Capítulo 28: Escort Mission To The Land of Tea
Time seemed to slip away like sand through fingers, each grain a fleeting moment that soon turned into distant memory. It had been two months since Sasuke's birth, marking a subtle yet profound shift within Team Shisui. Within this temporal expanse, they had diligently completed a series of D-rank missions, each one meticulously aimed at rebuilding their standing and honing their skills.
After completing their latest task, the trio stood in the formidable presence of the Hokage's office. The room, steeped in authority and history, seemed to echo the silent tales of the Leaf Village's past. Behind the desk, Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, perused Team Shisui's mission report with a discerning eye.
Shisui stepped forward, his demeanour reflecting a resolute determination that had been tempered by experience. "Hokage-sama," he began, his voice steady, "I believe we are ready to undertake C-rank missions once again."
Minato, lifting his gaze from the desk, sighed lightly. The memory of their last C-rank mission still lingered in the air, yet the evident growth he had witnessed over the past two months made it impossible to deny their progression. "C-rank missions, hmm?" he echoed thoughtfully.
With the gentle creak of a drawer, Minato retrieved several scrolls, his fingers brushing across the parchment as he considered each potential assignment. After a moment of contemplation, he selected one, his choice reflecting a balance of challenge and suitability.
His eyes twinkling with a mix of pride and assurance, Minato handed over the mission scroll. "This should be perfect for you. It's not overly demanding, and the mission requester is reputable. I'm confident this won't mirror the challenges of your past assignments."
As Shisui approached the desk, he took the scroll, his eyes quickly scanning the contents. "Your task is to escort a merchant back to the Land of Tea," Minato explained. "The journey could take from a few weeks to a month. Consider this mission an opportunity to broaden your understanding of the outside world. Prepare yourselves and meet the merchant at the village gate in exactly two hours."
Exiting the Hokage's office, the vibrant expanse of Konoha greeted them, alive with the bustling energy of the village. As they unfurled the scroll, details of the mission beckoned their focus.
Naoki's voice, filled with bubbling excitement, broke the silence. "Finally, a C-rank mission! No more dealing with weeds or cleaning up." His youthful enthusiasm was palpable.
Itachi, ever the epitome of calm resolution, merely nodded, his eyes reflecting a quiet readiness.
Observing the familiar excitement in his teammates, a nostalgic smile played on Shisui's lips. "Prepare everything you need," he advised warmly, a seasoned edge to his voice. "And bring extra if possible; there's no such thing as over-preparation in our line of work."
With a nod of shared understanding, the trio dispersed, each member mentally preparing for the journey that lay ahead beyond the village gates.
Itachi and Naoki acknowledged their leader with a nod, their bodies flickering as they hastened home to prepare. Naoki arrived at his residence, swiftly changing into his armour. The armour bore the proud emblems of both the Senju and Uzumaki clans, reflecting his noble lineage. Adorning his forehead was a Happuri protector, its centre emblazoned with the Hidden Leaf symbol, a mark of his allegiance and heritage.
After slipping into his armour, Naoki meticulously restocked his supplies. Although the mission was not expected to be overly demanding, he packed more than necessary—preparedness was a trait hammered into him by his elders. His pouch, enchanted with seals to expand its capacity, was carefully packed with all essentials. Once everything was in place, he set out for the hospital to inform Tsunade of his impending departure.
Navigating the familiar paths of the village, Naoki reached the Konoha Hospital, strategically situated near both the Academy and the Hokage Office. The hospital buzzed with the quiet activity typical of the early evening.
At the reception, Naoki inquired with polite urgency, "Do you know where Tsunade might be right now?"
The receptionist, recognizing him immediately, smiled warmly. After a quick glance at her computer to check Tsunade's schedule, she responded, "She should be in room 43 on the second floor. She's likely just finished with a surgery."
Grateful, Naoki thanked her and hastened up the stairs. True to the receptionist's words, Tsunade emerged from room 43, accompanied by Shizune and a few other medics, just as Naoki reached the top step.
Catching sight of him, Tsunade's expression mixed curiosity with concern. "What brings you here, Naoki?"
