11-20

*Chapter 11: The Genius (Part 2)*

Hattori began farming experience, while Mizusuna was left utterly stunned on the sidelines.

She’d never seen a medical ninja switch between techniques so effortlessly; the speed with which he switched made her head spin.

"Even I can’t switch medical techniques with such precision and ease. For him to do it like this—he’s clearly mastered these techniques to perfection. It’s almost unbelievable...is this what they call a genius?"

Thinking about it, her gaze at Hattori shifted from admiration to something more complex, tinged with envy and jealousy.

Meanwhile, Hattori, busy “farming experience,” had no time for distractions. One hand was pressing down on the multicolored Mandrake Lizard, while the other rapidly switched between Chakra Scalpel and Healing Technique, basking in the joy of soaring experience points.

Soon enough, his chakra was nearly depleted, but he had successfully leveled up twice.

- *Name:* Hattori

- *Level:* 13

- *HP:* 132/132

- *MP:* 15/125

- *EXP:* 80/130

- *Specialty:* Medical

- *Combat Rating:* C

With his remaining MP, he could still cast Chakra Scalpel and Healing Technique once more, but he didn’t want to risk fainting from depleted MP like last time—losing control felt too uncomfortable.

“Phew…that’s enough for today.”

He let out a deep breath, then put the "abused" Mandrake Hattori back in its cage before finally looking up and giving Mizusuna a big grin.

“I feel much more in control of the Chakra Scalpel and Healing Technique now. Mizusuna, I really owe you for this—thank you so much!”

He finished with a bow of gratitude.

Seeing this, Mizusuna snapped out of her daze and started waving her hands.

“No, no…it was nothing. I was just doing my job, really—it’s not a big deal. Lord Hattori, you don’t have to be so polite. If you ever need anything, just let me know.”

“Great, I’ll be counting on you from now on!”

Hattori nodded, picked up the cage with the Mandrake Lizard, and smiled at Mizusuna again.

“This little cutie will be staying with me for a while. By the way, Mizusuna, what does it eat? Bugs?”

Mizusuna nodded, “Yes, it eats bugs, but its main food source is the desert mandrake, a plant with a strong paralytic toxin.”

“Oh, I get it now! No wonder it’s called the Mandrake Lizard!”

“Haha, exactly!”

Seeing Hattori’s look of realization, Mizusuna chuckled and took the cage from him.

“Leave the care to me. If you need it, you can pick it up from me anytime. Anything else, Lord Hattori?”

“No…” Hattori started to say but then caught himself. “Actually, yes. Mizusuna, could I get a soldier pill?”

Soldier pills were common in the ninja world, made from high-calorie food and herbs. Not only did they serve as portable rations, but they were also a chakra replenishment aid.

Since Hattori was low on MP from leveling up, he thought he’d try a soldier pill to see if it could restore his MP.

Mizusuna didn’t know the details, so she handed him a small pack of ten soldier pills from her ninja pouch.

“There are ten pills here, enough to sustain a ninja for three days. Take them; if it’s not enough, come back to me. But don’t take too many at once.”

“Got it. I’ll try one now.”

Hattori tossed a soldier pill into his mouth, chewed it a few times, and swallowed.

Almost instantly, he felt full, and a line of blue text floated before his eyes.

*+100 MP*

It worked!

Seeing his chakra gauge refill by 100 points, Hattori was thrilled.

“Just as I thought! The soldier pill replenishes MP. The only drawback is it might make you feel too full, but it’s a small price to pay—I can keep farming experience!”

With that, he took the Mandrake Lizard out of the cage again and, to Mizusuna’s bewilderment, resumed his training.

Leveling up was pure joy, and he couldn’t stop! Before he’d used up his 100 MP, Hattori had leveled up twice more, and his stats had changed again.

- *Name:* Hattori

- *Level:* 15

- *HP:* 156/156

- *MP:* 65/145

- *EXP:* 10/150

- *Specialty:* Medical

- *Combat Rating:* C

At last, he saw the long-awaited skill unlock notification!

*[Unlocked Medical Ninjutsu: Revitalizing Regeneration Technique]*

With the new skill unlocked, the Chakra Scalpel was no longer useful for farming experience, so Hattori stopped and started examining his newly unlocked healing skill.

*Revitalizing Regeneration Technique: A powerful restoration jutsu that can regenerate muscle tissue and can be performed with multiple medical ninjas for continuous treatment of large wounds. Used for saving critically injured patients, it stops major bleeding and restores significant HP, consuming 15 MP per use.*

A recovery jutsu capable of muscle regeneration?

After reading the description, Hattori turned to Mizusuna and said, “Mizusuna, cut off the Mandrake Lizard tail for me!”

“Huh? Oh, okay!”

Surprised at first, Mizusuna quickly nodded, pulled out a kunai, and with a swift “swish,” sliced off the Lizard tail.

“Grrr…”

The tailless Mandrake Lizard let out a low groan and began to thrash.

Hattori held it firmly with one hand and quickly placed his other hand on the severed tail, activating his healing jutsu.

*Revitalizing Regeneration Technique!*

With the jutsu in effect, the bleeding from Lizard stump stopped instantly, and the stump began to sprout new tissue at a visible rate.

A minute later, a brand-new tail had grown, and a purple line of text, visible only to Hattori, appeared before his eyes.

*[EXP +60]*

Mizusuna, seeing this, gaped, taking a long ten seconds to finally shriek in surprise.

“A…this isn’t just a healing jutsu! It’s the Revitalizing Regeneration Technique—a powerful medical jutsu that only a handful of ninjas at the Hidden Sand Village Hospital can perform. I can’t believe you even learned this!”

Unable to contain her excitement, she clasped Hattori’s shoulders with both hands, her face radiating joy.

“Incredible! Lord Hattori, in just one day, you mastered both the Chakra Scalpel and Revitalizing Regeneration Technique. You’re not just a medical prodigy…you’re the most gifted medical ninja in the history of the Hidden Sand Village!”

Hattori: (ω`)

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 12: Meeting the Kazekage *

Faced with Mizusuna enthusiasm, Hattori felt nothing but calmness, even a bit sleepy.

"Guess a full stomach really does make you sleepy… hmm..."

He stifled a long yawn and pondered internally.

"Maybe MP is actually a combination of chakra and mental energy, and while rations restore chakra, mental energy can only be replenished with sleep?"

With that thought, he put the Mandrake Lizard back into its cage and waved Mizusuna off sleepily.

"I’m too tired. I’m going to sleep. You go about your business, Mizusuna, and don’t bother calling me for dinner."

He turned back to his bedroom, lay down, and quickly fell into a deep sleep.

Hearing faint snores from the room, Mizusuna excitement gradually subsided. She checked the room carefully to ensure nothing was out of place, then picked up the cage with the Mandrake Lizard and headed out, vanishing with a swift shunshin.

An hour later, she returned quietly, peeking into Hattori’s room and seeing that he was still asleep. Relieved, she closed the door softly and took out her medical notes to study.

Time flew by for those absorbed in their work. When Mizusuna finally looked up, the evening sun was already streaming through the window.

