Kushina, Is There Anything Else You Can Give Us?

"Tap!"

"Tap!"

Chiba and Yukina darted out of the woods into the clearing, landing together before slowly rising to their feet.

"Teacher Kushina isn't here yet?"

After scanning the area, Chiba spoke.

"Not yet, I guess."

Hearing Chiba's words, Yukina nodded. As far as she could see, the clearing was completely empty, without a single person in sight.

Strange...

Kushina was usually never late. It should be eight o'clock already—perhaps even past eight. Based on their usual meeting times, Kushina should have arrived by now.

Chiba took a few steps, pondering to himself.

No, no matter what, time was tight. Since Kushina had not arrived yet, they could not just stand around waiting.

"Yukina, let's give our gear one final check."

With that thought, Chiba stopped, took off the large square travel pack designed for ninja missions from his back, along with the iron pot strapped around its outside, and opened it for inspection.

"Mm."

Seeing Chiba's actions, Yukina did not hesitate either, directly removing the mission travel pack from her back.

Then, the two of them crouched facing each other and silently began rummaging through their packs, organizing their equipment.

A pot, chopsticks, bowls, a set of specialized civilian infiltration clothes, around thirty specially made Ration Balls, a simple stand, a sheet of canvas... several pieces of cured meat? Some dried vegetables? Simple fuel, some charcoal? Two bottles of water?

As Chiba counted the items in the pack, his eyes gradually narrowed, and a huge bead of cold sweat slowly formed at the back of his head.

Was Yukina planning to go camping?

Though all these things were simplified versions, made of lightweight materials that did not add much burden, so they would not have much of an impact.

But... this was the Kannabi Bridge mission, the most crucial