The Outpost

After leaving Konoha, Captain Yamaguchi led the way and sped up.

"This is a C-level mission. If everything goes smoothly, all we need to do is deliver the supplies to the outpost. The only requirement is that we have to be fast." Captain Yamaguchi explained the mission details as they ran.

As he spoke, he took out three Storage Scroll and tossed them to Taiichi and the other two, saying, "These contain part of the supplies for this mission. Each of us should carry one to ensure that supplies can still reach the outpost in case of unforeseen circumstances."

Taiichi and the others caught the scrolls that were tossed to them and put them into their Ninja Tool Pouch.

"Captain, this direction... are we heading to the Land of Rain or the Land of Grass?" Yohei asked, looking in the direction they were going.

"The Land of Rain." Captain Yamaguchi uttered succinctly, running ahead without looking back.

"Oh, the Land of Rain, they say it rains there all the time, like the heavens are weeping." Yohei started rambling again. "Do you think we'll run into some unexpected trouble on this mission? It seems like every mission we go on is fraught with trouble!"

"Yohei!" Captain Yamaguchi's stern gaze fixed on us from ahead. "Shut your jinxed mouth and hurry on your way."

Taiichi and Saori, who were a few steps behind, exchanged a glance, covered their mouths and chuckled, while also feeling a little excited.

The Land of Rain is far from peaceful. As a country bordering three major powers, it's a place where ninjas from various nations clash most frequently, even in peacetime. This time, we're really going to have to see for ourselves.

Captain Yamaguchi led the three on their way until noon before stopping to rest Resupply. By then, everyone except Taiichi was panting, and Saori, who had the weakest stamina, was too exhausted to even speak.

"Captain, isn't this too much of a rush?" Taiichi asked the question everyone wanted to ask. "If we encounter the enemy at this rate, we won't even have the strength to fight back."

"You're right. We ran so fast just now because we were close to the village, to test your limits!" Captain Yamaguchi explained, "We'll slow down later."

After hearing the explanation, Taiichi saw that Saori visibly breathed a sigh of relief. If they had continued at the previous pace, even if the supplies had been delivered, Saori would probably have been ruined.

"Saori, you can't do this, you're dragging us down!" Yohei joked, though he himself wasn't much better, he still tried his best to keep the atmosphere cheerful.

Saori rolled her eyes at Yohei, not even wanting to say a word.

Taiichi, standing beside him, also smiled slightly.

After eating something and resting for an hour, the group continued their journey under Captain Yamaguchi's leadership. This time, it was obvious that Captain Yamaguchi had deliberately slowed down, which relieved even Yohei.

And so, traveling day and night, it took them almost two days to reach their destination – the Outpost 7.

Before they even got close to the outpost, a Kunai shot out from a large tree ahead towards them. Fortunately, they stopped in time, Kunai only hit Captain Yamaguchi's feet.

This is clearly a warning.

"I am the Jonin leading this Resupply delivery mission. This is the Mission Scroll." Captain Yamaguchi said, taking the scroll out of his Ninja Tool Pouch and holding it up in his hand.

A moment later, a ninja Chunin a Chunin vest emerged from behind the tree. He was clearly wary and stopped about ten steps away from Taiichi others. He didn't say a word, but simply extended a hand and gestured with his eyes towards the Mission Scroll.

Seeing the newcomer's caution, Captain Yamaguchi's heart sank. Without hesitation, he tossed out the scroll in his hand.

At that moment, the Chunin took the scroll, first checked its appearance, and then carefully opened it, fearing there might be some danger inside. Only after confirming it was safe did he check the mission information and village code words inside.

After everything was verified, the Chunin lowered his guard and stepped forward. "Excuse me, I am Tengshan. We were recently attacked by ninjas from another country, so we were a little more cautious."

"I understand." Captain Yamaguchi sighed inwardly, just as he had expected. He then asked, "Was the outpost undamaged?"

