Naruto: The new beginning

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"Dad, what's the mission, and do we need to go there on purpose?" Naruto asked, resting his hands on the table and trying to sneak a glance at the document.

Minato stamped the document in his hand and placed it into his portfolio. He replied, "It's a joint mission carried out by two teams. I'll tell you more about it later."

Naruto asked casually, "Joint mission? Which team is the other one? They're later than Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi looked at Naruto, silently complaining to himself, You're asking, but isn't the answer obvious?

"It's us!" Kushina announced, pushing open the door and entering with her team members.

Naruto turned, surprised. "Mom? Hinata, Shino, and Akamaru?"

"Naruto-kun," Hinata greeted happily. This was her first mission alongside Naruto.

Kiba jumped in, shouting, "Hey, Naruto! Stop ignoring me every time!"

"Oh, next time, for sure," Naruto replied half-heartedly while lifting Akamaru off Kiba's shoulder.

He and Hinata then began discussing if Akamaru had grown recently, as it seemed awkward to perch him on Kiba's head.

Akamaru barked and wagged his tail happily, making the scene resemble a young couple doting on their pet.

"Alright, everyone's here. Let's go over the mission," Minato said.

"The assignment was requested by the Hoshigakure in the Land of Bears. Our task is to protect their village treasure the 'Star.'"

"'Star'?" Everyone looked puzzled.

Minato explained, "Two hundred years ago, a meteorite fell in the Land of Bears. The first Hoshikage discovered that training with this meteorite enhanced chakra, so he developed a secret technique based on it and established Hoshigakure."

Sakura raised her hand, a question in her mind. "Um… can the leader of Hoshigakure be called a Kage?"

In the ninja world, only the leaders of the five great nations' villages are officially recognized as Kage.

Even Hanzo of the Salamander, renowned as a 'demi-god,' never claimed the title of a Kage in Amegakure.

Minato answered somewhat awkwardly, "Well, technically, the Hoshikage title isn't recognized by the five great Villages."

"Hoshigakure considers themselves on par with the Five Great Ninja Villages, though the main villages don't mind keeping friendly exchanges."

Naruto quickly understood. It was like some countries believed they were superpowers, but the actual major powers paid them no mind.

Minato continued, "Recently, Hoshigakure received information that someone has set their sights on the 'Star,' and there may even be involvement from Kumogakure. Finding this too challenging to handle alone, they reached out to Konoha for assistance."

"Those robbers from Kumogakure again!" Kushina exclaimed, slamming her fist on the table.

Both she and Hinata had been targets of attempted kidnappings by Kumogakure in the past, making her view them with disdain.

"Kushina, please calm down," Minato said, stopping her just in time to spare the table before he continued.

"Given the past incident where the Raikage himself led a mission to seize a secret technique, we can't be certain of the threat level this time. I was concerned one team might not be enough, so I requested both teams to go. This may not remain a simple B-rank mission."

Indeed, there was a record of the Fourth Raikage personally leading a squad to capture a secret technique, only to be thwarted by a group of mercenaries.

Tsunade had intervened afterwards, treating his injuries not out of compassion but because she had won a bet with him.

Naruto gently squeezed Hinata's hand, recalling her lingering anxiety from her childhood experience with Kumogakure.

Determined to protect her, he resolved to deal with anyone from Kumogakure who dared threaten her, forgetting that Hinata's kidnapper had already been dealt with by Hiashi Hyuga.

As for the teams' safety, Minato was confident. Ordinary enemies would be outmatched, and if they encountered the Raikage, both Naruto and Kushina's Nine-Tails Chakra Modes could match his speed.

In the worst-case scenario, Naruto could use the Flying Thunder God Jutsu to retreat with his friends. If necessary, Konoha itself would rally behind them.

The Land of Bears borders the Land of Fire, lying southeast of Konoha, about a two-day journey. A ninja hawk had delivered the mission request earlier.

After leaving the office, Kiba was brimming with excitement. His team had only taken on C-rank missions before, so a B-rank mission, especially one that could be upgraded, thrilled him.

Naruto was also eager, recalling Hoshigakure's Peacock Technique a skill that creates chakra wings, allowing the user to fly.

No wonder others sought it, and while Naruto wanted to learn it too, he didn't need to steal it; he had a trustworthy friend in Uchiha, known for not coveting others' jutsu.

Once they finished packing, they set off. Along the way, Naruto and Hinata occasionally hung back from the group, sharing moments.

Kiba, energetic as ever, took the lead, while Shino, quiet and reserved, kept watch from the shadows, ready to ambush anyone foolish enough to cross their path.

Kushina mentally praised Naruto's initiative, then tactfully led Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura further ahead to give Naruto and Hinata some privacy.

Walking alongside Kushina, Kakashi felt slightly on edge. Refraining from reading his usual books for fear of Kushina's judgment, he made small talk instead about Naruto and Sasuke.

Meanwhile, Sasuke ambled along with his hands in his pockets, still annoyed from a recent spat with Sakura.

During a brief noon break, they ate quickly and continued their journey, setting up camp at night.

Naruto, equipped with various cooking tools, prepared a meal, with Hinata and Kushina happily assisting.

Watching Hinata's skill in the kitchen, Kushina praised her. "Hinata, you're so talented. You'll make a wonderful wife someday."

Blushing, Hinata stammered, "I… I'll do my best!"

Kushina grinned mischievously, "Oh? And whose wife are you planning to be?"

"Huh?" Steam seemed to rise from Hinata's head, blending with the steam from the cooking pot.

"It smells so good!" Naruto exclaimed, grabbing a piece of meat. Though too hot to swallow, he couldn't bring himself to spit it out.

"Naruto, you're sneaky!" Kiba shouted, rushing over.

Akamaru barked in agreement, joining the commotion.

Kushina picked up a spoon and smacked it down. "Hold it right there!"

"Ouch!"

"Ow!"

"Woof!"

Naruto, Kiba, and Akamaru huddled, rubbing their heads, while Sasuke watched from a safe distance.

Sakura observed Hinata's cooking skills with admiration, wishing she could become as skilled.

Kakashi, long accustomed to these lively scenes, simply took it in with a knowing smile while Shino quietly savoured the soup, touched by its taste but too proud to show it.

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