"Ah this..."
Nohara Rin hesitated for a moment, his eyes drifted to the ground, and the base of his ears turned red. "That... there is only one for the time being. I haven't had time to do the others yet, and I may make up for it in the future..."
"..."
Mikami Yu looked at Nohara Rin's embarrassment and a bit of hope, and vaguely understood something in his heart. He carefully put the amulet into his pocket and showed a gentle smile, "It looks very beautiful. I will take it with me. Thank you, Lin."
"Hmm!"
Lin then breathed a sigh of relief, raised her head and glanced at him quickly. She couldn't help but curve her mouth upwards. "Then... you should go back and prepare the ninja tools first. Listen to Minato-sensei. You might encounter danger outside the village this time. Let's set out together tomorrow morning!"
"Okay."
The time came on the second day.
Early morning.
Mikami Yu tidied up the ninja bag one last time, and tied the short knife given by Kakashi behind his back. He held the handle of the knife and inserted it and pulled it out a few times. After confirming that there was no problem, he said goodbye to his mother Mikami Aoi, and left the house amidst the other's worried instructions.
Nohara Rin is already waiting outside.
The two met smoothly and arrived at the Konoha entrance in the early morning light. Here they saw Namikaze Minato and Kakashi who had come in advance. There was also a carriage with many boxes and packages piled on it. Several medical ninjas wearing dark green vests were sorting them out.
Here, Mikami Yu saw an acquaintance.
"Jaji-senpai?"
"?"
The female ninja whose name was called was none other than Jaji who had taught at Medical Training Class. She was slightly startled at first, and then said with a smile, "Ah, are they Lin and Yu? I didn't expect to meet you on this escort mission. It's good to have familiar faces in the team."
"Senior, are you going to leave the village this time too?"
"Ah... well, let's go to Wildfire City to the west of Land of Fire."
Jaji seems not to say much about the tasks he has undertaken.
Mikami Yu and Nohara Rin also knew enough not to ask any more questions.
Waited for a while.
When Namikaze Minato looked at the watch for the third time and Kakashi was already getting impatient, Obito appeared on the road out of breath, adjusting his crooked goggles while running. "Hug... I'm sorry! Minato-sensei! My grandma has to let me have another bowl of soup..."
Namikaze Minato shook his head helplessly and amusedly. "Next time, pay attention to the time, Obito. Okay, everyone is here, let's go!"
Now.
Everyone in the team carried the packages assigned to them one after another, and then drove the carriage, led by Namikaze Minato, out of the village gate. Soon they were far away from Konoha and entered the lush forest.
Along the way.
Namikaze Minato used every opportunity to teach Mikami Yu and others about various tracking, escape, and survival skills in the wild. Kakashi, as the "assistant teacher", supplemented the information.
"Pay attention to the traces on the ground. The depth of the footprints on the wet soil and the direction of the damage to the moss can determine the number and direction of the enemy..."
"When traveling in the forest, try to choose paths with hard ground to reduce the footprints left behind..."
"When looking for a campsite, water sources and safe views are the primary considerations, and avoid animal nests and possible landslide areas..."
These things were also discussed in the Ninja Academy, but in the end they were a bit simplified, and sometimes they were not completely consistent with practice. Therefore, several people including Mikami Yu benefited a lot. Nohara Rin even recorded key points in the notebook he carried with him.
During evening rest.
Mikami Yu walked up to Kakashi who was closing his eyes to relax. "Kakashi, practice?"
"... Hmm."
Kakashi stood up directly.
The two of them walked to an open space not far away and each drew their knives. In the blink of an eye, the sound of "ping ping" was heard as the blades struck each other.
In this process,
"Hatake Sword Technique" pops up from time to time, showing off its presence:
[Hatake Sword Technique: Humph, after several days of training, I am still so immature! How can such a mind carry my will? Come again!]
[Hatake Sword Technique: The shape is scattered and the mind is confused, like catkins in the wind. If the blade points, but the heart is not there, is it any different from a child waving a dead branch?]
[Hatake Sword Technique: This sword is quite impressive, but it is a pity that it is still the light of Fire Fly, which cannot compete with the bright moon. Little White Mao, remember! A real sword should be like thunder, capable of killing in an instant!]
"..."
Yes, he is still a talker.
However, some of the reminders from this "beautiful girl with sword skills" are still worth listening to.
Mikami Yu mustered up all the energy and continued to fight Kakashi.
The other side.
Nohara Rin took advantage of the rest and took out two handmade amulets that were slightly rougher than the one he gave to Mikami Yu before. He walked up to Namikaze Minato and Obito and handed them over with some embarrassment. "Minato-sensei, Mr. Obito, this is the peace amulet... It's a piece of my heart."
"Huh?"
Namikaze Minato was startled for a moment, then showed a warm smile and solemnly took the amulet over, "Thank you, Lin, for your trouble. I will keep it well."
Compared to Namikaze Minato,
Obito's reaction was much exaggerated. His eyes widened suddenly. He looked at Lin and then at the amulet in the latter's palm. He jumped up with surprise on his face. "Lin sewed it specially for me?! Wow! That's great! Lin, you really care about me! I will definitely protect it!"
As he said that, Obito immediately held the amulet tightly in his hand, as if he was afraid it would fly away, and glanced provocatively at Mikami Yu, who was practicing his sword.
How about this? This is the amulet that Lin specially sewed for him! Besides Minato-sensei, who else has this kind of treatment?
Can Mikami Yu do it?
Nohara Rin opened his mouth but stopped talking.
It was night, and a group of people set up tents and camped in the forest.
Wait until the next morning to get up and continue on your way.
That's it,
The team marched to the southwest of Land of Fire for two or three days. They did not encounter the expected bandits or hostile ninjas on the way, but they encountered several wild beasts, which were easily dealt with by Mikami Yu and the others, adding some barbecue and ribs to the team's meals every night.
In the past two days, Mikami Yu's sword skills have improved significantly through Kakashi's constant "feeding" and comments from "Hatake Sword Technique" himself. Compared with when he first left the village, his posture has become much calmer, and his moves have become much more refined, showing a bit of sharpness.
Until this day.
Just as the team passed through a dense mountain forest.
Kakashi, who had been walking in front to observe the situation, suddenly returned to the team and lowered his voice and said, "Minato-sensei, it seems that there are people coming up in front. There are quite a few. They look like bandits nearby. The distance is quickly closing."
"Oh?"
Namikaze Minato looked calm and raised his hand to signal the team to stop.
"Alert! Obito, Lin, you two protect the medical personnel and supplies! Kakashi, Yuu, pay attention to the flanks!"
"Yes!"
Mikami Yu Several people spread out to both sides, protecting the medical ninjas and supplies in the center. As soon as they formed the formation, they heard a burst of noisy footsteps approaching, and then the bushes on both sides were separated, and a group of fierce-looking figures armed with various weapons jumped out.