The first few minutes after stepping out of the Konoha gate felt strangely silent. It was as if the four of them, along with a dog, had passed through an invisible veil that separated the orderly world from the unpredictable wilderness. The air felt different here. Fresher, sharper, carrying the strong scent of pine and rich, damp earth. The wide, packed dirt road stretched out before them, winding into a dense and seemingly endless forest.
For Yuji, this was a completely new experience. For twelve years in this life, his world had been confined by the walls of Konoha. Now, those walls were behind him, and the sky above felt so much vaster.
The silence, of course, did not last long. It was shattered by an explosion of pure enthusiasm.
"WOW! LOOK AT THAT, AKAMARU!" Kiba yelled, pointing at a squirrel that shot up a tree. "He's so fast!"
Akamaru barked in agreement, jumping around Kiba's feet with the same boundless energy. Kiba and Akamaru were ecstatic. They ran ahead, sniffing every bush, and pointing at every bird as if it were the most amazing discovery in the world. They weren't shinobi on a mission; they were two puppies let loose in the biggest park they had ever seen.
Yuji could only shake his head, walking at a calmer pace beside Masami. Ahead of them, Tsukasa-sensei walked leisurely, his hands behind his head, enjoying the scenery with a wide smile on his face.
"Sensei!" Kiba called out, running backward so he could walk beside their teacher. "Have you ever been to the Capital? What's it like?"
Tsukasa's eyes lit up, as if Kiba had just asked the best question in the world. He smiled brightly and spread his arms dramatically, nearly hitting a tree branch above him.
"Big!" he exclaimed, his voice full of childish awe. "So, so big! There are lots of impressive tall buildings, piercing the clouds like giant spears! The streets are so crowded you could get lost just by blinking! And the food! Oh, my little soldiers, the dango in the Capital tastes like a dream!" He paused for a moment, then added with a conspiratorial grin. "And the roofs... the roofs are perfect! We can climb them to race from one end of the city to the other!"
"Please don't do that."
Masami's calm, flat voice cut through Tsukasa's fantasy. She looked at the two in front of her with a deadpan expression, probably already imagining herself having to fill out an incident report about how her teacher and teammate were arrested for causing a public disturbance. However, Kiba completely ignored the warning.
"A RACE?! GREAT IDEA!" Kiba exclaimed, his eyes shining. "Then we can race, Sensei! Starting from now! The last one to reach the Capital has to treat the whole team to all-you-can-eat Yakiniku!"
Tsukasa grinned, his amused eyes meeting Kiba's challenging ones. "You're challenging the wrong person, kid! I may look relaxed, but these legs are powered by dreams and fried chicken! You don't stand a chance!"
"Just try me, old man!" Kiba retorted with a loud laugh.
They went back to chattering, now arguing about the fastest route and whether using jutsu was considered cheating in their Yakiniku race.
Masami sighed softly, surrendering to the chaos. She turned to Yuji, who had been observing everything with a hidden expression of amusement.
"This is our first mission," Masami said, her calm voice becoming a small island of sanity in a sea of noise. "I mean, a real ninja mission. How do you feel, Yuji-san?"
Yuji shifted his gaze from the two idiots in front and looked up at the blue sky visible through the gaps in the tree canopy. "I don't know," he answered, his tone honest. "A little excited, maybe... I've never been outside the village before." He paused for a moment, then looked at Masami. "You?"
"A few times," she replied. "To visit my cousin in a small village near the border."
Yuji nodded. Masami didn't always talk much, but Yuji had learned not to underestimate her silence. When they fought in the training yard, he had seen a glimpse of what was hidden behind her calm exterior.
She was good. More than good. While Kiba was about raw power and speed, Masami was about subtlety and deception. She focused more on using genjutsu. It wasn't the flashy genjutsu that created fire dragons or horrific landscapes. Her genjutsu was far more subtle, far more dangerous.
Yuji remembered one of their sparring sessions. He thought he had the upper hand, pressing her with taijutsu. Suddenly, Masami stumbled and fell awkwardly. Yuji, seeing an opening, leaped forward to end the fight. But as he was about to land, something felt wrong.
