Mei couldn't help but look curiously at Yuto, wondering who he had chosen for this mission.
It wasn't a low-level assignment. Their target was a seasoned jōnin, and with him, a child whose abilities were still unknown.
But Mei didn't ask. Instead, she sat back with faint amusement, waiting quietly for the two to arrive.
Since Yuto had moved into her home, she'd learned something unexpected: the legendary man was far less severe than the stories made him out to be—actually, quite casual.
Except in one matter: money.
In the past few days, he'd often taken money to the coast, returning each time with heaps of fish. They had been eating nothing but fish for days now.
Thinking of the stockpile that could last half a month more, Mei sighed.
Knock, knock.
A soft knock broke the silence.
The door opened, and a red-haired girl stepped in.
Ringo Ameyuri walked up to the desk, her face taut with nerves as she bowed quickly.
"Mizukage-sama!"
Mei's eyes softened slightly. The girl's name and record rose in her mind at once. Ringo Ameyuri—Mist's lightning prodigy. A good match against Kurosuki Raiga, who also wielded lightning.
"This mission requires two people. You will not be going alone," Mei said, smiling faintly.
"Yes, Mizukage-sama!" Ringo replied quickly.
"Well, long time no see, Miss Ringo Ameyuri."
The casual voice made her turn at once.
Her eyes widened when she saw Yuto reclining on the sofa. She stiffened, then bent into another bow.
"Yuto-sama!"
Her face flushed with awkward respect.
Yuto, seeing her deference, looked bored. So she already knew who he was.
Mei noted their familiarity with some curiosity. She recalled Ao reporting that a girl had guided Yuto through the village when he first arrived. It seemed that girl had been Ameyuri.
Knock, knock.
The door opened again, and Utakata entered with his usual detached calm.
The change was immediate. Both Mei and Ameyuri's expressions shifted, and Ameyuri unconsciously tensed, her hands edging back.
She realized it and forced herself to relax, though the tension never left her face.
The Six-Tails' jinchūriki—every shinobi in the Mist knew his reputation.
Utakata noticed her reaction but didn't flinch. He'd seen it too many times.
Compared to her unease, he remained cool. But when his gaze met Yuto's, his pupils contracted.
In that instant, he felt the chakra of the beast inside him recoil.
Even a tailed beast knew fear.
"Well now, Utakata." Yuto smiled lightly.
He stiffened, then answered in a clipped tone. "Yuto-sama."
Mei glanced at Yuto, surprised. He had chosen Utakata as the second member—for an out-of-village mission, no less.
Still, she smiled serenely. "Now that you're both here, let me explain."
Ameyuri had guessed it already, but hearing it aloud left her stunned. Her partner was a jinchūriki.
"This is an A-rank mission. The details are on this scroll," Mei said, flicking her fingers so the scroll landed in Ameyuri's hands.
Ameyuri's eyes lit up. A-rank meant serious pay. She unrolled the scroll and flipped straight to the reward.
She read the mission grade system again in her head:
* Super S-rank: international, beyond money.
* S-rank: national-level secrets, over one million ryō.
* A-rank: national or village affairs, 150,000–1,000,000 ryō. Escorting VIPs, hunting ninja squads.
* B-rank: personal missions, 50,000–150,000 ryō. Escorting where enemy ninjas might appear.
* C-rank: personal, 10,000–50,000 ryō. Escorting without combat, carrying documents.
* D-rank: errands and chores.
The pay was good, but split between two, not as much as she had hoped. Still, far better than a B-rank.
Then she read the mission details—and gasped aloud.
"This is… the Thunder Blade: Fang!"
Mei nodded calmly. "Yes. Your target is the rogue Kurosuki Raiga. You must bring back Fang, one of the Seven Ninja Swords. As for the child with him, do your best to return him alive."
Yuto rubbed at his ear, smiling faintly as he spoke. "The village will soon be reforming the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. If you're interested, you should compete."
Ameyuri froze, then her eyes gleamed with fire. "I'll bring Fang back, no matter what!"
Beside her, Utakata remained unreadable, indifferent as ever.
Then a hand suddenly stretched out toward him.
He turned, startled, to see Ameyuri offering a handshake, her sharp teeth showing in a grin.
"Let's work well together."
For a moment, a tremor ran through him. But his face stayed impassive. He turned without taking it, walking toward the door.
Just as he reached it, his voice drifted back.
"Let's finish quickly. I want to return soon."
Ameyuri clicked her tongue in irritation and hurried to follow.
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