Kakashi's Disappearing Acts (Kakashi Hatake)

Chapter 16-The First Missions and Rivalry

"All of these small easy idiotic missions!" Naruto grumbled, crossing his hands over his chest, a frown placed on his face.

"Oh, shut up," Sakura rolled her eyes, and hit Naruto on the head in response.

"Yeah, Naruto, you just became Genin, you can't really ask for some C rank missions off the bat. I'm not saying you aren't ready, and I'm sure our group could even handle B ranked missions, if not higher, but it's just...there's enough people handling those missions. All they need us for is to take care of simple tasks. Someone has to do it," you reasoned, "Over time, obviously, the Hokage will allow us to take on harder tasks."

Naruto huffed in response. Kakashi smiled with his eyes, "Well said." You smiled to yourself, shoving your hands in your pockets and straightening your back. He then added, "How were your missions as a Genin?" You were a bit startled by the sudden question.

"Well, hm. When I became a Genin, we had a super-strong group. The village wasn't doing so well, but they didn't want to overload us with hard missions. Most of us actually just wanted simple missions, and not C ranks or B ranks, but that's how it ended up. Of course, at first, it seemed too hard, or overwhelming, but then I got used to it. Learning from experience is always best, at least, for me." You rambled on. "And you, Kakashi-sensei?" you made sure to add the "sensei" part in.

"Well," he chuckled, "I became a Genin when I was six." Your eyes widened and you gasped. "No kidding?" He shrugged. "It's not really a big deal." Ugh, a humble one. But that was insane! "My missions were pretty easy at first, just like this bunch. But then it became harder rapidly. I hope that's not what will happen to this group." You squinted, and nodded your head. He really did want the best for the team.

"Hey, did you ever have a team before us?" you asked Kakashi. You wondered, at his age, did he really already train a group for years? He didn't look a day over 20.

He shook his head in response. "It's just like I said. You were the first group to pass. To understand teamwork and work together, despite the consequences coming in your way." Oh, that made a lot more sense. All you did was nod in agreement. Sasuke caught up to us.

"Naruto is just way too annoying. Can't he just shut up for once?" He said in his dull, monotone voice. You rolled your eyes. "Oh, come on. He's not that bad." Kakashi turned his head around. "Teamwork." Was all he said, while shoving his hands in his pockets, turning back, and doing his eye-smile again. Just one word, and his point was crystal clear. And Sasuke could understand too, you could see. Obviously, you would be a team together for years. And if you didn't figure out teamwork, soon, it would all be impossible.

The next mission, which is where you were headed, was a simple, boring one. Just gardening. But on every mission...Sasuke and Naruto would find some way to compete. Some way to try to outdo the other. Naruto was so jealous of Sasuke, and Sasuke couldn't sit and watch Naruto progress so much. So it was all just a matter of jealousy.

You smiled.

Written June 11, 2020