Escort Mission

Kurenai Yūhi's home.

Kurenai Yūhi led everyone into the living room and had them sit down.

"Captain, what kind of plan have you made for this escort mission?" The moment they sat down, the impatient Inuzuka Shiro spoke up on everyone's behalf, asking the question that concerned them all.

Kurenai Yūhi did not answer immediately. He silently brewed the tea.

"I'm sorry, Yūske. I didn't understand your strength before. It was only after the Third Hokage took you as his disciple that your name became widely known."

"I looked into you. None of your former friends knew you possessed a Kekkei Genkai, and you had only recently been promoted to Jonin. So..."

Kurenai Yūhi explained somewhat awkwardly.

"I understand, Captain. I was the one who asked Teacher to keep it secret for me. After all, I hadn't fully mastered my abilities yet."

Yūske completely understood Kurenai Yūhi's concerns. If it were him, he would not readily believe that a ninja who had still been a Special Jonin just a few months ago could be that strong.

"So I revised the plan at the last minute. Everyone knows that this mission is to transport supplies to our comrades on the Front Lines. The escort force has around a hundred ninja, but in truth, only the six of us can determine the course of the battle."

Everyone nodded in agreement. It was not that they looked down on Genin and Chunin, but that was simply the reality. Genin were often nothing more than cannon fodder on the battlefield. Chunin knew more ninjutsu than Genin and were more likely to take part in ninjutsu combat.

After receiving everyone's approval, Kurenai Yūhi continued.

"Among the escort force, the Genin will serve as the main transporters. Those at Chunin rank and above will be divided into two groups. Each group will be led by three Jonin and include ten Chunin. One group will handle scouting during the day, while the other will keep watch at night."

"Yūske, Shiro, and I will handle the daytime shift. Reon, En, and Yoru, you'll keep watch at night."

Seeing no objections, Kurenai Yūhi took a sip of tea and continued.

"Since the supplies we're transporting this time are split into two parts—daily necessities and Soldier Pills—I've prepared two plans."

"Of course, the best outcome is delivering everything to the Front Lines without incident. But if something goes wrong, we must first ensure the safety of the supplies, especially the Soldier Pills."

"What if we have to choose between people and supplies?" Yūske asked with a frown.

"I know it's cruel, but in war, we have to make rational choices. So we can only choose the supplies. Our foremost mission is to preserve the fighting strength of our comrades on the Front Lines. Even if any one of us is captured, I will not allow the team to stray from its original course. You must have the same resolve."

Everyone looked somewhat uncomfortable. In Konoha, even the Uchiha clan placed immense value on their comrades and would even sacrifice their own lives for them.

Yet no one spoke up to refute Kurenai Yūhi. After all, disregarding the lives of comrades fighting on the Front Lines for the sake of one's companions might also cost the village its future.

Seeing everyone remain silent, Kurenai Yūhi said no more. He merely refilled everyone's cups with steaming hot tea.

After a while, everyone came to a decision. They looked at each other solemnly and nodded.

"All right, this is only the worst-case scenario." Seeing that his teammates had made up their minds, Kurenai Yūhi comforted them. Then he invited them, "Everyone, stay for dinner at my house tonight. From now on, we're comrades who can entrust our backs to each other."

"Then we'll gladly accept," Yūske replied first.

"Can we drink tonight, then?" Inuzuka Shiro also tried to lighten the mood.

"How about we have a few drinks?" Kurenai Yūhi looked at everyone. The escort mission was not until the day after tomorrow, after all.

"Mm."

Time always passed quickly amid casual chatter, and before they knew it, it was time for dinner.

At the dining table.

Kurenai Yūhi's wife joined them for the meal, along with their three-year-old daughter, Yūhi Kurenai.

"Come on, eat more." It was rare for the house to be so lively, so Kurenai's Mother had carefully prepared a table full of delicious food to entertain everyone.

"Thank you."

"Here, you should eat more too." The sight of little Yūhi Kurenai delighted Yūske so much that he kept piling food onto her plate.

"Yūske really likes children," Hyuga Reon said. In truth, she envied Yūhi Kurenai. Reon had been raised to follow rules and behave properly since childhood.

"I do. I just wonder which little monkey will get lucky in the future." Yūske pinched Yūhi Kurenai's chubby cheek, sounding rather sour. For example, Hiruzen Sarutobi's rebellious youngest son, Sarutobi Asuma. What a pity, though—he had died so young.

"Kurenai is only three. Besides, the captain isn't worried about it, so why are you in such a hurry?" Inuzuka Shiro looked at Yūske with disdain. Then she turned Hyuga Reon around and grinned at Yūske.

"Why don't you get together with Reon? Maybe you'll have a little monkey."

"Byakugan!"

Sensing that things were about to go badly, Inuzuka Shiro immediately took off running.

"Reon, don't listen to Shiro's nonsense. I know about your Hyūga clan rules... Kurenai, do you want more to eat?"

Halfway through Yūske's sentence, a pair of pale eyes glared at him.

"Big Brother Yūske, where did that big sister with all the colorful stuff on her face go?" Kurenai asked curiously.

"Oh, her family has a puppy. She suddenly remembered that it hadn't eaten yet, so she went home to feed it." Yūske said it with a straight face.

"Is that so?" Yūhi Kurenai still seemed a little unconvinced.

"Probably. Hahaha."