Naruto: Binding Uchiha Sasuke, Hundredfold Return

Upon learning they had taken on a B-rank mission, each member of Team 7 showed a different reaction.

Soryu looked somewhat worried,

Rika seemed nervous,

and Kawano was excited!

"Kazuki-sensei, will we be facing enemy ninja in this B-rank mission?"

"It's possible."

"Then… will we die?"

Soryu looked quite concerned, he didn't want to die!

Kazuki glanced at him sideways and said calmly, "Don't worry. As long as you don't stray from my line of sight, you'll be safe."

Kazuki's reassurance gave Soryu a bit of security, but he was still anxious and even secretly wrote a farewell letter, hiding the money he had earned in the past two months under his pillow. In case he didn't return, at least his grandmother, Ryu, would have something.

...

The Next Morning

Team 7 gathered early at the village gate. Since the mission required them to leave the village, they didn't meet at the training ground.

Before long, Kazuki arrived. Seeing his students' nervous but excited expressions, Kazuki could relate. Many young children in the Leaf Village had never left it before becoming ninja, especially those from ordinary families. When civilians leave the village, they rarely return safely unless accompanied by capable ninja.

"Is everyone fully prepared?"

"Yes!"

They had packed many essentials: ninja tools, soldier pills, medical kits, and two sets of extra clothing. Since they would be camping in the wild for a long time, spare clothes were essential.

Each of them—Soryu, Rika, and Kawano—carried a backpack. Kazuki also carried one, and when he noticed Soryu struggling a bit, he was about to give him the bag to train him, but Kawano stepped forward to take it.

"Let me carry it, Kazuki-sensei!"

True to being Kazuki's most loyal fan, Kazuki felt gratified.

"Alright, since everything's set, let's get going!"

"Destination—northward!"

"Yes, Sensei!" ×3

The Land of Fire's border with the Land of Iron was a snow-covered expanse. After over half a month of travel, Kazuki and his team finally reached their mission location. Standing atop a snow-covered mountain, they gazed toward the Land of Iron.

"It's incredible!"

Seeing the vast snow-covered landscape and towering mountains, Soryu shouted with excitement. Rika's cheeks were red from the cold, but her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. Even Kawano, who was usually calm, showed excitement.

Although the Leaf Village had snowfall, it was nothing like this. The Leaf Village's snow-covered landscape was impressive, but it was still just a village. This view—where mountains and forests were blanketed in white—was a first for the three of them, and it filled them with indescribable joy.

"Let's have a snowball fight!"

Soryu laughed, grabbing a snowball and preparing to throw it, only for Kazuki to grab him by the back like a little rabbit.

"We're here to stand guard, not to play," Kazuki said, exasperated. "This area has excellent visibility and natural cover. From now on, the three of you will take eight-hour shifts monitoring the Land of Iron's movements from here."

"Eight hours?"

A gust of wind swept by, and Soryu shivered. "S-so cold…"

Kawano and Rika felt the cold too, quickly pulling thick coats from their backpacks. Soryu hugged himself tightly, looking enviously at his teammates in their coats. Before leaving, Kazuki had advised them to pack warm clothing—but Soryu hadn't brought one!

In Leaf Village winters, he'd usually layer up with thin clothes or stay indoors. He assumed he'd do the same on this mission, but his thin clothes offered little warmth here.

Kazuki noticed Soryu's situation and, knowing his background, took a thick coat from his own backpack and tossed it to him.

"Here, put this on. Don't freeze."

"Thanks, Kazuki-sensei!"

Thrilled to have a warm coat, Soryu immediately put it on. Kazuki's coat was high quality, and Soryu felt a warmth and comfort he had never experienced before, even more than when he was snug in bed.

The three of them were familiar enough with the basics of surveillance and concealment, so Kazuki didn't need to teach them. Feeling warm in his new coat, Soryu volunteered to take the first watch. Kazuki watched as he hid himself with impressive skill, eyes fixed intently ahead, and nodded before taking Kawano and Rika away.

The snowfall continued, quickly covering any traces they left behind.