Naruto, my father's name is Uchiha Madara.

Page 260

"So I was really that... um... 'lively' back then? Kakashi-sensei must have thought I was really annoying..."

He now fully understands how complex the emotions were contained in Kakashi's "trouble" back then.

Kushina's phantom stood with her hands on her hips, her fiery red hair seemingly giving her a more energetic look.

She lectured Naruto, saying, "Naruto! What's so embarrassing about this!"

"This shows that Konohamaru has drive! He has dreams! Just like you back then! That's what youth is all about! But,"

She abruptly changed the subject, revealing a "wicked" smile: "As a teacher, you can't be lenient when it comes to disciplining!"

Ban stood aside with his eyes closed, seemingly unconcerned about this "tender and affectionate" scene.

He simply snorted coldly: "Hmph, a boring cycle."

But the slight tremor at the corner of his mouth seemed to reveal that he was not entirely indifferent.

Just as Naruto fell into a brief, awkward silence because of recalling his embarrassing past, Konohamaru couldn't hold back any longer.

He spotted a familiar figure sitting on a lounge chair in the corner of the mission reception area, leisurely smoking a pipe—

It was his grandfather, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi!

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi has stepped down as Hokage, he still frequently appears at the mission reception center to help with affairs.

A glint flashed in Konohamaru's eyes, as if he had seen a savior!

He immediately abandoned Naruto and the mission list, rushed over like a small whirlwind, and pounced directly in front of the Third Hokage.

He grabbed the third generation's trouser legs with both hands and began his "performance":

"Grandpa! My dearest, best grandpa!"

Konohamaru tilted his little face up, using what he considered his sweetest voice, and began to plead: "Please! Give us a higher-level mission! A C-rank! Just a C-rank will do!"

"Look, we now have Naruto-nii... no, I mean Naruto-sensei leading the team! He's really strong! A Jonin!"

"Handling C-rank missions is no problem at all! We can't keep doing D-rank missions, or we'll become useless! Grandpa~~~"

That drawn-out tone, that "longing" look in his eyes, that waving arm...

Naruto felt a chill run down his spine, and a cold sensation shot from the soles of his feet to the top of his head!

The scene, the tone, the actions!

It's not that it's completely unrelated to how he acted spoiled and unreasonable in front of the Third Hokage for the mission to the Land of Waves; it's practically identical!

He could even picture himself looking just as "pitiful" back then.

Naruto's face instantly turned bright red, and he felt as if all the blood in his body rushed to his head.

He wished he could rush up and cover Konohamaru's mouth right away, or find a hole to crawl into.

He subconsciously looked at the third generation and saw his grandfather smoking a pipe, with a kind smile on his face that also carried a strong sense of teasing.

Those eyes, which had seen it all, were looking at him with great interest, as if to say, "Young man, fortunes change."

"Konohamaru! That's enough!"

Naruto finally understood the feeling of "blood pressure soaring" that Kakashi had when facing him back then.

He darted forward, grabbed Konohamaru by the back of his collar, and "torn" him off the Third Hokage's leg like a chick.

His tone was more stern than ever before: "Stop fooling around! You've only been genin for a short time, you lack experience, and C-rank missions are far too early for you!"

"Safety first, don't you understand? Even D-level missions are an important part of gaining experience!"

Konohamaru, still clinging to life in mid-air, struggled and cried out, "But Naruto-nii! Didn't you take on a C-rank mission when you were only 12?"

"It's about escorting that bridge-building uncle to the Land of Waves! If you can do it, why can't we?"

Konohamaru's words were like detonating an explosive tag in Naruto's mind!

Although the experience was indeed exciting, looking back now, my naive behavior feels like confronting a dark chapter in my history.

"Um... um, don't say it!"

Naruto was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on; he instantly bristled, his face turned as red as if it were about to bleed, and his hand gripping Konohamaru trembled.

He desperately wanted to use the Flying Thunder God Technique to escape this place that was driving him to his death.

How could he have told Konohamaru about this "glorious history" as an achievement back then?!

I regret it!

"Pfft... Hehehe..."

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, finally couldn't help but let out a low, joyful laugh.

He took off his pipe and watched this comical scene of "history repeating itself" unfold before him.

Especially Naruto's embarrassed look, as if he wanted to disappear into the ground, his eyes were filled with love and emotion.

Time flies, and the golden-haired brat who used to whine and beg for tasks in front of me is gone.

