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The search for Minako that morning proved to be a false alarm.
Soon, the team hit the road again.
"It's strange."
Following behind the ox cart, Akira Tsubaki stared at Minako's back with a pensive look on his face.
This woman is abnormal.
"If she were a normal woman, she would have at least screamed after that embarrassing incident this morning."
"But this woman only froze for a moment."
"Her psychological fortitude is far beyond ordinary people—it surpasses many ninjas."
This was Akira's latest assessment of Minako.
Next, he sorted out all the doubts he had about her.
"First, a person who can open a bathhouse in Konoha must be eloquent and persuasive. Yet she has hardly spoken on the way."
"Second, her expression. Even Rin can see her worry, which indicates she is genuinely concerned about her situation."
"Her mental fortitude is very strong, which suggests she has endured great hardship."
"But why doesn't she hide that expression of worry?"
As Akira pondered deeply, he was surprised to find his suspicions mounting.
If Minako was truly worried about her safety, why issue a C-rank mission? Wouldn't it have been better to issue an A-rank directly?
That way, a high-level Jōnin squad would have been assigned.
You know, anyone who can open a bathhouse branch in Konoha Village is definitely not short on money.
All morning, Akira was brainstorming.
He still had no clear clue by the short break at noon.
That afternoon.
The team passed by a small stream, and Minako spoke for the first time.
"I would like to wash up here."
As the employer, her reasonable request was immediately granted.
All the boys in Team Minato stayed away, leaving only Rin to accompany her.
Under a large tree.
Kakashi and Obito cornered Akira.
"I saw you thinking this morning? Did you discover something?" Kakashi stared at Akira and asked.
Kakashi had noticed Akira's strange behavior since setting off.
To be precise, this was the first time he had seen Akira think so seriously.
"What could I possibly discover?"
Akira glanced at him, shaking his head.
"Then what were you thinking about this morning?"
"None of your business!"
Kakashi: "???"
Did Akira Tsubaki just curse at me?
How dare he!
"You're the team captain, yet you come to ask me all day long, making it look like I'm the captain," Akira complained angrily, pulling out a blade of grass to chew on.
"That's a good scolding! I've been tired of him for ages," Obito echoed, standing firmly with his good brother.
Kakashi, aren't you a genius?
Why don't you figure things out for yourself?
Why do you keep asking us, the Dead Lasts, for ideas?
"The social circle is different, don't force it! Hehe~~" Obito spat out the classic line, sitting next to Akira.
(A line Akira himself had taught him.)
Watching Kakashi walk away deflated, Obito felt incredibly smug.
You have to hand it to my good brother, Akira. He leaves even the arrogant Kakashi speechless.
Due to yet another conflict, the hurried journey that afternoon was extremely quiet.
Until evening.
It was time for the daily mission debriefing again.
Kakashi spread out the map and marked their current location.
"At our current pace, we will enter the Land of Hot Water in three days."
"Given the overcast weather today, I predict rain tomorrow. We may have to rest in place tomorrow."
"Everyone should prepare a resting spot tonight."
After Kakashi finished speaking, Akira looked at him in surprise.
Turns out this guy still has some skill.
According to usual practice, it should have been the teammates' turn to speak next.
However, Kakashi used his captain's privilege and directly skipped that part.
"See, he's angry, so he won't let us talk anymore," Obito started getting worked up.
"Why is Kakashi angry?" Rin was confused.
"It's because Akira bullied him all day, haha~~"
Akira mentally wrote down a note in his little book regarding Obito's blatant sabotage of team companionship.
Just you wait.
See how I provoke you next time.
After a simple dinner, the team set up their rest area and built a simple makeshift roof.
Next, Akira's task began.
According to the new watch schedule, he was responsible for security during the first half of the night with Rin.
Watching his three teammates settle down, Akira first patrolled the perimeter.
Subsequently.
He walked toward the ox cart and, with a calm expression, climbed into the ox cart.
What is the mission of Team Minato? To protect Minako.
Therefore, in Akira's mind, relying on vigilance from a tree is not personal protection.
Minako wasn't sleeping deeply.
At first, she felt a slight obstruction behind her and assumed she was leaning against the cart's side panel.
She deliberately leaned further back, thinking it might make sleeping more comfortable.
Until.
An arm wrapped around her from behind.
In the dark night.
Minako turned over and faced Akira.
Two pairs of dark eyes met.
"Your calmness is beyond my imagination."
"You are also very persistent."
"It seems you won't tell me anything."
"Then can you get out?"
"If you don't tell me, I won't get out."
"That's your choice."
After a low conversation, Minako turned her back again.
Akira stretched out his arms, wrapping them around the woman.
The sky brightened.
Waking up, Akira retracted his arms with lightning speed.
Then, he found his teammates standing around the cart, surrounding him.
"Akira! Do you have any idea what you're doing?"
Kakashi spoke in a deep voice, his tone glacial.
As a ninja, you slept with the employer?
If word of this gets out, the entire village will be disgraced because of you.
"I completely misjudged you, Akira!" Rin was also furious.
When she took over the watch in the middle of the night, she couldn't find Akira.
If she hadn't taken one last look at the ox cart, she would have called the teammates to search for him.
"Hey, Akira, even if you don't have a girlfriend, you can't do something like this," Obito said with a look of mock regret.
Was Akira embarrassed?
Of course not.
He hopped off the ox cart and dusted himself off.
"I am personally protecting the employer, is there a problem?"