Hokage's Office
Aoshi stepped inside and spoke first. "Hokage-sama, did you need to see me?"
Just moments earlier, an ANBU ninja had appeared and instructed him to report to Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately.
After taking a slow puff from his pipe, the Third Hokage smiled. "Yes, Aoshi. I have a mission that requires you."
As he spoke, he handed over a mission scroll.
Aoshi opened it and quickly scanned the contents. The request came from Kusagakure.
A few days earlier, a large-scale poisoning incident had broken out at Hozuki Castle. The situation was severe.
Although the medical ninjas stationed there had begun treatment right away, they were unable to stop the spread of the poison. Worse still, they couldn't even identify a proper cure.
The affected area continued to expand, and fatalities had already occurred.
Even though the people imprisoned in Hozuki Castle were criminals from different nations, their crimes did not warrant execution.
Otherwise, there would be no need for prisons at all—they could simply be put to death on the spot.
With no other options left, Kusagakure turned to Konoha for help.
After all, with the presence of the Medical Ninja like Tsunade, Konoha was widely recognized as the village with the most advanced medical ninjutsu in the entire ninja world.
Unfortunately, Tsunade had no interest in taking on this mission at the moment.
So, she passed it to Aoshi. In her own words, Aoshi's current level of medical ninjutsu might already surpass hers.
"This is an S-rank mission," Sarutobi Hiruzen said.
Under normal circumstances, this kind of assignment wouldn't reach that level. At most, it should have been classified as A-rank.
But Kusagakure had offered an exceptionally high commission.
Standard S-rank missions started at one million Ryo. This time, Kusagakure had offered three million.
Since the incident involved prisoners from multiple countries, they couldn't afford to delay. If the situation continued, the reputation of Hozuki Castle would suffer badly.
Aoshi nodded. "I understand. But I'll need assistance."
Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally didn't refuse such a reasonable request. "Who do you want to take with you?"
"Let Nono come with me," Aoshi replied immediately. "Her medical ninjutsu is excellent as well."
Then he added, "I'd also like to bring Kurenai, Rin, and Shizune. The three of them have performed extremely well over the past half month."
Half a month had passed since the three had graduated early and joined the intern medical ninja squad.
Aoshi wanted to use this mission to give them real field experience.
Under normal circumstances, Genin would never be allowed anywhere near an S-rank mission.
But this was a special case. With Aoshi and Nono—two Jōnin—leading the team, their safety could be guaranteed.
After a brief moment of consideration, Sarutobi Hiruzen agreed.
He had been keeping an eye on the medical training program. If Kurenai and the others performed well on this mission, it would silence a lot of criticism.
After accepting the assignment, Aoshi turned and left.
He went straight to Konoha Hospital and found the three girls.
"This is an S-rank mission," he said seriously. "So you'll need to give it everything you've got."
The three froze. Their very first mission… was S-rank?
At the same time, Asuma and Obito—who had come to visit Kurenai and Rin over the weekend—were just as stunned.
"Wait… seriously? An S-rank mission?" Asuma stared in disbelief.
Genin taking part in an S-rank mission was unheard of in Konoha. Asuma was completely dumbfounded.
"Rin's already going on S-rank missions, and I'm still stuck in the Ninja Academy…" Obito's face went pale, as if he had taken a direct hit.
"Is the gap between me and Rin already this huge?"
Normally, Rin would have comforted him right away. But this time, she herself was too shocked to react.
She looked at Aoshi uncertainly. "Brother Aoshi… do the three of us really qualify for an S-rank mission?"
Even Kurenai felt uneasy. If it were a C-rank mission, she would have accepted without hesitation.
But this was S-rank. That was the level of mission only Jōnin like her father—and Aoshi—were supposed to handle.
Aoshi smiled calmly. "Don't worry. If I'm telling you this, then it means everything's already settled. Lord Hokage has approved it."
Those words finally eased their nerves.
"Based on how well you've performed during your internship, I specifically secured this opportunity for you three."
Hearing that, the girls were deeply moved by his trust. They straightened immediately and answered together, "Yes! We won't let you down!"
After giving them a few more instructions and agreeing to meet later at Konoha's main gate, Aoshi left in a hurry for the Konoha Orphanage to find Nono.
"Rin, congratulations. You're already going on S-rank missions," Asuma said sincerely. "I'm sure Obito will get there too someday."
After comforting Obito, Rin and the others also left Konoha Hospital to prepare.
---
Konoha Orphanage
When Aoshi arrived, the children immediately lit up.
"Brother Aoshi!" they shouted together.
Smiling as he responded to them, Aoshi said he was looking for Nono. The staff quickly guided the children away.
"Brother Aoshi, what can I help you with?"
More than two years had passed, and the once-innocent Nono had now fully matured.
She had grown into the gentle figure Aoshi remembered. With her glasses and warm smile, she carried a natural, maternal presence.
It was exactly because of this that she had inherited the position of orphanage head—with no objections from anyone.
There truly was no one more suited for it.
"There's an S-rank medical mission," Aoshi said. "I need your help."
"Alright. Give me a moment." Without asking for details, Nono turned and went to prepare.
Not long after, she returned—now dressed in the standard uniform of a medical ninja.
Aoshi's eyes brightened at the sight.
"Ready?" she asked with a smile.
"Let's go," Aoshi replied.
By the time they reached Konoha's gate, Kurenai, Rin, and Shizune were already there, fully prepared.
Nono looked at them curiously. "Who are they?"
"They're outstanding students from the medical training class," Aoshi explained. "They're interning at the hospital now. This is a rare chance for them to gain experience."
After brief introductions, the group set off together toward the Land of Grass.
Along the way, Aoshi explained the full details of the S-rank mission.
Only then did Kurenai and the others truly understand.
And only then did they realize why—even as Genin—they had been allowed to take part in a mission of this level.