"Famous?" The Chunin clerk had a black line on his forehead. "You'll probably be famous in the future. I've heard of designated Jonin missions, but never a designated Genin squad mission."
Yohei opened the scroll, and the three leaned in to read.
"Another escort mission to the capital? Damn! The time limit is twenty days?" Yohei was confused and looked at Taiichi for his opinion.
Taiichi was just as clueless. Escort a visiting official back to the capital.
Usually, the escort team was the same for both ways. Where were the ninjas who brought him here? And why pick a Genin squad without a Jonin leader?
It smelled fishy. Connecting it to the previous mission at the capital, Taiichi had a vague idea but couldn't quite grasp it.
"Also, Taiichi Matsushita," the clerk added. "Hokage-sama ordered you to report to his office immediately after reading the mission."
Yohei and Saori stared at Taiichi with curiosity. Their eyes clearly said: What good deed did you do behind our backs this time?
Taiichi shook his head innocently.
The clerk left hurriedly.
"I'll go see the Hokage. You guys prepare supplies. Meet back here at noon," Taiichi said and headed for the Hokage tower.
Knock, knock.
"Enter!"
Taiichi pushed the door open. Morning sunlight illuminated the desk where Hiruzen was working, accompanied by the sound of shuffling papers and puffs from his pipe.
So much paperwork this early? How much time does he have left for training? I wonder how strong the Third really is now, Taiichi thought rudely.
Out loud, he said, "Hokage-sama, you should smoke less. It's bad for your health. Tsunade-sensei told me to remind you."
Pfft. Cough, cough.
"Tsunade?" Hiruzen waved away the smoke, looking at Taiichi with amusement. "She wouldn't be that kind."
Taiichi scratched his head, embarrassed. "Well, she still cares about you."
Even Taiichi didn't believe that, but Hiruzen smiled anyway.
"Anyway, Hokage-sama, did you need me for something?"
Hiruzen's smile faded, replaced by a sharp gaze. Excellent kid. Strong, loyal to the Will of Fire. Perfect for this.
"Taiichi, did you notice anything strange about this mission?"
Taiichi's heart jumped. The Daimyo's previous attempts at poaching, the designated mission, the official involved... it all clicked.
"The client is a capital official, but they specifically requested our squad, despite us having no Jonin... It's irrational."
"Correct." Hiruzen put down his pipe and pulled out a classified file. "According to ANBU intel, this official is a confidant of the Finance Minister you met last time." He looked at Taiichi meaningfully. "The Daimyo is very interested in you."
Taiichi's pupils shrank. He clenched his fist. "So this is..."
"An opportunity to beat them at their own game." Hiruzen's voice lowered. "We need to know the Daimyo's true intentions toward Konoha." He walked over and placed a hand on Taiichi's shoulder. "Are you willing to accept this special mission?"
Taiichi held his breath. Spy mission.
Spy missions were dangerous. Nono had told him stories of deception, fear, and living in constant danger.
But thinking of the rising prices and looming war, Taiichi understood Nono's desire to protect the orphanage. He took a deep breath.
"Please instruct me, Hokage-sama."
"Good." Hiruzen smiled with relief. "Just act natural. If the Daimyo extends an olive branch... let it land on the branch we prepared."
Walking out, Taiichi looked at the Mission Hall. He saw Yohei and Saori's smiling faces in his mind. He unclenched his fist. Some burdens I have to carry alone.
After prepping at home, he met his team at noon.
They went to the guest house to find the official, So Noda.
Konoha's guest house was surprisingly unassuming. If not for the sign matching the mission scroll, Taiichi would have thought it was a large inn.
A forty-year-old political organization is still immature, Taiichi thought. But there's already a rot within the immaturity.
So Noda looked shrewd and capable. He was packed and ready.
Seeing the three Genin, Noda was enthusiastic, showing no disdain for their age or rank. He bowed deeply. "Please take care of me on this journey."
His natural, approachable demeanor warned Taiichi that this man was not simple. The journey wouldn't be peaceful.
The delegation consisted of 10 people: Noda, two clerks, four servants, and three guards. Only the guards had some combat ability; the rest were weak. It would be a slow trip.
