Chapter 12: Not All Missions Are Weighed the Same! (edited)
Another spy?
Nara Keisuke followed behind Tsunade, his eyes quickly scanning the mission information on the panel.
But, another B-rank mission?
'The B-rank ninja battle mission triggered yesterday was rated B because the enemy was a Jonin.'
Nara Keisuke's brow furrowed slightly after reading the mission details.
'But for today's B-rank mission, Tsunade clearly stated that the low-level Iwagakure spies are, at most, Chunin level!'
'Is this a mistake by the "Lazy System"? Or is it... that the difficulty scaling for combat missions and commissioned missions is different?'
Nara Keisuke carefully contemplated the panel functions he had figured out so far.
'According to the panel's power level classification, E-rank is an Academy student, D-rank is Genin, C-rank is Chunin, and B-rank is Jonin.'
'The difficulty of a ninja battle mission is also determined by the enemy's power level.'
'But the commissioned ninja missions issued by Konoha...'
The common knowledge about missions taught at the Academy flashed through Nara Keisuke's mind.
In Konoha Village, ninja mission difficulties are divided into five levels, from the lowest D-rank to the highest S-rank.
Among them, C-rank and D-rank missions generally do not involve combat.
B-rank missions explicitly state the presence of an enemy, but their strength is only Chunin or below.
Only A-rank and S-rank missions involve Jonin, ninja squads, or even "Kage-level" threats.
'This means there's a one-rank difference between the "Lazy System"'s battle missions and commissioned missions!'
A sharp glint flashed in Nara Keisuke's eyes, and his mood brightened.
'For the same B-rank mission, a battle mission requires facing a Jonin, while a commissioned mission only requires dealing with a Chunin!'
'The key is... whether it's a battle mission or a commissioned mission, the reward is a B-rank Shinobi Secret Scroll!'
The difficulty of one mission and another cannot be judged so simply.
Given a choice between two B-rank missions, Nara Keisuke would definitely choose the easier "commissioned mission."
'But correspondingly, commissioned missions are more tedious, while battle missions are more direct and simple...'
'You've really outdone yourself, "Lazy System"!'
Nara Keisuke closed the panel, another question now surfacing in his mind.
'Since Konoha can act as a client and issue commissioned missions, can other people, or rather, can I issue commissioned missions to myself?'
Nara Keisuke decided to find some time to test the "mission commission function" of the "Lazy System".
The most pressing matter now was to stop Tsunade and talk!
"Lady Tsunade."
Nara Keisuke was concise; he wasn't used to using overly familiar terms when addressing people.
"I have a few questions I'd like to ask."
"Go ahead."
Tsunade slowed her pace, and the two walked side-by-side toward the village center.
Nara Keisuke kept his eyes forward.
"First, if I remember correctly, B-rank missions issued by the village are for Chunin or even Jonin. I'm just a reserve Genin, so I shouldn't be able to accept a mission of this level, right?"
"That's right. So, this B-rank mission was accepted under my name. You're just here to assist me," Tsunade said with a grin, her hands clasped behind her back.
"Actually, what happened yesterday could easily have been rated an A-rank mission. It's just that Konoha doesn't have a system for retroactively upgrading missions. At most, they'll just add an A-rank mission to your record."
Nara Keisuke nodded, accepting Tsunade's explanation. He continued, "Second question, why me?"
"What do you mean, 'why you'?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, bent down, and poked Nara Keisuke's cheek with her finger.
"You're the one who dealt with that Iwagakure Jonin! Besides you, who else could do this mission?"
In truth, there were others.
Konoha rarely had a backlog of missions; a large number of young and capable ninja were always waiting for missions to earn money. Tsunade had simply snatched up this [Apprehend Spies] B-rank mission a step ahead before anyone else had a chance to notice it.
Who else but her would have been the first to spot the mission scroll while reporting to the old man last night?
Although, that mission scroll wasn't the only thing she discovered; there was also another jutsu scroll...
Nara Keisuke silently shifted a short distance to the side, moving away from Tsunade's fingertip.
He had a particular weakness for well-endowed blondes.
He really couldn't handle Tsunade's casually intimate gestures.
If their relationship were truly that familiar and close, Nara Keisuke guaranteed he could whisper a month's worth of non-stop, unfiltered, and varied sweet nothings to Tsunade. He'd move his mouth close, her lips would meet his, speaking mouth-to-mouth, and the words would drill right into her heart, saving them from taking the long way around.
But in the end, even counting today, this was only their second meeting.
Nara Keisuke wasn't a lone wolf seeking noble solitude. Alone in a foreign land, it was inevitable to feel lonely and cold, and to want to find someone to play... with their emotions.
However, Nara Keisuke wasn't so full of himself that he would make a presumptuous move.
Tsunade withdrew her finger and straightened up, her brow arching.
She really did have a soft spot for these shy, introverted little boys!
"I'll reluctantly accept that explanation," Nara Keisuke said, taking a deep breath.
