From the night of genocide, marching towards the strongest.

Seven days later, a minor incident occurred in Konoha Village, which even circulated among the Jonin, causing quite a stir.

In just seven days, the newly graduated Class 7 set many records for Konoha Village.

This includes records such as the highest number of tasks completed in a single day, the highest number of D-level tasks completed in a single day, and the fastest time in history to complete one hundred D-level tasks.

Rank D missions are usually very trivial, joined at personal request, and rewarded with a fee of between 500 and 10,000 taels of silver, ranging from finding pets to picking up trash.

Although the commission wasn't high, the sheer volume made up for it. In just seven days, the Seventh Class earned nearly 300,000 taels in commission, equivalent to completing two low-level A-grade tasks!

Upon hearing this, the Third Hokage felt a significant lightening of his burden, but couldn't help but wonder if he had given the children too little responsibility.

Perhaps they could manage two hundred?

The Third Hokage was in a great mood, and at the same time, he secretly made up his mind.

The Shadow Clone Technique must be popularized!

Ah!

Starting next year, it will be a compulsory course at the Ninja Academy!

As evening fell, the sun began to set.

After submitting their 100th mission request in the Hokage's office, Sakura suggested they have a meal together, so the group went to a barbecue restaurant in the village.

As for the A-rank ninjutsu scroll that the Third Hokage promised, aside from Naruto, who was particularly interested in the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique,...

Sasuke glanced at it briefly before losing interest, and Sakura also frowned after just one look, abandoning her idea of ​​training.

In order to complete one hundred missions within seven days, the three of them often maintained shadow clones day and night to carry out the missions. The consumption of chakra was not a big deal, but the burden of the huge memory and the exhaustion of energy were by no means easy.

However, it was all worth it. They set a series of records, earned a large sum of money, and gained the gratitude and recognition of many villagers. What Naruto desired most was the latter.

"Cheers to our Class 7 completing our 100th mission!"

Naruto had just sat down and wolfed down his food for a while when he suddenly raised his drink and shouted.

Since all three were minors, and according to the rules of this world, minors are strictly prohibited from drinking alcohol, the table on their table contained only beverages.

Although I am a ninja, I kill, I set fires, I rob, I have tattoos, I wear colored contact lenses, and I dye my hair.

But I am still a good kid who abides by the regulations for minors and never drinks or smokes!

Sakura and Sasuke raised their drinks and lightly touched them together with Naruto's, then took a sip.

As soon as he put down his cup, Naruto said impatiently, "Why hasn't Kakashi-sensei arrived yet? We agreed to meet at six o'clock, and it's almost eight now. That guy is late again!"

Sakura defended Kakashi, saying, "Kakashi-sensei probably didn't arrive late on purpose this time. Before we parted, didn't he tell us he was going to find the Third Hokage to pick up our C-rank mission?"

"That's right!" Naruto nodded in realization, then said with great enthusiasm, "Finally, we can carry out an even more important mission!"

Although performing these D-rank missions could solve problems for the village and provide assistance to the villagers, the clients would look at him with gratitude and recognition after completing the missions, which made Naruto quite happy.

But deep down, he still wanted to accomplish an even more challenging task.

Is it a C-level mission?

It seems unlikely that I'll encounter any ninjas.

However, if we could encounter some bandits or robbers and see some blood, that would be good too.

Sasuke ate his food silently, letting out a sigh inwardly.

Half an hour later, Kakashi walked in.

"Leaving the village on a mission!?"

Sakura and Naruto's eyes lit up, and they exclaimed in surprise. Sasuke also unconsciously turned his gaze over, looking very interested.

"Ok!"

Facing the students' eager gazes, Kakashi maintained his deadpan expression and said, "The details of this mission are as follows..."

"Therefore, this mission will be carried out by our Seventh Squad!"

After speaking, Kakashi looked at the three of them, taking in their reactions.

As expected, Naruto clenched his fist, revealing an expression full of enthusiasm, while Sakura looked somewhat confused.

Sasuke, on the other hand, remained calm and composed, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.

"Sakura, is there something you're wondering about?"

"Hmm!" Sakura nodded and asked directly, "Kakashi-sensei, the mission instructions say that we need to go to the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain to track down the rogue ninja Midori Aoi. According to the intelligence, Midori Aoi was a Chunin before she defected. And C-rank missions don't involve ninjas. Did the village assign us the wrong mission rank?"

