Overnight Stay

Ninja moving at full speed were still very fast.

Among the eight, Hikari was openly the weakest, while Kurenai Yuhi was the poorest at taijutsu.

After setting out in the morning, they had only stopped briefly at noon to eat, drink, and rest. Once they started running again, they went straight through until nine that night.

Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki went to hunt some game nearby, while Genma Shiranui and Aoba Yamashiro chopped wood and built a fire. Tsunade, Kurenai Yuhi, and Hikari—who everyone considered shameless—sat there without lifting a finger, merely waiting to mooch food and drink.

A bonfire was lit, and several wild rabbits and pheasants were skewered over it to roast.

They sat in a circle around the fire, waiting for the food to cook.

"At this pace, we'll reach the Daimyo's Mansion by noon the day after tomorrow. Before then, I want to know what you think about the current situation."

Everyone Tsunade had brought along was one of her own.

Even Kurenai Yuhi, who looked the most like an outsider, had unquestionable loyalty to Tsunade.

What was there to think? I could say I'm exhausted today and just want a good night's sleep!

Big-breasted woman, let me sleep hugging you! I heard it improves sleep quality.

Tsunade shot Hikari a faint glance. This bastard—out here of all places, he was thinking about that? Did he want her to teach him a lesson?

"Lady Tsunade, we currently lack intelligence on the Daimyo's Mansion. I suggest sending someone ahead to gather information," Kurenai Yuhi offered.

"I agree!" Might Guy was fine with anything. Even if they sent him to scout, he would not mind.

Of course, Tsunade would never assign him that task.

It could be said that everyone present except Might Guy could gather intelligence. Only he could not.

Might Guy practiced a bold, fierce style of taijutsu, and both his appearance and characteristics were well-known to the Daimyo. The moment he showed himself, the Daimyo would know he had arrived.

Do not always treat the Daimyo like some useless fool.

The Daimyo possessed the greatest wealth in the Land of Fire. There would always be ninjas greedy for money willing to guard him. The Twelve Guardian Ninja from years ago had been his doing.

"If we're gathering intelligence, I suggest sending Jonin Kurenai Yuhi with someone else. Genjutsu is less likely to draw attention, and nobles are ordinary people. As long as Jonin Kurenai uses a few small tricks, she can obtain important information," Genma Shiranui proposed.

Kurenai Yuhi looked eagerly at Tsunade, hoping she would agree.

Don't be ridiculous. This matter definitely won't be that simple. What if that old bastard Danzo makes a move? With Kurenai Yuhi's strength, sending her would just be serving her up on a platter!

Besides, the Daimyo and the Hidden Leaf Village were already on tense terms. If the Daimyo found out that Kurenai Yuhi had used genjutsu on nobles, Tsunade could forget about becoming Hokage.

Give it up and go home to sleep!

Tsunade fell silent.

She also felt that Genma Shiranui's suggestion was good. Just now, she had nearly agreed to send Kurenai Yuhi ahead.

If Kurenai Yuhi's father, Yūhi Shinkō, had been here today, Tsunade would not have needed to say anything else. She could have simply given the order.

Crimson Setting Sun—his genjutsu was said to be beyond even the Sharingan's ability to see through.

The current Kurenai Yuhi did not even possess half her father's skill.

As for Might Guy, there was no need to think about it. He could be ruled out immediately.

Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki were both decent fighters, but whether they could gather intelligence was open to question.

That left Aoba Yamashiro, Genma Shiranui, and Hikari.

Her gaze swept over the three of them. Unlike Genma Shiranui and Aoba Yamashiro, who stood tall with their chests out, Hikari did his utmost to reduce his presence, terrified that Tsunade would pick him.

"Hikari, who do you think should handle this?"

At Tsunade's words, everyone shifted their attention to Hikari.

Kotetsu Hagane's eyes especially lit up. Little brother, it's time for you to show what you can do.

Aside from Kotetsu Hagane and Might Guy, the others looked at Hikari suspiciously. They did not trust his strength in the slightest.

Come on, even the weakest people here were Special Jonin. Could a mere Chunin like you really turn the world upside down?

Hikari shakily raised his hand. "I think Jonin Kurenai Yuhi would be a good choice. She's beautiful, and she's strong enough."

Tsunade: ???

Did that sound like something a human being should say?

You had disagreed in your heart just now, yet now you were saying Kurenai Yuhi could do it. Were you trying to get her killed?

What was she supposed to say?

Lady Tsunade, big-breasted woman, weren't you making things difficult for me?

You knew perfectly well that I was a slacker, yet you were still asking for my opinion. Weren't you just looking for trouble for me?

Look at these people. Which one of them looked like they would listen to my opinion? Hmm... excluding that single-celled creature Guy, of course!

Forget it. Don't get mad. Don't get mad.

Tsunade felt that her state of mind was getting better and better.

If she had been in her previous state, she would have already punched Hikari into the ground and planted him like a seed.

Running your mouth at me—were you tired of living?

"How about this?"

Knowing that Hikari was a slacker, Tsunade came up with an idea.

"Whoever comes up with the best suggestion this time will receive the reward for a B-rank mission. In addition, they'll get three days off. What do you think?"

Good heavens, had Tsunade gone mad?!

Three days off—I love it!

The best way would be to send two people, one in the open and one in the dark. The one in the open would draw the Daimyo's attention, while the other gathered intelligence in secret. The moment that plan came out, the three-day vacation would be theirs!

"You people are hopeless after all. I have an idea. Kurenai Yuhi, Aoba Yamashiro, and Genma Shiranui will set out together. Kurenai Yuhi will attract the Daimyo's attention in the open, while Aoba Yamashiro and Genma Shiranui gather intelligence in secret. What do you think?" Tsunade laid out the arrangement exactly as Hikari had thought of it.

Seeing Hikari's astonished expression in particular made Tsunade feel as sweet as if she had eaten honey.

You brat, talking bad about me in your head. How do you like that?

Did I shake you up?

"Lady Tsunade is wise!" Kurenai Yuhi, Genma Shiranui, and Aoba Yamashiro bowed at the same time.

Tsunade waved a hand lightly, carrying herself like a grandmaster.

"I originally wanted to give you all a chance, but sadly, you weren't up to it!"

"This reconnaissance mission for the three of you will provisionally be rated B-rank. Depending on the intelligence you collect later, its rank may be raised."

It was not her own money she was spending. This was the perfect time to win people over and get them to work hard, so Tsunade was not stingy at all.

Damn, why did that big-breasted woman think of the same thing as me?

Could it be...

Tsunade grew slightly nervous. Outwardly, she stared unblinkingly at the roasting rabbit as though she had not eaten in ten days or half a month.

Tsunade wasn't as stupid as I thought. She was actually pretty smart!

Tsunade thought, I was never stupid, you little bastard. Once I get back from the Daimyo's Mansion, I'll settle both the old score and the new one with you!

Tsunade would never admit that she had copied Hikari's thoughts just now.

How could a ninja's business be called copying?