"Sigh!" Tengshan's expression immediately turned dejected upon hearing this. "It's very serious. You'll see when you come in."

He then led everyone to the outpost.

Taiichi and Saori, who were following behind, were looking at Yohei with the eyes of someone looking at a magical creature, their gazes practically saying: You jinx!

Yohei is also innocent; he was just joking, but it actually happened. I don't know if this is the outpost's misfortune or theirs.

As the group walked through the outpost, all they saw was a scene of utter devastation. It seemed the attack had indeed happened not long ago, and the chaos in the Camp had not yet been cleaned up. Wounded soldiers could be seen groaning in pain from time to time, but no Medical Ninja were there to treat them.

Taiichi caught up a few steps and gently tugged at Captain Yamaguchi's sleeve. After Captain Yamaguchi turned around, he gestured for him to look at the wounded soldier beside him.

Seeing Taiichi's gesture, Masasuke Yamaguchi understood and said to Tengshan, who was leading the way, "Aren't there any Medical Ninja in the Camp? I see there are still many wounded who are not receiving treatment."

"We're just a sentry post, we don't have any Medical Ninja. We usually treat our own minor injuries, but this time some of our comrades are seriously injured, I'm afraid—" Tengshan looked sad, the pain of watching his comrades slowly walk towards death.

"My squad has Medical Ninja; we can have him help," Captain Yamaguchi said immediately upon hearing this, then turned to Taiichi, "Taiichi, go and help treat the wounded."

"Yes!" Taiichi readily agreed, which was exactly what he had been trying to do by reminding Captain Yamaguchi.

"That's wonderful! I'll have someone take this person to the ward for the seriously wounded right away." Tengshan looked at Taiichi, who had come forward, with great excitement, as if he were looking at a rare treasure.

"Yukiya, Yukiya ~ Come here quickly!" Tengshan shouted loudly towards the Camp.

"Here I am, here I am, Senior Tengshan, what can I do for you?"

A moment later, a low-ranking Genin covered in blood ran out of the Camp, carrying bandages and scissors.

"You brought this person—" Tengshan paused, looking at Taiichi with a puzzled expression.

My name is Taichi Matsushita.

"Yes, take Taiichi to the morgue; he's a Medical Ninja," Tengshan said urgently.

"Ah!" Yukiya was stunned for a moment, then became excited, "Takayama -Senior doesn't have to die!"

He grabbed Taiichi's hand and pulled him into the Camp: "Come on, come with me."

Taiichi was dragged along so fast that he didn't even have time to say hello before he was pulled away and disappeared from sight.

Seeing Yukiya's Yukiya, Captain Yamaguchi could guess the ferocity of the previous battle. Fearing that Taiichi might not have enough manpower, he instructed Saori, "Saori, you go and help too. Yohei and I will go see the Camp leader."

"Yes, Captain!" Saori said, chasing after Taiichi's figure.

"Chunin Tengshan, let's go see the outpost commander now. After handing over the supplies, let's see if there's anything we can do to help," Captain Yamaguchi said to Tengshan, whose face was beaming with joy.

"Right, right, look at me, I was so happy I forgot all about the important stuff." Tengshan's smile faded, but then he seemed to remember something and asked Captain Yamaguchi with a worried look, "Yamaguchi Jonin, how's Taiichi's Medical Ninjutsu? He doesn't look that old."

"Don't worry, Taiichi may be young, but his Medical Ninjutsu has been recognized by Lady Tsunade," Yamaguchi reassured Tengshan confidently.

"That's wonderful, wonderful." With that, Tengshan turned and wiped away the tears from the corner of his eyes, muttering softly, "I don't have to die—"

"Let's go see the master now."

Taiichi's side.

As Taiichi was pulled into a relatively intact tent by Yukiya, he saw three seriously injured people lying on hospital beds.

They were all unconscious, yet they still made occasional groans. The gauze binding their bodies was soaked with blood, clearly indicating that the bleeding couldn't be stopped. If left unattended, death was only a matter of time.