#25 - Chapter 25: Sakura easily handles the ghost brothers' timidity

"Naruto, do you think we'll encounter ninjas from other countries on the way?"

"Yes."

"Huh? Why? Aren't we on a C-rank mission? We should only encounter other ninjas on B-rank missions or higher, right?"

"Theoretically, yes, but there are exceptions, like... right now."

"Right now?"

Sakura was puzzled, but then she saw Naruto suddenly stop and stare at a small puddle.

"What's wrong with this puddle?" Everyone saw Naruto stop and asked him.

"It didn't rain in Konoha yesterday. How could there be puddles here?" Naruto said calmly.

Everyone thought about it, and it seemed to be true.

But Sakura had a different opinion.

"Could it be that a passing merchant accidentally spilled their water bucket? Besides, even if there's a puddle, it doesn't prove anything, right?"

As she spoke, Sakura was about to go forward to investigate, but Naruto stopped her after only a couple of steps.

"That's certainly possible, but have you considered what if it isn't?"

"What if it isn't? What then?"

Sakura was still confused, so Naruto could only give her a more direct hint: "One of the chakra natures is water."

"Water... Water Release?"

Sakura was shocked, but she still didn't believe it.

What could a small puddle be used for?

Could someone be hiding inside?

At this time, Naruto said to Sasuke, "Sasuke, use Fire Release on that puddle."

Sasuke was different from Sakura.

He completely trusted Naruto's judgment.

Even if the judgment was wrong, it wouldn't matter, after all, it's good to be cautious during a mission!

Kakashi also agreed with Naruto's judgment, but he originally planned to ignore it and test the ninjas' intentions first.

However, since Naruto had his own plans, he didn't intend to interfere.

Having received the order, Sasuke stepped forward and quickly formed hand seals!

Just as the Fire Release was about to be unleashed, two chains suddenly flew out of the puddle!

The chains were very fast, and Sasuke had to interrupt the release of the Fire Release to avoid them.

"Tch! To think we'd be seen through by a brat!"

A cold snort came from the puddle, and then two people floated up as if they were floating wood!

These two people wore Hidden Mist Village headbands, their faces were covered with gas masks so their faces couldn't be seen clearly. One person's right arm was a metal claw, and the other person's left arm was a metal claw. Their eyes were very fierce, and it was clear that they were ninjas who had killed many people!

Sakura's face turned pale when she saw the two of them.

She didn't expect that people were really hiding in this small puddle, and there were two of them!

If Naruto hadn't stopped her just now, she might have died!

"Th-Thank you, Naruto."

As soon as Sakura finished speaking, Naruto appeared beside her and kicked away a ninja who wanted to attack her.

"Save the thanks for later. The other guy went for Mr. Tazuna."

"Ah, right!"

Sakura came back to her senses and quickly rushed towards Tazuna to rescue him.

But she was too slow after all. By the time she arrived, the other person had already been dealt with by Sasuke.

"Not bad, Naruto, Sasuke... and Sakura, you too."

Looking at the three who easily dealt with the Demon Brothers in their first battle, Kakashi couldn't help but praise them.

Although Sakura was only responsible for being surprised the whole time, her not being afraid of the battle with her strength was enough to gain Kakashi's approval.

"Mr. Tazuna... I need to ask you some questions later."

Kakashi tied the two Hidden Mist ninjas who had been knocked down to a tree, and then looked at Tazuna with a serious expression, "You should be hiding something, right?"

"What do you mean?" Tazuna responded somewhat guiltily.

"That Hidden Mist ninja went straight for you, which means you've been targeted by ninjas!"

Kakashi said calmly, "The mission you posted is a C-rank mission. At most, we'll protect you from the harm of gangs and bandits, but if ninjas are involved, then it's a B-rank mission or higher. Aren't you hiding anything else?"

Tazuna fell silent, seemingly not knowing how to answer.

Seeing this, Kakashi could only say again: "Now we have to consider whether to continue this mission that exceeds the conditions. If you still intend to hide something, then I don't think we need to consider it."

"Yes, yes, dealing with ninjas... is too early for us, right?" Sakura echoed Kakashi.

Kakashi glanced at Sakura, then looked at Sasuke and Naruto, "What do you two think?"

Carrying out a mission above C-rank was outside his plan, but now Team 7 can easily deal with ninjas.

So he needed to consider everyone's opinions.

Especially—Naruto!

"My opinion is to continue the mission," Naruto said calmly.

With Xiaomei's mission, even if the reward for this C-rank mission was less, he had to continue the mission.

"I think so too," Sasuke said with his arms crossed, agreeing with Naruto's opinion.

"Then it's two votes against one~"

Kakashi looked at Sakura, seemingly wanting to confirm her thoughts again, "Sakura, if you don't want to carry out the mission, we can veto it and give up the mission to go back."

"This......"

Sakura hesitated, especially when she met Naruto and Sasuke's gazes, she felt even more pressure.

At this time, Naruto suddenly said to her: "Don't worry, even if we encounter powerful ninjas, I will protect you. We are comrades, aren't we?"

"Yeah, with the two of us here, we won't let you encounter danger." Although Sasuke hated the Sakura who was holding them back, in order for the mission to continue, he could only appease Sakura first.

Looking at Naruto and Sasuke's emotionless eyes, Sakura doubted whether the two of them were reciting lines.

But since Naruto and Sasuke guaranteed it, then there shouldn't be any problems.

Over this time, Naruto's image in her heart had become very reliable.

Since Naruto said he would protect her, then he would definitely protect himself well!

Thinking like this, Sakura changed her mind, "Continue the mission, Kakashi-sensei!"

"Very good, then let's continue our mission."

Kakashi smiled with satisfaction, and then turned cold and looked at Tazuna, "But Mr. Tazuna, no matter what, you still need to tell us the whole story on the way, otherwise, if we encounter unforeseen dangers on the way, I will prioritize protecting my teammates and abandon you."

"This... I understand. But let's hurry to the port now. My companions are waiting for us there. We've been delayed here for a while. If we can't arrive at the designated location on time, we'll have to rehire a ship."

"It costs money!"

"......"

Naruto didn't expect that this client, Tazuna, could be even poorer than himself.

But in order not to lose money on the mission, they still had to hurry to the port first.