"Wow, it’s so late already?"

She blinked in surprise, quickly set down her notes, tied on her apron, and went into the kitchen to prepare a meal. Chiyo’s kitchen was well-stocked with potatoes, so she peeled a few, added two carrots and an egg, and made two servings of potato stew.

When the food was ready, she went to knock on Hattori’s door.

"Knock, knock… Lord Hattori, it’s time for dinner!"

"Hmm…"

Hattori was actually about ready to wake up, so hearing her call, he got up, rubbing his eyes as he opened the door.

"It’s already dinner time? Mizusuna, did you feed my lizard?"

The question made Mizusuna chuckle. She waved her hand lightly.

"No need to worry, Lord Hattori. Mandrake Lizards are only fed every other day. Overfeeding isn’t good for them, so leave it to me!"

"Uh… okay then, thanks!"

"Heh, it’s my duty. No need to be so polite, Lord Hattori."

With that, Mizusuna served the potato stew in front of him.

"It’s late; Lord Hattori, you’d better eat up! Afterward, you need to head to the Sunagakure Hospital. The Kazekage wants to see you!"

"Ah?" Hattori was stunned. "The Third Kazekage… wants to see me? Why?"

"Hehe, because you’re a genius, Lord Hattori!"

Seeing his surprised expression, Mizusuna laughed, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

"When I reported that you’ve already mastered the Revitalization Technique, the Kazekage decided he wanted to meet you. Isn’t that incredible, Lord Hattori? Aren’t you thrilled?"

Hattori: "(-_-)"

Not in the slightest!

In his mind, ideal life meant quietly leveling up in secret until he was maxed out. Until then, he had no interest in interacting with people of higher ranks and skills.

Especially with someone like the Third Kazekage—a powerful figure who could kill on a whim, showing zero hesitation or concern for consequences. Meeting someone like that was hardly comforting!

Of course, Hattori could only think this to himself; on the outside, he put on a happy, excited face.

"Wow… the Kazekage really wants to see me? That’s amazing! I’d better finish my dinner quickly; I wouldn’t want to keep him waiting… chomp, chomp, chomp..."

Watching him wolf down his food, Mizusuna couldn’t help but giggle.

"Hehe… no need to rush, Lord Hattori. The Kazekage probably hasn’t arrived at the hospital yet, so take your time!"

"Mmm… chomp, chomp, chomp…"

Hattori mumbled in response, hastily finishing the potato stew, then set the empty bowl on the table and grabbed Mizusuna hand.

"Mizusuna, let’s hurry to the hospital. The Kazekage might already be there!"

"Hehe, alright then!"

Seeing his "eagerness," Mizusuna smiled, bending down to wipe the corner of his mouth.

"If you’re that eager, let’s go now. But remember to be polite when you meet the Kazekage!"

"I will!" Hattori nodded seriously.

Satisfied with his “obedience,” Mizusuna nodded and led him out, heading toward the Sunagakure Hospital.

By the time they reached the sandstone hospital in the village center, night had fallen completely, and dim lights shone from the windows.

Looking at the scene, Hattori sighed internally.

"I can’t believe I’m back here already after just one day. Seems like I really am meant to be here… sigh..."

Though he sighed inwardly, he maintained a cheerful and expectant expression, trotting alongside Mizusuna into the hospital.

As Mizusuna had said, the Third Kazekage hadn’t arrived yet. While waiting, Hattori followed Mizusuna as she inspected the various wards.

During their rounds, they encountered many medical staff carrying equipment. Seeing Mizusuna, each of them bowed politely, and she responded with a smile.

Only then did Hattori realize that this woman who constantly called him “Lord Hattori” held quite a respectable position in the Sunagakure medical community.

"Someone like Mizusuna, working as a caretaker, is definitely overqualified. Chiyo must have had more in mind than just looking after me!"

Realizing this, Hattori’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"Chiyo probably sent her to train me, and likely for the long term. This means Chiyo isn’t off on a mission at all but is likely pursuing the rogue Sasori. Haha!"

Thinking about not having to encounter Scorpion again—the “dangerous individual”—Hattori suddenly felt relieved, his smile broadening.

As he was grinning, he felt a tap on his shoulder, and Mizusuna voice sounded beside him.

"Lord Hattori, the Kazekage is here. Look!"

"Ah…"

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 13: Meeting the Kazekage *

Upon hearing Suna say the Kazekage had arrived, the goofy grin on Hattori's face instantly faded.

He looked up in the direction Suna was pointing, and there, in full view, stood the Third Kazekage, as serious as ever, without a hint of a smile.

Oh crap, he's actually here?!

Watching the Third Kazekage slowly approach, Hattori felt a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

Ignoring him wouldn’t be an option, but outright groveling felt beneath him—after all, this body of his might be small and young, but his soul was "great."

As the Kazekage drew closer, Hattori found himself speechless, mouth wide open in shock, staring up like a dog gazing at the moon, completely dumbfounded.

If he had been an adult with this expression, it might have looked ridiculous, but given his current six- or seven-year-old appearance, this reaction seemed totally normal in the presence of the Kazekage.

Seeing his reaction, the Third Kazekage didn't think much of it. He simply looked down at Hattori from above and spoke.

"So, you’re Hattori, right? Show me your worth."

Hattori: "╭(°A°`)╮"

Seriously? Who talks like that? I’m just a kid here!

Show you my worth? If I could take you on, I’d show you by wetting your face with kid’s urine right about now!

While Hattori silently fumed, he kept a look of humble awe on his face.

“Huh? Lord Kazekage, you’ve heard of me? I... I’m really honored! I’ll definitely prove my worth to you!”

“Hm.”

The Third Kazekage’s expression softened slightly after hearing this, and then he turned to Suna.

“Mizusuna, arrange a patient for him to treat immediately. I want to witness his worth myself.”

“Yes, Lord Kazekage!”

As soon as the words left the Kazekage’s mouth, Mizusuna led Hattori to the nearest ward, stopping in front of a bandaged patient lying in bed.

"Lord Hattori, just like you did this morning, use the Healing Regeneration technique on his abdomen. Don't be nervous—I believe you can do it!"

"Hm!"

Hattori nodded without hesitation, unwrapping the bandage on the patient’s abdomen and applying his Healing Regeneration technique.

With the release of his skill, small new growths sprouted around the patient’s ugly wound, squirming and writhing like tiny tadpoles in water—a bizarre sight to behold.

Fortunately, the process didn’t take long. After just a minute, the wound closed, and the wriggling tissue settled into a slightly raised scar.

【EXP +60】

As the purple text floated by, Hattori lowered his hand. The Third Kazekage’s voice sounded again.

"Treat the next one!"

"Yes, sir!"

With more experience to gain, Hattori eagerly accepted, moving smoothly to the next patient and administering the same Healing Regeneration technique.

【EXP +60】

【Level Up +1】

A minute later, the treatment ended, and two more purple text prompts appeared before his eyes.

Before he could even feel happy about leveling up, the Third Kazekage spoke again.

