"Let's go. Pick up the pace."
Though Cangjing Yikong did not know what had happened, seeing the grave expressions on Mirai and the others, she did not ask any questions. She merely urged the driver to go faster.
The merchant caravan's wagons jolted along the dirt road, and they encountered no further mishaps along the way.
Half a day later, the caravan safely reached the border checkpoint between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning.
The checkpoint was not large, but it was staffed by the Land of Lightning's border troops and patrolling ninja.
The caravan had to undergo inspection before it could pass—cargo inspection, identity verification, document verification. Once they went through the process, Cangjing Yikong's goods were found to be in perfect order, and she was quickly allowed through.
But Mirai and the others were Konoha ninja. Without filing a report in advance, they could not simply enter the Land of Lightning as they pleased.
Standing before the checkpoint, Cangjing Yikong looked back at them and sighed with some regret.
"Mirai, this is far enough. We'll travel the rest of the way ourselves."
"Alright." Mirai nodded. "Mission complete. Take care, Boss Cangjing."
"Mm." Cangjing Yikong looked at him, her lips curving slightly. "Little brother, if we get a chance to work together again, big sister will treat you to something delicious."
"Then I'll hold you to that."
"Then it's settled." Cangjing Yikong waved, then turned and led the caravan through the checkpoint, continuing toward the Land of Lightning.
Only after Cangjing Yikong's caravan had gone far away did Mirai turn to the other three. "Come on. We'll find another way in."
What, if they would not let him in, he was just supposed to stay out?
Just freeloading was not enough.
They walked south along the