Luckily, Yuji's mask helped him. His invisible sensory mist, which was always active around him, didn't lie. His eyes saw Masami lying on the ground. But his mist told him that no one was there. It was an empty chakra shell. His mist told him that the real Masami was moving quickly behind him, a senbon already in her hand.
Her genjutsu had penetrated his mind, creating a perfect illusion. If it weren't for his mask, he would have lost. A beautiful dream that suddenly turned into a nightmare. Since then, Yuji never trusted his eyes when fighting against Masami.
The trees around them grew taller and denser as they got further from Konoha. The clear dirt road began to fade into a narrower, overgrown path.
"Alright, team!" Tsukasa called from the front, stopping his debate with Kiba. "The path is getting rough. Time to go up!"
Without further command, he leaped. With a single, powerful push of chakra, he shot into the air and landed silently on a thick tree branch, twenty feet above the ground. Kiba and Akamaru followed him with a joyful howl. Masami leaped with a graceful and efficient movement.
Yuji sighed and followed, feeling the familiar jolt in his muscles as he pushed himself upwards. The world changed from a horizontal path to a vertical canvas of branches and leaves. They began to move from branch to branch, a silent dance that was much faster than walking.
Below them, a clear stream glittered in the sunlight, becoming their guide.
"We follow this river!" Tsukasa shouted, his voice carried by the wind. "It will lead us straight to our destination!"
Their destination was Mizuhara Village. A small village, where their old client, Koji, was waiting. The place where their first real C-Rank mission would begin.
As he leaped from one branch to another, feeling the wind on his face, Yuji couldn't help but feel a strange feeling inside him.
…
Their journey through the forest felt short and fast. Only about two hours after leaving the Konoha gate, the trees began to thin, and they saw it.
Past the guards. Mizuhara Village was not an impressive place. It was a small village nestled in a shallow valley, looking like a quiet and slightly isolated settlement. The houses were simple, mostly made of wood, but many of them had foundations and accent walls made of smooth, grey river stones, giving the village a sturdy, grounded appearance. The air here still carried the scent of the forest, but it was mixed with the faint smell of burning coal. From somewhere in the village, they could hear a faint, rhythmic sound, the sound of a single hammer striking steel.
Children were playing here and there in the streets, their laughter cheerful. They paused for a moment at the edge of the village, descending from the trees smoothly.
"Wow," Kiba said, looking around. "This place is... quiet."
"It's a small village, Kiba," Tsukasa said, stretching his back. "Not the Capital."
They followed Tsukasa-sensei as he walked into the village, drawing a few curious glances from the locals. Yuji noticed how their gazes lingered on their headbands, an instant recognition of their status as shinobi from Konoha.
Tsukasa didn't take them to the village hall or an inn. Instead, he led them down a narrower side street, towards a building that stood out from the rest. It was larger, sturdier, and from its roof, a tall stone chimney billowed a thin grey smoke into the blue sky. The sound of the hammering was loudest from here.
The large sliding door of wood and metal was slightly ajar. Tsukasa stepped forward and knocked loudly on the doorframe. The hammering from inside stopped.
The door slid open with a heavy creak, pulled from within. The bright light from the forge inside shone on their faces, bringing a wave of dry heat. In the doorway, stood an old man.
"Excuse me, are you Koji Itsuki?" Tsukasa-sensei asked with his cheerful voice.
The old man squinted, looking them up and down one by one. He looked to be around his sixties, his grey hair already thinning and balding on top. But there was nothing frail about him. His body, though old, was incredibly fit and muscular, his exposed forearms thick with prominent veins from a lifetime of hard work. His sleeveless white shirt was so dirty with soot and sweat that it looked more grey.
"Huh! I thought you got lost and eaten by wild boars on the way!" the old man growled, his voice as hoarse and rough as a grinding stone. "Yeah, I'm Koji. And you're late. I've been waiting for so long."
Yuji glanced at the sun in the sky. They had arrived earlier than the time specified in the mission scroll.
"Wild boars?" Tsukasa-sensei laughed, completely unfazed by the rough welcome. "I'm the one who would eat them! Roasted wild boar with a little salt, delicious!" He patted his chest proudly. "I'm Tsukasa Fuji," he said, then gestured with his thumb towards Yuji and his friends. "And these are my cute students. We are the elite team sent from Konoha to escort you safely to the Capital!"
