"The physical condition isn't bad."
Hardy squeezed the muscles on his arm with satisfaction.
No wonder he was always getting into trouble.
He didn't know which world this was, but who cared? First, he'd refine some chakra, then see if he could use his family's connections to forge some academic credentials. With the Uesugi clan's influence, he could break into the business and political worlds and accumulate fortune.
What a god-tier start!
...
...
Naruto World.
After observing the world his new incarnation had been placed in for a few days, Hardy lost interest.
It was just too peaceful. Aside from the era seeming a bit earlier, nothing was happening at all!
Still, with this incarnation's privileged background, he had a reliable path to gaining fortune. As long as he proceeded step by step, Hardy wouldn't lose out.
Meanwhile, after the last great battle, the war between Sunagakure, Konohagakure, and Amegakure had entered a fever pitch.
The Second Shinobi World War had already lasted for many years by now. Both sides were old enemies, and with new and old grudges, they were practically tearing each other apart.
The direct result was a shortage of manpower.
Too many had died.
So, this year, another batch of ninja academy students graduated early to assist with logistics and other tasks.
As for those who had previously graduated early, they had already become qualified cannon fodder.
"Well, another mission, huh."
Hardy sat at his desk, lifting his head from a pile of documents, and looked at Kazekami Senran with delight.
He had even more work than Yekura and Maki.
That was because Chiyo had dumped some of her less important, but troublesome and time-consuming, paperwork on Hardy.
"Ah, a C-rank mission: escort some newly graduated genin to deliver supplies to Border Outpost No. 7."
Kazekami Senran tossed the mission scroll in front of everyone.
This was considered a relatively safe mission.
If those freshly graduated genin went straight to the battlefield, few would survive; at first, they were given tasks like this to get some experience.
Step by step, that was how every bit of strength could be maximized and talent discovered.
So this job was basically babysitting.
"Alright, I'll go notify Squad 9 to come handle the paperwork. We'll head out soon."
baki clearly couldn't wait any longer and ran off to call the others.
"Remember to get your ninja tools in order. Even though this is a relatively safe mission, it's still in a war zone. Occasionally, small enemy squads do make it behind the lines, so don't skimp on preparations and stay alert."
Kazekami Senran reminded them.
In just a few minutes, Hardy and the others had finished the handover and were ready to depart.
There were many routes for transporting logistics supplies.
To prevent intelligence leaks that could lead to supplies being ambushed or destroyed, the frontline commander would randomly select a route for each escort mission.
The route was also chosen at random for the return trip. But since everyone in the team was at least a chunin and there wasn't much heavy equipment to slow them down, the four of them reached their destination in just three hours.
"Didn't expect Jonin Senran himself to come this time."
At Outpost No. 7, a middle-aged man with a thick beard came over to greet Hardy and the others.
He was the captain of the outpost's guard squad, Special Jonin Mukade.
"Jonin Mukade."
Kazekami Senran shook hands with Mukade.
"Cough, cough, you're too polite, Jonin Senran. I'm not a full jonin yet."
Mukade laughed heartily, shaking his sleeve, and—
Something—no one knew what it was—rolled into Kazekaze Chiran's hands.
"Chiran Jonin, this is already my third time submitting a jonin application, but the Kazekage building still hasn't approved it. Could you…"
Hardy kept his eyes on his nose, his nose on his heart, pretending not to notice anything.
Pakura looked up at the clouds, while baki lowered his head and started counting imaginary ants.
"Hyakuzu."
Kazekaze Chiran narrowed his eyes. No one knew what trick he used, but the object somehow returned to Hyakuzu's hands.
Only then did Hardy see clearly—it was a very small, mini sealing scroll.
"Jonin promotion mainly depends on a person's overall qualities, Hyakuzu-kun. I know your abilities are good, but as for being a qualified jonin… Well, that's not something that can be said for sure. After all, it's wartime now. Who knows, maybe you'll achieve some great merit, Hyakuzu-kun?"
Kazekaze Chiran patted Hyakuzu's shoulder, chuckling as he pulled out a mission scroll.
"Sigh, I suppose so."
Hyakuzu still put on an enthusiastic face. He took the mission scroll, checked the secret mark on it, exchanged the password with Kazekaze Chiran, and only after completing the procedure did he wave to the people behind him.
"Hand-off complete, you can come out now!"
The stronghold's gates opened, and nine young genin, around ten years old, ran out.
In fact, they were only about a year younger than Hardy and Maki.
Behind them were several carts loaded with supplies.
"Four carts of supplies. The third cart is the most important, because the bottom layer of boxes in that cart contains sealing scrolls. In fact, over fifty percent of the critical military equipment is sealed inside those scrolls. As long as the third cart is safe, most of the supplies will be preserved."
Hyakuzu explained to Kazekaze Chiran.
At the same time, those little brats turned their attention to Hardy and the others.
"Wow! Who are they? They don't look much older than us—how come they're already chunin?"
"Hahaha! Once I earn merit for the village on the battlefield, I'll become a chunin in no time! Then a jonin, and finally the Kazekage!"
"You're just bragging!"
Hardy exchanged helpless glances with Pakura and Maki.
"Um… When we just graduated, were we like them?"
"No."
Pakura replied succinctly.
baki crossed his arms and whistled a few off-key notes, sounding even worse than a crow.
"I… was probably a little better than them, right?"
Hardy glanced again at these freshly graduated genin.
Each of their eyes revealed a kind of clear, innocent stupidity. Noisy and rowdy, they had an air of inexperience about them.
"Um, beautiful senpai, may I ask your name? Can I get your contact info?"
A little show-off with side-swept bangs and hands in his pockets darted over to Pakura, blinking at her.
"Scram."
Pakura's reply was just one word.
"You…"
"All right, brat, just behave and help your teammates check the supplies again."
Hardy smacked the kid on the head.
"Damn! How dare you treat me like this! Do you know who my father is in the administration department…"
"No idea. If you keep yapping, I'll have someone go warn your dad."
For some reason, the more Hardy looked at this kid, the more annoyed he felt. He gave him another flick on the head.