Whoosh!
A figure flashed through the forest, startling flocks of birds into flight.
Liu Yun surveyed the clearing ahead. After confirming that no one was nearby, he signaled to those behind him.
He traveled at the front, scouting the way.
Shibi Aburame brought up the rear, erasing the traces of their passage.
Maruboshi Kosuke and Nonō stayed in the middle, ready to provide support.
Soon, the others arrived one after another.
"Shibi, keep watch."
"Yes." Shibi Aburame understood and quickly formed hand seals.
Several insects headed off in different directions, disappearing into the forest.
"All right, let's take a break," Maruboshi Kosuke said.
After traveling for a full day and night without rest, the team was already close to the Land of Fire's border.
He noticed the obvious exhaustion on Shibi Aburame's and Nonō's faces. Clearly, they had yet to adjust to this level of exertion.
That came as no surprise to him. Not everyone was like Liu Yun, after all.
They sat in a circle and took out their provisions to eat.
"We're pressed for time on this mission. Next time we get the chance, I'll cook for everyone," Maruboshi Kosuke said, lightening the mood.
The others nodded eagerly.
Liu Yun was also looking forward to trying Maruboshi Kosuke's cooking.
Unfortunately, this mission was important. Lighting a fire to cook in the wilderness could expose their whereabouts, and Maruboshi Kosuke would never make that sort of mistake.
They chatted as they ate.
Half of Liu Yun's lunch consisted of ordinary food Kushina had prepared, while the other half was medicinal food from Tsunade.
If there had only been medicinal ingredients, he could have eaten them just fine.
The trouble was having something to compare them with.
For the first time, he felt that Kushina's cooking might be a contender