“Mizusuna, bring in all the patients from the other wards. The remaining treatments will take place here in the hallway!”

“Huh?”

Mizusuna was momentarily stunned by the order, but quickly nodded firmly in understanding.

“Yes, Lord Kazekage!”

With that, she briskly left to carry out his command.

Seeing this, Hattori couldn’t help but grin.

“Talk about luck—I was just worrying about finding an excuse to rack up more experience points, and now the Kazekage himself is handing it to me on a silver platter. This is amazing!”

Suppressing the urge to laugh out loud, Hattori stepped out into the hallway, where, as soon as Mizusuna wheeled the patients over, he launched into his "XP grind."

Regardless of the severity of each injury, he fired off his Healing Regeneration technique, moving swiftly from one patient to the next without missing a beat.

With each casting of the technique, more purple experience text appeared, one after another.

【EXP +60】

【EXP +60】

【EXP +60】

The flood of experience points quickly boosted Hattori’s level, and by the time he ran out of MP, he’d already leveled up four times!

It was exhilarating!

Before, he would have had to stop reluctantly when his MP ran out. But now, he had a secret weapon: his soldier pills!

“I’ll ride this wave and reach level 20 tonight!”

With that thought, he pulled the bag of soldier pills from his pocket, took one, chewed briefly, and swallowed.

【MP +100】

As before, his MP was instantly restored, and he felt a strong sense of fullness.

But for the sake of his “level-up journey,” he immediately brushed off the slight discomfort and dove back into treating the patients.

【EXP +60】

【EXP +60】

【EXP +60】

With each use of his skill, three more purple experience messages appeared, and Hattori’s level rose again!

【Level Up +1】

【Name: Hattori】

【Level: 20】

【HP: 208/208】

【MP: 85/185】

【EXP: 0/200】

【Specialty: Medical】

【Combat Power Evaluation: B】

Reaching level 20, Hattori’s combat evaluation rose from C to B, but this time, no new skill unlocked.

Instead, he received a new prompt he hadn’t seen before.

【Medical skill advanced to Intermediate. Choose a specialization path for job change.】

【Chiyo Style: The style of Chiyo from Sunagakure. This specialization grants access to Chiyo’s medical ninjutsu and powerful mixed poison crafting skills, significantly enhancing combat capabilities.】

【Tsunade Style: The style of Tsunade from Konohagakure. This specialization grants access to Tsunade’s medical ninjutsu and chakra control techniques, significantly enhancing healing abilities.】

Faced with this choice, Hattori considered the pros and cons of each option.

"From a practical standpoint, the first choice is the best. Chiyo’s my teacher, so learning her medical ninjutsu would make sense and wouldn’t raise any suspicion.

But looking further ahead, Chiyo’s poison style is unreliable. Tsunade is the true pinnacle of medical ninjutsu."

With that realization, Hattori made up his mind.

“Gotta think long-term. For a better future, taking a small risk is worth it. I choose the Tsunade style!”

As soon as he made his choice, a skill unlock prompt appeared!

【Unlocked Medical Ninjutsu: Delicate Illness Extraction Technique】

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 14: The Kazekage's Orders

*[Delicate Extraction Technique: A high-level medical ninjutsu that allows the user to inject refined chakra into the target's body, removing toxins or damaged organs. Consumes 20 MP per use.]*

Seeing this newly unlocked medical skill, Hattori’s eyes lit up instantly.

"I didn’t expect the first skill unlocked after my job change to be this. My choice was definitely right!"

For many Naruto fans, the name "Delicate Extraction Technique" might sound unfamiliar, but its two famous uses are almost universally known.

The first use was during the Battle of Kannabi Bridge. When Obito was pinned under a boulder, Rin Nohara transplanted his Sharingan into Kakashi at his request, using this very medical ninjutsu.

The second use occurred during the mission to rescue Gaara. Kankuro was poisoned by Sasori of the Red Sand, and Sakura used the Delicate Extraction Technique to remove the lethal poison that had spread to his organs, saving his life.

These two successful cases led to notable outcomes: the first marked the rise of "Copy Ninja Kakashi," and the second strengthened the alliance between Konoha and Sunagakure, both with profound significance.

It's no exaggeration to say that any medical ninja who masters the Delicate Extraction Technique has a guaranteed foothold in the ninja world.

As the saying goes, "A Ninja with the skills is sought by many; ninety-nine others can only look back." No matter where you are, those who possess core skills are always in demand.

The only downside is that Sunagakure is currently at war with Konoha, and this medical technique is closely associated with Konoha.

For now, Hattori can’t reveal this skill. If he does, he won’t be met with flowers and cheers but serious trouble—or worse, a threat to his life!

"It looks like I’ll have to level up secretly from now on. If I’m discovered, I might end up labeled a rogue ninja on the run. Maybe I should take some time to learn other jutsu as a backup…”

As Hattori was planning for his future, the Third Kazekage, who had been standing silently nearby, spoke up again.

"Alright, I’ve seen your value. Starting today, you’re officially a Special Jonin of Sunagakure. Go get ready; tomorrow, you’ll head to the Eastern battlefield to support the front line!"

After issuing the order, the Third Kazekage disappeared with a puff, leaving behind a pile of iron sand.

Staring blankly at the spot, it took Hattori a moment to react.

"Is that… a shadow clone?"

"No, that’s Lord Kazekage’s Iron Sand Clone!"

Mizusuna corrected him, grabbing Hattori's hand with a look of admiration.

"Master Hattori, you’re truly incredible! You healed thirteen injured people in one go. Even I couldn’t do that! No wonder Lord Kazekage appointed you a Special Jonin!"

"Uh…”

Only then did Hattori remember that the Third Kazekage had indeed just appointed him as a Special Jonin.

In the ninja world, "Special" really means "Special." A Special Jonin is a ninja with unique abilities, positioned between a Chunin and a full Jonin.

For example, Ebisu, Hayate Gekkou, and Anko Mitarashi from Konoha are all Special Jonin.

To be honest, Hattori's current strength doesn’t truly reach the Special Jonin level, yet the Third Kazekage still made this appointment, showing just how highly he valued Hattori.

If Hattori had been a Sunagakure-born child, the Third Kazekage's attention would have probably made him loyal to the Kazekage and Sunagakure.

But unfortunately, he wasn’t.

So instead of the Special Jonin promotion, Hattori focused more on the Kazekage's next words—supporting the front line on the Eastern battlefield!

Are they seriously sending me to war?

Are you kidding me? At my age, shouldn’t I be attending the ninja academy? What am I doing going to war?

At this moment, Hattori felt like a thousand raging horses were stampeding through his mind, making him want to curse the Kazekage and his family.

But his rational side stopped him. Once he calmed down, he realized he might have misunderstood.

"Judging from the situation, the Third Kazekage acknowledged my value when he promoted me to Special Jonin. He wouldn’t send me to the front lines as cannon fodder!”

With this thought, everything seemed to fall into place.

"That’s right. With my status, I won’t be used as expendable fodder. Supporting the front lines doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll be on the front lines directly. Support can be provided from behind the front line. That must be it!”

