The Hokage's office was filled with soft light streaming through the tall windows and the scent of tobacco. Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, trying to carefully read through another report, but the noise from his most energetic student made the Hokage sigh heavily and set the scroll aside.
"I'm telling you, that kid is a natural-born genius!" the white-haired man waved his arms excitedly. "He picks everything up instantly! Just like I did at his age! In a couple of years, he'll definitely surpass that snake creep. You'll see, old man!"
"Jiraiya…" Hiruzen began tiredly, but didn't have time to finish.
The office door opened with a soft knock, and a tall man stepped inside, with pale skin, pitch-black hair, and a predatory gaze.
"At his age, you were more often tied to a post… or lying around recovering from Tsunade's punches," Orochimaru said lazily, leaning against the wall and continuing mockingly. "Or am I mixing things up?"
"Hah!" Jiraiya snorted. "Nice jokes you've got. You could at least be happy for my successes for once without spraying your venom everywhere."
"Of course, Jiraiya. As soon as you have any successes, be sure to let me know," Orochimaru replied with a barely noticeable smirk.
"Enough," Hiruzen finally intervened, raising a hand. "You're both behaving like children. Although…" He glanced at them with mild amusement. "You are children."
Jiraiya sat down in a corner, crossing his arms over his chest, while Orochimaru stepped closer to the desk.
"How is your team?" the Third asked, studying his student closely.
"Unexpectedly… promising," Orochimaru began calmly. "Mikoto Uchiha has an excellent foundation and strong potential for genjutsu. Nawaki is trying to extract the maximum from his bloodline. And Kuro Nara…" Here Orochimaru's voice shifted slightly, becoming more engaged. "He seems even more exceptional. At such an age, he created his own technique—a variation of shadow manipulation. He can give his shadow the form of creatures. And control them."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow.
"Creatures made of shadow?"
"Not in the classical sense. They're more like living beings. Potentially quite a useful technique," Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "And if he continues at this pace, I'd even call him a worthy candidate for an early promotion."
"You do love exaggerating. Is this Nara really that talented?" Jiraiya muttered under his breath. Orochimaru ignored him.
"How strong are these creatures?" the Third decided to clarify.
"Not all of them are combat-oriented, but those that can fight—I'd say they're at the level of Tokubetsu Jōnin."
Hiruzen nodded slightly, clearly impressed, and pulled a stack of papers closer. With a light tap, he tossed one of the folders onto the edge of the desk.
"Here's the list of available missions. That's what you came for, isn't it? You may choose."
Orochimaru lazily picked up the folder and began flipping through it. His eyes skimmed over routine tasks: eliminating bandit camps, catching thieves, surveillance. All boring—until he stopped on one sheet marked with a special note.
"Merchant caravan. Escort mission. The note says: 'possible third-party interference.' What about this one?"
Seeing his student's interest, Sarutobi sighed.
"The client received information that his competitor hired mercenaries. Their strength and number are unknown. The mission could turn out to be C, B… or even A-rank."
"I'll take it."
"You don't seriously want me to send three genin there, do you?" Hiruzen finally asked.
The future Sannin slowly smiled, placing his palm on the chosen mission.
"Even if a group of Jōnin were against us, it still wouldn't change anything. I'm going with the genin, and that's more than enough."
"I don't know…" Jiraiya stretched and cut in. "If something happens to Nawaki, Tsunade will kill you. And if the Uchiha gets into trouble, you're done for. I'd advise picking something simpler."
"When I want to hear the opinion of a failure, you'll be the first to know."
"What did you say?! Say that again!" Jiraiya flared up.
"Enough," Hiruzen intervened again, folding his hands. "Take the mission, but be careful, Orochimaru. This isn't the time to lose clan heirs."
"Of course, Sarutobi-sensei," Orochimaru replied calmly. "Don't worry—it will only benefit them."
He turned around and left the office without saying goodbye.
Silence hung in the room once more. Jiraiya shook his head.
"He won't change."
Hiruzen merely closed his eyes, taking a puff from his pipe.
"And I don't see much change in you either, Jiraiya. Or do you think I don't know who caused a commotion near the hot springs yesterday?"
"That's slander!"
Soon, the day of the mission arrived. In the Nara clan compound, everything was as quiet as usual. Outside, birds were just beginning to sing, while Kuro silently packed his gear into a backpack. Scrolls, explosive tags, spare kunai and shuriken, chakra-restoring pills.
At the doorway, dressed in a kimono and holding a cup of sake, stood Enzo.
"The first mission is always the most nerve-wracking," he said, looking at his grandson as if recalling something.
"Escorting a merchant caravan isn't that difficult. Isn't it a bit early for drinking?" Kuro replied, fastening the straps.
Enzo snorted disapprovingly.
"None of your business, brat. And don't underestimate the assignment. Merchants are noisy, unpredictable people. Don't relax—trouble can be waiting at every step."
Kuro nodded calmly.
"Don't worry, Grandpa. I'll be back."
"I'm not worried. I'm warning you," Enzo replied, taking a sip of sake.
Soon the young man left the house and headed toward the village's main gate. There, under the rays of the morning sun, his two teammates were already waiting.
Mikoto stood leaning against the railing. Her katana hung on her back, her gaze calm and focused. Nearby, Nawaki was trying to fasten the straps of his new protective vest, muttering under his breath about a strap being too short. Spotting Kuro, he waved cheerfully, while Mikoto, as always, gave a restrained nod.
Behind them stood an impressive merchant caravan—three loaded wagons carrying fabrics, spices, and crates of expensive alcohol. Near the first wagon stood a slightly plump man in his forties, with lush black mustaches neatly curled at the ends. His silk jacket was far too fancy for the road, and a gold chain dangled at his waist.
"So that's our client?" Kuro asked quietly as he approached his teammates.
"Yeah. His name's Toshida Yukai," Mikoto replied. "He trades with the Lands of Fire and Earth."
"And this is our promised C-rank mission?" the Senju asked skeptically. "So far, it looks like a harmless walk."
"Quiet, he's coming," Mikoto noted, gesturing with her hand.
Yukai approached them with a wide smile.
"And here's another of my protectors! A pleasure to meet you, young man! I'm sure that with all of you, I'll be perfectly safe, ha-ha!" Kuro merely nodded in response.
"You can rest assured, I'll do everything to protect you," Nawaki said, puffing out his chest slightly. After exchanging a few more words, the caravan leader returned to his people.
"He seems pretty nice. Despite our age, he believes in—" Senju didn't finish before being cut off by the Uchiha.
"Are you really that much of an idiot? He obviously knows who our sensei is and what he's capable of."
"Huh?! You really think so?" Hearing Nawaki's exclamation, Nara couldn't hold back and burst into laughter at his teammate's naivety.
A couple of minutes later, a shadow silently dropped from the branch of a nearby tree. Dressed in a jōnin vest, Orochimaru walked over, sweeping them all with an appraising gaze.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
He approached his team and gave a short but clear briefing.
"We don't know exactly who we'll face, so stay alert at all times. Work together, don't lose sight of the client, and don't rush ahead. Kuro, you cover the rear. Mikoto, stay close to Toshida at all times. Nawaki, you go in front."
Yukai swallowed nervously at Orochimaru's tone.
"W-wait… do you really think it'll be that dangerous?.."
"Possibly. Or it might just be a peaceful stroll. But it's better to be prepared for the worst. Let's go."
With those words, the shinobi team and the caravan set off toward the border with the Land of Earth. The mission had begun.