Approaching with respect, Naoki explained, "Tsuna-neechan I came to inform you that I'll be going on a C-rank escort mission to the Land of Tea. It may take up to a month before I return."
Their conversation lingered for a while, with Naoki reassuring Tsunade and Shizune, easing their concerns about the journey ahead. After a few moments of heartfelt advice and final well-wishes, Naoki departed from the hospital.
With a resolute spirit, he made his way to the village gate, where he was to meet his team. The crisp air of Konoha brushed against his face as he walked.
–
Arriving at the front village gate, the early morning sun cast a warm, golden hue over the scene. The gate, a sturdy structure with the village's emblem prominently displayed, was bustling with activity. Team Shisui stood waiting, their figures outlined against the backdrop of the village's protective walls. Naoki scanned the area, noticing that everyone else had already gathered. A slight breeze tousled his hair as he approached Shisui, his face betraying a mixture of eagerness and nerves.
Shisui, his expression calm and collected, turned to Naoki and asked, "Have you prepared everything?" His voice held a note of both expectation and reassurance.
Naoki, his eyes bright with determination, nodded firmly. "Yes, I've got everything packed and ready."
"Very well," Shisui responded, his tone approving. "We're ready to set off then."
Turning his attention to the merchant, Shocho Chayama, who stood near his ornately decorated carriage, Shisui asked, "Chayama-sama, are you ready to set off?"
Shocho Chayama, a middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed beard and a stately air, looked up from adjusting his luggage. His expression shifted from a focused task to one of readiness. "Yes, we are indeed ready to set off," he replied, his voice steady and confident.
With the confirmation, Shisui nodded decisively and addressed his team. "Alright, let's get moving. Naoki, you take the left flank. Itachi, you cover the right. I'll take the rear."
Both Naoki and Itachi responded with sharp nods, their faces reflecting a mix of concentration and readiness. They positioned themselves as instructed, their movements smooth and practised.
The journey towards the Land of Tea began with a promising start. The path was clear and the sun cast a pleasant warmth on their backs. The occasional bandit made an appearance, but they were swiftly dealt with by Naoki's quick reflexes and Itachi's precise technique. The mission was proceeding smoothly, and the team's synergy was evident in their effortless coordination.
As they continued, Naoki, driven by curiosity, turned to Shocho Chayama. "Chayama-sama, I've been wondering something," he began, his tone thoughtful. "Does your business relate to tea cultivation?"
Shocho Chayama, taken aback, paused and looked at Naoki with raised eyebrows. "What makes you ask that?" he inquired, a hint of surprise in his voice.
Naoki, looking pleased with his own observation, responded, "Well, your surname 'Chayama' suggests a connection to tea cultivation. And the kanji in your first name implies merchant. So, it seems your name points to you being a tea merchant."
Shocho Chayama's eyes widened slightly, and a smile touched his lips. "Hoh? You're quite observant for someone your age. Most people don't pick up on such details."
Naoki grinned, clearly pleased by the merchant's reaction. "It's part of being a shinobi to be observant. Little things, like the meaning behind names, can reveal a lot about a person's background and occupation."
Chayama laughed, the sound rich and warm. "Well, I must say, you have a maturity that surpasses many I've met. It's impressive."
At this point, Itachi, who had been quietly observing, decided to join the conversation. "Chayama-sama, what brought you to Konoha?" His voice was calm, yet carried an underlying curiosity.
Chayama turned to Itachi, his expression thoughtful. "As Naoki-kun mentioned, I'm a tea merchant. Our family is one of the leading tea merchants in the Land of Tea. We're looking to expand our business internationally, reaching out to other villages."
Naoki listened intently, his mind already working through the implications of this information. 'Business expansion, huh?' he mused. 'I'll need to talk to Chayama-sama more about this once we arrive.'
The conversation continued as the team made their way along the road, the sun climbing higher in the sky, marking the beginning of what promised to be an enlightening journey.
A/N- I'm back and have stacked up on few chapters, I might be lazy but one thing I'm not is a quitter.
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