Naruto: Path towards Godhood

Although he spoke mildly, his expression made all three Genin serious. After his first lecture, this was the first time they had seen him so serious.

"What happened, Sensei?"

Mito couldn't hold the suspense and asked with a worried expression.

"We can't continue our training. We have to start taking missions from today."

Shinku replied.

Ken and the other two were stunned. They weren't expecting this. They were expecting more and harsher training but never the mission.

Why?

Because their Sensei told them he wouldn't take them on a mission for a month.

As a Jonin, it would be bad if you couldn't even keep up your words.

Despite that, three Genin didn't feel anything more than the surprise.

Although it was a short one-week training, everyone here believed they could take down any other Genin.

"Don't worry, Sensei! We will be safe." Ken saw through his Sensei's intention and reassured him.

Before becoming a team, they were strangers. Despite that, their Sensei always did his best to help them.

So, they respected him a lot, especially Ken, who had no one.

After the death of his parents, the only people he could feel close to were Yakumi and his wife Mitsori.

He did know other Uchiha clan members, but as a Uchiha, they weren't supposed to be emotional.

So, he was detached from them. Even in the academy, he wasn't close to anyone.

Only after he became a Genin did he slowly find companionship in Mito, Jenzi, and Shinku.

"I know you are strong, Ken. All three of you have reached and even surpassed normal Genin, but anything can happen in a mission." Shinku bitterly smiled and shook his head.

"Sensei... Do you mean you won't be able to accompany us in missions from the start?" Mito asked.

Her mood was falling apart.

She could feel fear brewing in her heart. Despite knowing this was a part of being a ninja, she couldn't help but be afraid of unknown dangers.

Shinku nodded and sighed.

"War is becoming intense. It started with Suna, but soon, Kumo and Iwa have also joined the war. There have been some claims that Kiri might also join the war."

"Konoha is facing sieges from all sides, so most of the Jonin, if not all Jonin, are forced to enter the battlefield. So, I am afraid I need to join the war as well."

Hearing this, Mito and Jenzi clenched their fists, and a look of fear appeared in their eyes.

They couldn't fathom what kind of danger they would be facing in their missions.

But Ken held their hands from the middle and said.

"Don't worry, I will keep this team safe."

Hearing his declaration, Mito and Jenzi felt a bit relieved. Despite their pride, they knew just how strong Ken was.

But they felt ashamed. They were supposed to be Genin, ninjas of the Konoha Village. How could they be afraid of some missions?

"Humph! Don't speak too soon, Ken. Who knows, I might be the one taking care of you." Jenzi clenched his other fist and spoke.

"Yeah, we won't let you face everything alone. We are a team, Ken." Mito also nodded and softly spoke. Her face was slightly red which none of the other noticed.

Seeing their unity, Shinku smiled and clapped his hands.

"I am proud of you. Since you guys will be going on a mission, I have some gifts for you."

Shinku took out three scrolls and passed them to each of them.

"Come on, check it out!" Seeing their surprised look, Shinku spoke.

Jenzi quickly released the scroll, and a large stack of Exploding Tags appeared on his hand.

"This? These are exploding tags. So many?"

Mito also did the same and found her gift to be a bit different than Jenzi's. It was a Jutsu scroll.

[Water Style- Hiding in the Mist Jutsu]

"A Jutsu! Thank you, Sensei!"

Although Mito did have some Jutsu that she got from her family, this wasn't one of them. So, she was happy to receive this Jutsu.

The same was true for Jenzi. Although he came from a Ninja background, it didn't mean they were rich. He couldn't afford so many Exploding Tags.

It was something Shinku took out of his pocket.

Finally, Ken opened his scroll, and what he got was a sword. It was a long sword with a proper sheath covering it.

It also had a strap so he could put it on his back.

Seeing this, Ken couldn't help but give Shinku a confused look.

"Although you haven't used a sword, Uchiha are master swordsmen. Especially with their Sharingan, they can show some impressive feats with their swords."

"Although you haven't been taught to be a swordsman, you have seen me use a sword many times. Your Sharingan has copied some of my moves, and your body has also learned to use them."

"So, with this sword and the experience you have, it will be easier for you to fight other Genin."

Ken thought for a moment and thanked him. He asked Mito to strap this sword to his back.

"Now, let's go to the Hokage's Office and accept your first mission."

Shinku took them to the Hokage's Office without much more discussion.

Surprisingly, when they reached there, they saw a few more individuals inside the room.

This included two elders and Nara Shikaku, one of the formidable Jonin of the Leaf and also Konoha's brain.

"Shinku, you are finally here. We're waiting for you." Hiruzen showed a gentle smile on his face and spoke.

"Lord Hokage, Team 25 is ready for their first mission," Shinku announced as he walked in.

"Now, I have a perfect mission for your team. It is a special mission, but it is a C-Rank delivery mission." Hiruzen spoke as he took out a scroll and gave it to Shikaku.

Shinku couldn't help but feel sweating in his hands. He was worried that Hokage might give his team a hard mission while he couldn't join them.

"Team 25, your mission is to deliver this scroll to the Sixth Platoon on the Land of Wind. This is a map you need to follow to reach the Land of Wind within three days."

"You don't have to cross the borders since the member of the Sixth Platoon will arrive on the border on your third day. But, you need to reach there on time."

Ken was handed the mission scroll and the map. His hand couldn't help but tighten when he held those things.

"Do you understand the mission?" Hiruzen asked.

"Yes, Lord Hokage!" Ken nodded his head.

"Then, you need to hurry up!" Hiruzen urged them before they quickly left the room.

After they left, Hiruzen turned his head toward Shikaku and released a strange seal around his room.

Shikaku sighed and nodded. He took out another scroll and threw it at Shinku.

"This is your mission, Shinku-san. You need to take this scroll to the Land of Wind and find the Third Platoon where Lady Tsunade is stationed. You must go there from Land of River."

"This scroll holds important ingredients that are needed to cure the poison of Chiyo from Sunagakure. You need to reach there as soon as possible."

Hearing his words, Shinku's eyes widened for a moment as he stared at Shikaku and then toward Hiruzen.

Unlike Shikaku, who dodged his gaze, Hiruzen looked straight at him with a stoic expression.

He gritted his teeth and said.

"Yes, Lord Hokage!"

He turned around and left the room.

Elders seemed displeased by his attitude, but before they could speak, Shikaku asked.

"Lord Hokage, will there be any problem with Shinku-san?"

Hiruzen shook his head and said.

"Shinku's love for the village is no less than you and me. Even if he has sacrificed himself for the village, he would do it without any hesitation."

"This is the first time he has taken a team as a Jonin instructor, so he is a bit emotionally attached to this team."

"But Shinku knows what he needs to do. There are lives of hundreds of Ninja on the battlefield that are counting on him. So, he will not look for his students in the middle of this mission."

Hearing his words, Shikaku sighed and said.

"I hope so."

He pressed down the guilt of sending those Genin to their death and focused on his war tactic, discussing them with the Hokage.

On the other hand,

Ken and his team were completely unaware of the dangers their mission was going to bring them.

A simple C-Rank mission will become their nightmare and they were completely unaware of it.

After registering his mission at the Konoha Gate, he waited for his team to arrive.

Just like usual, Mito arrived first and after a few minutes, Jenzi also arrived.

"Are you two ready for your first mission?" Ken smirked and asked. He didn't want them to have any fear for this mission.

"Of course!" Jenzi's fear vanished instantly as he raised both of his hands in excitement.

"I am." Although Mito controlled her fear, she still had some nervousness in her tone.

"Then, let's go!"