Kakashi successfully received the mission to protect Tazuna, who was building a bridge.
After confirming the mission, Kakashi sent his team home to gather their things—Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno.
This mission to the Land of Waves wouldn't be a quick one—it wouldn't end until the bridge was completed and they returned to Konoha.
Kakashi also went home to pack some essentials and used the ring communicator to inform Chinya about the assignment.
Upon receiving the confirmation, Chinya gave a slight smile—everything was going as expected.
Chinya headed toward the leader's headquarters and found Uzumaki Miyuki working there.
Kushina Uzumaki was present too; both women were tallying accounts—the income and expenses of the Rice Country.
With the Rice Country's monthly trade revenue increasing and multiple international collaborations underway, accurately tracking imports and exports was essential to assess its export competitiveness and import dependencies before formulating strategic plans.
Noticing Chinya enter, Kushina turned and greeted him, "Chinya, what brings you here?"
Chinya looked at Miyuki as he answered, "I came specifically for Miyuki. Naruto is now Kakashi's student, and Kakashi is taking them to the Land of Waves for this mission. I thought I should bring Miyuki along to meet Naruto, and maybe take Sōnagi and the others with us for some field experience."
Miyuki stared at Chinya in shock, her pen dropping onto the table.
Then her eyes widened with joy, and her voice quivered as she asked, "Really? Can I really meet Naruto again?"
Meeting Miyuki's eager gaze, Chinya nodded firmly. "Yes, if I've come here to tell you myself, it's because the decision has already been made. So, hurry up and get ready. We'll be staying in the Land of Waves for several days. I'll have Sōnagi and the others join us, then we'll leave immediately."
"Okay! I'll prepare right away!"
Overcome with excitement, Miyuki rushed out of the leader's headquarters.
Watching Miyuki dash off with enthusiasm, Kushina smiled warmly. "Finally, she'll get to see Naruto again."
Chinya sighed. "Yes indeed. Naruto's already twelve now. Time really flies. What about you, Kushina? Would you like to come along?"
"Me? I think I'll pass." Kushina glanced helplessly at the unfinished paperwork on the desk. "Now that Miyuki's going to the Land of Waves, I need to finish her share of the work too."
Chinya frowned slightly. "Why not have Yahiko assign a few others to help?"
Shrugging, Kushina replied, "This kind of job is pretty boring and tedious, so hardly anyone wants to do it. Since Miyuki and I are skilled in Sealing Techniques, we're naturally good with arithmetic and rarely make mistakes. Besides, Otogakure's recent revenue has been impressive. Yahiko will probably buy a few computers soon, which should make things easier later."
Though still developing, technology had already introduced high-tech devices into the Shinobi World—computers had become commonplace long ago.
However, they were quite expensive. For Otogakure, which had just started to see some economic improvement, these technological products were still a luxury.
Chinya nodded slightly. "Alright. Anyway, once we get back from the Land of Waves, I think we should have a serious talk with Uzumaki Sōnagi."
Kushina Uzumaki raised her eyebrows. "A serious talk with Uzumaki Sōnagi? What's he done now?"
Chinya sounded annoyed as he spoke. "That brat is getting insubordinate. He barely listens to what I say anymore. I seriously suspect this kid has entered his rebellious phase."
He was still upset over how Uzumaki Sōnagi had called him long-winded and cut him off mid-sentence.
Seeing Chinya so full of complaints, Kushina suddenly burst into laughter, and her laughter only grew louder.
Chinya frowned. "What are you laughing at? I'm being serious here!"
Kushina rubbed her stomach, which hurt from laughing too much, and wiped tears from her eyes. "Chinya, you really look like someone who's been wronged! It's so funny!"
Chinya pursed his lips and shot Kushina a displeased glare.
Under Chinya's resentful gaze, Kushina quickly said, "Okay okay, I understand. Once you all return, I'll sit down with you and discuss Uzumaki Sōnagi's rebellious phase properly."
Now satisfied, Chinya nodded. "Good. Then we'll talk after we're back."
Meanwhile, Uzumaki Sōnagi, who was idly wandering around Oto with Kaguya Kimimaro and the rest of the Sound Ninja Seven, suddenly sneezed several times in a row.
Rubbing his nose, Uzumaki Sōnagi mumbled, "Huh? What's going on?"
Kidomaru asked curiously, "Did Lord Chinya mention why he wants us back?"
Uzumaki Sōnagi answered, "Dad only said he'd be taking us on a trip to the Land of Waves. That's all."
Right when Uzumaki Sōnagi finished speaking, Chinya suddenly appeared before the Sound Ninja Seven.
Kaguya Kimimaro, Jugo Tenbin, Kidomaru, and the fourth member respectfully bowed toward Chinya and greeted him. "Lord Chinya."
"Mm."
After nodding slightly, Chinya narrowed his eyes and stared at Uzumaki Sōnagi.
At twelve years old, aside from his red hair, Uzumaki Sōnagi looked almost identical to a young Chinya.
Feeling uneasy under Chinya's stare, Uzumaki Sōnagi gave an awkward chuckle. "Dad... why are you staring at me like that?"
"Hmph," Chinya grunted. "Having a good time, huh? I told you not to leave the Rice Country, yet here you are—going to the Land of Hot Water with Kimimaro and the rest?"
Uzumaki Sōnagi argued indignantly. "Dad, why does it always have to be me dragging Kimimaro and them there? Can't it be that they dragged me along instead?"
Kaguya Kimimaro and the others exchanged awkward looks, silently hoping Uzumaki Sōnagi wouldn't say anything else—they definitely hadn't done that.
Chinya clenched his fist and lightly tapped Uzumaki Sōnagi's head. "Everyone knows you're the leader of the Sound Ninja Seven and you've got a tendency to do whatever you please. You lot—don't just follow his every word, understood? You know how reckless he is. Don't indulge him too much."
Kaguya Kimimaro and the others responded together. "We understand."
Rubbing his head, Uzumaki Sōnagi looked up at Chinya with tearful eyes.
Chinya glared at Uzumaki Sōnagi and said, "Alright, you go back now and get ready. Meet me at the village gate. I'll take both of you and Miyuki to the Land of Waves."
Uzumaki Sōnagi asked curiously, "Is Auntie Miyuki going too? Dad, what are we doing in the Land of Waves?"
Chinya replied, "I'm taking you to witness a jonin (elite ninja) battle and introduce you to your teacher."
Sōnagi paused with a frown, then lit up and asked excitedly, "Is it Kakashi-sensei?"
Chinya nodded and said, "Yes, and Naruto too."
Sōnagi's face lit up with increasing excitement. "I'll go get ready right away!"
An hour later.
Uzumaki Miyuki and six others had already regrouped at Otogakure.
Chinya, also packed and ready, met up with them and together they set off for the Land of Waves.
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