"Alright... that makes it ten successful C-Rank missions you've completed now."
Exiting the Mission Assignment Hall, Kakashi spoke to the young girl beside him.
"Mhm... Kakashi-sensei."
Hearing this, Sakura didn't seem particularly happy, merely nodding slightly before turning to leave.
Seeing this, Kakashi wasn't sure how to console his student.
But he still voiced his thoughts before she left.
"Sakura, you don't need to dwell on it."
"Both Sasuke and Naruto carry burdens they must fulfill. Between you and them..."
Kakashi paused for a moment before continuing.
"...You are different."
Sakura, still facing away, simply nodded at his words, then continued walking towards her home.
All Kakashi could do was sigh softly.
In truth, Team 7 had effectively disbanded not long after the Chunin Exams.
Ever since Naruto left Konoha, Sasuke had never undertaken another mission with Sakura.
However, this wasn't entirely surprising.
Under Kakashi's guidance, Sasuke was taking on more difficult C-Rank and B-Rank missions… the kind usually assigned to Chunin.
As for Sakura… She could only occasionally take on missions with Genin from other teams.
Thanks to the inconclusive outcome of the previous Chunin Exams, all of Konoha's rookie twelve were still Genin.
This often led to situations where several students, whose skills were already at Chunin-level, would team up for a single C-Rank mission.
The difficulty and danger were significantly reduced.
It was only after Naruto returned to the village and took Sasuke away that Kakashi seemed to belatedly remember he had another student.
After that, he took Sakura on several lower-ranked missions by herself.
As for her current state...
By Genin standards, Sakura was undoubtedly excellent.
Her learning of Ninjutsu, her Chakra Control, and her judgment in battle could all be considered above average.
But compared to her two departed teammates, it simply wasn't enough.
Even though Sakura had been pushing herself hard, neither talent nor opportunity were on her side, causing the gap between her and Naruto and Sasuke to widen even further.
As he walked towards Ichiraku Ramen, Kakashi flipped through his Icha Icha Paradise.
"Jiraiya-sama hasn't released a new work in so long..."
Although he complained, Kakashi knew the reason well.
-It wasn't just him… recently, the news had spread throughout the circles of Konoha's Ninjas.
The 'big deeds' performed by Jiraiya, Sasuke, and Naruto.
They had actually 'snatched' the Jinchuriki right out of other nations' hands.
Of course, the reason given was to help protect the Jinchuriki. As for how many people believed that... well, opinions varied.
But that wasn't the only shocking development.
Although the Third Hokage's retirement had been decided long ago, the Daimyo's appointment of Hiashi as the Fifth Hokage still caused quite a stir.
While the Hyuga Clan looked down on everyone except the Uchiha Clan, and even called themselves the 'Third Great Clan of Konoha'…
In reality, many Ninjas had decent relations with the Hyuga Clan.
After all, they were just a bit arrogant, nowhere near the level of the Uchiha Clan.
But this decision made the Hyuga Clan's position somewhat... intriguing.
The Sarutobi Clan aside, even the three Ino-Shika-Cho Clans had some objections.
After all, this appointment was made without consulting them, based solely on the Daimyo's will.
If that wasn't enough, the subsequent move to label Naruto and his group as Missing-Nin truly caused an uproar.
On the day Naruto killed Danzo, members of several major clans had been 'invited' to witness the event.
Through their accounts, many had learned of Naruto's identity as the [Son of a Hero].
While the major clans didn't do a complete 180 in their attitude towards Naruto like the Civilian Ninjas or villagers, they still felt a certain degree of guilt.
-They had to, at least outwardly.
It had become a sort of socially accepted 'correct' stance.
So, not long after his identity was publicly acknowledged, the new administration labels him a 'Missing-Nin'?
How were the major clans supposed to remain loyally dedicated to the village after that?
The Will of Fire, so strongly advocated by the Third Hokage, suddenly felt like a joke.
Amidst this delicate atmosphere, the roster for the mission to pursue Naruto and his group was finalized.
"Huh? If it isn't my eternal rival, Kakashi! What a coincidence!"
As Kakashi lifted the curtain and entered the ramen shop, a familiar, energetic voice rang out.
Kakashi instinctively wanted to pretend he hadn't heard and turn away, but Guy swiftly grabbed his wrist, preventing his escape.
Reluctantly, he offered a greeting.
"Yo, Guy. Fancy meeting you here."
He told himself it was pointless to avoid him now, as he'd have to work with his old friend on the upcoming mission anyway.
That's right. The mission leaders were to be Kakashi and Guy.
Additionally, the roster included former Team 7's member, Haruno Sakura, Team 3's members, Hyuga Neji and Rock Lee, and Team 8's members, Hyuga Hinata and Inuzuka Kiba.
No one understood why the newly appointed Fifth Hokage, Hiashi, had made such a decision.
After all, according to the rumors, Naruto possessed strength capable of defeating a Kage.
What was the point of sending a few Genin?
Was he planning to play the friendship card?
Actually, their guesses weren't far off.
Hiashi himself was conflicted.
On one hand, he couldn't openly defy the Daimyo's orders and ignore Naruto.
On the other hand, the Hokage Rock that Naruto had shattered with a single punch before leaving still wasn't fully repaired.
With that exaggerated combat power, plus the support of Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, sending anyone would be futile.
So, he simply assigned all the Genin who were reportedly on good terms with Naruto to the mission.
-Neji was included partly due to his own personal considerations.
Thinking it wouldn't hurt for him to get some face-time in front of Naruto.
After all, given Naruto's age and displayed strength, it was hard to say who would truly hold power in Konoha in the future.
The village's leadership had to consider the Daimyo due to village finances, but Naruto wouldn't.
If he found out who was pulling the strings behind the scenes, who knows...
Tsk tsk.
Though it was just a bold conjecture, it made Hiashi's heart race.
He had a feeling that kid was capable of doing something like that.
By sending this team, he could placate the higher-ups and give the Daimyo an answer…
While not sending those Ninjas to their deaths.
With past friendships as a buffer, he believed Naruto wouldn't truly harm these kids.
One could say that although Hiashi had only been the Fifth Hokage for a few days, his slick way of handling affairs was already showing.
Don't offend either side. Wait quietly. Just let the kunai fly for a while longer.