Lights Down Low

D Rank Missions & the Meetings of Various People

"Let me but do my work from day to day,

In field or forest, at the desk or loom,

In roaring market-place or tranquil room;

Let me but find it in my heart to say,

When vagrant wishes beckon me astray—

"This is my work; my blessing, not my doom;

Of all who live, I am the one by whom

This work can best be done in the right way."

Then shall I see it not too great, nor small,

To suit my spirit and to prove my powers;

Then shall I cheerful greet the labouring hours,

And cheerful turn, when the long shadows fall

At eventide, to play and love and rest,

Because I know for me my work is best."

Henry van Dyke

__________________________________________

"D-Rank missions are one of the six classifications. It is preceded by E-rank, which you did during Academy, and followed by C-rank. It is typically used when classifying techniques intended for ninja of the genin level. D-rank techniques are often one of the first techniques a ninja will learn after leaving the Academy. That is what we will be doing today." Fuyuto explained as he and his team walked toward the Mansion.

"Ooooo a mission!" Ashi cheered, bouncing more than walking. "I wonder what our first one will be!"

Kohaku and Asami made eye contact, both not nearly as excited. Kohaku's older cousin had told him that D-ranks were basically chores to enforce team bonding and cooperation.

Asami was remembering one particular instance (ie: disaster) when a genin team had been hired to help her and Makoto during the holidays.

Let's just say Makoto and Asami resigned themselves to handling the holidays themselves, after that.

Fuyuto's eyes twinkled knowingly.

...

"WEEDING?!" Ashi exclaimed, staring at the Chunin running the assignments desk in dismay.

Asami laughed at the look of horror on his face. Higamaru howled, causing her laughter to become louder.

"Thank you, sir." Kohaku said, already resigned to his role as diplomat of the team. "We'll head over right away."

The elder ninja just looked amused. Like this happened every time a new Genin team got an assignment for the first time. "You do that."

Fuyuto had waved wildly as they left, letting a still giggling Asami to drag Ashi away by the collar.

...

"How many of these do we have to do?" Asami asked, once they completed their third D-rank of the day. The weeding was simple enough, once they knew what plants counted as weeds. Ashi was able to sniff out the type once identified and after that it was as quick as a river. Their second task had been easy too. Simply helping an older man carry his groceries home.