"Third question, have you thought about how to deal with the enemy?"
"Can't I just leave that sort of thing to you?" Tsunade beamed.
"You took down a Jonin all by yourself! Besides, the Nara clan's secret techniques are very insidious... uh, I mean, they're best suited for backstabbing... sneak attacks... binding... you know what I mean."
The second day after graduating the Academy, and you're throwing me against a Chunin?
The corner of Nara Keisuke's mouth twitched.
But Tsunade did have a point.
The Nara clan's [Shadow Jutsu] was indeed incredibly difficult to defend against. Paired with Nara Keisuke's [Lacquer Eye] technique, it perfectly eliminated the time-consuming process of weaving hand signs. Even a Jonin could get caught by this combo if they weren't careful.
Fine, a duel with a Chunin it is!
It would be a good opportunity to test his current skill level.
"Last question—"
"Why do you have so many questions today? Fine, ask away!"
"The Academy graduation team assignments are today. Although I don't need to participate in the team formation, I do need to report to the Beast Taming and Medical Treatment class on time."
"No, you don't."
"Hmm?"
"You haven't been to the Medical Department yet, have you? The head of the Medical Department is none other than me!" Tsunade lifted her chin slightly, pointing a thumb at herself.
"Get it? Little intern of the Medical Department~"
"So now, let's go do a mission with your department head!"
Inside Konoha Village.
Based on the mission intelligence provided by Tsunade, the two quickly arrived near the district where the first Iwagakure spy was located.
"My identity is too obvious. Moving around the village with you will interfere with the operation," Tsunade said, patting Nara Keisuke's shoulder with the air of a seasoned veteran.
"So I'll just—"
Nara Keisuke cut her off abruptly before she could make her escape.
"Transformation Jutsu."
"Hmm?"
"I mean, you could use the Transformation Jutsu. Change into someone around my age," Nara Keisuke said with perfect composure. "Two kids moving together won't attract any attention."
You've got to be kidding me. This B-rank mission was brought to me by the golden goose herself!
Nara Keisuke didn't expect to be carried through the mission, but he would absolutely not let the golden goose slack off!
I haven't even started slacking off yet!
Tsunade stared at Nara Keisuke, but she was the first to back down under his unwavering gaze.
"Sigh..."
Life isn't easy, the golden goose lamented.
"Transformation Jutsu!"
A puff of smoke swirled and then cleared.
The bountiful and generous blonde bombshell instantly transformed into a flat and stingy golden-haired loli.
Faced with this flat-chested loli, Nara Keisuke's heart instantly became as still as water.
"Let's move!"
Nara Keisuke gave little Tsunade a tactical hand signal, indicating for her to follow his lead.
Little Tsunade pouted.
She wanted to cross her arms to show her authority, but her "authority" had vanished along with her transformation.
And for some reason, after shrinking, Tsunade felt that Keisuke's attitude toward her had also changed.
'Such a cold Nara! I really should have just slipped away earlier!'
Little Tsunade puffed out her cheeks, but under Nara Keisuke's insistent gaze, she reluctantly started moving her short legs.
A few minutes later.
Using the profile sketch they had received beforehand, Nara Keisuke and little Tsunade successfully found the Iwagakure spy in the district.
The two kids, pretending to be window shopping and playing, closed in on the Iwagakure spy's position without him noticing a thing.
The very instant their bodies passed each other, their shadows overlapped.
[Shadow Paralysis Jutsu]!
A shade of lacquer-black flashed through Nara Keisuke's eyes as he decisively activated his shadow secret technique, firmly rooting the Iwagakure spy to the spot.
The spy, who had been disguised as a civilian just a moment ago, belatedly realized his movement was severely restricted. A look of intense shock flashed through his eyes.
'Why can't I move?! Could it be that my identity has been discovered?'
An Iwagakure ninja capable of serving as a spy was generally quite strong mentally. He quickly realized he was only restrained and had not been attacked.
'Create a panic and escape!'
The Iwa spy instantly decided on his strategy and started shouting at the top of his lungs.
"Help! Help! Konoha ninja are beating up a civilian!"
The [Shadow Paralysis Jutsu] could restrain an enemy's movements, but it couldn't restrain their mouth.
Nara Keisuke hadn't anticipated that the Iwa spy would have the quick wit to start screaming the moment he was caught.
'He really is just a kid, not much mission experience...'
Little Tsunade sighed and pressed a hand to her forehead.
Her figure flickered. Her palm brushed against the back of the spy's neck like a soft breeze, and condensed chakra turned into a powerful neural current that shocked his brain.
The Iwagakure spy, who had been roaring furiously a second ago...
The next second, his eyes rolled back into his head, and he fainted, collapsing to the ground unconscious.
But the disturbance he had caused had already attracted a lot of attention.
Green vests, black hair, red eyes.
The Uchiha Military Police Force!
(End of Chapter)