The sun peeked over the horizon, casting a warm glow across the Hidden Leaf Village. Amidst the sounds of morning, the laughter of children and the bustling of merchants, four kunoichi stood ready for their first D-rank mission.
Ugh, do we really have to chase a cat?" Naomi complained, her arms crossed, frustration visible in her purple eyes.
Satsuki Uchiha, her dark hair blowing gently in the breeze, shot her sister a look of disbelief. "At least it's not the worst thing we've been assigned. Besides, the daimyō's wife is protective of her cat, Tora. We need to do this right."
Hinata Hyuga, the calming presence of the group, smiled gently, her Byakugan activated as she scanned the area. "It might not be exciting, but it is important to help the daimyō's family," she said softly.
As the four kunoichi waited, Keara Yagami, squatted down to tie her shoelaces and muttered wisely, "A mission is a mission. Let's focus."
Their sensei, Kakashi Hatake, soon joined them, flipping through a small book of Icha Icha. "Alright, girls," he said, glancing up with his signature lazy smile. "Our task today is to retrieve Tora — the daimyō's beloved cat. Any questions?"
Yeah! How fast does this cat run?" Naomi queried, gearing up for what she expected to be a swift chase.
Fast enough to make it a head-turner, I'd bet," Rin Nohara chimed in, walking up beside Kakashi with a warm smile. "Let's go!"
The day wore on as they searched; Naomi used her Lava Release to create heat waves to track Tora's movements, but the cat was crafty. Tora had the knack of climbing trees and disappearing into brush, darting through the village like a phantom.
After what felt like hours of chasing, climbing, and calling out for Tora, both the kunoichi and their mentors grew weary.
We've been at this forever!" Satsuki groaned, flopping onto a tree branch beside Naomi. "This is exhausting!"
And for what? A cat that clearly doesn't want to be found!" Naomi sighed dramatically.
After another thirty minutes with no signs of the elusive feline, Keara turned to Kakashi and Rin. "We need to talk. This D-rank mission is ridiculous. Can we request another mission? One that might actually require our skills?"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow but smiled. "So, you've all had enough of chasing Tora, huh? I can't say I blame you. Let's head back to the Hokage's office and see if we can find something more fitting for your talents."
Rin nodded, supporting Kakashi's decision. "It might be worth it to find a mission that challenges you."
As they walked back, the girls couldn't help but discuss their next steps with excitement bubbling up. They reached the Hokage Tower, where Hiruzen Sarutobi greeted them with a warm, wise smile.
"What brings you back so soon?" Hiruzen inquired, noticing the signs of fatigue etched on their faces.
Kakashi explained, "We weren't able to retrieve Tora. The mission proved more challenging than anticipated, and I believe these young kunoichi deserve something more."
Hiruzen stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Hmm... I do have a C-rank mission available. Tazuna, a bridge builder in the Wave Village, needs an escort due to threats from bandits. It will require diligence and teamwork."
The girls exchanged glances, excitement simmering between them. Naomi's eyes lit up, "Yes! Sounds much better than chasing a cat around!"
Agreed," said Satsuki, her competitive spirit reigniting. "Let's show them what we can do!"
Hinata's cheeks flushed with enthusiasm, "I think we can handle it."
Keara smiled, her confidence blooming. "And who knows? With a bridge to build, we might even need to use some of my poisons to deal with those bandits."
Hiruzen chuckled, "Very well. Prepare yourselves; you'll be leaving first thing tomorrow morning."
As the girls left the Hokage's office, a sense of determination filled the air. They had been at their best during the day's trials, proving they were capable kunoichi. This new mission would bring them closer together and test their skills in ways they had envisioned during their training.
