Hinata nervously pinched the hem of her clothes, while Shino bowed slightly. Toru Kujyo remained composed as he met the Hokage's gaze.
"So, I approve your request to take on a C-rank mission." Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up a scroll from his desk and handed it to Kurenai Yuhi. "This will be your first C-rank mission."
Kurenai Yuhi accepted the scroll and unfurled it, a thoughtful expression crossing her face.
"Your mission is to escort a mining convoy to the Land of Rivers," Hiruzen Sarutobi explained. "The border of the Land of Rivers has been unsettled lately, with bandits and Wandering Ninja appearing in the area. Given Team 8's advantages in sensory abilities—the Hyuga's Byakugan, the Aburame's insects, and young Toru Kujyo's... hmm, your unique perceptiveness." Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Toru Kujyo a meaningful look. "You're the best choice for this mission. You'll be able to detect potential dangers in time."
Something stirred in Toru Kujyo's mind. Hiruzen Sarutobi did indeed know something, but rather than probe further, he had only touched on it in passing. This was undoubtedly a good opportunity to use the Tenseigan in actual combat for the first time.
"Yes, Lord Hokage!" Kurenai Yuhi rolled up the scroll and answered solemnly.
After leaving the Hokage Office, Kurenai Yuhi led her team to an inn on the edge of the village. Their client was waiting there.
"Miss Kurenai, we'll wait for you here," Toru Kujyo suggested. People came and went through the inn's entrance. By keeping watch here, they might discover something.
Kurenai Yuhi nodded and entered the inn alone.
Toru Kujyo, Hinata, and Shino stood a short distance outside the inn, discreetly scanning their surroundings.
"Escorting a mining convoy... the Land of Rivers..." Hinata murmured, trying hard to recall what she knew about the Land of Rivers.
"The Land of Rivers is known for its abundant mineral resources, especially iron," Shino said in a low, calm voice. "The convoy most likely belongs to an iron-mining operation."
Beneath his eye mask, Toru Kujyo quietly activated his Tenseigan. His gaze penetrated the inn's walls and locked directly onto Kurenai Yuhi and the client. He could clearly see the cargo manifest in the client's hands, gleaming with a metallic sheen. The words "refined iron ore" stood out on it.
"That's right, it's iron ore," Toru Kujyo confirmed quietly. "And it's refined iron ore, worth quite a lot."
Hinata and Shino looked at Toru Kujyo with a hint of puzzlement in their eyes, but he offered no explanation.
"The bandits and Wandering Ninja are probably after this shipment of ore," Shino continued his analysis. "The mission's risk level may be somewhat higher than C-rank."
"But it's also a good opportunity for us," Toru Kujyo added. "We can put our abilities to a proper test."
When Kurenai Yuhi emerged from the inn, her expression was slightly grave. She looked at the three members of Team 8. "Our mission is to escort a mining convoy to the Land of Rivers. It's a long journey, and bandits and Wandering Ninja have been appearing along its border. This mission is much harder than a D-rank one. We must be fully prepared." She paused, her tone turning serious. "When you get home, prepare enough food, drinking water, first-aid supplies, and all the ninja tools you'll need. Be sure to bring storage scrolls in particular, so we can carry plenty of supplies. We'll meet at the village gate at eight tomorrow morning and depart on time."
"Yes, Miss Kurenai!" Hinata and Shino answered together. Toru Kujyo nodded as well.
After they were dismissed, the three headed home to prepare. Partway there, Hinata spoke softly. "Toru, do you have enough storage scrolls? I... I can help you carry some things." Her voice was gentle and full of concern.
Toru Kujyo stopped and turned to her, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "What, are you hoping to use this chance to pack all my things into your scrolls, so you'll have a perfectly good excuse to follow me around every day?"
Hinata's cheeks instantly flushed. She lowered her eyes in flustered embarrassment and protested quietly, "I-I didn't mean that... I was just worried about you..." She fidgeted with the hem of her clothes, her heart racing. The way he put it made it sound as though that really was her intention, although... it wasn't entirely untrue.
Seeing her bashful expression, Toru Kujyo chuckled. "All right, I'm just teasing. I have enough storage scrolls, so don't worry." He reached out and ruffled her hair, the warmth of his fingertips putting her at ease.
"Th-then, all right." Hinata nodded gently, but sweetness welled up in her heart. It felt wonderful to have him treat her with such affection.
Once home, Hinata began organizing the supplies she would need for the mission. Her movements were gentle and focused, but Toru Kujyo's smile kept surfacing in her mind. She knew her feelings for him had long since grown beyond simple affection between siblings. He was strong, gentle, and a little mysterious, and she was deeply captivated by him.
She understood that the Hyuga Clan's strict rules, the divide between the Main Family and the branch family, and the clan's obsession with keeping its kekkei genkai pure would all stand as enormous obstacles between her and Toru Kujyo. But she would not back down. She clenched her fists and silently made up her mind:
She would become stronger-strong enough that her clan could not interfere with her choices, strong enough to stand beside Toru. Once they both became jonin, or even elite jonin, and possessed enough power and status, she would bravely prove to her clan that her love for Toru Kujyo deserved recognition. She would make everyone understand that Toru Kujyo was her destined partner.
Early the next morning, at Konoha's gate, Toru Kujyo and Shino Aburame had already arrived ahead of time. Soon, Hinata jogged over carrying a bulging backpack. The moment she saw Toru Kujyo, her eyes lit up.
"Toru, you're here." There was a hint of delight in Hinata's voice. She walked up beside him and instinctively reached out to gently straighten his slightly curled collar.
Toru Kujyo lowered his gaze to her, his eyes smiling, and did not stop her. They stood so close that everything around them seemed to fade into the background.
Beside them, Shino Aburame adjusted his sunglasses, his brows drawing together slightly behind them. A few insects in his sleeves squirmed restlessly, giving off a faint buzz. Such overly intimate behavior made him a little uncomfortable. He silently stepped half a pace back, putting as much distance between them as he could.
At eight sharp, Kurenai Yuhi appeared on time with their client, Mr. Nishimura, and a mining convoy of four horse-drawn wagons. Mr. Nishimura was a slightly plump, middle-aged man dressed simply, with a friendly smile on his face.
"Everyone, this is our client for this mission, Mr. Nishimura," Kurenai Yuhi introduced him to Team 8.
Mr. Nishimura immediately stepped forward, his manner humble and respectful. "Esteemed ninja, I'm counting on you for this escort." His gaze lingered on Hinata for a few extra seconds, a hint of pleased surprise flashing in his eyes. "The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan in particular offers powerful reconnaissance abilities. How wonderful! With your help, this shipment of ore is sure to reach its destination safely."
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