Hana was still frustrated that Minato kept assigning them D-ranked missions.

How was babysitting a bunch of bratty kids going to prepare them to fight a real enemy? She was tired of it. The missions felt pointless.

But what irritated her more was how distant Obito had become. Ever since Rin joined the team, things between them had shifted. He didn't hang out with her anymore. Hardly talked to her unless it was mission-related. It was like she'd become invisible.

Minato had mentioned a team meeting the day before, so she got up early and headed to the training grounds. The house was quiet—both Minato and Kushina had left already. She got ready on her own and stepped out into the morning.

When she arrived, Rin was already there, Obito close by her side. Kakashi sat on a tree stump, looking like he'd been lost in thought. She didn't acknowledge Obito and made her way over to Kakashi.

"Where's Sensei? He's late," Kakashi muttered.

"I didn't see him this morning," Hana replied. "House was empty."

Kakashi sighed, uninterested in continuing the conversation.

Rin and Obito were chatting across the field, smiling and laughing like nothing else mattered. Hana kept her focus on the grass, tuning them out. Kakashi occasionally threw out dry remarks toward Obito but otherwise stayed quiet.

A moment later, Minato arrived—Kushina by his side, carrying a picnic basket.

"Sorry I'm late, guys," he said.

Everyone turned toward them, surprised to see someone new.

"Remember when I told you I had a wife?" Minato smiled. "This is her."

Kushina beamed. "Kushina Uzumaki! I'm so happy to finally meet you guys. You're all adorable!"

She doted on them, especially Rin, making Hana roll her eyes slightly.

"Are we going on a mission today?" Obito asked, already hopeful.

Minato shook his head. "Not today. I figured you all deserved a break. We've been working non-stop lately, so we're having a team picnic instead. And I thought this would be a good way for you to meet Kushina since you'll be seeing her around."

Kushina began setting out the food. Hana's mouth watered at the smell. Kushina handed her a bowl of ramen with a smirk.

"Made this just for my favorite niece. And I brought anmitsu too."

Hana dug in with zero shame. Ichiraku was great—but her aunt's ramen? On another level.

Everyone sat and talked, relaxing for once. Hana kept her distance from Obito and Rin, sticking near Kakashi.

"I'm surprised you're not sitting with Obito," Kakashi said between bites of a rice ball. "Didn't you two used to be joined at the hip?"

Hana glanced over at Obito, who was still laughing with Rin. They made eye contact for a brief second before Hana looked away.

"Yeah. I thought so too," she mumbled. "Guess I'm invisible now."

Kushina was busy teasing Obito, clearly taking a liking to him already. Rin eventually made her way over and sat beside Hana.

"Does your aunt always cook this good?" she asked.

Hana nodded once, silent.

"That was the best anmitsu I've ever had," Rin smiled. "Better than that dessert shop in town."

Hana stood without responding, placing her empty bowl back in the basket and grabbing the dessert container. She saw Rin still chatting with Kakashi and decided not to rejoin them. Instead, she walked over to sit by Minato and Kushina.

Kushina looked her over curiously. "Obito's the one you were close with in the academy, right?"

"Yeah," Hana replied. "One of my best friends."

"I'm surprised I haven't met him before. I think I've only met Kurenai and Anko," she said. "So... why aren't you sitting with him?"

Hana kept her tone even. "I just thought I'd sit with you guys instead."

Kushina raised a brow. "Are you two fighting?"

"No. Everything's fine."

Neither Minato nor Kushina seemed convinced. Kushina opened her mouth to say something else, but Minato spoke first.

"Oh—right. There's something we've been meaning to tell you."

"What is it?"

"We're planning to move to a different house," he said.

Hana blinked. "Wait, what? Why?"

"It's just small," Kushina answered. "We need more space. But don't worry—you'll help us pick the new place."

Before the conversation could continue, a hawk flew overhead, dropping a scroll near them.

"The Hokage," Minato said, standing up. "We'll talk about this later."

They packed everything up quickly and started heading for the tower.

Rin was walking beside Kakashi again, which annoyed Hana all over again. She stayed at the back of the group, quiet.

Obito slowed his pace to walk beside her.

"I hope this is finally a real mission," he said, hands behind his head.

"Me too."

"You think it'll be a fun one? I'm sick of these D-ranked assignments."

"Let's just hope it's not another babysitting nightmare."

It was the first time he'd spoken to her all day without mentioning Rin. It wasn't perfect, but she appreciated it.

They reached the Hokage's office, and Minato knocked before entering.

"Apologies for the short notice," Hiruzen said. "I know this was meant to be your day off, but you're the only genin team available."

"No problem," Minato replied. "They're ready."

Hana leaned in slightly, anxious to hear what kind of mission it would be.

"This is a C-rank mission," Hiruzen began.

A grin immediately broke across her face.

"You'll deliver a scroll to the Mizukage," he continued. "It contains details for the upcoming Chunin Exams. We're trusting you to carry it safely to the Hidden Mist."

Hana knew the stories. Everyone did.

The Mist Village was brutal—especially their academy. She remembered learning that students there had to kill their own classmates to graduate. Whether they were friends or not didn't matter.

She was glad she wasn't raised there.

They stopped by their homes to gather gear. When Hana got back, Kushina paused mid-vacuum when she saw them.

"What did the Hokage say?" she asked.

"We'll be gone for three days. We're delivering a scroll to the Blood Mist," Minato told her.

Kushina's face instantly twisted into worry, but Minato reassured her. Hana grabbed her pouch and met them by the door.

"Be careful, both of you," she said, hugging them tightly.

"We will," Hana promised with a smile.

They regrouped at the gate where Kakashi, Rin, and Obito were already waiting.

"Ready?" Minato asked.

Everyone nodded.

The gates opened, and for the first time, Team Minato stepped outside the Land of Fire together.

Excitement buzzed in Hana's chest. Finally, a real mission.

"Sensei, how long is the trip?" Obito asked.

"Six days. Three to get there, three to return," Minato replied.

Hana started to zone out, thoughts swirling with ideas of what they might encounter. Kakashi elbowed her lightly.

"Did you even hear what he said?"

She blinked, startled. "What?"

"We're entering the Land of Water. Fog's getting thicker. Eyes up."

Sure enough, the mist curled around them like a blanket. Soon, she could barely see anyone.

"Try to stay close!" Minato called out.

But as the fog grew denser, visibility dropped to nothing. Hana spun in place, straining to listen.

"Kakashi?" she called out.

No answer.

"Minato-sensei? Obito? Rin?"

Still nothing.

Her heart started to pound. She stood still, trying to get her bearings, when a sudden sharp sting hit her shoulder. She reached up and yanked out a senbon, blood dripping lightly from her fingers.

"Really?" she muttered. "We're doing this now?"

She drew a kunai and dropped into a defensive stance.

"Whoever you are, come out!"

A soft laugh—young, female—echoed around her.

She turned just in time to meet a clash of metal. Her kunai met another blade with a sharp clang.

"I gotta hand it to you," the voice said. "Your reflexes are better than I expected."

She gritted her teeth. "Who the hell are you? What do you want?"

"I don't think I'm obligated to tell you that."