"Eh? Another C - rank mission? It can't be another bandit - killing mission, right?"
Yuuhi Mahiro had accepted a C - rank mission, and the three of them highly suspected it was another mission that would involve bloodshed.
"No, this time it's an escort mission. The one who hired us is a wealthy merchant from the Fire Country. He hopes we can escort him to the Land of Hot Water and then escort him back. He'll be responsible for our food, accommodation, and clothing during this period. All we need to do is ensure his safety. Besides us, another team has also taken this mission, and we'll be acting together."
This wasn't a dangerous mission, and it was just the right thing to let these young ones relax.
"The Land of Hot Water? I've heard that the hot springs there are a specialty."
"Yeah, although Konoha also has hot springs, I'd like to try the characteristic hot springs of other countries."
"Speaking of which, doesn't your family live on the Hot Spring Street, Kiyosuke?"
"Ah, yes. Although my home is on the Hot Spring Street, I rarely go to soak. After all, there's a hot spring in my house." Kiyosuke said. He actually wanted to turn his home into a bathhouse, but he was still young and didn't have the ability. Moreover, the hot spring wasn't very big, and after soaking in it often, it became just ordinary. It was nice enough that he didn't need to prepare bath water every night.
"You have a hot spring at home? No wonder your skin is so good." Kurenai said enviously.
Kiyosuke had very good skin, which even made her, a girl, envious.
"It's nothing, nothing. It's natural! It definitely has nothing to do with soaking in the hot spring!"
At this moment, Yuuhi Mahiro coughed, interrupting their conversation. "Go home and pack your luggage. Take some change of clothes and essential ninja tools. You don't need to bring anything else. Travel light. We'll meet at the gate in half an hour. The team that will be with us will also be waiting there!"
"Yes!"
The three of them immediately ran home to prepare their change of clothes.
Kiyosuke just packed some change of clothes and a novel to kill time on the way. He put on his backpack and left home. By the way, he sent a note to Orochimaru with a snake, indicating that he was going on a mission and wouldn't be able to come for a few days.
To be honest, although Uncle Snake was cold, he wasn't that difficult to approach. He just didn't talk much. Well, that was about him now.
Who knew what would happen in the future...
At the gate of Konoha
Kiyosuke arrived early. Yuuhi Mahiro was already waiting there. A sedan chair was placed nearby, and beside it was a chubby, seemingly kind - looking middle - aged man. Next to the middle - aged man, a handsome guy with blond hair and blue eyes was talking to him.
He was wearing the jonin's green vest, with a blue tight - fitting outfit inside. His smile was sunny, giving people a great impression. He was a warm - hearted guy.
Hmm, his looks are on par with mine!
Kiyosuke took a look and affirmed this.
"Teacher Mahiro!"
He greeted and came to Yuuhi Mahiro's side.
"Mr. Yuuhi, are these your subordinates? They're really early!" The warm - hearted guy spoke with a tone somewhat similar to Yoshikage Kira. It sounded a bit lewd. Although Kiyosuke knew who this person was, he couldn't help but think of that famous scene.
Yoshikage Kira: Speaking of which, this is a bit lewd...
You guys shouldn't confuse the seiyuu with the character.jpg
Cough! Cough!
Fortunately, Minato Namikaze wanted to become the Hokage of Konoha, not an office worker longing for a peaceful life.
"Not bad. This is the instructor of Team 7, Minato Namikaze. He's a reliable person. Minato, this is my subordinate, Asakawa Kiyosuke."
"Hello, Teacher Minato."
"Hello, Kiyosuke - kun."
Minato greeted him with a smile. His smile was gentle and impeccable. As expected of the future Fourth Hokage, the Yellow Flash of Konoha.
"Kiyosuke - kun and Obito are classmates, right? You can have a good chat later."
"Uh, I hope he won't be late."
After all, Obito was a god - like person who could be late seven times in six school days.
Hearing this, Minato smiled bitterly. Obito was a very hard - working kid. Although he was from the Uchiha clan, his personality was completely different from that of the Uchiha clan. He was cheerful, optimistic, and helpful. But the only drawback was that he was prone to being late.
"It's hard to say, but he just went home to get something. He shouldn't be late, right?"
"It's really uncertain."
Minato was also helpless.
At this moment, a figure landed. It was a silver - haired teenager, carrying a short sword on his back, wearing a black tight - fitting outfit, with iron gauntlets on his arms. His face was covered by a mask as if he didn't want to be seen, and only a pair of dead - fish eyes were exposed.
The genius of Konoha, Kakashi Hatake!
"Teacher Minato." The young Kakashi's voice was flat, carrying an aloofness that kept people at a distance.
This was quite normal. His father, Sakumo Hatake, was spurned by the villagers due to a failed mission and committed suicide in despair. Witnessing the tragic end of his father had caused great trauma to Kakashi's young heart. He spent only one year at the Ninja Academy and then applied to graduate. The next year, he became a chunin.
"Kakashi, you're really early. This is your former classmate, Kiyosuke."
"Yo, Kakashi." The poker - face now, the funny guy in the future...
So, Guy - sensei is amazing!
Only he could turn Kakashi into that.
In response to Kiyosuke's greeting, Kakashi nodded politely and stood quietly beside Minato. It was quite awkward.
Minato smiled bitterly. This team was not easy to lead!
Not long after, Asuma, Kurenai, and the only girl in Minato's team, Rin Nohara, also arrived at the gate one after another.
With Rin's appearance, Minato finally felt less awkward. After all, Kakashi was cold - natured, and because he didn't spend much time at the academy, it was normal that he wasn't familiar with Kiyosuke and the others.
Rin was different. They graduated together and had a good relationship. Rin had told him that she, Obito, and Kiyosuke had a pretty good relationship. Well, Obito was occasionally bullied.
"That guy is late again as expected!" Kakashi said, dissatisfied.
Since the time was set, it should be followed. People like Obito really annoyed him.
"Haha, Obito is still the same!"
"Yeah, yeah. Didn't you call him, Rin?"
Kiyosuke asked with a smile.
"Um, I called him when I left home. He said he'd come right away and asked me to go first." Rin said, looking embarrassed.
"Yeah, so he probably met some old person who needed help on the way."
On the other side, because the appointed time had passed, Minato had already started explaining to the employer, Mr. Kazama, and kept apologizing. Mr. Kazama was a merchant who always adhered to agreements. He was very unhappy about this kind of thing. But considering that he needed their protection on the way later, he didn't say much.
Minato was also helpless. He hoped Obito wouldn't be late for too long. Otherwise, this C - rank mission might be ruined.
He didn't care much about the reward, but it was really unacceptable to lose the mission because of being late.