Feeling reassured by this logic, Hattori turned to Mizusuna to confirm.

“Mizusuna, Lord Kazekage said I’ll go to the front lines tomorrow, but I don’t know how to fight yet. Could you teach me?”

“Hehehe... Master Hattori, you misunderstood.”

Mizusuna couldn’t help but giggle at Hattori's "innocent" question and explained.

“Lord Kazekage has assigned you for medical support, not combat. So, you don’t need to worry. Plus, the Eastern battlefield is the safest of the three main battlefields.”

She then gave Hattori a quick rundown of Sunagakure’s current situation.

From Mizusuna explanation, Hattori learned that the three battlefields were the Northern front against Iwagakure, the Southern front against Kirigakure, and the Eastern front against Konoha.

Of the three, the Northern battlefield was the bloodiest, followed by the South. The Eastern front was the safest.

Of course, this safety is relative, as Konoha is currently fighting on four fronts and can’t spare significant forces against Sunagakure.

However, if Konoha gains the upper hand, the situation on the Eastern battlefield could rapidly worsen.

But all this had little to do with Hattori. He knew he was essentially going to the Eastern front for "training" and would soon be reassigned to Sunagakure to become a cornerstone of the medical corps.

Having figured everything out, Hattori was finally at ease. After casting two more Healing Regeneration Techniques, he informed Mizusuna that he was out of chakra and couldn’t continue treating anyone.

Mizusuna had seen him take a soldier pill earlier, so she wasn’t suspicious. She escorted Hattori back to his residence to rest.

Hattori was indeed exhausted, and as soon as he lay down, he fell fast asleep.

Watching him sleep, Mizusuna smiled softly, then quietly closed his door and murmured in a low voice.

“Farewell, Master Hattori. May you be victorious and strong.”

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 15: Leaving Sunagakure*

When Hattori demonstrated his exceptional medical skills and was appointed as a Special Jonin to support the eastern front by the Third Kazekage, Mizusuna realized her mission was over.

So, while Hattori was still asleep, she quietly left. As a medical ninja of Sunagakure, she had many other duties to attend to.

Hattori wasn’t just an innocent child; when he woke up the next morning and didn’t see Mizusuna, he guessed that she might have decided to part ways with him.

Though they had only been together for a day, he still felt a little reluctant about the woman who had treated him with such respect at all times.

"What a good person. She knows how to talk, knows how to do things, and most importantly, she doesn’t look bad either. Maybe when I’m a little older, I could use some unspoken rules to get her to serve me forever. What a pity!”

Just as Hattori was sighing, a voice suddenly spoke above him.

"Oh, what a pity indeed!”

"Huh?"

Hearing the voice, Hattori was startled and quickly looked up. A red-haired man was hanging upside down from the ceiling, arms crossed, looking down at him with a displeased expression.

Hattori: ╭(°A°`)╮

Damn it, are you Batman?

Seeing the man above him, Hattori’s mouth twitched, and he spoke in irritation.

"Hey, eavesdropping on others isn’t exactly something to be proud of. Also, I’m a Special Jonin of Sunagakure, so you should be addressing me with respect!”

"Oh, really?”

With that, the red-haired man leapt down from the roof, did a mid-air flip, and landed firmly in front of Hattori.

"Firstly, eavesdropping is common among ninjas, as intelligence gathering is one of our essential skills. Secondly, I’m a Jonin of Sunagakure, so you should be addressing me with respect, you insolent brat!”

Hattori: (╬￣皿￣)

Are you asking for a fight?!

At that moment, Hattori was furious, and he thought about using his chakra scalpel to perform a castration surgery on the arrogant guy in front of him, then testing if his regeneration jutsu could make it grow back!

But before making a move, he checked the man’s attributes—

*[Name: Rasa]*

*[Level: 76]*

*[HP: 1260/1260]*

*[MP: 930/930]*

*[Specialty: Magnet Release - Gold Dust]*

*[Combat Rating: S+]*

Hattori: (ω`)

Sorry, my mistake!

Seeing Rasa’s stats, Hattori decided to forgive the man’s rudeness and came up with a reason in his heart.

"Though Rasa became the Fourth Kazekage, he didn’t get to enjoy his position for long before Orochimaru killed him. He didn’t get to experience the pleasures of power or the warmth of family. With a fate like his, I don’t need to hold a grudge.”

Feeling a sense of peace in his heart, his anger dissipated.

After calming down, Hattori took a deep breath, raised an eyebrow, and flashed Rasa a wide smile.

"My apologies, esteemed Jonin. I was mistaken. May I know what brings you here to spend your valuable time with me?”

"It’s because of the Kazekage’s orders.”

Seeing Hattori’s sudden change in attitude, Rasa frowned and spoke in a tone that still held irritation.

"I don’t know why the Kazekage values you so much, but that’s none of my concern. My job is to escort you to the eastern battlefield. You have five minutes to get ready; make it quick!”

Without waiting for Hattori’s reply, he turned and left.

Seeing this, Hattori pouted.

"Tch... acting all high and mighty!”

Despite his scornful tone, he started preparing efficiently.

Sunagakure, situated in the vast desert of the Land of Wind, had a typical tropical desert climate: mostly sunny, intense sunlight, dry conditions, frequent sandstorms, and large temperature swings between day and night.

Taking this into account, Hattori donned a long robe, a white head wrap, and a face veil, topping it all with a sandproof cloak.

Water is the most crucial item for desert travel, so after dressing up, he prepared a water pouch.

He didn’t bother with dry food, knowing that Chiyo’s family didn’t have any, but Mizusuna had left him with eight ration pills, enough for two or three days.

Tucking the ration pills into his pocket, Hattori grabbed his water pouch and stepped outside.

Rasa was waiting at the door. Seeing Hattori come out, he didn’t speak, just gave him a quick glance before walking ahead with an obvious look of disdain.

Seeing Rasa’s expression, Hattori pouted again but followed behind him without a word.

The two walked in silence, one in front of the other, until they reached the entrance of Sunagakure—a narrow passageway between two cliffs.

"Sky Line.”

This was the only path in and out of Sunagakure. With its easily defensible position, it served as Sunagakure’s strongest and final barrier.

Sunagakure stationed heavy guards here. Anyone entering or exiting was rigorously inspected before being allowed through.

But with Rasa’s status, there was no need for inspection. When the guards saw him, they immediately saluted and granted him passage.

He went through, but Hattori, following behind, was stopped.

"Hey, kid, this isn’t a playground. Go back!”

"..."

Playground, your face! Do I look like I’m here for fun?

Just as Hattori was about to reveal his status as a Special Jonin, Rasa, who was ahead, spoke up.

"This guy is with me. Let him pass!”

"Yes, sir!” The guard responded promptly, stepping aside to clear the way.

Seeing this, Hattori’s mouth twitched again, but he said nothing and quickly followed Rasa.

At this point, it was clear that putting up a fight would be meaningless and would only embarrass him. Better to follow quietly until they reached the destination, where he wouldn’t have to see Rasa anymore.

