Lin Yu had his own considerations. Executing missions with Might Duy, safety was not a major concern. Although the power of the Eight Gates was relative to the user, at his current prime, Might Duy could rival an elite jonin when opening the Sixth Gate, and the Seventh Gate allowed him to go toe-to-toe with Kage-level powerhouses. While not quite the "Kaiser" (凯皇), he was quite formidable.
The mission assignment office was located on the first floor of the Hokage Building. Missions and commissions were the essence of a ninja's survival and the village's influence, respectively, hence their strategic placement in the Hokage Building for maximum security.
For missions of B-rank or higher, ninjas were required to report to and obtain approval from the Hokage. C-rank and D-rank missions only needed to be recorded by the administrative ninjas and their results reported to the Hokage.
"Let me see, there are 13 D-rank missions and 1 C-rank mission. Lin Yu, which one should we choose?" Might Duy pulled Lin Yu towards a bulletin board in the hall, his gaze fixed on the C-rank mission.
This bulletin board displayed D-rank and C-rank missions. For B-rank missions and above, one had to inquire with the receptionist ninja, verify identity, and check qualifications before being able to view and accept them.
D-rank missions typically involved clearing river channels, finding a noblewoman's lost cat, helping civilians with farming, or pulling radishes – tasks usually assigned to newly graduated genin to familiarize them with the mission process. The rewards were meager, ranging from 500 to 10,000 ryo.
While the starting point was 500 ryo, it was important to remember that prices in the ninja world were quite high. A bowl of Ichiraku Ramen without extra toppings cost around 80 ryo. Coupled with the leader jonin's cut and the team's split, a single D-rank mission might only sustain them for two to three days, which was insufficient for ninja training.
C-rank missions were similar to D-rank ones, mainly involving escort duties. Of course, it wasn't for people of high status, but mostly for wealthy merchants escorting goods and supplies. No combat was typically involved, and the reward was around 10,000 to 50,000 ryo. Most genin and chūnin would accept C-rank missions; without combat and with rewards tens of times higher than D-rank, they were quite profitable.
Therefore, C-rank missions were highly sought after among genin. It was fortunate for Lin Yu and his companions that one C-rank mission remained.
"Huh? Might Duy, you're here again? Didn't we say genin without a team can't take missions alone?" A chūnin in charge of mission assignments noticed Might Duy standing by the bulletin board, an impatient look on his face. "If you keep causing trouble like this, don't blame me for being rude!"
"Esteemed sir, I have a team now. See, he's right beside me." Might Duy looked somewhat embarrassed. He had previously pleaded with the chūnin to let him take a mission alone, only to be kicked out.
"Oh?" The chūnin at the mission desk frowned, glancing at Lin Yu's somewhat youthful face, and said with displeasure, "Might Duy, don't think you can trick a newly graduated genin into taking a mission. Genin cannot form teams; only chūnin are qualified to establish teams. Hurry up and leave, don't disturb others here!"
Might Duy felt awkward. He hadn't known that genin couldn't team up with other genin and looked apologetically at Lin Yu.
Lin Yu smiled, indicating he didn't mind, and stepped forward, saying calmly, "My name is Uzumaki Lin Yu. My guiding jonin is Orochimaru. As for this genin, Might Duy, he is one of my current teammates."
"Uzumaki Lin Yu? Lord Orochimaru? Wait a moment, I need to verify if what you're saying is true." The chūnin at the mission desk raised an eyebrow. He hadn't heard any news of Orochimaru taking disciples. However, the name Uzumaki Lin Yu sounded familiar. Where had he heard it?
It was precisely because he had some impression of the name Uzumaki Lin Yu that he decided to verify. If some unknown braggart claimed to be Orochimaru's disciple, he would have thrown him out immediately.
Soon, the chūnin at the mission desk quickly looked up the corresponding information using the ninja registration number. It was newly uploaded and personally approved by the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Upon seeing the contents, the chūnin's expression changed dramatically. "Impossible! How could something like this happen?"
The document contained Lin Yu's basic information, and the guiding jonin field indeed listed Orochimaru's name. Most importantly, there was a directive below: "My disciple Uzumaki Lin Yu can accept any mission in my name that I can accept!"
Orochimaru was an elite jonin, and recently proclaimed one of the Sannin, nicknamed "God of Shinobi" by the ninja world, his reputation was greater than ever. Allowing this unknown genin to accept missions under his name was something the chūnin found utterly unbelievable.
Wait, Uzumaki Lin Yu? Could it be that "Poisoned Milk" of the ninja world?
The chūnin at the mission desk cast a strange glance at Lin Yu, unable to discern much. His tone became somewhat respectful, "Your identity is confirmed. You may accept missions of any difficulty. Shall I bring out the mission manual for B-rank and above?"
Seeing that the other party was quite sensible, Lin Yu lost interest in further asserting dominance and said calmly, "No need. Just that C-rank escort mission will do."
"Alright, please wait a moment while I record it." The chūnin at the mission desk took the commission slip, checked the information, and registered it. "Escort a merchant caravan to the capital of the Land of Fire. The commission fee is 50,000 ryo, correct? The client is currently staying at the Konoha Inn. You can go there to find them."
Lin Yu nodded, beckoning the excited Might Duy. "Senior Duy, let's go. We'll try to be back by tomorrow."
"Yes! I won't hold you back this time!" Might Duy's spirit was high, like he'd been injected with chicken blood.
Lin Yu watched Guy, who was being tossed around by Might Duy, and understood. No wonder Guy's brain wasn't quite sharp; he'd been bounced around by his own father since he was little.
Lin Yu paused his steps slightly and turned back to the chūnin at the mission desk, saying, "Senior Duy will be picking up missions for me from now on. I hope you won't keep him waiting any longer."
"...Alright." The chūnin at the mission desk nodded with a stiff expression. With the right connection, even a perpetual genin could soar to new heights.
"Lin Yu, you... I don't know how to thank you. Thank you, thank you so much." Might Duy, having overheard Lin Yu's words, looked at Lin Yu with large, watery eyes beneath his bushy eyebrows, his large nose twitching. No one had treated him this well since his wife passed away!
Might Duy gritted his teeth, as if making a firm decision, and said, "Lin Yu, how about I let Guy recognize you as his godfather!"
"What?!" Lin Yu was dumbfounded. I'm already Kaiser's father? Is that okay? No, absolutely not. If it were Hinata or Hanabi, he wouldn't mind at all. But Might Guy...
Lin Yu imagined a future Might Guy in a green jumpsuit, with a watermelon-head and gleaming teeth, giving him a thumbs-up and saying, "Godfather, shall we burn our youth today and run 1000 laps around Konoha!"
No, absolutely not!
Lin Yu firmly shook his head and said to Might Duy with a solemn expression, "Senior Duy, that's probably not possible. I'm only ten years old. If other girls find out I'm already a godfather, I might not be able to get a wife."
Might Duy thought about it and agreed, looking regretful, as if to say, you missed your chance, kid!