Chapter 12 — D-Rank Missions
From the very first days, it became clear: being assigned as a team and actually being one were two very different things.
On paper, our trio was "promising." But reality told a different story.
Every morning followed the same routine: gather at the mission hall, get briefed by a chūnin, and head out for another D-rank mission.
We washed dogs for shopkeepers. Chased runaway cats. Swept streets. Hauled boxes. Fixed fences.
Almost no words. Almost no connection.
Asuma tried. He smiled. Joked. Sometimes even forced a laugh. I gave short replies. Kakashi didn't speak at all.
He did his part coldly, mechanically. Sometimes too harshly. One time, he threw a basket of vegetables because an old lady asked him to "hurry up." Asuma clenched his fists, but said nothing.
And so it went, day after day.
One afternoon, after yet another meaningless task, we returned to the report room. Jiraiya was there, legs up on the desk, staring out the window.
He said nothing as we turned in our report.
"Washing team number one," he muttered. "Geniuses entrusted with buckets and mops."
He sighed heavily, stood up, and walked out without another word.
That evening, he returned.
"Listen," he said, more seriously this time, "I don't mind that you're starting with the basics. It matters. Discipline. Humility. But..."
He looked at us.
"I know each of you is stronger than the work you're doing. And if you don't start growing as a team, you won't be allowed to move forward. Real missions aren't given to lone wolves. They go to those who can cover each other."
He paused, then added:
"Tomorrow is your first C-rank mission. That's no longer a game. If I don't see a change by the end of it — the team will be disbanded. I think you know what that means."
He left before we could respond.
Long silence.
Asuma was the first to break it.
"He's right," he said quietly. "We're like strangers. We don't even know how to talk to each other."
"Do we have to?" Kakashi asked without looking up.
"If we want to get out of this rut, yes," I said. "I don't mind being alone. But if there's a fight, I want to know someone has my back."
Kakashi gave a faint smirk.
"I won't cover you if it means failing the mission."
"We're not asking for self-sacrifice," Asuma said. "Just not getting in each other's way. You know that much."
"I know," Kakashi said quietly. "Fine. As long as the mission comes first — I'm with you."
"Then we have a compromise," I said. "We're not friends. But we're a team."
Kakashi didn't reply. But when we left, he didn't take a different path.
Later that evening, on my way home after training, I sensed a foreign chakra. Cold. Dense.
A man stepped from the shadows. One eye covered by a bandage. His right arm wrapped in cloth. Grey kimono.
He stared at me without emotion.
"Raigatsu Kiyemi."
I stopped. Silent.
"You have no clan. No ties. You are an empty vessel. And you are gifted. We've been watching you since the Academy."
His voice was quiet. Almost lifeless.
"In Root, you'll have everything — resources, training, opportunity. No distractions. No weakness. You will become a force all of Konoha will speak of."
"And in return?"
"Loyalty. Silence. Obedience."
"And the loss of myself?"
He frowned.
"You have nothing to lose. What you were burned away with your parents."
I said nothing.
"There's no fear in your eyes. That's good. But you have no purpose. Root will give you one. You'll become the true will of the village. Not the version Hiruzen preaches. The real one."
"I've heard you cut out emotions like they're cancer," I said quietly. "Turn people into tools."
"Yes."
"Then I don't want it."
He took a step forward.
"You refuse?"
"I have no desire to be in Root."
Danzo was silent for a long moment.
"You'll regret this."
"Maybe. But that'll be my regret."
He vanished into the air.
I came home, sat on the floor, and stared at the wall for a long time.
Danzo's words rang like cold metal. But inside, there was a strange calm.
I had made a choice. Not out of pride. But out of understanding.
And maybe, for the first time — out of a desire to stay myself.