Chapter 34: Mission to the Land of Rivers
The Chunin Exams concluded, the final act of a chaotic drama. In the end, very few were promoted, but Takahashi was among them.
He wasn't particularly happy about it. The title didn't offer any real improvement and only seemed to bring more trouble. Like right now.
Tsunade approached him with a smile that instantly put Takahashi on guard. When she smiled like that, it never meant anything good.
"I see you training here all alone," she began, her tone overly casual. "Must be lonely. I've got a nice little mission for you. How about a trip to the Land of Rivers?"
Takahashi sighed. Of course she wanted something. Though she was his nominal teacher for the medical corps, she never sought him out without a reason.
Seeing his frown, Tsunade slung a friendly arm around his neck. "Don't make that face. I told you, it's a good mission. Would I lie? You just need to investigate a situation in the Land of Rivers. A local family has fallen on hard times and is forcing villagers to work in their mines. They're being brutal about it. You just... persuade them to stop. Permanently."
Takahashi looked at her with deep skepticism. If it was that simple, why send him?
Sure enough, there was more.
"I accepted this mission earlier," she admitted, "but I'm tied up with other things now. So, I'm handing it off to you temporarily. And, as you know, I don't exactly have a full team under me. It'll just be you and Hinata. Oh, and Sakura's going too. Help me look after them."
So that was it. He was being hired as a babysitter. But since Hinata was going, he'd play the part. Training alone every day was getting monotonous anyway.
Since his promotion, he'd been training solo. Might Guy was now focusing intensely on Lee and the others. It wasn't favoritism; Takahashi had simply progressed beyond their group exercises.
He went to pack his gear while Tsunade notified Sakura and Hinata to meet at his place.
Tsunade made herself at home in Takahashi's apartment, flopping onto his sofa as if she owned it. Surveying the spotlessly clean room, she couldn't help but comment.
"How can a boy keep his place this tidy? You have no ruggedness at all. A man should be more... bold and unrestrained."
Takahashi shot her a look. "You mean, like Jiraiya-sensei?"
Tsunade nearly choked on her drink. "You—! What are you talking about?!"
Takahashi just smirked, letting the implication hang in the air. A knock at the door announced the arrival of Hinata and Sakura.
Knowing they were traveling far, Hinata had changed into lighter, more practical clothes. It often rained in the Land of Rivers, and these would dry quickly.
Sakura, however, looked shocked when she heard the mission details. She had assumed Tsunade would be leading them, not Takahashi alone.
Seeing her doubtful expression, Takahashi said flatly, "If you don't trust me, you don't have to come. Hinata and I can handle it."
Tsunade elbowed him sharply. The main point of this mission was to train her two inexperienced disciples. Leaving them behind would defeat the purpose. Takahashi was just the glorified bodyguard.
Once the three of them left the village, conversation was sparse. But the silent looks exchanged between Takahashi and Hinata spoke volumes, creating a bubble of intimacy that made Sakura feel like an awkward third wheel. Not a word was said, yet the air was thick with unspoken affection.
The Land of Rivers was sandwiched between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, south of the Land of Rain. Many mistakenly thought it was part of the Rain Country, but it was an independent nation.
Their destination was remote: Mount Kogan in the Land of Rivers. It was one of the few mining villages in the country, and it was plagued by a cruel tradition known as the "Living Burial Ceremony."
The mission began with a villager named Ryuzu. Unable to bear the atrocities any longer, he had secretly fled and made the long, arduous journey to Konoha to beg the Hokage for help.
The situation was bizarre. It all started when a family named Kurozuka forcibly took over the mining village. They ruled with an iron fist, and their leader, Raiga, had a particular fondness for punishing villagers by burying them alive.
The long-standing cruelty finally boiled over into desperation. The Land of Rivers itself lacked the power to oppose the family, so they turned to Konoha.
Following the mission instructions, Takahashi's team traveled to the mountain range. The moment they entered the Land of Rivers, it began to rain—a relentless, pouring rain with no sign of letting up.
They had planned to rest before confronting the Kurozuka family, but Ryuzu was desperate. Every day of delay could mean more of his people dead. If they waited through the night, many might perish.
Hearing that, Takahashi knew they couldn't stop. They pushed on through the downpour toward the mine.
When they arrived, they found workers laboring in the heavy rain. Half of them didn't even have rain cloaks. People frequently slipped and fell in the mud, only to be met with the cold bite of a supervisor's whip. Hinata gasped, covering her mouth. Having grown up sheltered, she could hardly imagine such a horrifying place.
Then, they saw several men carrying a coffin. A frantic, thumping sound came from inside—whoever was in there was still alive. They were planning to bury them.
Seeing this, Ryuzu couldn't contain himself. He rushed forward, shoving the men aside. The coffin fell to the ground, the lid flying open to reveal a living person inside.
The supervisors turned, their faces twisting into grim sneers when they saw Ryuzu.
"Well, look who's back," one spat. "And with some nerve. Since you're so eager to open coffins, we'll let Master Raiga practice his art on you first. Grab him!"
Takahashi stepped forward, his voice calm but cold. "Would you like me to help you... practice?"