The tasks that ninjas can perform are usually divided into five levels: S, A, B, C, and D.

S-rank missions involve classified matters at the national or village level, such as joining a war at the request of another country or one's own country, with a reward of over one million taels, assassinating important figures, or stealing classified documents.

Rank A missions involve the movement of a nation or village, or missions that require joining a war at the request of another country, with rewards ranging from 150,000 to 1 million ryo, such as protecting important figures or suppressing ninja forces.

Rank B: Missions involving individuals, joined upon personal request, with rewards ranging from 50,000 to 150,000 ryo, involving bodyguards, including hostile ninjas.

Rank C: Missions involving individuals, joined upon personal request. Rewards range from 10,000 to 50,000 ryo. Tasks include bodyguard duties, missions with enemies but not involving ninjas, delivering classified documents, etc.

Rank D, very trivial tasks, added at my personal request. Rewards range from 500 to 10,000 taels. From finding pets to scavenging trash, etc.

Team 7's mission involves rogue ninja, and not just any rogue ninja, but Chunin. According to the mission level assessment, this should be at least a B-rank mission, not a C-rank one.

"Of course not. According to the village's intelligence, Green Blue Aoi appeared at Kofu Castle on the border of the Land of Fire two days ago. Our mission this time is just to go to Kofu Castle to find the whereabouts of the rogue ninja Green Blue Aoi. We are just there to assist other intelligence personnel in the search. The actual combat and capture operations will be carried out by members of the Anbu. We will not participate. As long as we can find some clues, our mission will be successful!"

Kakashi smiled and continued to explain, "Of course, the mission level is also subject to change. If we encounter the rogue ninja Midori Aoi, engage in battle, and successfully capture or kill her, our mission will be upgraded to Rank B!"

"I see." Sakura nodded her little head, then took out her notebook and started writing something.

"Kakashi-sensei." Naruto pouted, somewhat puzzled, and asked, "Why did this Green Aoi defect from the village?"

Naruto simply couldn't understand those ninjas who defected from the village. Even though he had grown up in the village, where he was ostracized and ignored, Naruto had never thought of defecting or even taking revenge on others.

I just want to try my best to prove myself and gain everyone's recognition.

Kakashi pondered for a moment and explained, "Rogue ninjas usually defect because of reasons such as crime, rebellion, confusion, personal interests, or depravity. Last year, Green Blue Aoi tricked a genin who failed the Chunin Exams into stealing the village's ninjutsu scrolls and the Second Hokage's Thunder God Sword, which was probably due to personal interests."

Naruto nodded and remained silent.

Kakashi then looked at Sasuke, who had been silent the whole time, and asked, "Sasuke, what about you? Do you have anything to ask?"

Sasuke shook his head: "No."

"Alright! We'll meet at the Konoha gates at 8:00 AM tomorrow!"

After a pause, Kakashi added, "Remember, eight o'clock, don't be late!"

"Huh!?" Sakura and Naruto exclaimed with a look of disgust, "Kakashi-sensei, are you talking about yourself?"

Kakashi picked up a piece of grilled meat and was about to put it in his mouth when he saw three people staring at him curiously, seemingly wanting to see how he could eat while wearing a mask, or perhaps wanting to see his face under the mask.

Note: Green Aoi is an original character from the Naruto anime. She was originally a Chunin from Konoha Village and Morino Date's mentor. She tricked Morino Date, who failed the Chunin Exams, into stealing Konoha's secret ninjutsu scrolls and the Second Hokage's Thunder God Sword before defecting to Amegakure and becoming a Jonin.

Morino Ita, a former Konoha village genin, is the younger brother of Morino Ibiki. The anime does not specify which year Morino Ita took the Chunin Exams, but judging from his appearance and height, he should be the same age as the main characters. Therefore, this book sets the events to have taken place last year.

Regarding this mission, I'd like to gloss over it briefly to speed up the plot and move directly into the Land of Waves storyline.

The gist of it is that, in this mission, Team 7 encountered Rain Ninja sent by Nagato, in addition to Green Aoi. As a result, Green Aoi was killed by Sasuke alone, who obtained the Thunder God Sword. The Rain Ninja retreated, and Team 7 was thus put on Nagato's watch list.

