Naruto: The Sarutobi Who Can't Spark

As Team-9 approached the Hokage's building, the three Genin cast furtive glances at Ryouka, searching for any sign of approval—or perhaps reassurance. But her expression remained unreadable, the same composed, impassive look she had worn the day before.

During their assessment, she had tested them thoroughly, engaging all three at once and methodically dismantling their coordination. The challenge had never been about pushing her Jōnin-level abilities; even their battle against her clone had been mere observation. Her true goal was to expose the cracks in their teamwork, force them to adapt, and make them understand that individual skill alone wouldn't be enough.

She couldn't deny their individual talents. Izumi displayed the characteristic sharp instincts and adaptability of the Uchiha clan. Sora demonstrated precision and rock-solid fundamentals. And then there was Raijin – perhaps the most formidable of the three. His capabilities were well-rounded, excelling in attack, defense, strategy, and combat flow, with split-second decision-making that belied his age. His Lightning Release techniques were particularly refined, a rarity for his age.

Yet individual strength meant little without unity. They weren't truly a team yet, but the potential was undeniably there. For now, that would have to be enough.

Ryouka recognized the look in their eyes – she'd seen it countless times before. Young shinobi, fresh from the Academy, standing at the threshold between training exercises and real-world missions. They had passed their initial test, yes, but passing and being truly prepared were worlds apart. In actual missions, there were no controlled environments, and no instructors to halt a fight before it turned deadly. In the field, failure carried real consequences.

She had been their age once. She remembered the first time she had stepped out of the village gates as a Genin, the weight of her forehead protector suddenly feeling heavier than before. It wasn't fear—not exactly. It was the sobering realization that she was leaving behind the world of childhood and stepping into something more.

These three would come to that same understanding soon enough.

Ryouka led the way forward with purposeful steps. They would begin with the basics—D-rank missions, mundane errands, tasks that riches took for granted. This wasn't merely about building skills; it was about grounding them in reality. Too often, she had seen newly minted Genin enter the field, believing their raw talent would see them through, only to falter when faced with simple but unexpected challenges.

She would not let that happen to her team.

Ryouka intended to forge them into something greater than themselves. The path wouldn't be easy—they might resent her methods—but sentiment had no place in the field. If they came to dislike her, so be it. Their survival, and the village's safety, mattered far more than their approval.

…

As the trio stepped into the Hokage's office, the very air carried the weight of authority, the walls steeped in years of duty and responsibility.

Behind the large wooden desk sat the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, his keen eyes scanning the mission reports before him. Though his expression remained calm and composed, the gravity of his position was ever-present. Today, however, was a significant milestone for Konoha's newest Genin.

Standing before him was Team 9—Izumi Uchiha, Sora Yamada, Raijin Sarutobi, and their Jōnin instructor, Ryouka Naito. Excitement and nervous anticipation flickered in their eyes. This would be their first official mission.

While the trio had trained together extensively—at least according to their supervisor—the prospect of carrying out an actual mission under the Hokage's directive was an entirely different challenge. Training may have prepared them for combat, strategy, and teamwork, but now they would have to prove themselves in the real world.

Setting aside the scroll he had been reviewing, the Hokage met their gazes with a knowing smile. "It seems you're ready to take your first step as shinobi," he said, reaching for another scroll. "I have your first mission right here."

With practiced ease, he unrolled the parchment. "Your task is to assist a landlady in locating her missing cats. She's concerned they might get lost in the village, especially with the heavy foot traffic these days." He paused for a moment before adding, "I trust you'll be able to handle this."

His gaze swept over the team, gauging their reactions as he continued, "The landlady is quite attached to them, and they've scattered across the village. Your job is to round them up and return them safely."

The room was silent for a moment as the Genin processed the assignment.

Izumi blinked, momentarily stunned. "Wait… we're chasing cats?" She turned to Raijin, who remained impassive, before forcing a small laugh. "I thought our first mission would be a bit more… intense." She hesitated, then added, "I mean, I guess catching cats isn't the worst thing."

Sora arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Catching cats…" he echoed under his breath. He shot a glance at his teammates, clearly underwhelmed by the assignment. Still, he knew they had no choice. This was their first mission, and no matter how mundane it seemed, they had to see it through.

Hiruzen chuckled softly, lacing his fingers together as he observed their reactions. "Every mission, no matter how small, is a lesson," he said. "This may seem simple, but it is an opportunity to learn teamwork, patience, and observation. Even the smallest tasks can prepare you for the challenges ahead."

Ryouka, their Jōnin instructor, finally spoke up, her tone even yet firm. "He's right. You'll find that things aren't always as easy as they seem. A mission's difficulty isn't measured by its description alone."

Izumi exhaled, resigning herself to the reality of the mission. "Let's just get this over with."

Sora rolled his shoulders, already picturing himself darting through the streets in pursuit of a horde of mischievous cats.

…

The team arrived at a modest wooden house near the market district where an elderly landlady was pacing anxiously outside. Upon spotting them, she rushed forward, wringing her hands.

"They ran off earlier today! Please, you have to find them! And be gentle with them—they're my pride and joy!" she pleaded, her wrinkled face lined with worry.

Before the team could even ask for details, a chorus of meows echoed from a nearby alleyway. The cats had no intention of being captured. They scattered the moment the Genin arrived, darting through narrow streets, slipping through windows, and leaping onto rooftops with the skill of seasoned escape artists.

Without hesitation, Sora took off after the nearby one on the top of the house wall. Izumi hesitated for a moment before turning to Ryouka. "Uh, Ryouka-sensei… how exactly do we proceed with this mission?" she asked, her voice betraying a mix of confusion and reluctance.

Ryouka glanced at her with a faint look of amusement before responding, "You three will complete this mission on your own."