With that decision made, Hattori quickened his pace and soon walked through Sky Line.

*[You have discovered the Desert of the Land of Wind]*

*[XP +10]*

Noticing the purple text floating before him, Hattori raised an eyebrow and looked at the two young shinobi with Sunagakure headbands waiting at the exit.

Among them was Baki, whom Hattori had bandaged before, while the other seemed familiar, though he couldn’t quite recall who it was.

So he checked the young man’s information.

*[Name: Yashamaru]*

*[Level: 15]*

*[HP: 160/160]*

*[MP: 140/140]*

*[Specialty: Assault Blades]*

*[Combat Rating: C+]*

After reading Yashamaru’s attributes, Hattori widened his eyes in slight surprise.

"It’s him?”

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 16: On the Road*

As soon as he saw the name Yashamaru, Hattori immediately remembered who he was.

He was Gaara's uncle, the younger brother of Karura, and the brother-in-law and confidant of Rasa.

In the original storyline, after Gaara became the jinchūriki of Sunagakure, he was forcibly relocated to the outskirts of the village due to his unstable seal. Yashamaru was assigned to watch over him.

Later, Rasa, to test Gaara’s worth, ordered Yashamaru to assassinate him. Yashamaru ultimately lost his life in the attempt.

Before dying, Yashamaru lied to Gaara, saying that both he and his sister, Gaara's mother, Karura, despised him.

Yashamaru had been the only person Gaara trusted, so this betrayal and lie devastated Gaara’s psyche, causing him to spiral into rage and despair.

From that point on, Rasa viewed Gaara as a "failure" and sent more assassins after him, which only fueled Gaara’s violent and bloodthirsty nature.

Eventually, after repeatedly killing those sent to kill him, Gaara concluded, "My purpose is to kill anyone who isn’t me," a terrifying revelation.

Rasa and Yashamaru’s actions cast a massive shadow over Gaara’s childhood, leaving him with deep, unhealable scars.

Hattori, upon seeing this storyline for the first time, felt immense sympathy for Gaara and a lot of frustration with Rasa and Yashamaru.

Look at Konoha’s Naruto—also a jinchūriki. Although he was feared and resented by the villagers, he at least had the Third Hokage and Iruka’s care. His childhood, though lonely, wasn’t without warmth.

In contrast, Gaara's childhood was filled with constant assassination attempts and betrayal. It was pure despair.

"Damn, those two—Rasa and Yashamaru, one the mastermind, the other his lackey—are both heartless. I’d better stay away from them before they drag me down with them one day."

Thinking this, he subtly shifted a few steps to distance himself from Rasa and his group.

Rasa noticed this small movement but said nothing. Instead, he gave a simple order to Yashamaru and Baki.

"Everything is ready. Head for the eastern battlefield now. Move out!"

"Yes, sir!"

Yashamaru and Baki promptly responded in unison and began escorting Hattori forward.

As before, Rasa and Hattori remained silent, merely walking along. Noticing this, Yashamaru kept quiet too.

But Baki couldn't hold back. He slowed his pace a bit and, once he was beside Hattori, asked, "Hey, you look familiar. Do we know each other?"

"Hah..."

Hattori chuckled and removed his sand mask.

"Baki, it's me!"

"Huh? Hattori?"

Seeing Hattori's face, Baki was taken aback, then looked surprised. "Why are you here? You’re not even a ninja; what’re you doing on the eastern battlefield?"

"Who said I'm not a ninja?"

Hattori rolled his eyes and, putting his mask back on, explained, "Actually, I’m a medical ninja. I’m here on the Kazekage's orders to support the eastern front."

"What? You're a medical ninja?" Baki's face was full of disbelief.

Hattori didn’t bother explaining further and simply kept quiet.

Baki, however, couldn't help but ask again, "If you’re a medical ninja, then do you know medical ninjutsu? Or is it just bandages?"

"Haha, you guess."

"Uh..."

Baki was dumbfounded. Rasa, walking ahead, seemed to be losing patience and coldly interjected.

"Enough, Baki. This kid isn’t ordinary. He’s an apprentice of Lady Chiyo, and the Kazekage personally appointed him as a Special Jōnin!"

Baki: (Д*)

Special Jōnin? Really?

Knowing Rasa’s character, Baki knew he wouldn’t joke about something like this.

Not only Baki but even Yashamaru, walking behind, looked stunned.

They had met Special Jōnin before, and even knew several of their peers who were Jōnin, but a Special Jōnin as young as Hattori was a first.

Seeing their shocked faces, Hattori sighed and shook his head.

"I was going to keep things casual, but you forced me to reveal my true self. Yes, I’m a genius. I admit it! ╮(￣▽￣)╭"

"…"

Rasa’s mouth twitched as he watched Hattori’s smug expression, then turned and walked off.

Baki cast a complicated look at Hattori before following Rasa.

Only Yashamaru stepped forward.

"Hello, Master Hattori, I'm Yashamaru. I studied under Lady Chiyo as well, though I only picked up the basics since I’m not very talented."

"Oh? Is that so?" Hattori grew interested. "You’re a medical ninja too?"

"No, no... I trained under Lady Chiyo in puppet techniques."

Saying this, Yashamaru pulled a few kunai from his tool pouch, then, with a flick of his hands, they floated in front of him.

Hattori’s eyes widened at the sight, and he let out a sharp breath.

“Wow... is that telekinesis?"

"Hahaha, not at all."

Seeing his amazement, Yashamaru shook his head with a smile.

"It’s not telekinesis—just chakra threads manipulating the kunai, the most basic puppet technique. Compared to Lady Chiyo and Lord Sasori, who can control puppets in battle, I'm nothing."

"Ah... is that how it works?"

Hearing Yashamaru's explanation, Hattori scratched his head, slightly embarrassed.

"Haha, I haven’t learned puppet techniques, so I don’t really get it. But I think it’s still impressive! Controlling kunai from a distance, especially with an exploding tag attached, would give your opponents serious trouble!"

"That’s true! Master Hattori, you're not even a puppeteer, yet you thought of this. You’re truly clever," Yashamaru praised sincerely.

Hattori’s smile widened at this.

"Haha, Yashamaru, you’re pretty amazing yourself. Not quite up to my level, but certainly worthy of pride among ordinary folk. Oh, haha..."

"..."

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 17: I Like Your Sister*

After some mutual "flattery," Hattori's gaze toward Yashamaru softened considerably.

"Actually, if you think about it, Yashamaru really wants Gaara to be happy. If it weren't for Rasa threatening him with Gaara's life, he would never have hurt Gaara. So, strictly speaking, he's a victim too."

With that thought, Hattori's slight grudge against Yashamaru dissipated, and he even began to feel some sympathy for him.

As the saying goes, the eyes are the windows to the soul. When thoughts change, the look in one's eyes naturally changes too.

Since they were close, Yashamaru noticed the change in Hattori's gaze and looked puzzled.

"Uh... Hattori-sama, why are you looking at me like that? Is something wrong with me?"

