Chapter 5 — The First Mission
Ayato woke to soft morning light brushing across his face. His arms and legs ached from the day before, each movement a stiff reminder of Kakashi's ruthless test. He sat up slowly, rubbing the back of his neck.
Outside his door, he heard the muffled thud of feet and Miyo's high-pitched giggling.
When he stepped into the main room, Ren nearly collided with him, eyes wide and sparkling.
"Did you fight any monsters yet?!" Ren shouted, bouncing in place.
Miyo grabbed his sleeve. "Is Naruto really that loud in person? Everyone in the village talks about him!"
Ayato laughed, trying to pat both their heads at once. "Yeah… he's loud everywhere. Exactly like they say."
Sayo glanced over from the kitchen, eyeing the small bruises on his arms. "Honestly… You look like you rolled down a hill," she scolded lightly. She stepped closer to straighten his collar, smoothing the fabric with careful fingers.
"I'm fine," Ayato insisted, though he couldn't quite hide the wince as she pressed a little too hard on a sore spot.
Sayo finally sighed and handed him a fresh rice ball. "Eat properly today. No skipping meals because of some test."
Daigo set his tea aside, looking up. "Eat well when you can," he said simply. "A strong body carries a heavy load."
Ayato smiled and took it carefully. "I will."
---
By the time he reached Training Field Three, the early fog was lifting, revealing Naruto already bouncing from foot to foot.
"We passed! We passed! I'm basically a real ninja now!" Naruto shouted, fists pumping in the air.
Sakura stood nearby, shaking her head, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "You're being too loud, Naruto…"
Sasuke leaned against a fence post, arms crossed, eyes half-closed as if he hadn't slept at all. But every so often, his gaze flicked to Ayato, thoughtful but unreadable.
Ayato offered a small wave. "Morning."
Sakura returned it shyly. Naruto lunged forward, nearly tripping. "Ayato! We're gonna get a real mission today, right? Like catching a bandit or something?"
Ayato chuckled. "I don't know. Maybe we'll just be cleaning up leaves."
Naruto's face fell so fast Ayato had to stifle another laugh.
---
Kakashi appeared in his usual lazy fashion, book in hand. He paused, glanced up at them, and let out a small, exaggerated sigh.
"You're all… energetic today," he muttered.
Naruto sprang forward, eyes shining. "What's our first mission?! Tell me it's something amazing!"
Kakashi turned a page calmly. "Our first official missions start today… D-rank assignments."
Naruto froze. "…D-rank?"
Kakashi finally lowered his book, eye curving upward. "Yes. Tasks like weeding gardens, cleaning riverbanks, or… catching Tora, the runaway cat."
Naruto's wail echoed through the field. "A CAT?! That's not a ninja mission!!"
Sasuke clicked his tongue, turning away. Sakura winced. Ayato only shook his head slightly, a small, patient smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
---
Their first mission turned out to be exactly that: catching Tora, the Hokage's wife's famously spoiled cat.
Naruto dashed around the training field first, arms pumping wildly. Tora zipped between bushes, scratching and hissing.
Sakura tried calling softly, hands outstretched. "Here, Tora… good kitty…" The cat smacked her straight across the face before disappearing again.
Sasuke moved next, cool and sharp, almost grabbing Tora by the scruff before the cat slipped out at the last second, leaving a long scratch down his sleeve.
Ayato stayed back, watching carefully. He inhaled, forming a single seal.
Fire Release: Ember Spark Technique.
A small orange glow flickered in his throat before rising into his mouth. Normally it would shoot forward as a tight spark — but Ayato pushed chakra through it differently, forcing it to soften and spread.
The spark fanned out mid-air, thinning into a gentle, glowing mist that rolled low across the grass.
Tora froze, pupils wide, then slowly padded forward, enchanted, before stepping neatly into Ayato's waiting hands.
Naruto gaped, jaw practically on the ground. "What… How did you…?!"
Ayato only shrugged lightly. "You just have to guide it… not chase it."
Sasuke turned away sharply, though Ayato noticed a tiny flicker of interest in his eyes. Sakura stared between them, stunned.
---
When they brought Tora back to the Hokage's office, Naruto's face was covered in scratches, and he muttered endlessly about ramen.
The Hokage accepted the cat with a tired smile. "Excellent work. Tora seems… calmer than usual."
Naruto groaned, practically collapsing. "This is the worst mission ever…"
Outside the office, Kakashi dismissed them with a lazy wave. "Good job today. Rest up."
Naruto bolted toward the nearest food stall, Sakura chasing after him. Sasuke hesitated for a moment, eyes shifting briefly to Ayato, then followed without a word.
Ayato lingered for a moment longer, watching the others' backs.
---
When he finally walked home, the sun was sliding low, turning the rooftops warm and gold.
That evening, after dinner, he stepped out to the porch. Haruma sat nearby, whittling a small piece of wood in his lap.
"You're back late," Haruma said, not looking up.
Ayato settled beside him. "We caught a cat."
Haruma snorted quietly. "A true shinobi's work."
Ayato smiled, leaning back against the wooden post. For a long moment, they both sat in easy silence.
Finally, Haruma glanced sideways. "How was it? Working with them."
Ayato thought for a moment, then shrugged. "Messy… but not bad."
Haruma let out a low hum, returning to his carving. "You'll figure it out."
Ayato nodded, watching the final traces of light fade beyond the village walls. He wasn't sure what kind of ninja he'd be yet — but today felt like a good start.