Koji's sharp eyes looked past Tsukasa and landed on the three Genin behind him. His gaze lingered longest on Yuji, Kiba, and Masami. He snorted, a sound full of derision.
"The last thing I need on this important journey is a bunch of sniveling kids," the old man said, folding his muscular arms across his chest.
Instantly, Kiba's short fuse was lit. "Sniveling?! Who are you calling sniveling?!" he snapped, stepping forward with his fists clenched. Akamaru, sensing his master's anger, growled softly from on top of Kiba's head.
Before Kiba could say anything else that might get their mission canceled before it even began, a hand landed on his shoulder and another hand clamped over his mouth from behind.
"Mmmmmph!"
"Forgive this one," Tsukasa said, smiling awkwardly while restraining the struggling Kiba. "He's just... so eager to protect our esteemed client. His youthful spirit sometimes overflows."
Kiba, who was still wriggling wildly while being muffled, did the only thing he could think of. He bit. His sharp teeth sank into Tsukasa's palm.
"YARGH!" Tsukasa yelped, pulling his hand back as if he'd been electrocuted. He flapped his hand in the air, his face contorted in pain. "He bit me! My own student bit me!"
Kiba, now free, glared defiantly at Koji.
"Kids these days have no manners at all," Koji glared at all of them, his gaze sweeping over Yuji and Masami as well. Yuji, who had done nothing but stand still, felt a little offended. He was not being lumped in with this idiotic duo.
"Father! Stop that! You're scaring our guests!"
A clear, firm woman's voice came from inside the workshop. A woman with her hair tied in a neat bun emerged from the shadows. She looked to be in her thirties, her face intelligent and friendly, though there were slight tired lines around her eyes. She was carrying a clipboard and wearing a work apron that was also slightly dirty.
"You've arrived?!" she said, her warm smile a complete contrast to her father's welcome. "Please forgive my father. His hammer sometimes hits his own head." She gave her father a sharp look, who just snorted and looked away. "Come, come in. I'll make some tea first before we discuss the details of the journey."
The woman bowed slightly to them. "My name is Akane. It's a pleasure to meet you, shinobi from Konoha." She smiled at the still-pouting Kiba. "And thank you for being so eager to protect this grumpy father of mine."
The unexpected praise seemed to deflate Kiba's anger. He could only mumble and scratch the back of his neck, his face slightly red.
Akane led them into the residential part of the house connected to the workshop. The room was simple but clean, a contrast to the chaos of the workshop. As they sat around a low table, Akane served fragrant green tea.
"Again, please forgive my father's attitude," she said as she poured the tea. "He's not always like this. It's just... this journey is very important to him, and he's a little tense."
Yuji sipped his tea. It was good. He decided he liked Akane. She was the only competent adult in the room so far.
"No problem," Tsukasa said, still looking at his bitten hand. "We understand. We are professionals."
Koji entered the room, wiping his dirty hands with a rag, and sat down with a thud across from them, still with a sour expression on his face.
After brief introductions like names. Then for a few moments, the silence in the small living room was thick and awkward. The only sounds were the careful sipping of tea and the quiet grumbles from Koji whenever he thought no one was listening. Yuji stared at his teacup, watching the flickering reflection of the oil lamp on the surface of the pale green liquid. He could have sat here in silence for the rest of the afternoon. Silence was his friend. But this was an unproductive silence, a silence laden with tension between a grumpy client and an inexperienced Genin team. It was troublesome.
Someone had to break it. And seeing Tsukasa still busy admiring the bite mark on his hand, Kiba pouting, and Masami looking like a porcelain statue, Yuji realized with resignation that that someone had to be him.
He placed his teacup down with a soft click on the wooden table. All eyes, except for Koji's who was glaring at the wall, turned to him.
"So," Yuji began, his calm voice cutting through the silence. He directed his question to the only person who seemed rational in the room. "What will Koji-san be doing in the Capital, Akane-san?"
"None of your business, boy!" Koji grumbled from across the table, without even turning his head.
Akane sighed at her father's behavior before giving Yuji an apologetic smile. She ignored Koji's grumble completely. "Thank you for asking, Yuji-san. There will be an annual blacksmith exhibition held in the Capital next week. It's a very big event, attended by merchants and nobles from all over the Land of Fire. And this year, we will be participating."