Seeing Yashamaru's discomfort, Hattori immediately shook his head with a smile.

"Not at all. I just think you look really pretty, like a girl!"

"Uh... really? Haha... Hattori-sama, you're flattering me too much."

Yashamaru laughed awkwardly. After all, being praised for looking pretty isn’t exactly something a guy would be thrilled about.

Hattori noticed his discomfort and realized his comment might have been out of place, so he quickly apologized.

"Sorry, Yashamaru. I think I may have misspoken. I didn't mean it, please don't take it to heart. I'll be more careful next time!"

He even bowed to Yashamaru in apology.

Seeing his sincere apology, Yashamaru quickly waved his hand. "No, no... it's nothing. Hattori-sama, you're being too polite!"

At that moment, Yashamaru's goodwill toward Hattori shot up, and his smile became more natural.

"People actually say that a lot. I'm used to it. Even my sister says I look like a girl, haha!"

Hearing this, Hattori raised an eyebrow and laughed.

"Haha, really? That's hilarious. By the way, Yashamaru, is your sister a ninja too?"

"Yes!" Yashamaru nodded. "She's a Jōnin of Sunagakure, and her Wind Style is really powerful!"

Just as expected!

Hearing this, Hattori showed a knowing expression.

Although Gaara’s mother's identity isn’t explicitly mentioned in the original series, fans know that Gaara's protective sand isn’t powered by Shukaku; it’s actually his mother Karura’s will guarding him.

In essence, this willpower is a kind of chakra, and a very powerful one at that.

If Karura wasn’t a ninja, how could she leave such strong chakra with Gaara?

Because Karura was a ninja, and her immense love for Gaara, she became the sand that protects him even after her death.

Of all the women in Naruto, Hattori most respects two mothers: Naruto's mother, Kushina Uzumaki, and Gaara's mother, Karura.

Their love is truly remarkable!

Moved by these thoughts, Hattori instinctively grabbed Yashamaru's hand.

"Yashamaru, when I return to the village, you have to introduce me to your sister. I really like her; please do me this favor!"

Yashamaru: "╭(°A°`)╮"

What’s going on? What did I just say?

Seeing Hattori's excitement, Yashamaru was utterly bewildered, looking completely puzzled.

"Um... Hattori-sama, do you know my sister?"

"Of course I do!"

Hattori blurted out, but seeing Yashamaru's surprised expression, he quickly added, "Didn’t you say she’s a powerful Jōnin? My favorite kind of person is a strong female Jōnin!"

"Oh... so that's it!"

With this explanation, Yashamaru finally understood, nodding.

"Alright, when you return to the village, I'll introduce you to my sister. I believe she’ll like you too, Hattori-sama."

"Great! Then we'll be family from now on!"

"Yes, yes... we’ll be family... wait, what?"

Yashamaru suddenly reacted, looking at Hattori in surprise. "What do you mean by family?"

"Just what I said!"

Hattori shrugged and spread his hands.

"I already told you, I like your sister, and you said your sister would like me too. So, if we both like each other, we can get married, right? And marriage makes us family, doesn’t it?"

Yashamaru: "(Д*)"

It sounds reasonable, but isn’t this complete nonsense?

And what does a kid like you even know about mutual love?

Go play somewhere else!

At that moment, Yashamaru felt a thousand complaints bubbling up, but instead, he just forced a smile at Hattori.

"Hehe... Hattori-sama, actually, my sister is over ten years older than you, and she’s already been married, so..."

"That's okay; I don’t mind!"

Before he could finish, Hattori waved it off.

"As the saying goes, a woman three years older brings gold; a woman thirty years older brings an empire. A ten- or twenty-year age gap is nothing to me. And being married doesn’t matter—who hasn’t had a run-in with a jerk in life?"

Yashamaru: "Σ(っ°Д°;)っ"

Dang, you’ve really gone all out, what am I supposed to say?

In that moment, Yashamaru felt utterly helpless. He carefully glanced at Rasa walking in front of them, noticing his expression was somewhat dark, making Yashamaru even more uneasy.

It wasn’t just Yashamaru; Hattori himself felt a little nervous after his boldness since he’d practically called Rasa a jerk to his face. If Rasa got upset, wouldn’t he be in for it?

But then again, provoking someone else’s husband right in front of them felt oddly thrilling!

It’s simply addictive!

"After all, I'm just a kid; kids say things without a filter. Plus, I didn’t know about Rasa and Karura’s relationship, so Rasa can't really get mad at me!"

With this thought, Hattori prepared to stir things up again.

He glanced at Yashamaru, who was looking down silently, and said, "Yashamaru, if I marry your sister, will you start calling me 'brother-in-law'?"

Yashamaru: "Σ(っ°Д°;)っ"

Call you what? If you’re going down, don’t drag me with you!

Yashamaru felt like he was about to break down.

At that moment, he deeply regretted ever talking to Hattori, ever mentioning his sister, and ending up in this awkward situation.

Just as he was at a loss, Rasa finally couldn’t hold back any longer and spoke up: "Kid, shut up!"

Hearing Rasa’s words, Hattori only became more excited and stuck out his tongue.

"Make me! Nyaa~ (づ￣3￣)づ"

Rasa: "..."

---

*Chapter 18: A Brief Stop*

Hattori won the bet. Although Rasa’s expression was unpleasant, he didn’t do anything to him. This showed that the future Kazekage had some personal restraint, but that didn’t improve Hattori’s opinion of him.

To Hattori, Rasa might be an excellent ninja, but he was lacking as a Kazekage and even worse as a father.

Hattori didn’t intend to get on good terms with someone like him, nor did he plan to curry favor, as it would be pointless.

“Rasa is the type who would sacrifice his own son for the village, even Yakumo, who had made a significant contribution to Sunagakure. What’s the point of befriending someone like that?”

With this in mind, Hattori had no intention of further interacting with Rasa. He planned to part ways as soon as they reached their destination and focus on improving his own strength.

In the harsh world of shinobi, only by strengthening oneself could one have the power to protect oneself.

When it came to strength, Hattori suddenly realized just how weak he was.

“Even though my combat power assessment is marked as ‘B,’ I only know medical ninjutsu. Any ninja assessed as ‘C’ could take me down with ease. I need to learn some other skills.”

He looked up at Rasa, who didn’t look like he’d be willing to teach him anything, and then turned his gaze to Yashamaru and Baki. However, to his surprise, both averted their eyes as soon as he looked at them.

Hattori thought, “...Am I being ignored?”

“Fine, whatever. I’ll find someone else to teach me. With my medical ninjutsu skills, there’ll be plenty of people wanting to learn from me in the future!”

Thinking this way made him feel much better, and he walked with renewed energy.

Rasa noticed this but said nothing, continuing to lead the group forward. Rasa led from the front, with Baki and Hattori following, and Yashamaru at the rear. They kept this formation as they traveled east.

Despite being ninjas with more stamina than average people, the desert terrain and intense sun made travel tough. By the afternoon, even they were starting to tire out.

Noticing this, Rasa decided to stop when they reached an area with scattered rocks.