Chapter 62 Payne and Konan

The Land of Rain, a country where it is rainy all year round, Pain stood atop the tallest tower in Amegakure, watching the rain pour down harder and harder outside, silent and lost in thought.

Konan approached with a document in her hand and said in a cold tone, "Nagato, the mission to intercept the Konoha rogue ninja has failed."

"Failed?" A hint of surprise flashed in Pain's eyes as he asked calmly, "What did Hayato say?"

Hayato's full name is Idaten Hayato. He is a Jonin from Amegakure. His older brother, Idaten Kyusuke, was an early member of the Akatsuki organization and a true partner who fought alongside Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan for their dreams.

However, Hayato Idaten was unaware of his brother's deeds. He only joined Amegakure after Nagato and Konan killed Hanzo and took control of the Land of Rain in the name of God.

If it weren't for the conflict with his path, Nagato would still be a person who cherishes old friendships very much.

Although Hayato Idaten was unaware of the connection between Akatsuki and the village, and was not qualified to join Akatsuki, he lived up to expectations and became a qualified Jonin of Amegakure under the deliberate training of Nagato and Konan, demonstrating considerable strength.

In order to meet Green Blue Aoi, Pain publicly dispatched an elite team led by Idaten Hayato, and secretly sent a team of elite ANBU members as well. In his opinion, everything should be foolproof.

Konan replied, "Hayato's team encountered Kakashi Hatake, and our Anbu were also held up by Konoha's Anbu ninjas. Both sides were cautious and only conducted simple probing, without engaging in any intense battles."

Accepting rogue ninjas from other ninja villages is a very taboo thing, especially when the target is someone from Konoha. When Hayato and his group encounter Konoha ninjas, they will naturally have some reservations and be more restrained.

Upon hearing this, Pain nodded and said indifferently, "And then? Did that Green Aoi guy escape? Or is he dead?"

“Dead!” Konan frowned slightly and said coldly, “According to Hayato, Midori Aoi was killed by Uchiha Sasuke, the last surviving member of the Uchiha clan, in a one-on-one situation!”

"Seeing that Green Sunflower was dead, our men withdrew."

“Uchiha Sasuke?” Pain’s tone shifted slightly. “He actually killed Midori Aoi. As expected of Itachi Uchiha’s brother.”

"Was it hatred that made him powerful?"

"Perhaps." Konan paused for a moment, then continued, "Kakashi is probably Sasuke Uchiha's Jonin. It's worth mentioning that Naruto Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, is also in Kakashi's team."

"Oh?" Pain finally became interested and took the document from Konan to examine it carefully.

After looking at it for a while, Pain closed the file and said in a completely emotionless tone, "The mission failed, so be it. Green Aoi is irrelevant to us anyway."

Nagato had no interest in Green Aoi's strength, or even the so-called Thunder God Sword he possessed. He only accepted him because he wanted to see if he could get some information from this guy, despite the taboos of the ninja world.

But since Green Aoi is dead, he has no value to Nagato, and Nagato would naturally not do anything foolish like avenging him.

"I understand." Xiao Nan nodded, paused, and then brought up another matter.

"Regarding the matter of Suien, a former Jonin from Takigakure, hoping to join forces with our village to launch a coup against Takigakure, Nagato, what should we do?"

Pain pondered silently for a moment, then said calmly, "Let's leave him out for now. He thinks he can get us to send people to help him stage a coup with the so-called Hero's Water? That's not enough to justify the price."

Takigakure is a hidden village behind a huge waterfall, and there is also a mysterious giant tree in the village that towers into the clouds and whose trunk and branches surround the entire village.

And the sacred water that flows from the giant tree once every hundred years in the ancient legend of Takigakure, which is said to contain the power to increase a ninja's chakra by dozens of times, also known as the Hero's Water!

Nagato showed no interest whatsoever in the Hero's Water that Suigan had mentioned. In Takigakure, there was only one thing that interested him: the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki!

"Anyway, we're not in a hurry. It's him who's in a hurry. If he's willing to pay a good price, I wouldn't mind sending Kakuzu back to his hometown to take a look, in addition to sending out ninjas from the village."

"I understand!" Xiao Nan nodded and said no more.

Now is not the best time to collect the Tailed Beasts, but if we can make Takigakure like a puppet and control it in our own hands...

At that time, collecting the Seven-Tails will be a natural outcome.