I headed toward the village's main gate at dawn, my thoughts circling around the fact that this would be my first mission outside Konoha. I had stepped beyond the wall once before, but I had always been within the range of the village's direct guard. This time would be different. This time I was going to see the world of Naruto beyond the safety of Konoha, and as much as I tried to play it cool, I was excited to see something new.
By the time I arrived, Sena was already there, checking through her pack with meticulous care. She looked like the picture of a ready shinobi, every essential tool within reach and anything less urgent sealed neatly away in storage scrolls. Kaen, on the other hand, wore the bored expression of someone dragged from bed too early. He yawned, shook his head, and muttered to himself as if trying to wake up.
The moment I joined them, Sena flashed me a mocking smile. "Good morning, little prince. How nice of you to meet us at our pleasure."
Kaen gave a grunt and said flatly, "You should always arrive early, before the time. That's common knowledge."
I shrugged. "I was told at dawn, so I arrived at dawn. I'll leave the unnecessary early wake-ups to you. I value my beauty sleep."
Sena chuckled while Kaen grunted louder, clearly annoyed.
A moment later Shisui appeared between us without a sound, making me flinch hard enough that I nearly stumbled backward. He looked over the three of us and spoke simply. "Time to go. We will move quickly and camp along the way to the mission site so we arrive prepared and in good condition."
We all acknowledged him. Shisui glanced out at the gate, his voice calm but firm. "Let us delay no further." Then he set off at a steady run, and we followed close behind.
The walls of Konoha vanished behind us, and the world changed almost immediately. The road narrowed, swallowed by trees that grew taller and older the farther we went. Sunlight cut through the canopy in jagged shafts, painting the dirt path in shifting bands of gold and shadow. It felt like the forest itself couldn't decide whether to welcome us or hide us.
The air was thicker out here, damp and filled with the smell of moss and bark. Birds darted overhead, and the shrill cries of cicadas cut through the steady rhythm of our footsteps. The ground wasn't smooth either. Roots jutted across the path like traps waiting to trip the careless, and dips in the trail forced me to watch every step unless I wanted to land face-first in the mud.
Rivers and streams crossed the forest at odd intervals. One ran so clear I could see fish flashing beneath the surface before they scattered at our shadows. Another had a crooked wooden bridge thrown over it, the kind villagers repaired out of necessity more than pride. Sena gave it a quick glance, no doubt marking it in her memory as a landmark. Kaen ignored it, which was funny, considering he nearly lost his footing in a patch of slick mud right after. I didn't say anything, but the smirk stayed on my face for a while.
The deeper we moved, the quieter it became. No more distant chatter from farmers, fewer signs of scattered villages, only the creak of trees and the occasional rustle from something hidden in the brush. It was beautiful, yes, but also unsettling. Out here it was just us and whatever lurked in the dark.
By the time the sun sank lower, the sky had painted itself in streaks of orange and red. Shisui slowed, raised a hand, and led us off the road into a small clearing a short distance within the trees. It wasn't large, but it had enough overhead cover to hide us while still giving space to settle without being seen from the path.
"We will camp here," Shisui said. He scanned the perimeter before turning back to us. "This location is close enough to the road for us to move quickly at dawn, but far enough that passing travelers won't notice. A stream lies to the east for water, and the tree line is thick enough to block direct moonlight, which will make it harder for anyone to spot us at night."
He crouched, running a hand over the ground before gesturing at the surrounding trunks. "The roots here create natural barriers that can slow anyone rushing in, while the branches above provide cover if you need to move upward. Always pay attention to where you camp. A poor choice can cost you dearly if you are ambushed, especially in enemy territory."
Straightening, his gaze sharpened. "Another rule. Never trust a campsite as it is. Before you rest, you check the area in a wide spiral, covering every angle. Look for broken branches, fresh tracks, unnatural silence, anything that hints at company. If you find nothing, good. If you find something, better to know before you sleep. Always assume you're being watched until you've proven otherwise."
I swallowed and gave a small nod, appreciating that he was passing this knowledge on without holding back. Sena dipped her head with the same grace as always, scribbling notes at a speed that should have ruined her handwriting but somehow didn't. Kaen gave a short nod as well, focused and serious for once, his usual scowl gone.
Shisui's eyes swept over us again. "This is not the village. Out here there are no walls, barriers, or patrols. Out here, vigilance is what keeps you alive."
We moved in different directions to scan the area around the clearing. After some time we returned, Sena reporting first. "Area is safe."
Shisui gave a short nod, but before camp could be set, I spoke up. "Please start setting things up. I'll draw a couple of seals to cover the site. It won't be perfect, but it'll create a small protective barrier. I'll also place a fuinjutsu trap in case someone decides to get stupid."
Sena gave me a bright smile. "Always the reliable comrade."
I chuckled as I summoned a kunai with a soft thump of chakra. No matter how many times I did it, the instant appearance of the weapon still amazed me. One moment my hand was empty, the next it was there, solid and sharp. That little trick grabbed the attention of both Shisui and Kaen, who watched closely as I began carving symbols into the ground.
I worked steadily, burning through the limited stock of kunai I carried. The team unpacked around me while I focused on each line of the formation. Kaen kept glancing my way, his curiosity clear despite the frown on his face. Shisui, to my surprise, looked quietly approving as well. Out of everyone, he was the one most likely to recognize that I was handling intermediate seals with competence, and it showed in his expression.
After nearly an hour, I pressed my palm to the final seal and pushed a heavy wave of chakra through the formation. The ground lit up with faint blue light, the glowing symbols spreading in every direction for a moment before fading back into the earth.
When I looked up, the entire team was staring. I scratched the back of my head and said nervously, "It's nothing too complicated, just a few seals."
Sena's smile widened, Kaen somehow managed to look annoyed and impressed at the same time, which I hadn't known was possible, and Shisui's silence spoke volumes.
I wanted to cook, but fire was out of the question. Instead, we ate rations in near darkness, washing the chalky food down with more water than it deserved.
Once we finished, Shisui stood. "I'll guard the camp through the night. You rest well. The warehouse will be your responsibility, not mine. I will not intervene unless someone as strong as a jonin appears, and that will not happen. You must be ready to handle this mission on your own. Do not rely on me to save you. Consider me absent. Do you understand?"
We all agreed before moving to our tents.
I lay awake for a long time. The ground was rough, the forest full of unfamiliar noises, and my bed at home felt a world away. Still, the air was fresh, the night strangely peaceful, and the thought of Shisui standing guard nearby finally eased the knot in my chest. My eyes drifted closed, and the dream realm claimed me at last.