The Heavens: From Naruto to sign in

"But..."

"I don't even know those people! How can you Konoha shinobi accuse someone of being guilty without any real proof?"

"Maybe they were just regular bandits? Highway robbers?"

"You attacked me first—was it just because I looked like the weakest one?"

Dazna's voice trembled as he spoke. He swallowed hard, his expression stiff, desperately denying any connection.

Anko narrowed her eyes, licking the corner of her mouth as she stared him down with a glint of amusement.

"Mr. Dazna, I'm a Special Jonin of the Hidden Leaf. Are you questioning my ability to judge a mission's threat level?"

She took a step forward, her tone sharp and mocking.

A denial like that?

Way too amateur.

Dazna clenched his jaw, growing flustered. "It's just a judgment! You don't have actual evidence! If you push this further, I'll file a formal complaint against you."

Anko raised an eyebrow and laughed, coldly amused.

"A complaint? Do you think I'm scared of that?"

She grinned.

"I'm Mitarashi Anko. I've never been afraid of complaints in my life. If I was, why do you think I'm still just a Jonin, huh?"

"You... How could you be like this?! There's no proof, and until there is, I won't let you change the mission's rank!"

Dazna's voice rose as his emotions surged.

Just then, Yoruha calmly stepped forward.

"Cardo, right?"

He looked Dazna square in the eyes, voice steady and cold.

"You want to build that bridge, to change the fate of the Land of Waves. But the moment you do, the first person who suffers is Cardo—the one who profits most from the country's isolation. You can't hide that. Lying about the mission level won't save you."

"Cardo? Who the hell is Cardo?" Anko asked, frowning.

Clearly, the name didn't ring a bell.

Yoruha nodded and began to explain.

"Cardo is a wealthy shipping magnate from the Land of Waves. He basically controls all sea transportation there—and he's richer than the daimyo himself."

"If the bridge is completed, his monopoly vanishes. His entire business collapses."

He turned to Anko, eyes half-lidded with a sly glint.

"Teacher Anko... Background checks on missions are covered in the Academy's textbooks. You remember those, right?"

Anko froze for a second.

Then exploded.

"You little brat!"

Her voice cracked like a whip, but Yoruha was unfazed.

Twice now, she'd been outplayed by her own student.

At this point, Anko was starting to question whether she was even cut out to be a mentor.

I mean, really—this kid could cook, analyze missions, and even track political motives?

Were kids always this crazy smart?

"Paper can't cover fire, Dazna," Yoruha said quietly, turning his attention back to the client. His tone sharpened. "If your real opponent is Cardo, then this journey will be filled with danger. Denying it won't stop what's coming."

Dazna felt the weight of Yoruha's words.

Every part of his reasoning was spot on.

He looked down and finally sighed.

"…You're right."

But it wasn't like he wanted to lie about the mission. The truth was, he simply didn't have the money.

"Hmph. Since rogue nin are already involved, this mission should be classified at least as B-rank," Anko said coldly. "And if Cardo sends a Jonin to stop us next, it'll jump to A-rank. Make your decision now—upgrade the mission… or we head back."

"I… I'm sorry. I really don't have the money."

Dazna slumped slightly, looking helpless.

"What? No money?" Anko scoffed. "Well then—bye."

Her voice was sharp, mocking.

Ninjas were professionals. Not adventurers or charity workers. No pay meant no risk.

But then—

Yoruha raised a hand and calmly stopped her.

"It's fine. I don't really need the money anyway. Why don't we just keep going?"

"Eh?"

Both Dazna and Anko stared at him, dumbfounded.

Was this kid serious?

Just giving up his paycheck like that?

What kind of move was that?

Your style's too flashy, kid.