The next morning, after finishing his early training, Inoiki arrived outside the Hokage building. As he approached, he saw Izumo, Kosuke, and Kotetsu already waiting for him. He quickened his pace slightly, then asked, "Did I keep you all waiting long?"
Izumo shook his head with a reassuring smile. "Not at all. We just got here ourselves, and you're right on time. No need to worry or feel guilty."
Gesturing toward the older man beside him, Izumo said, "Let me introduce you—this is Kosuke Maruboshi, also known as the 'Eternal Genin' of Konoha."
Kosuke looked at Inoiki with a warm, almost grandfatherly smile. "Hello. Nice to meet you," he greeted, his voice kind but steady.
Inoiki nodded respectfully. "I've heard a lot about you from my father," he said, recalling the stories Yamanaka Inoichi used to share.
Izumo then turned to the other member of their team, pointing toward a man with a strip of bandage running across the bridge of his nose. "And this is Kotetsu. He's not only part of our team, but also my friend."
Kotetsu grinned broadly. "Hello! I've heard quite a bit about you from Izumo—and about how you defeated him once!" he added with a playful laugh.
Inoiki chuckled at the comment. "Nice to meet you. I'll be honest—I only heard about you yesterday from my father. He told me a little bit about you."
Izumo couldn't help but laugh at Inoiki's honesty. "Well, no need for further introductions," he said, placing a hand on Inoiki's shoulder. "These two already know who you are."
Both Kotetsu and Kosuke gave a nod, their expressions filled with camaraderie and understanding. It was clear that their new team had already begun to forge a bond, even before their first mission together.
Izumo glanced at Inoiki with a serious, yet gentle expression. "Inoiki, although you're incredibly skilled, we've decided that you'll start with the basic D-Rank missions. It's the standard for new Genin, and Kosuke will be your guide during this time. With his fifty years of experience, he's more than capable of helping you through these early missions. Meanwhile, Kotetsu and I have taken on the task of guarding the Konoha gate."
Inoiki nodded, understanding the reasoning behind the decision. "I have no issue with that," he replied calmly. He knew that starting with simple missions was part of the process for every Genin, no matter their talent. It was a time to learn, observe, and grow.
"Good," Izumo said with approval. "Then let's go see the Hokage and get your first mission."
With a nod from Inoiki, the four of them entered the Hokage building. The familiar scent of parchment and ink filled the air as they made their way to the mission assignment office. Inside, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat behind his desk, surrounded by papers, his experienced eyes focused on his work. But the moment he heard their footsteps, he looked up with a warm smile.
"It seems you're all getting along well," Hiruzen said, his deep voice carrying both authority and kindness.
Izumo stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Yes, Hokage-sama. We're here to request a D-Rank mission for Inoiki."
Hiruzen nodded knowingly, already familiar with the arrangements. After all, he had personally assigned Izumo and Kotetsu their mission to guard the Konoha gate. "I see," he said, glancing toward Inoiki. "Starting with the basics will build your foundation. Kosuke's guidance will serve you well."
As he spoke, Hiruzen's gaze shifted briefly to Kosuke, whose calm presence reassured everyone in the room. Kosuke nodded respectfully in acknowledgment, understanding the importance of these early steps for the young Genin.
"Let's see," Hiruzen continued, rifling through the stack of missions on his desk. "We have a few simple tasks lined up for today. You'll be doing some basic village work, but don't underestimate the value of these missions. Every experience is a lesson."
Inoiki stood tall, ready for whatever lay ahead. His journey as a shinobi was just beginning, but with the team around him, he knew he was in good hands.
Hiruzen reached into the stack of mission papers on his desk and pulled one out. Handing it to Izumo, he said, "Here is the mission."
Then, turning his attention to Inoiki, the Hokage's expression softened with wisdom and hope. "Inoiki, Izumo has told me about your strength. I trust you will use that strength wisely—to protect our village, Konoha."
Inoiki met the Hokage's gaze with unwavering resolve. "Of course, Hokage-sama. This village is my home too. I will protect it and my comrades with everything I have—even if it costs me my life."
Hiruzen's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with pride. "I'm pleased to hear that," he said, giving a small nod of approval.
With that, Izumo, Inoiki, Kotetsu, and Kosuke bowed respectfully and took their leave.
Once outside the Hokage building, Izumo turned to Inoiki, handing the mission paper over to Kosuke. "Today's mission is straightforward," he said with a grin. "Weeding a garden. Kosuke, I leave this to you."
Kosuke accepted the paper with a good-natured nod, his experienced hands already knowing the routine. "Leave it to me. I'll make sure Inoiki gets it done properly," he said, looking at Inoiki with a twinkle in his eye.
Inoiki gave a small chuckle, sensing the simplicity of the task. Though it wasn't glamorous or challenging, he knew it was part of his journey as a Genin—humble beginnings, even for someone as skilled as him. Under Kosuke's guidance, he was ready to tackle even the smallest duties, knowing that each mission, no matter how trivial, was a stepping stone on the path to becoming a powerful ninja.
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