“Alright, let’s rest here for a bit. We’ll continue after dark.”

With that, he found a shaded spot, sat down, and closed his eyes to rest.

Seeing this, Baki and Yashamaru also relaxed and found places to sit and rest.

Hattori, feeling a bit uneasy, chose to sit near Rasa.

After sitting down, he took out a military ration pill, crunched it loudly, and washed it down with several gulps from his water bag.

“Ahh...refreshing!”

Rasa, disturbed by the noise, opened his eyes and glared at him impatiently. “Can’t you be quiet?”

Hattori calmly screwed the cap back onto his water bag and met Rasa’s gaze without fear.

“Quiet? That’s impossible. I’m going to snore, grind my teeth, and maybe even fart when I sleep later, so bear with me, okay?”

Rasa’s expression turned dark. “I really don’t like this kid!”

His irritation flared, but he couldn’t bring himself to argue with a child, so he closed his eyes again without saying a word.

Seeing Rasa’s reaction, Hattori chuckled, lay down, and exhaled deeply.

“Ugh, so exhausting. Wake me up when we’re ready to leave!”

He closed his eyes.

While he didn’t like Rasa, he couldn’t deny that having such a strong person around gave him a sense of security.

Hattori didn’t know how long he’d slept, but a sudden chill woke him. Shivering, he opened his eyes just as Rasa spoke.

“Awake? Get ready to move.”

Hattori noticed the blazing sun had been replaced by a bright moon and countless stars. But this wasn’t the time to admire the view. The cold ground was leeching away his body heat, and he quickly stood up.

“Ugh, why is it so cold? This place is just awful!”

He hadn’t meant much by the remark, but Rasa nodded in agreement.

“Exactly. Even a child can tell this place is terrible, yet we have no choice. We lack water, food, and resources, so war is our only option!”

Rasa clenched his fist, releasing it only after a few seconds. Then, he turned to Hattori.

“Let’s go!”

“Okay!”

This time, Hattori followed without any snark, asking quietly, “Where are Baki and Yashamaru?”

“They went ahead to scout. The desert is more complicated at night,” Rasa explained.

“Complicated?”

Hattori was about to ask more, but a series of wolf howls echoed through the night, making his hair stand on end.

“A wolf pack?”

As someone who was scared of even big dogs, Hattori felt a visceral fear of animals with sharp teeth and claws. Hearing the howls, he instinctively moved closer to Rasa.

Rasa frowned. “It’s just wolves. Nothing to fear. Open your eyes and watch how they fight!”

“Huh...they?”

Before Hattori could fully process Rasa’s words, he heard Baki and Yashamaru shout:

“Blade of the Wind!”

“Claw Strike!”

*Chapter 19: Encounter with the Wolf Pack*

Back when Hattori used to watch Naruto, he often found himself complaining.

"Why do ninjas always shout the name of their attack before they strike? Wouldn't a silent sneak attack be more effective? Or is it impossible to cast the jutsu without yelling? And what about jutsus that come out of their mouths?"

Later, though, as he switched to reading the manga because the show updated too slowly, Hattori finally understood the author’s struggle—

The manga is black and white, so if the ninjas didn’t shout the names of their jutsus, no one would know how to tell a Water Dragon Bullet from a Fire Dragon Bullet or an Earth Dragon Bullet. In that moment, all of Hattori’s criticisms turned into sympathy and understanding.

Masashi Kishimoto sure had it tough!

Once he understood, watching Naruto became a lot easier. What had once felt a bit awkward—ninjas calling out every technique—began to feel thrilling. Especially now!

Baki shouted, "Blade of the Wind!" and moved his hands swiftly. Instantly, the wolves rushing toward him seemed to be struck by an invisible blade, collapsing with pained howls.

Yashamaru was no less impressive.

He unleashed the Controlling Blade, and a dozen kunai floated before him. With a flick of his wrist, they shot forward, hitting several desert wolves and taking them down.

Seeing this, Hattori’s eyes lit up.

"Wow, that’s amazing! It's just like those sword-flying legends—taking down enemies from miles away… swoosh, swoosh!"

He couldn’t help but mimic the motions himself.

Watching him, Rasa, who had been keeping a serious face, allowed a slight smile and shook his head.

"Impossible. No matter how powerful the puppeteer, the range for controlling tools is only a few dozen meters. Any farther, and it becomes difficult to maintain combat effectiveness, and the chakra cost is extreme."

"Uh..."

Hearing Rasa’s comment, Hattori remembered.

In Naruto, the puppeteers, whether Kankuro, Chiyo, or Sasori, usually fought at close range, and none of their battles seemed to go beyond a hundred meters.

Even so, Hattori still thought puppet jutsu was fantastic.

It’s safer! Normal ninjas have to personally engage the enemy, trading blows directly.

But puppeteers? They don’t even have to show their face; they just control their puppets from hiding. Even if the enemy lands a hit, they only hit the puppet, not the puppeteer.

And an expert puppeteer can control multiple puppets at once, allowing them to gang up on an opponent, which increases their odds of winning.

If things go south, they can just abandon the puppets and flee.

As the saying goes, “Where there’s life, there’s hope.” As long as the puppeteer survives, they can always make new puppets.

More importantly, Hattori had confidence in his control skills!

“Remember the days I ruled Summoner’s Rift, unmatched in my lane, regularly diving enemies under their towers? With my advanced mechanics and positioning, only the best could hope to see me from afar. Ah, the solitude of a master!”

Getting into his self-hype, Hattori realized that the puppeteer role was practically tailor-made for him.

“When I get back, I definitely need to find a way to learn puppet jutsu from Chiyo. And I should pick up some regular jutsu too—more skills are always useful!”

Rasa, unaware of Hattori’s thoughts, assumed his excitement was due to Baki and Yashamaru’s battle skills.

At this point, the “human-wolf war” ahead had concluded. The wolves, heavily injured, decided not to risk further losses and retreated with mournful howls.

As the wolves withdrew, Baki and Yashamaru returned to Rasa’s side. They looked calm, suggesting they still had energy to spare.

Rasa nodded approvingly at the scene.

“Well done. Let’s get moving. Try to reach our destination by noon tomorrow!”

“Yes!”

Baki and Yashamaru answered in unison.

Seeing their energized expressions, Hattori couldn’t help but brace himself, pulling his cloak tighter as he set off into the chilly night.

The desert was cold at night, dropping to below freezing. Hattori was grateful for his cloak and sand-proof outerwear, which helped him warm up after a while.

Traveling at night was easier, as the harsh sun wasn’t blazing down on them, making the journey more manageable.

As dawn broke, the group finally left the open desert, arriving at a vast plateau scattered with stones and sparse vegetation.

It was then that Rasa spoke up again.

“Rest here. Stay put until I return.”

With that, a large, golden mass of sand gathered beneath his feet, lifting him into the air until he vanished from Hattori’s view.

Seeing this, Hattori was momentarily stunned before muttering in annoyance.

“Seriously, if he has such a convenient flying technique, why not just fly us to our destination? Stingy.”

Yashamaru quickly explained.

