Uzumaki Woman of the Grass Country

B-rank Missions already involved clashes between Ninja. Even Kaminari Kaede put away his usual ease and solemnly passed on his experience to Hyuga Mirai and the other two.

Taking on a B-rank Mission at just over eight years old was already considered forcing growth too soon. However, the three of them were all talented, and they had completed quite a few C-rank Missions beforehand as preparation. Even so, Kaminari Kaede had thought it over repeatedly before deciding to accept the B-rank Mission.

Their squad's mission was to inspect four intelligence-gathering outposts that the Land of Fire had established in the Grass Country. According to reports from the Ninja stationed there, signs of Iwa-nin activity had been discovered.

The Kaminari Kaede Squad's mission was to inspect those outposts while gathering as much information as possible on the Iwa-nin's movements.

It was precisely because the Kaminari Kaede Squad had two Byakugan Kekkei Genkai users, Hyuga Mirai and Hyuga Kiyomi, that the Third Hokage had assigned this mission to them.

After accepting the mission at the Hokage Tower, the group returned with grave expressions to pack their things before gathering at the Konoha Gate.

If they wanted to become Ninja, they needed this kind of resolve.

After leaving Konoha, the four hurried onward at high speed while conserving their stamina. Kaminari Kaede had taught them all of that.

However, as Hyuga Mirai traveled, he couldn't help thinking that the Ninja World's technology was ridiculously skewed.

There were clearly trains, and countless utility poles had been set up along the roads outside the village. Why not properly develop transportation? Instead, many Merchants still used horse-drawn carts to transport goods. It was absurd.

Hyuga Mirai had complained about this to Hyuga Kiyomi before, but her only response had been, "Ninja don't need those things, do they? We should travel faster than trains."

Their perspectives were different, so there was naturally no point in continuing the conversation. The topic ended there.

Even while traveling, the Kaminari Kaede Squad advanced in formation.

Hyuga Mirai and Yuhi Kurenai occupied the rear flanks. Hyuga Kiyomi's Byakugan had demonstrated a greater long-range viewing distance than Hyuga Mirai's, so she led the way ahead, while Kaminari Kaede remained in the center of the squad, ready to support either side at any moment.

It took them only a few days to reach the Grass Country.

Before entering the Grass Country, Kaminari Kaede had Hyuga Mirai and the other two disguise themselves. Otherwise, those two pairs of pale eyes would have been far too recognizable.

Once they were ready, Kaminari Kaede and the others infiltrated the Grass Country in separate groups. They did not spread out too far and remained within visible range of each other's Signal Flares.

Once they reached the agreed-upon location, Kaminari Kaede took out a map and began assigning tasks.

"This is one of the intelligence-gathering points we established in the Grass Country. The last report stated that Iwa-nin had been spotted six days ago. First, we need to confirm the safety of the personnel at the intelligence point. After that, we'll investigate the Iwa-nin's trail. You've all been given the recognition code."

"We'll split into two groups. Hyuga Kiyomi and I will be one group. Hyuga Mirai and Yuhi Kurenai will be the other."

Hyuga Kiyomi frowned slightly upon hearing the grouping. However, to track the Iwa-nin, the two Byakugan users had to be separated. Though she was unhappy about it, she did not voice any objection.

After all, they were carrying out a mission.

"Here, and here. We only need to confirm whether there are any Iwa-nin within this area. If you find enemies, withdraw immediately and notify the other group. Understood?"

When Kaminari Kaede said that final sentence, his gaze was fixed on Hyuga Mirai.

Among the three, the only one he truly thought highly of was Hyuga Mirai, who knew when to advance and retreat and paid close attention to details. This grouping was also meant to test him. If he could complete the mission, Kaminari Kaede would recommend Hyuga Mirai for the Chunin Exams after some time had passed.

"Understood, Captain!"

Hyuga Mirai answered solemnly. After confirming the time, the four immediately separated.

Since they could encounter hostile Ninja at any time, Yuhi Kurenai had lost her usual relaxed demeanor as well.

This was different from a C-rank Mission. A deadly battle between Ninja could break out at any moment, and the two of them were only Genin of Konoha.

"Don't be nervous, Kurenai. We're only here to gather intelligence. There might not be any fighting at all."

Noticing Yuhi Kurenai's nerves, Hyuga Mirai moved closer and reassured her quietly.

With Hyuga Mirai's reassurance, Yuhi Kurenai felt much better. Otherwise, her nervous appearance would have made her far too easy to identify.

Where there were many Civilians, Hyuga Mirai and Yuhi Kurenai used the Transformation Technique to blend in. Hyuga Mirai had performed before the Main Family for four years; his acting skills were naturally superb. Disguised as Civilians of the Grass Country, no one could recognize them.

"Mirai-kun, why are we here?"

Yuhi Kurenai asked quietly in confusion. This Grass Country town was not among the places they needed to search, and coming here had already taken them somewhat off their mission route.

"It's safer to approach the outpost gradually from this direction. Besides, it's unlikely the Iwa-nin would pass through Konoha's intelligence-gathering outposts. If they need to resupply during their activities, the nearby towns would be their choice."

As Hyuga Mirai spoke, his brows suddenly furrowed. He sensed someone watching him.

He reached out and wrapped an arm around Yuhi Kurenai, then casually drew back half his head, using her cheek as cover.

"M-Mirai-kun?"

They were too close. Yuhi Kurenai's cheeks instantly flushed red, and she could even feel Hyuga Mirai's breath. Of course, that was only her illusion. Hyuga Mirai could control his breathing so well that even at such close range, it could not be felt. Yuhi Kurenai naturally could not.

"Act natural. Someone is watching me. I'm going to activate the Byakugan."

Hyuga Mirai spoke in a low voice, forming hand seals beneath his sleeves. The Meridians on his face beneath the brim of his hat bulged. Apart from a blind spot behind him, everything within 2.5 kilometers lay within Hyuga Mirai's field of vision.

"Who is she!? How does she have such enormous Chakra!"

Hyuga Mirai immediately spotted the woman behind them. The Chakra within her body was nearly a hundred times greater than even Kaminari Kaede's.

Hyuga Mirai shut off the Byakugan less than a minute after activating it. Keeping it active for too long might draw attention.

Still, he had found the person who had been peeking at him.

Hyuga Mirai casually turned his head and immediately met that gaze.

Her clothes were tattered, and her face was filthy, but her head of red hair was exceptionally conspicuous.

Combined with the terrifying amount of Chakra he had observed through the Byakugan, the words Uzumaki Clan immediately surfaced in Hyuga Mirai's mind.

The woman, who looked like a beggar, also noticed Hyuga Mirai's gaze. Like a startled squirrel, she instantly lowered her head.

"Mirai-kun, did you find something?"

Yuhi Kurenai asked quietly. Ever since Hyuga Mirai had said someone was watching him, she had kept a Kunai in hand, ready to strike at any time.

"Maybe it was just my imagination. Let's continue the mission."

Hyuga Mirai gave the Uzumaki Woman a brief look. She had kept glancing at him earlier, so she had probably noticed the Transformation Techniques he and Yuhi Kurenai were using.

The Grass Country, the Uzumaki Clan.

Hyuga Mirai immediately thought of Karin Uzumaki's mother. The Grass Country was not very large, so it was not surprising that he had encountered her here.

That ruled out the possibility that she was Iwa-nin or a Grass Ninja. Judging by how filthy the Uzumaki Woman was, she probably had not joined the Grass Country yet. However, there was too much grime on her face for Hyuga Mirai to make out her age.

If he had the chance, perhaps he could come back and see her after the mission was over.

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