Outside the carriage, tree shadows flashed backward.
Shisui and Itachi bounded lightly among the forest branches, resembling two silent shadows.
Their extraordinary perception was enough to monitor the activity within a wide radius.
Listening to the faint sounds of the young girl's playful chatter coming from the carriage behind.
Shisui could not help sighing, speaking in a low voice to Itachi beside him.
"I say Itachi, are we here to act as bodyguards this trip, or to accompany Genya... on an outing?"
A trace of helplessness also flashed through Itachi's eyes.
"Shisui-brother, Genya has his own arrangements. Being able to let the clansmen, especially the younger generation, maintain such a relaxed mindset during a mission is a good thing in itself. The Uchiha of the past were too high-strung."
Shisui smiled.
"That's true as well. Still, watching him enjoy a massage on Chinatsu's lap while we're out here exposed to the wind and sun, I always feel a bit unbalanced."
The corner of Itachi's mouth twitched slightly.
"You can apply to go and operate together with Yashiro-Elder and the others."
Shisui hurriedly shook his head.
"Forget it, forget it. I'll just stay here and catch the wind. At least I'm free."
As evening approached
The convoy arrived at a rather prosperous town near the Land of Fire Capital.
An inn featuring a traditional courtyard and natural hot springs was booked by the Uchiha, enough to accommodate everyone.
After a day of hurried travel, soaking in a hot spring was undoubtedly the ultimate relaxation.
Genya changed into the yukata provided by the inn, and just as he walked out of his room, he saw Chinatsu-similarly dressed in a yukata, her long hair pinned up with a wooden hairpin-waiting quietly in the corridor.
"Uh, Chinatsu, you can go by yourself... there's