A Seemingly Ordinary Escort Mission

The four of them walked out of the Hokage Building. Orochimaru stopped at the entrance, turned to face the three students, and tossed the mission scroll to Tsukimi.

"This is your first mission. From now on, you'll handle everything yourselves: meeting the client, dealing with anything that happens along the way, and completing the handover when you arrive."

Orochimaru's golden slit-pupiled eyes rested on the three of them, assessing and probing.

"I'll only make sure you don't lose your lives. Beyond that, you'll bear the consequences yourselves."

"Is that clear?"

The mood instantly grew tense.

Asuma caught his breath. He had thought their first mission would be little more than tagging along with their Jonin instructor to gain experience. He hadn't expected to be thrown straight into the real thing. His restless excitement died at once.

That's not what my big brother told me!

Kurenai's expression turned solemn too. She nodded gently to show she understood.

Tsukimi caught the scroll, her expression still mild. She understood why Orochimaru was doing this.

During the Second Shinobi World War, Nawaki's death had changed more than the course of Orochimaru's life. It had drastically changed the way he did things.

Orochimaru was no longer going to play babysitter for his students. Only geniuses who survived the harsh Shinobi World would have a chance to fulfill their potential.

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru!"

The three answered in unison. Scroll in hand, Tsukimi looked at Asuma and Kurenai.

"In that case, I'll take the captain's position."

When they both nodded, Tsukimi said no more and slowly unrolled the scroll. The mission details were simple and clear.

[Mission rank: C]

[Client: Kawata Genji, a native medicinal herb merchant from the Land of Rivers. He holds an official Konoha trade permit, has supplied Konoha with scarce medicinal herbs for years, and has a good record of reliability.]

[Mission: Escort the medicinal herb merchant safely back to Bluestone Town in the eastern Land of Rivers.]

[Objective: Ensure the client and all goods reach the destination intact.]

[Route: The first half follows the official roads of the Land of Fire; the second half passes through the forests of the Land of Rivers.]

[Time limit: Complete the round trip within ten days.]

Tsukimi quickly read through the mission scroll, then passed it to Kurenai and Asuma.

Once they had both finished reading, Tsukimi spoke first. "The Land of Rivers is a buffer zone between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire. There's no ninja village there, which means nothing restricts other ninja from entering. All sorts of people mix there."

"So the second half of the journey, after we enter the Land of Rivers, will be the riskiest part of this mission. That's where trouble is most likely."

Asuma's face grew serious. "Then I'll scout ahead."

Seeing Asuma volunteer so quickly, Tsukimi smiled. "The future master of Wind Release and Fire Release, destined to surpass the Third—why are you so tense?"

Asuma flushed and replied stubbornly, "Who's tense? This is our first C-Rank Mission, isn't it? I'm just being careful. What would you know?"

Why does he sound so much like Idiot Two?

"Looks like Lord Orochimaru got through to you, then. You're certainly taking the mission seriously now."

Kurenai, who had been waiting for her assignment, laughed as Tsukimi teased Asuma. Some of the tension she felt about their first mission slowly faded.

After teasing him, Tsukimi shook her head. "You and Kurenai can watch the flanks. Leave scouting ahead and keeping watch in front to me. It'll be easier for me to scout with the Shadowkhan."

The two nodded in agreement.

Tsukimi added one last thing. "This may be our first C-Rank Mission, but don't get too wound up. If something happens, protect the client first, then the goods."

Orochimaru watched Tsukimi assign their roles with interest. Once the three had finished discussing their plans, his raspy voice sounded.

"If you're ready, let's go."

A short while later, the four reached the entrance to Konoha. Someone was already waiting there quietly.

He was a man in his early forties, with dark, rough skin, perhaps from years of travel. He carried a medicine case on his back, and a wagon loaded with goods stood beside him. As soon as he saw Tsukimi and the others approaching, he hurried over with his head lowered.

So this is our client, Kawata Genji, the medicinal herb merchant.

Kawata Genji reached the four of them and bowed, speaking with great respect.

"My name is Kawata Genji. Thank you, honored ninja, for escorting me on this mission."

Tsukimi smiled gently and began confirming the details with their client, as procedure required.

"Hello, Mr. Kawata. I need to confirm the mission first. You've asked us to escort you and all your goods safely to Bluestone Town in the Land of Rivers within ten days. On the return journey, you must follow our team's instructions. You cannot leave the group or change the route on your own. Is that clear?"

"Of course! I'll do everything you honored ninja say!"

Kawata Genji instinctively pulled his robe tighter, his right hand moving discreetly to shield his chest. Then he nodded repeatedly, his manners impeccable.

The paperwork was in order, and so was his identity. It looked like an ordinary C-Rank escort mission, but Kawata Genji's little movement hadn't escaped Tsukimi's notice.

Tsukimi glanced at the loaded wagon, a faint smile appearing on her face. "You've traveled between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers for years, Mr. Kawata. You must be quite a merchant. Why are you still traveling alone? Haven't you hired any help?"

At Tsukimi's question, Kawata Genji's humble expression stiffened. Anxiety and fear flashed through his shifting eyes.

"Uh, well... I... I may have traveled between the two countries for years, but really... really, I'm just a small merchant. I can't compare to the big trading companies, so I haven't hired anyone."

He gave two dry laughs and hastily brushed off the question.

Even Kurenai and Asuma sensed something was wrong with his reaction. They moved closer to Tsukimi.

Asuma spoke quietly from behind her. "Tsukimi, something's off about Mr. Kawata."

Tsukimi glanced back at them, signaling that they needn't rush. Then she turned to Kawata Genji again, her smile unchanged.

"Is that so?"

Tsukimi glanced at Kawata Genji's chest but pressed him no further.

"The mission details are confirmed. Let's set off."

This old fox isn't being honest. Let's see what he's hiding.

Kawata Genji climbed into the wagon. Orochimaru's figure flashed, and he was already on its roof.

After registering the mission at the gate, Tsukimi and the other two sat together at the front of the wagon.

Only then did she quietly instruct them, "Our client is probably hiding something. Keep an eye on him along the way and see what he's up to."

"Understood!"

Kurenai and Asuma nodded solemnly, their eyes now alert.

The group passed through Konoha Gate and set off toward the Land of Rivers.