“It’s not like that. Lord Rasa isn’t being stingy; this technique drains a lot of chakra, so it’s not feasible to take us all on a long trip!”

“Exactly!”

Baki nodded as soon as Yashamaru finished.

“Flying also makes you an easy target. If someone were to spot and intercept us, it would be dangerous. That’s why Lord Rasa is scouting ahead on his own!”

“Oh… I see.”

Hearing their explanation, Hattori scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“Sorry, this is my first time outside the village, so I didn’t realize. You guys know a lot!”

“Heh, of course!”

Baki grinned proudly at the compliment.

“I graduated from the ninja academy at eight and made chunin by twelve. I’ve completed over a hundred D and C-rank missions and even a few B-ranks, either solo or as team leader. Yashamaru’s got similar experience!”

“Wow, that’s impressive—you’ve been taking on missions from such a young age!”

Outwardly, Hattori appeared impressed, but inwardly, he was thinking.

“It seems Sunagakure really is short on ninja if they’re promoting at such a young age. Baki and Yashamaru are only at C-level strength, yet they’ve already been promoted to chunin and even take on B-rank missions. They’re risking their lives!”

He allowed himself a wry smile at the thought.

“Good thing I’m just a medic-nin. Otherwise, as a special jonin, I’d probably be assigned A-rank missions. Wait—could the mission we’re on now actually be A-rank?”

*Chapter 20: Mission Rank*

Hattori suspected that he had gotten involved in an A-rank mission, and he was beginning to worry.

He knew very well that A-rank missions often involved high fatalities, sometimes many deaths.

To understand mission rankings, one has to grasp the basic operational mechanism of the Shinobi Village. Simply put, the village trains shinobi, and shinobi carry out missions to repay the village.

In the world of shinobi, regardless of the village or the shinobi, the main source of income comes from mission rewards funded by nations or employers.

The more missions a shinobi village undertakes and completes, the greater its revenue. With more money, the village can train more shinobi, growing ever stronger—a positive cycle.

The amount of mission compensation is directly tied to mission difficulty.

Though the difficulty definitions vary slightly between nations, they’re largely similar.

Overall, shinobi villages categorize missions into five levels: D, C, B, A, and S, from lowest to highest difficulty.

D-rank missions, the easiest, don’t involve combat and pose no risk.

These missions are typically for newly graduated genin and consist of tasks like finding lost items, weeding fields, cleaning, or babysitting—essentially odd jobs.

Naturally, these missions don’t pay much, usually around 5,000 ryo, split among a team, which means each member would earn about 1,000 ryo.

That’s barely enough to buy a single meal of grilled meat in Konoha Village!

So, like in any world, rookies always have it tough.

After some experience, genin gain social skills and teamwork ability, allowing them to take on C-rank missions.

C-rank missions are more challenging, involving tasks like taming or hunting beasts, guarding clients, or tracking and delivering confidential information.

These missions carry a certain level of danger, so the rewards are considerably higher, typically between 30,000 and 100,000 ryo.

With these earnings, diligent genin can start saving up nicely by completing enough C-rank missions.

But B-rank missions aren’t open to just anyone.

B-rank missions involve assassinations, protecting targets from other shinobi, or dealing with rogue shinobi, often requiring combat.

Such missions need at least one chunin in the team, and the pay is higher, around 80,000 to 200,000 ryo.

In times of peace, B-rank missions are usually the highest level assigned in a village. But when war breaks out, even higher ranks appear.

For instance, A-rank missions.

Only missions involving the safety of the village or nation qualify as A-rank.

These are war missions, involving battles between shinobi units, led by multiple jonin.

Typically, jonin lead the charge, chunin support, and genin play minor roles.

Even so, the mortality rate among chunin and genin is still very high, so A-rank missions are generously rewarded, ranging from 150,000 to 1,000,000 ryo.

Above A-rank, there are S-rank missions—the highest level.

S-rank missions are essentially upgraded A-ranks, directly impacting the village’s or country’s safety and usually completed by individuals or small teams.

These missions might involve cutting off enemy supply lines or assassinating enemy commanders to secure victory in a prolonged war.

S-rank missions have huge rewards, starting at a million ryo. Shinobi capable of these missions are often referred to as “S-rank shinobi” or, as Naruto fans would say, “Kage-level powerhouses.”

Although Hattori often hyped himself up, he was well aware of his limitations, knowing he couldn’t possibly take on an S-rank mission.

At least not yet.

But A-rank missions were a different matter. After all, the Sand Village was in a wartime state, and Hattori was on his way to support the front lines, meaning he might very well be joining an A-rank mission!

Though he trusted that the Third Kazekage wouldn’t sacrifice him as cannon fodder, the battlefield is unpredictable—who’s to say an enemy won’t be sent to execute a beheading operation and take him down in the process?

If it ever came to that, what would he do?

With his current abilities, he wouldn’t be able to win a fight, nor could he escape, so that left only two options—being killed or captured.

Since he didn’t want to die or be captured, the best strategy was to lay low and avoid drawing attention.

“I’m just a humble medic, and I’m not even on the front lines. As long as I’m careful, I should be able to keep a low profile, right?”

Just as Hattori made up his mind to keep his head down until the mission was over, something unexpected happened.

He suddenly felt a chilling sensation on his neck, followed by a low, gruff voice near his ear: “Don’t move. Raise your hands slowly!”

“Uh…”

Hearing the voice, Hattori froze and instinctively raised his hands as instructed.

As he raised his hands, he glanced at Baki and Yashamaru, who were similarly restrained with kunai at their throats.

Seeing this, Hattori felt an overwhelming sense of bitterness.

“Damn, we’ve all been caught. This is a terrible start! Where is that bastard Rasa when you need him?!”

Silently cursing, Hattori looked up at the person binding Maki and Yashamaru with rope.

But as soon as he looked, he was stunned.

Despite their Leaf shinobi armor and forehead protectors, their personal data didn’t match their appearance—

*Name: Rasa*

*Level: 76*

*HP: 1260/1260*

*MP: 830/930*

*Specialty: Magnet Release · Gold Dust*

*Combat Power Evaluation: S+*

---

*Name: Chiyo*

*Level: 70*

*HP: 926/926*

*MP: 1100/1103*

*Specialties: Medical, Poison, Puppetry*

*Combat Power Evaluation: S*

---

*Name: Ebizō*

*Level: 65*

*HP: 828/828*

*MP: 1040/1046*

*Specialties: Espionage, Puppetry*

*Combat Power Evaluation: A+*

---

After reading their information, Hattori’s eyes widened, and he was completely baffled.

“What’s going on? Is this a data error?”

Then he glanced again at the bound Maki and Yashamaru. Finding no discrepancies in their data, a realization dawned on him.

“I get it! This is a Transformation Jutsu! These three aren’t Leaf shinobi; they’re Rasa, Chiyo, and Ebizō in disguise!”

Having figured this out, Hattori relaxed and looked at the three with a deeper understanding.

“Alright, let’s see what kind of tricks you’re up to!”

(End of Chapter)