The Journey

Fishbeam Tree, an ancient tree that had lived for over a thousand years. Its leaves were crimson, and from afar, it looked like it bore tens of thousands of bloodstained palms. A human face naturally grew upon its trunk. In Masayo's memories of his previous life, he had seen Fishbeam Trees in certain works of literature and horror films, but he had never expected such a thing to exist in this Naruto world.

After the three of them went back to prepare their things, they gathered at Konoha's main gate!

Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane were still guarding the gate, responsible for registering visitors and such.

"Masayo, you're heading out on another mission!"

Izumo Kamizuki waved to Masayo in greeting.

"Yeah. Are you two on gate duty again today?"

Masayo smiled politely. Since Kurenai Yuhi and Ebisu had not arrived yet, he chatted with Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane.

Kotetsu Hagane spread his hands and smiled. "Yeah, but while this job is easy, it gets pretty dull after a while. It's boring. I want to go out and take missions like everyone else!"

Masayo shook his head with a smile. "It's not that great. Who knows when you might end up losing your life... Cough, cough, cough. Sorry, I almost said something that would raise a death flag."

Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane had known Masayo for a while now. He occasionally blurted out new terms that they found amusing, and they silently committed them to memory.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a beautiful figure arrived in a Body Flicker. Kurenai Yuhi had taken off her ninja flak jacket and changed into the outfit she had worn when Masayo first met her, perfectly displaying her graceful, alluring figure.

Behind her followed a tall, muscular man with a goatee. A cigarette hung from his mouth, and he wore Konoha's ninja flak jacket.

Konoha's elite jonin, Asuma Sarutobi. In his youth, he was selected as one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja who protected the Land of Fire's daimyo. He's also the son of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Masayo had some basic information about Asuma in mind. He was also Kurenai Yuhi's lover.

"Hello, Masayo. I've often heard my father mention you. Now that I've seen you in person, you're indeed extraordinary."

Asuma gave a simple, cheerful smile and extended his hand toward Masayo. He seemed quite easygoing, and Masayo's first impression of him was favorable.

"Hello, Senior Asuma!"

Masayo politely shook Asuma's hand and asked curiously, "Senior Asuma, are you and Senior Kurenai lovers?"

"Ah, that... that?"

Asuma scratched his head, secretly glanced at Kurenai Yuhi, then hurriedly turned away. This goateed uncle was actually blushing.

In comparison, Kurenai Yuhi appeared much more mature. She openly admitted it. "That's right. What about you, Masayo? You're so handsome. Do you have a girlfriend, or a girl you like?"

Faced with Kurenai Yuhi's teasing, Masayo simply shook his head. His expression did not change in the slightest as he replied, "If I wasted all my time on those things, I wouldn't become the top student. But more importantly, none of them are my type."

"Your type???"

Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi tilted their heads, pondering for a moment before understanding what Masayo meant.

That was right, none of them were his type. Masayo liked mature women like Kurenai Yuhi, with perfect proportions and figures. However, his nature would never allow him to steal someone else's girlfriend or wife. If Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma had not become lovers, Masayo might really have pursued her.

As for age, as long as the gap was not too outrageous, it was fine. He had not had much contact with the future protagonists' group either. As for the Hyuga clan, honestly, their Byakugan and pupil-less eyes were rather frightening.

Even without all that, Masayo would not deliberately approach Hinata Hyuga, the most hardworking character in countless Naruto fanfics. He had a good impression of her, but if he did not like her, then he did not like her. There was no reason for it. Calling him hypocritical over that was like standing on the street, saying you liked a beautiful woman, then calling her hypocritical because she did not like you back. It was absurd and utterly warped.

That was getting off track. Back to reality, Masayo chatted with Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi for quite a while before Ebisu finally arrived late.

Ebisu was wearing his sunglasses. He had taken off his ninja flak jacket and was dressed just as Masayo remembered, in a black skintight combat suit.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I am Ebisu, a special jonin of Konoha. Chunin Masayo, you can safely entrust your protection to me."

After saying that, Ebisu gently adjusted his sunglasses, looking calm and confident.

Silence...

With Ebisu's arrival, the scene instantly fell silent. Masayo, Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma, Izumo Kamizuki, and Kotetsu Hagane all stared at him, feeling as though a flock of crows was flying overhead, endlessly cawing, "Idiot, idiot."

"Cough, cough, cough... Since Senior Ebisu is here, Sis Kurenai, let's get going! Big Brother Asuma, Kotetsu Hagane, Izumo Kamizuki, we're off."

After only this brief conversation, the way they addressed one another had changed from "senior" to "Sis Kurenai" and "Big Brother Asuma."

"Bye-bye. Be careful on the road, Masayo. Kurenai, make sure you protect Masayo!"

Asuma waved farewell to Masayo, Kurenai Yuhi, and the others.

Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane also waved with smiles. Only Ebisu, following behind Masayo and Kurenai Yuhi, was left standing there in the wind, feeling as though he had missed something.

To travel for long periods, ninja kept their speed at a steady pace. In other words, they ran at a constant speed. This not only conserved chakra but also kept them in optimal condition.

Charging forward recklessly was for short-distance sprints. Constant-speed running was also a fundamental ninja skill. Many ninja academy students could not even master this basic form of fast running, yet they still mocked others as dead last. It was truly laughable.

Likewise, a ninja's running speed could be reduced by certain factors, such as suddenly having to carry an injured companion. That was how they would slow down and end up being caught.

By nightfall, Masayo's group had already covered nearly half their journey. They would arrive the morning after next. The three of them found a suitable clearing in the woods and chose to make camp.

Ebisu was still wearing his signature sunglasses. He lightly adjusted them, lit the campfire, and said to Kurenai Yuhi and Masayo, who were setting up the tent, "Jonin Kurenai, Chunin Masayo, I have already set traps around the area."

Masayo sprinkled a layer of lime powder around the tent and smiled. "Thanks for your hard work, Senior Ebisu. But the area is surrounded by woods, so there may be wild animals. Someone needs to keep watch, and the campfire cannot go out. I'll take the latter half of the night watch!"

As soon as Masayo said that, Kurenai Yuhi rejected it. "Ebisu and I were assigned to protect you. I'll take the latter half of the night watch!"

When keeping watch in the wilderness, the latter half of the night was the most exhausting. Ebisu gently adjusted his sunglasses and revealed a faint smile. "Jonin Kurenai, Chunin Masayo, besides being a special jonin of Konoha, I am also a gentleman. Leave the night watch to me!"

"Sigh..."

Masayo and Kurenai Yuhi exchanged a glance and gave each other a thumbs-up in perfect unspoken agreement.

Masayo said, "As expected of Senior Ebisu. Konoha's Black Flash truly lives up to its reputation."

Though Kurenai Yuhi wondered what Masayo meant by Black Flash, she immediately added, "What a gentleman. Black Flash, we're counting on you."

"Black Flash!"

Ebisu was delighted by Masayo and Kurenai Yuhi's praise, though inwardly he was puzzled about when he had acquired such a nickname. Still, it sounded nice and felt rather cool, just like the Fourth Hokage's Yellow Flash. From now on, he would introduce himself as the Black Flash!