"An exhibition?" Tsukasa asked, finally diverting his attention from his wounded hand. "That sounds fun! Are you going to be selling a lot of kunai and shuriken?"
"More than that," Akane said, her eyes shining with a hint of pride. "Father has been working on a special piece for a year. A masterpiece. We hope to show it there. We've also made contact with one of our previous investors who will be in the Capital. This is a big opportunity for our small workshop."
"A masterpiece?" Kiba, whose curiosity had finally overcome his anger, leaned forward. "What's it like? A legendary sword? An impenetrable suit of armor?"
Akane just smiled mysteriously. "That's a secret. You'll see it when we get there."
"Come on!" Kiba whined. "We're your bodyguards! We need to know what we're protecting!"
"You're protecting me," Koji growled, finally turning his head. "And my daughter. It's none of your business what's in my bag. Your job is to make sure we get there in one piece. Got it, brat?"
Kiba's face turned red again, but before he could retort, Tsukasa laughed. "Of course, Koji-san! We understand completely! Client privacy is our top priority!" He winked at Kiba, a signal to be quiet. "But I am curious," he continued, turning to Akane. "This village seems peaceful. Why do you need an escort from Konoha? Aren't there any local shinobi?"
Akane nodded, her expression becoming a little more serious. "Our village does have a few shinobi, but their numbers are very limited and most are already assigned to patrols. The journey to the Capital is long, and the roads can be dangerous. There have been reports of increased bandit activity in some areas."
"And it's not just bandits we're worried about," she added in a quieter voice, glancing at her father. "The piece we're carrying... is very valuable. News of it might have already spread in certain circles. We can't take any risks."
Yuji processed the information. So, this wasn't just a regular escort mission. There was a valuable item involved. Something valuable enough to attract unwanted attention. This made everything more complicated. And more dangerous.
"We understand," Masami said quietly, speaking for the first time since they sat down. "We will ensure your safety and the safety of your cargo, Akane-san."
Akane smiled at her, looking relieved that at least one of the Genin sounded mature.
After their tea was finished and all the initial questions had been answered, the minutes passed, Akane smiled. "Alright, we're almost ready. Father, double-check your luggage. I'll prepare the cart."
"I've already checked it three times, girl," grumbled Koji, who had changed into clean, neat clothes, walked back to his workshop.
A few minutes later, they were all gathered outside. A simple but sturdy horse-drawn cart had been prepared, pulled by two strong horses. Akane was skillfully tying a few small crates of supplies to the back.
Then, Koji came out of his workshop. On his back, he was carrying a long bag wrapped in thick cloth and tied with leather straps. The bag looked incredibly heavy, even for a muscular man like him. Yuji guessed the 'masterpiece' was inside.
"Ready?" Akane asked the shinobi team.
Tsukasa gave a thumbs-up. "Ready when you are!"
Akane helped her father onto the driver's seat before climbing up herself. "We'll drive the cart. You can follow beside or behind, wherever you feel is most effective."
And so they set off. The cart began to move with a quiet creak, its wheels crunching on the dirt road as they left Mizuhara Village. Team Eleven followed on foot, forming a loose formation around the cart. Kiba and Akamaru ran ahead, acting as scouts. Masami walked gracefully on one side, her sharp eyes scanning the trees. And Yuji, he took up a position on the other side, walking with a calm, steady pace. Tsukasa walked leisurely at the back, watching over everything.
"So," Yuji said quietly, loud enough for Masami to hear across the cart. "What do you think is in the bag?"
Masami glanced at him, her dark eyes revealing nothing. "Something valuable enough to make a grumpy old man even grumpier."
"A good analysis," Yuji said.
"And you?" Masami retorted, a genuine question.
Yuji thought for a moment, his eyes on Koji's sturdy back. "Something more than just metal," he said. "Something he's poured his time into. Something he considers more valuable than his own life."
Masami nodded slowly, seemingly agreeing with that assessment.
Up ahead, Kiba suddenly stopped and pointed at something in the bushes. "Sensei! I see something!"
Tsukasa didn't even quicken his pace. "Is it big, furry, and has sharp teeth?"
"No! It's... it's a butterfly!"
Tsukasa sighed. "Excellent work, Kiba. Continue your reconnaissance."
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