"Ahhh—When will this boring life end?!"
Tom groaned dramatically, slumping on a bench after completing yet another tedious delivery task. This was the fifth one this week.
Because Tom had graduated early from the Ninja Academy and hadn't been assigned to a formal genin squad, he was currently working under the temporary guidance of Kakashi Hatake.
At this time, Kakashi hadn't yet formed the legendary Team 7 and was still known widely as "Cold-Blooded Kakashi."
"Tom, get ready for the next mission," Kakashi said coldly, barely glancing at him, but his words carried a chilling pressure that made Tom stiffen.
Tom felt a chill run down his spine. Good grief... that murderous aura!
He sighed. This world is nothing like my old one. Back there, strict laws protected people, even in the face of bullying or pressure from authority. But here? Murderous intent flies around like it's nothing.
Still, deep down, Tom wasn't discouraged. I still want to change things—especially for Kakashi. I want to help him get out of the darkness... without disrupting the core timeline too much.
Putting on a confident grin, Tom looked up at Kakashi. "Mr. Kakashi! I'm a genius, you know! I finished all my ninja training ahead of schedule and graduated early. Shouldn't I be doing something more... fitting of my talents? Like elite infiltration? Assassinations, maybe?"
Kakashi didn't even blink. "Stop talking. More missions."
Tom sighed. Well, that didn't work.
From a window in the Hokage building, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was observing the pair.
He smiled faintly. "Kakashi... I hope this young man can bring light into your heart."
---
Later that day, Kakashi received another assignment from the Hokage.
"Next task: Help Mrs. Imura, west of the village, carry water."
"Understood," Kakashi replied simply and left.
Tom jogged to catch up. "Hey, Mr. Kakashi, wait for me! Don't forget about your lovely young genius assistant!"
Kakashi said nothing, eyes buried in his latest book. But instead of the infamous Make-Out Paradise, he was reading something different this time—a novel titled Road to Ninja: Death. The title alone suggested a darker, heavier tone.
---
West of the Village
Kakashi walked up to a modest home and knocked on the door. Bang. Bang. Bang.
"Coming," an elderly woman's voice called out.
The door creaked open, and an old woman with a cane stood before them. Her back was slightly hunched, and her eyes narrowed in recognition.
"You're the ninjas sent to help with the water?" she asked, glancing between Kakashi and Tom. Her gaze settled on Tom with mild surprise. "Did that child really graduate?"
Tom puffed out his chest proudly and pointed to his forehead protector pinned beneath his left shoulder.
"Of course, Grandma! I'm a prodigy! This is my headband!"
But the old woman simply ignored him and turned back to Kakashi. "So, he's really a genin now?"
Kakashi nodded. "Yes. He has already graduated."
The old woman smiled faintly and motioned toward the back of her home. "My son usually fetches the water, but he hasn't returned yet. I need help carrying water to fill these tanks."
Tom turned the corner and stopped in shock.
There were twelve huge water tanks waiting to be filled.
"T-Twelve of them?! Mr. Kakashi… don't tell me you expect me to carry them all by myself..."
Tom gave him puppy-dog eyes, silently pleading for mercy.
Kakashi, completely unmoved, turned to the old woman and said, "Don't worry, we'll complete the mission." Then he walked over to a tree in the courtyard and sat under the shade, flipping open his book.
Tom looked at the mountain of work ahead of him and let out a dramatic sigh.
This world is merciless.
But then he stood up straight, wiped the imaginary sweat from his brow, and clapped his hands.
"Alright! Mrs. Imura, Mr. Kakashi, watch this!"
He made a hand sign. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Poof! In a cloud of smoke, twenty-three copies of Tom appeared around him.
"Let's goooo!"
Even Kakashi looked up from his book for a second, the corner of his eye twitching slightly. Twenty-three shadow clones? That's not normal for a fresh genin...
Still, he said nothing and returned to reading.
Tom, full of energy again, turned to his clones. "Alright, team! Form pairs. Each group of two will carry one tank. Let's move!"
"Roger that!" all the Toms shouted in unison.
Twelve pairs of Tom clones hoisted the tanks and began marching down the hill toward the river, located five kilometers away.
Tom led the front group with a clone beside him, carrying the heaviest of the tanks. "Let's do this!"
---
Half an hour later, the twelve teams returned, each tank now full to the brim.
"Task complete, Mr. Kakashi!" Tom announced with a salute.
Kakashi glanced up, his book now closed. "Got it. Rest up. Tomorrow, we start your first C-rank mission."
Tom's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"YES! Finally! Mr. Kakashi, you're the best!"
He deactivated the clones and dashed off toward the village.
Kakashi stood silently under the tree for a moment, watching Tom disappear into the distance.
He has chakra reserves high enough to create over 20 shadow clones and keep them active during a five-kilometer run, carrying large water tanks…
Not to mention the control needed to balance chakra on water while filling the tanks in the middle of a river. He's above the level of an average chunin already.
Kakashi folded his arms. "Time to let him see real battle."
---
The Next Morning – Hokage's Office
After reviewing Kakashi's report, the Third Hokage exhaled a puff of smoke and said calmly, "Today's mission is to suppress the bandits hiding on Sanling Mountain, near Xilin Village. It's a border town between the Land of Fire and the Land of Sound."
"Understood," Kakashi said, then turned and left.
As Tom approached, Kakashi looked at him. "You have fifteen minutes. Gather your gear and meet me at the village gate."
With that, he vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.
Tom stood there for a second, stunned.
Then a grin spread across his face.
"Yes! No more D-rank babysitting! I'm finally getting a C-rank mission!"