And just like that, she vanished.

"Well, I expected as much. Jōnin certainly won't waste time on menial D-rank missions like catching stray cats," Raijin remarked, his voice carrying a trace of dry amusement.

Sora, meanwhile, remained silent as he trailed the movement of the cats with sharp eyes. He couldn't help but question the purpose of this mission.

His gaze settled on a white cat, and he couldn't deny the admiration for these lovely creatures. There was a grace to their movements, a fluidity that reminded him of well-trained shinobi slipping through the shadows. And, if he was being honest with himself, he had always liked cats. He even had one back home.

"Okay," Izumi sighed, crossing her arms. "If we're going to do this, we need a plan. Running around aimlessly won't help."

Sora nodded. "Agreed. We should find a way to trap them without scaring them too much. If we rush in, they'll just keep running."

"Yes, you are good with traps, Sora" Izumi replied. "Maybe we can set up specific areas to corner them." She glanced at Raijin and Sora, waiting for input.

Sora added, "Cats are nimble and fast. We might need a different approach."

Raijin shrugged. "It's just catching cats. We'll get them eventually."

…

Over the next hour, the three of them chased, strategized, and adapted.

Sora weaved through alleyways anticipating the cats' movements with an almost unnatural precision. While the others saw an exhausting chase, he saw an opportunity to interact with the creatures he adored.

His hands moved instinctively, and with a swift, well-timed grab, he caught one mid-leap. The cat hissed, lashing out with its claws, but Sora only chuckled, handling it with ease.

Izumi, also made Sora set up small traps using fish as bait, coaxing the more hesitant cats into calmer spaces before securing them. While she wasn't particularly fond of the mission, she took it as a test of patience, studying the unpredictable movements of her targets and adjusting her approach accordingly.

Raijin on the other hand was a source of encouragement and took the most direct approach—reading their movements with sharp calculation and cutting off their escape routes. Without needing to chase, he blocked their paths and scooped up two cats, his grip firm on their nape like the mother cat would.

Despite Izumi's initial reluctance, she was forced to admit the mission was more difficult than expected. The cats were fast, elusive, and stubborn—traits that made capturing them a lesson rather than mere speed or strength.

Izumi wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead. "Alright, just a few more to go."

Sora, still holding the cat in his arms, absentmindedly stroked its fur. "You know, this is actually kind of fun," he said, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Raijin simply smiled. "Told you. We'd find them eventually."

Izumi raised an eyebrow. "Fun? You actually enjoy this?"

Sora coughed, "I mean… it's better than fighting someone."

…

Back at the Hokage's office, Team 9 stood before Hiruzen Sarutobi, their mission complete. Despite the simplicity of the task, their disheveled appearances told a different story.

Izumi's face was a battlefield of scratches, evidence of her enthusiasm—or recklessness—during the chase. Raijin fared slightly better, though a few faint marks marred his feature. Sora, on the other hand, looked as untouched as when they had left, his uniform pristine and not a single scratch in sight.

Hiruzen set down his pipe, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Well done," he said, his tone warm with amusement. "The village can rest easy now, thanks to you three."

The Genin exchanged glances, knowing full well that this had been far from a glamorous mission. And chances were, they'd be doing more of these mundane tasks in the future. Still, what mattered was that they had worked together. In its own way, this had been their first real step toward becoming a true team.

Izumi shifted slightly, resisting the urge to rub her stinging face. "I'm glad we could be of service," she muttered, trying not to sound too bitter about the unexpected war she had waged against cats.

Hiruzen chuckled, watching their dynamic unfold. "Missions, no matter how small, are meant to build you as shinobi. Even this one required strategy, coordination, and patience. The skills you honed today will serve you well in the future."

Though none of them would openly admit it, his words rang true. This mission, while seemingly trivial, had forced them to learn their teamwork.

The Hokage's eyes softened as he leaned back in his chair. "That being said… I hope you didn't terrorize the landlady's cats too much." He let out a low chuckle before shifting his attention to Ryouka. "You've done well overseeing them, Ryouka."

Ryouka gave a slight nod, her expression unreadable. "They are promising."

That was the closest thing to praise the trio could hope for from their Jōnin instructor, and they knew it.

With their report complete, Ryouka turned to them. "Come with me."

The trio followed her outside, stepping into the fading afternoon light. The marketplace bustled with activity in the distance, the sounds of Konoha's daily life filling the air. Once they were a few steps away from the Hokage's office, Ryouka stopped and withdrew the mission reward from her pouch.

Izumi sighed. "I didn't think catching cats would be this exhausting."

"Maybe for you," Sora said coolly, glancing at his unscratched arms.

Izumi shot him a glare. "We get it. You're untouchable."

Interrupting their bickering Ryouka spoke, "Each of you will receive one-fifth of the total payment," she stated matter-of-factly, dividing the coins with practiced precision. "As the Jōnin leader, I take two-fifths. Standard procedure."

She handed each of them 1,000 ryō, the coins cool against their palms.

Izumi stared at her share before glancing at Raijin. "You think this is enough to buy ointment for cat scratches?"

Raijin snorted. "Considering how many you got? You might need a loan."

"Loan?" Izumi muttered.

Sora pocketed his money without a word.

Before they could say anything else, Ryouka spoke again. "Meet me tomorrow for more training."

And just like that, she vanished, leaving the trio standing there in silence.

Sora, Izumi, and Raijin exchanged looks, then exhaled a collective sigh.

"Of course, she didn't give us a time," Izumi muttered, shaking her head. She couldn't help but think. Were they truly shinobi if their duties involved retrieving runaway pets? Shouldn't they be protecting people, safeguarding villages, or at the very least, handling something more… meaningful?

And shouldn't we learn to coordinate with our supervisor through these missions?

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