Team 7 left Konoha in a sizable procession.
They set off down the road toward the Land of Waves.
The sun shone brightly in a cloudless sky. It was a perfect day for an outing.
Like a monkey freshly released from its cage, Naruto excitedly darted back and forth at the head of the group.
"Wow! So this is the world outside the village! Even the air is fresher here!"
Sasuke and Sakura followed behind him. Though neither said anything, their curious glances around them betrayed their excitement.
After all, this was their first mission outside the village.
Kakashi ambled along behind them, hands in his pockets, still holding his copy of Icha Icha Paradise.
Sen, meanwhile, naturally brought up the rear.
He carried the enormous beach bag over his shoulder, wore sunglasses, and held a stalk of foxtail grass between his lips.
His appearance stood in stark contrast to the nervous, excited brats ahead.
"This feels great."
Sen narrowed his eyes, soaking up the sunlight pouring freely over him.
The Divine Tree Origin's [Photosynthesis] worked merrily inside him, more than twice as efficiently as it had in the village.
In this pristine, unpolluted environment, he felt as though even breathing made him stronger.
The group continued at an unhurried pace.
Kakashi appeared absorbed in his book, but he kept watching their surroundings out of the corner of his eye.
"Naruto, you're too loud."
"Sasuke, stop scowling all the time. You'll scare the little animals by the road."
"Sakura, watch your step instead of staring at Sasuke."
"And Sen..."
Kakashi turned to look at the guy who had nearly fallen behind the group and sighed helplessly.
"Could you walk a little faster? We're on a mission, not a picnic!"
"What's the rush, Kakashi-sensei?"
Sen yawned, offering his rebuttal without a