Noda got into a luxurious carriage. The rest walked.
They left Konoha, traveling slowly along the forest road.
"Taiichi, how long is this going to take?" Yohei complained after half a day.
"Did you forget the mission time limit?" Taiichi glanced at him. "Did you think twenty days was for vacation?"
Yohei remembered and slumped.
Saori comforted him. "At this speed, maybe seven or eight days to the capital. It won't take the full twenty."
"I hope so." Yohei sighed. He wanted combat experience, not a slow walk.
"You both learned Shadow Clone Jutsu, right? Send a clone to scout or train while the main body does the opposite," Taiichi suggested. "But only one. You can't sustain more."
"Right! I forgot!" Yohei formed the seal. Poof.
He pointed at his clone. "You go scout. I'll train!"
The clone ignored him and ran into the woods. "Idiot! I'm training! Dismiss me if you dare!"
Yohei, Taiichi, and Saori were stunned.
"Taiichi, can clones do that?" Saori asked.
Taiichi scratched his head. "Uh... Clones have the same mindset as the user. I guess Yohei really hates scouting."
Yohei watched his clone run off, veins popping on his forehead. He wanted to dispel it but didn't want to waste half his chakra.
The delegation watched in envy as the ninjas popped clones for training.
"Taiichi, aren't you going to train?" Saori asked.
"Haha! I already sent a clone. You just didn't notice." Taiichi winked. "Guess if I'm the real one or the clone?"
The journey continued peacefully for two days.
Noda constantly tried to get close to Taiichi, chatting about life and the state of the country.
One night at camp, Noda approached Taiichi. "Taiichi-kun, how is life in Konoha? I heard you're an orphan?"
Taiichi poked the fire, sensing Noda's gaze. "Konoha is great. Everyone is like family. Teachers, captains, friends... they take good care of me."
Taiichi smiled "sincerely" while inwardly rolling his eyes. Third time mentioning I'm an orphan in two days. Get new material.
Noda's probing continued.
On the third day, while Yohei and Saori were patrolling, Noda pointed at wildflowers. "These flowers are beautiful but left to weather the elements. In the Daimyo's garden, they would be cared for much better."
Taiichi feigned ignorance. "Care is nice, but they lose their freedom!"
On the fifth day, they stopped at a small city. The City Lord came out to welcome the Daimyo's envoy with great fanfare.
Noda basked in the flattery and accepted bribes, all under Taiichi's watch.
Entering the city, Noda sat in the carriage, flanked by the trio. "I only borrowed the Daimyo's authority, and the City Lord is so obsequious. Imagine if I had real power... they'd be lining up to serve me."
Yohei and Saori laughed awkwardly, not understanding.
Taiichi knew Noda was showing off the perks of power. He put on a thoughtful expression.
Noda saw it and smiled internally. The kid is finally getting it.
At the City Lord's banquet, luxury abounded. Music, food, and beautiful dancers filled the hall.
Taiichi and his team sat near Noda.
As the night went on, Noda became drunk and disorderly, groping the serving girl, who giggled and blushed.
For the three kids, this was too much. They blushed, not knowing where to look. Yohei peeked at the girl, heart pounding.
"Haha! Look at our ninja-samas! Still children, not used to the flower world!" Noda teased.
The guests roared with laughter.
The laughter felt like knives. The trio was embarrassed and angry.
"WHAT ARE YOU LAUGHING AT?!" Noda suddenly roared, slamming the table. "These are Konoha ninjas! How dare you mock them!"
Silence fell instantly. The girl in his arms trembled in fear.
Noda smiled triumphantly at his control, then bowed apologetically to the trio.
The guests followed suit, apologizing profusely.
Taiichi and the others were flustered and stood up to return the bow. "We are just inexperienced..."
The party resumed, centered around Noda's authority.
Taiichi sipped his drink, hiding his interest behind the cup.
Power, lust, wealth. Noda—or the Daimyo—is using everything to seduce me.
He looked at the uneasy Yohei and Saori. I need to warn them later. Don't let these temptations affect them.