
Tsunade patted Nara Keisuke's shoulder with the air of a seasoned veteran.
"So I'll just—"
Nara Keisuke abruptly cut off Tsunade's attempt to slip away.
"Transformation Technique."
"Hmm?"
"I mean, you can use the Transformation Technique to change into someone around my age."
Nara Keisuke said very calmly.
"Two kids moving around together won't attract any attention."
You've got to be kidding me. This big sucker was the one who actively brought this B-rank mission! Nara Keisuke didn't expect to be carried through the mission, but he would absolutely not let the big sucker slack off and be lazy! He hadn't even started slacking off yet!
Tsunade stared fixedly at Nara Keisuke and retreated under his unyielding gaze.
"Sigh..."
Life isn't easy; the sucker sighed.
"Transformation Technique!"
With a puff of smoke, the wealthy and generous blonde older sister instantly transformed into an impoverished and stingy blonde loli.
Faced with this flat-chested loli, Nara Keisuke's heart instantly became as still as water.
"Let's move!"
Nara Keisuke gave Little Tsunade a tactical hand signal, indicating for her to follow his steps.
Little Tsunade pouted. She wanted to cross her arms to show her authority, but her "authority" had already disappeared along with her transformation. And for some reason, after becoming small, Tsunade inexplicably felt that Nara's attitude towards her had also changed somewhat.
'Such a cold Nara! I really should have just slipped away earlier!'
Little Tsunade puffed out her cheeks and, under the pressure of Nara Keisuke's gaze, reluctantly moved her short little legs.
A few minutes later, using the character sketch they had obtained beforehand, Nara Keisuke and Little Tsunade successfully found the Iwagakure spy in the district. The two pretended to be window-shopping and playing, unknowingly approaching the spy's position.
The moment their bodies crossed paths, their shadows overlapped.
[Shadow Paralysis Jutsu]!
A trace of blackness flashed in Nara Keisuke's eyes as he decisively activated his shadow secret art, firmly pinning the Iwagakure spy to the spot.
The spy, who had been disguised as a civilian, belatedly realized his movements were severely restricted, and a look of intense shock flashed in his eyes.
'Why can't I move?! Could it be that my identity has been discovered?'
The Iwagakure ninja who could handle spy work were still quite mentally tough. He soon realized that he was only restricted and hadn't been attacked.
'Create a panic and escape!'
The Iwagakure spy instantly decided on a strategy and shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Help! Help! A Konoha ninja is beating up a civilian!"
The [Shadow Paralysis Jutsu] could restrict the enemy's movements, but it couldn't restrict their mouth. Nara Keisuke hadn't expected this spy to think so quickly on his feet and start shouting after being controlled.
'He really is just a kid, not much mission experience...'
Little Tsunade sighed and face-palmed. Her figure flashed, and her palm brushed against the back of the spy's neck like a light breeze. The condensed chakra transformed into a strong neural current, striking the latter's brain.
One second, the Iwagakure spy was screaming his head off. The next, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
But the disturbance he caused still attracted the attention of many people.
Green flak jackets, black hair, red eyes.
The Uchiha's Military Police Force!
(End of Chapter)