I ,Sasuke , Why Should I Defect To Konoha

The following morning, on the bridge beside the third training ground, the team was waiting impatiently.

"This is so dull! Why isn't Kakashi-sensei here yet?" Sakura voiced her frustration, glancing at the sky from where she stood on the railing.

"Yeah, it's weird. I got up early to make it here on time," Naruto said, yawning and leaning against the railings.

"You know he's usually late, yet you still came early?" Sasuke replied nonchalantly. Unlike the others, he seemed eager for today's session—especially given the potential to earn Kakashi's approval, which might lead to some advanced C-rank jutsu training.

"What do you know, Sasuke? Kakashi-sensei will be here soon to hand out our reward for yesterday's mission. It's my first payout—I can't help but be excited!" Naruto responded. His eyes gleamed as he imagined the possible reward.

Sakura also brightened at this idea. If she had some extra cash, she could buy a new outfit—or, even better, treat Sasuke to a meal.

"Good morning, everyone!" Kakashi appeared at last, looking relaxed as always.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto and Sakura called out, hands already extended in anticipation of their payment.

Kakashi paused, confused. "Huh? What's with those looks?"

"They want the money from yesterday's mission," Sasuke explained, shaking his head at their eagerness.

"Oh, that," Kakashi chuckled as he reached into his pocket and pulled out three reward slips, handing one to each team member.

"Only five hundred ryo?" Naruto blurted, disappointment clouding his face. "That's it?"

Sakura looked equally deflated, having expected a more generous sum.

Kakashi sighed. "You guys, this was a D-rank mission. How much more did you expect?"

He went on to explain Konoha's mission reward structure. "There are five levels of mission rewards: S, A, B, C, and D. A D-rank mission, like the one you completed yesterday, usually pays between five thousand and fifty thousand ryo, depending on difficulty. A C-rank mission ranges from thirty to a hundred thousand, while B-rank missions pay between eighty and two hundred thousand. Higher-level missions pay more, but discussing those isn't relevant for you right now."

Sasuke listened, understanding that these fees didn't reflect the actual payout to the ninja, as the village and instructors took a percentage.

"Out of the five thousand ryo payment for yesterday's mission, you three split fifteen hundred, while the village gets a thousand and I, as your leader, get three thousand."

Naruto and Sakura were shocked. "So much goes to you?!"

"Enough already!" Sasuke interjected, stopping any further complaints. "Given that the village also keeps a portion and that a Jonin mission could pay fifty thousand, this split isn't unreasonable. What's today's mission, Kakashi-sensei?"

Kakashi smiled at Sasuke's pragmatism. "Actually, there's no mission today. Instead, I'll guide you all through some training."

Naruto and Sakura seemed confused, but Sasuke, familiar with the training process, had an idea of what was coming.

"Today's training is on chakra control," Kakashi announced as he led the team into the forest, stopping near a large tree.

He took a few steps back, then, to everyone's surprise, he calmly walked up the tree trunk as if it were a flat surface.

Naruto and Sakura stared, amazed and confused.

"This exercise is about focusing a precise amount of chakra into the soles of your feet to allow you to climb a tree without using your hands," Kakashi explained.

Naruto and Sakura were even more astonished, while Sasuke remained calm, preparing to try the technique himself.

"Let's get started," Kakashi said, stepping aside to observe.

Sasuke immediately created a hand seal, channeling chakra into his feet and gathering a small whirlwind of chakra energy around him. He then sprinted toward the tree, kunai in hand, marking his progress as he scaled about seven or eight meters before landing lightly back on the ground.

[Only seven or eight meters?] Sasuke thought, unsatisfied. He was aiming to push further.

"I won't lose to you, Sasuke!" Naruto shouted, forming seals as he ran toward a nearby tree.

A burst of chakra around Naruto's feet startled Kakashi, who noted the remarkable chakra reserves Naruto seemed to possess.

Sasuke continued his attempts, reaching higher each time. Though he had already achieved good control, Kakashi's observations and guidance were a valuable opportunity. Both Naruto and Sakura were struggling but gradually improving.

By noon, the team was making visible progress, marking their heights on the trees. Kakashi remained observant, impressed by their determination and improvement.

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