Sunlight Travel

In the forest stood three figures: one tall and two short.

The tall one wore a cold expression, while the two shorter ones looked incredibly solemn, both clad in Military Headquarters combat gear, poised and ready.

The one leading us was, naturally, my current captain—

Hyuga Makoto.

A captain assigned temporarily, with whom we had zero experience working together, and whom I had met for the second time only today—

Such an assignment was truly in line with our teacher's style!

But perhaps, we might even grow faster this way!

"..."

I blinked, wanting to say something, but closed my mouth again, the corners of my lips curling up slightly.

Although it was all a bit rushed, and although neither of these two was easy to get along with, I... was still happy.

Because... starting today, I could finally say I had a three-man squad of my own!

This was a three-man squad! Just like the three-man squad of Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto!

To have comrades to whom you could entrust your back—what a blood-boiling bond that was!

—Uh, although we still had a long, long road ahead before reaching that point, it couldn't dampen my excitement.

I opened my eyes wide, carefully observing my captain under the shadows of the trees.

This person was tall and lean; judging by his build and voice, I was inclined to think he was still a youth, as he looked... how should I put it, only a little taller than Shisui.

I nodded to myself, suddenly understanding something.

No wonder he stood at the very end of the line at the Military Headquarters just like us; it seemed that before we arrived, he was the youngest senior among them.

He was quite an impressive figure, too.

I watched Hyuga Makoto quietly, staring at those eyes as pure white as mist, finding them incredibly captivating. I couldn't help but drift off, only to be snapped back when his icy, sharp gaze met mine, causing me to lower my head in a stuttering panic, not daring to look again.

QAQ This guy is really so fierce, even fiercer than our teacher!!!

"Hand over your headbands."

I was stunned for a moment before I realized what he meant and quickly responded.

"Yes!"

My headband had been worn on my forehead the whole time; now, as I took it off and shook out my hair, I felt a sense of lightness.

"Why should I?" Kusama Shigeo, however, hadn't caught on and refused directly. "This is my property; why should I give it to you?"

"Hey, we're going on a secret mission. Do you want everyone to know we're Konoha ninja?" I snapped at Kusama Shigeo. Only then did he realize, and he grumbled, reluctantly unfastening the headband from his arm and handing it over.

Unexpectedly, after Hyuga Makoto took our items, he didn't remove the headband from his own head. Instead, he took out a piece of cloth and tied it across his forehead, covering his own headband.

"Hey, why didn't you take yours off!" This immediately sparked Kusama Shigeo's dissatisfaction.

"From now on, all actions will be under my command."

"Yes! Captain." I quickly replied.

Kusama Shigeo, feeling ignored and humiliated, let out a scoff, using his disdain to make his stance clear.

"Hey, did you forget? We're Orochimaru's students. You're just a subordinate of that guy Shiyan; don't tell me you actually think being a temporary captain makes you superior."

Hearing this, I frowned, feeling speechless.

The mission hadn't even started, and internal conflict was already at its peak.

"You can choose to quit," Hyuga Makoto said, kneeling down to spread a map on the ground. His white pupils stared at the colorful routes with an indifference that was insulting.

"As students of Lord Orochimaru."

My heart skipped a beat. I glanced at Kusama Shigeo and walked straight toward Hyuga Makoto. Kusama Shigeo's face turned livid, but in the end, he yielded and walked over, kneeling beside us before the map.

"This is our current position. We depart from the Military Headquarters, head first to the Land of Bears, take a boat from there to a small island on the border of the Land of Water, and finally enter the territory of the Land of Water." Hyuga Makoto pointed at the map, explaining the route in a clear, crisp voice.

"We have to enter the Land of Bears?" I asked, puzzled. "Why not just take a boat directly to the Land of Water from a Konoha port?"

"What are your specialties?"

I was taken aback, then realized what he was asking, and replied: "I specialize in Fire Release, shurikenjutsu..."

Oh, right—

The only thing I was truly proficient in right now was Fire Release; my Wind Release was limited to a few techniques that wouldn't be effective in a real fight, and my Lightning Release Nintaijutsu was just starting and very unstable. I had absolutely no experience with maritime combat, so traveling by land was definitely for the best!

Plus... plus the Kirigakure ninja were all experts in Water Release. If we were ambushed at sea, wouldn't that be a disaster!

"Hmph, posturing." Kusama Shigeo interjected triumphantly: "With a versatile medical ninja like me here, why worry about which route to take? Obviously, we take the fastest one!"

"The teacher only gave us ten days, so stop dawdling and let's go!"

"Wait."

I ignored Kusama Shigeo's urging and looked up, introducing my situation to Captain Hyuga Makoto.

"Senior, I use wire strings and shurikenjutsu. Most of the ninjutsu I have mastered are Fire Release, and I know a little bit of the basics of Wind Release." I paused, drawing Murasame from my back, and said sheepishly: "My technique and swordsmanship are still being refined and aren't very stable. Overall, I am a ninja who combines ninjutsu and taijutsu."

Sigh, I know a little bit of everything, but I'm not a master of anything! I sighed inwardly and swore fiercely that once I returned, I would definitely pester Orochimaru-sensei until I practiced Lightning Release Nintaijutsu to its peak!

Thinking of this, I scratched my head and laughed awkwardly, "Also... actually, I'm quite durable. If we're assigning roles, I can serve as the defensive player. Of course, as for the specific position, I'll follow your arrangements."

Sensei once said that a teammate must fill one of three roles: attack, defense, or medical support.

Therefore, assigning roles based on ability is the best approach!

After hearing this, Hyuga Makoto's gaze swept past me and shifted to Kusama Shigeo, clearly waiting for his answer.

"Me?" Kusama Shigeo pointed at his nose and put his hands on his hips, never missing a chance to brag: "I'm obviously an all-rounder! Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu—I've already mastered them all. Not to mention medical support and reconnaissance; naturally, I should be in the most important position. You all need to protect me, got it?"

Hearing such words made me very unhappy, but I also knew that as a medical ninja, Kusama Shigeo indeed belonged in the most important position.

How annoying!

"Senior, why don't we just let Kusama Shigeo—" Just as I was about to speak, Hyuga Makoto stood up, his gaze sweeping toward Kusama Shigeo as he commanded: "You, medical ninja."

Then, he met my expectant eyes.

"You, responsible for scouting the route."

"Scouting... the route?"

What? What is that supposed to mean?

"Senior, don't I need to serve as a protector or an attacker?"

"No need."

He glanced at me, his gaze very faint, his tone as casual as if we weren't elite graduates, but two kittens or puppies!

"Attack and defense will both be handled by me alone."

As soon as these words were out, the little flame in my heart ignited with a whoosh!

Hey! I respected you so much, how could you still look down on me!

I only, I only poked at you a couple of times, why are you holding such a grudge!

I lowered my head to sulk, not noticing that a rolled-up map had suddenly been thrust in front of me.

"This is the route map. If an accident occurs, use the map to seek reinforcements or return to Konoha."

"An... accident occurs?"

I looked up, feeling a bit strange.

"Senior, what do you mean?"

Before I could even take the map, another dark hand reached out, trying to snatch it away on the sly—

"Hand it over!" Kusama Shigeo popped out from the side with a cheeky grin, reaching out to grab the map!

"You!"

Before I could react, a hand had already clamped onto his wrist, and no matter how much Kusama Shigeo struggled, it didn't budge an inch.

"Keep it safe."

I stared blankly into those frost-like eyes and instinctively took it.

Before Kusama Shigeo's wails could erupt, Hyuga Makoto had already turned back around, staring intently at the morning sun in the east, and gave the order—

"Move out!"