Flame Ninja System

"Your next mission for Team 7 is…" 

Bright and early the next morning, Kakashi led Kazama and the others to the mission hall. 

"I, Uzumaki Naruto, am gonna become Hokage one day! So please, give us an important mission!" 

Naruto had seen other genin getting stuck with tasks like catching cats or running errands for groceries. 

He was terrified that the Third Hokage would saddle Team 7 with something just as lame. 

So, the moment they walked in, he started shouting at the Third. 

"Yeah, Lord Third, please give us something big!" 

Kazama quickly chimed in, backing Naruto up. 

Sure, the Third had already promised Kazama yesterday that they could take on the Land of Waves mission today. 

But still, appearances had to be maintained. 

"Idiots! Genin always start with small tasks. You think you could even handle an escort mission?" 

Hearing Naruto and Kazama's pleas, Sasuke immediately scoffed at them. 

"Alright, fine. I'll assign you a C-rank escort mission!" 

"What the—?!" 

Seeing the Third Hokage actually agree to Kazama's request, Sasuke felt his face burn with embarrassment. 

"Sasuke, how's it feel to get slapped in the face at light speed?" 

"Hmph! Mind your own business!" 

Meanwhile, the other genin in the mission hall were staring. 

The Third Hokage had just handed Kazama's team a C-rank mission. 

Cue the wave of envy, jealousy, and resentment from the crowd. 

"Awesome! So, who are we escorting? A daimyo? A princess?" 

Naruto was practically bouncing with excitement. 

Kazama smirked to himself. Not a daimyo or a princess, but a drunk old man who's about to call you a shorty, Naruto! 

"Come in!" 

While Kazama was chuckling to himself, the Third Hokage signaled for his staff to bring in the client. 

"What's this? Just a bunch of kids! Can they even protect me? Especially that scrawny black-haired twig over there—are you really a ninja?" 

"Scrawny black-haired twig?" 

Kazama blinked, caught off guard by the client, Tazuna's, words. 

Wait a sec. In the manga, didn't Tazuna mock Naruto for being a shorty? Why's he calling out a scrawny black-haired twig? Who's the twig? 

Kazama glanced around. 

Then he noticed Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura all staring at him. 

A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead as it hit him. 

The "scrawny black-haired twig" Tazuna was talking about… was Kazama himself. 

Damn it! I thought this guy was gonna roast Naruto, but he's coming for me instead?! 

Kazama shot Tazuna a dirty look. 

"How dare you look down on my bro Kazama! I'm gonna teach you a lesson!" 

Naruto, ever loyal, jumped in to defend Kazama's honor. 

"He's our client, you idiot! Why would you pick a fight with him?" 

Kakashi sighed, dragging Naruto out of the room. 

As Kazama and the others left, Iruka stepped forward, concern etched on his face. 

"Lord Hokage, isn't it a bit rushed to send Kazama and the others on a C-rank escort mission already?" 

"Don't worry." 

The Third Hokage smiled and shook his head at Iruka's worries. 

"C-rank missions aren't dangerous. Even if something goes wrong, Kakashi can handle it. And if Kakashi can't handle it, Kazama's more than capable of wiping the floor with any enemy!" 

See, the Third had watched Team 7's bell test from start to finish. 

Kazama's Wood Release: Multiple Clones, his Lightning Release: Kirin, and his ability to transform ninjutsu into beast-like forms—those were some serious trump cards. 

With those in his arsenal, anyone below Kage-level would have a hard time standing up to him. 

That's why the Third was so confident about letting Kazama head out on this mission.