A Day in the Sun Together

Three figures stood in the forest, one tall and two short.

The tall one wore a cold expression, while the two shorter ones looked utterly serious. All three wore the Military Headquarters' combat uniforms, poised to move at a moment's notice.

The one at the head was, naturally, my current squad leader—

Hyuga Makoto.

A squad leader assigned to us at the last minute, with no experience working with us, who had only met us for the second time today—

This assignment really did suit the teacher's style!

But maybe we'd end up growing faster this way!

"..."

I blinked, wanting to say something, then closed my mouth again, though the corners of my lips curled up slightly.

Even if it was a little rushed, even if these two were both difficult to deal with, I... was still happy.

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

A three-person squad! Like Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto!

What a passionate bond it was, having comrades you could entrust your back to!

—Uh, though we still had a long way to go before reaching that point, it couldn't stop my heart from pounding with excitement.

I opened my eyes wide and carefully studied my squad leader beneath the shadows of the trees.

He was tall and slender. Judging by his build and voice, I'd have guessed he was still a boy, because he looked... how should I put it? He was only a little taller than Shisui.

I nodded to myself, suddenly understanding something.

No wonder he stood at the very bottom of the Military Headquarters ranks just like us. It seemed that before we joined, he'd been the youngest senior there.

He was quite the remarkable person, too.

I quietly looked at Hyuga Makoto, gazing into his mist-white eyes. They were so captivating that I started to lose focus. I only came to my senses when his icy stare met mine, and hurriedly lowered my head, afraid to look again.

QAQ He's really so scary!!! Even scarier than the teacher!!!

"Give me your Forehead Protectors."

I froze, then quickly understood and answered.

"Yes!"

I'd been wearing my Forehead Protector on my forehead this whole time. I took it off and shook out my hair, feeling strangely light.

"Why should we?" Kusama Shigeo hadn't caught on yet and directly refused. "This is mine. Why should I give it to you?"

"Hey, we're going on a secret mission. Do you want everyone to know we're Konoha shinobi?" I snapped at Kusama Shigeo. Only then did he understand. Muttering under his breath, he reluctantly removed the Forehead Protector from his arm and handed it over.

To my surprise, after Hyuga Makoto took our things, he didn't remove the Forehead Protector on his own head. Instead, he pulled out a piece of cloth and tied it over his forehead, covering the protector.

"Hey, why aren't you taking yours off?" Kusama Shigeo immediately objected.

"From now on, follow my orders in everything."

"Yes, squad leader!" I promptly answered.

Ignored, Kusama Shigeo seemed to feel embarrassed. He gave a mocking laugh, making his disdain clear.

"Hey, did you forget? We're Lord Orochimaru's students. You're just a subordinate of that Shiyan guy. Don't tell me you really think being a temporary squad leader makes you better than us?"

Hearing that, I frowned, feeling at a loss for words.

The mission hadn't even started, and we were already at each other's throats.

"You can choose to quit," Hyuga Makoto said, kneeling down to spread a map on the ground. His pale eyes studied the colorful routes, and his dismissive manner was humiliating.

"As Lord Orochimaru's students."

My heart skipped a beat. I glanced at Kusama Shigeo, then went straight over to Hyuga Makoto. Kusama Shigeo's face turned ashen, but in the end, he gave in and came over to kneel beside the map.

"This is where we are. We'll leave from Military Headquarters and head to the Land of Bears first. From there, we'll take a boat to an island near the border of the Land of Water, then enter its territory." Hyuga Makoto pointed at the map and explained the route, his voice clear and crisp, his words precise.

"We're going through the Land of Bears too?" I asked in confusion. "Why not take a boat straight to the Land of Water from Konoha's port?"

"What are you good at?"

I froze, then understood what he meant and replied, "I'm good at Fire Release and Shuriken techniques..."

Oh, right—

All I could really rely on at the moment was a single Fire Release technique. I only knew a few Wind Release techniques, none powerful enough to do much damage, and my Lightning Release Nintaijutsu was still in its early stages and highly unstable. I had no experience fighting at sea either, so traveling overland would be best!

And besides... Kirigakure shinobi were all good at Water Release. If we were attacked at sea, wouldn't we be in trouble?

"Hmph, all talk." Kusama Shigeo cut in smugly. "With an all-around medical ninja like me here, why should you worry about which route to take? Obviously, we should take whichever one is fastest!"

"The teacher only gave us ten days. Why are you still talking? Let's get going!"

"Wait."

I ignored Kusama Shigeo's urging and looked up to explain my abilities to squad leader Hyuga Makoto.

"Senior, I can use wire traps and Shuriken techniques. Most of the ninjutsu I can use proficiently are Fire Release, and I know a little Wind Release." I paused, then drew Murasame from my back and said awkwardly, "My technique and swordsmanship are still improving, and they're not stable yet. Overall, I'm a ninja who combines ninjutsu and taijutsu."

Sigh. I know a little of everything, but I'm not good at any of it! I lamented inwardly, swearing that once I got back, I'd pester teacher Orochimaru until he trained my Lightning Release Nintaijutsu to the peak!

Thinking of that, I scratched my head and smiled awkwardly. "Also... I can take a lot of punishment. If you're assigning positions, I can serve as the defense. Of course, I'll follow whatever role you decide."

The teacher had said that a team always had three roles: offense, defense, and medical support.

So the best thing was to assign roles based on each person's abilities!

After listening, Hyuga Makoto's gaze passed over me and shifted to Kusama Shigeo, evidently waiting for his answer.

"Me?" Kusama Shigeo pointed at himself and planted his hands on his hips, missing no chance to brag. "Of course I'm an all-around genius! Ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu—I've mastered them all. Don't even get me started on healing and reconnaissance. I should obviously have the most important role. You'd better protect me, got it?"

Hearing that made me furious, though I knew that, as a medical ninja, Kusama Shigeo really did belong in the most important position.

So annoying!

"Senior, how about we let Kusama Shigeo—" I began, but Hyuga Makoto stood up, looked at Kusama Shigeo, and ordered, "You. Medical ninja."

Then he met my expectant eyes.

"You. Scout the route."

"Scout... the route?"

What? What did that mean?

"Senior, don't I need to help with defense or offense?"

"No."

He glanced at me, his gaze utterly indifferent, and spoke so casually that it was as though we weren't outstanding graduates but a couple of kittens and puppies!

"I'll handle both offense and defense myself."

The moment he said that, the tiny flame in my heart flared up!

Hey! I respected you so much. Why were you still looking down on me?

I only—only grabbed at you a couple of times! Why were you holding such a grudge?

I lowered my head and sulked, not noticing the rolled-up map suddenly being held out in front of me.

"This is the route map. If anything happens, use it to find help or return to Konoha."

"Something... happens?"

I looked up, feeling a little confused.

"Senior, what do you mean?"

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

"Gimme that!" Kusama Shigeo popped up beside me with a cheeky grin and reached for the map!

"You!"

Before I could react, a hand had already seized his wrist. No matter how much Kusama Shigeo struggled, it didn't budge.

"Keep it safe."

I stared blankly into those frost-white eyes and instinctively took the map.

Before Kusama Shigeo could even begin to wail, Hyuga Makoto had already turned away, staring intently at the morning sun in the east as he gave the order—

"Move out!"