Now I've become a teacher who has to discipline my "little self".

"OK OK,"

The Third Hokage smiled and waved his hand, signaling Naruto to put Konohamaru down, who was being strangled to the point of rolling his eyes back.

He looked at Naruto with encouragement and trust in his eyes: "Naruto is right. Newly graduated genin do need to start from the basics, accumulate experience, and develop team synergy."

As soon as Konohamaru landed, he was about to try again, but the Third Hokage's next words stopped him in his tracks.

"But..."

The third generation changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over the expectant faces of Moegi and Udon.

Finally, the focus shifted to Naruto, who was trying to maintain a serious expression but whose eyes were clearly brightening: "Considering that this time we have Naruto, a newly promoted elite Jonin whose strength has been recognized, personally leading the team..."

"Furthermore, the Konohamaru team has recently completed a good number and quality of D-rank missions..."

The third generation slowly pulled out a scroll from his pocket that was clearly more exquisite than a regular D-rank mission scroll.

"—Then, let's make an exception this time."

"Here is a newly submitted C-level task. The task level is rated as mid-C-level, with moderate difficulty, making it perfect as your class's first challenge after promotion."

"Really?! Grandpa! That's amazing!"

Konohamaru instantly recovered and cheered, as if he hadn't been the one who had just been lifted up.

Moegi and Udon clenched their little fists excitedly, their faces filled with excitement.

As Naruto looked at the scroll handed to him by the Third Hokage, the slight embarrassment in his heart was instantly replaced by a strong sense of responsibility.

He was even a little excited—this was the first C-rank mission he had received as a Jonin instructor!

He took a deep breath, suppressed his turbulent emotions, and solemnly extended both hands to accept the scroll.

"Yes, Grandpa! I guarantee the mission will be accomplished!"

Naruto's voice was strong and clear, filled with the enthusiasm of a new leader and his promise to his students.

At this moment, he was no longer the boy who would whine for the sake of the mission, but the Konoha Jonin who shouldered the responsibility of guiding the next generation—Naruto Uzumaki!

The Third Hokage looked at the determined light shining in Naruto's eyes, nodded with satisfaction, and the smoke coming out of his pipe seemed to soften a lot.

He waved his hand: "Go ahead, Naruto. The mission details are all in there."

"Remember, safety is always the top priority. I'm entrusting Konohamaru and the others to you."

Naruto nodded vigorously and carefully put the scroll into his ninja tool pouch.

He turned to look at the three genin in his class, waved his hand as if commanding a vast army, and spoke in a loud and infectious voice:

"Team Konohamaru! Destination—the village entrance! Let's go! On our first C-rank mission!"

"oh--!!!"

Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon responded in unison, their voices filled with anticipation for the unknown adventure and the fearless spirit of newborn calves.

Naruto looked at the three energetic kids and smiled.

He led the way toward the village entrance, his steps steady and powerful.

The sunlight stretched their shadows long; a new story, a story of guiding Jonin Naruto Uzumaki and his Genin.

As the scroll is unfurled, the curtain slowly rises.

After they left, the Third Generation remained seated, smoking his pipe.

He gazed intently toward the village entrance, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

The task in that scroll—

Escorting a caravan to the Land of the Moon—

Is it really just "moderately difficult"?

Only a Hokage who has seen it all knows that every mission outside the village may conceal unexpected twists and turns.

Naruto, your test has only just begun.

Chapter 281 The Client's Brat

Leaving the lush green Hidden Leaf Village and stepping into the vast desert on the edge of the Land of Wind feels like instantly switching between two worlds.

The boundless yellow sand radiated visible heat waves under the scorching sun, and the air was so dry that even taking a breath felt like a tightness in the throat.

The sunlight poured down without any obstruction, turning the sand dunes into a dazzling golden color, the reflected light almost blinding.

"Ah...it's so hot...I feel like I'm about to melt..."

Menghuang put her hand to her forehead, squinted, and her little face was flushed red from the sun.

Sweat trickled down his temples, dripping onto the scorching sand and disappearing instantly, leaving only a tiny dark mark.

She felt like a steamed bun being put into a steamer.

"My water... my kettle is empty..."

Udon's voice was trembling with tears as he struggled to lift his water bottle, which had a little frog printed on it.

I turned it upside down and shook it, and only a pitiful two or three drops of water dripped out.