Chapter 133: Oh No, Bad Guys! (How Delightful)
After the group departed, Tsunade settled back into her seat. Shizune refilled her tea, concern showing on her face. "Are you certain we don't need to send covert protection? They look..."
Tsunade accepted the teacup, gently blowing away the rising steam. "I discussed this with Uchiha Yu. He said it was unnecessary." She paused, her expression growing grave. "Besides, that white-haired woman he introduced... is quite extraordinary."
Shizune showed a puzzled expression.
Tsunade recalled her first encounter with Kaguya—she'd inexplicably felt an impulse to prostrate herself in reverence, and the chakra within her body had seemed to sense some kind of familiar presence. This peculiar sensation hadn't occurred even when facing Uchiha Yu.
"In any case," Tsunade set down her teacup, "since he made arrangements, we'll follow them."
---
At Konoha's village gate, morning light shone perfectly.
As team leader, Naruko stopped first and turned to face her team members. She cleared her throat, trying to project reliability. "This mission should take three days. At normal speed, we'll reach Tanzaku Town tonight."
Sasuko raised an eyebrow. "What if we speed up?"
"Team member Sasuko!" Naruko put on a stern face. "As a rookie, you need to familiarize yourself with various travel methods. Besides..." Her voice brightened. "Tanzaku Town's dumplings are famous!"
This reasoning made Sasuko shake her head helplessly, though she didn't argue further.
Hinata suggested softly, "If we need to accelerate, I can use my Byakugan to scout the shortest route."
"Excellent!" Naruko happily patted Hinata's shoulder. "We're counting on you!"
Hinata's cheeks immediately flushed crimson as she stammered incoherently.
'Mm, Naruko touched me...'
Kaguya remained silent throughout while Yoya clutched her mother's hand tightly, curiously observing everyone. Though the mother and daughter spoke little, they naturally blended into the team.
Under Hinata's Byakugan guidance, the group quickly found the optimal path. After leaving the village, the road grew increasingly rugged, with sunlight filtering through leaves to cast dappled patterns.
"By the way," Naruko turned toward Kaguya, "I haven't asked what jutsu Miss Kaguya specializes in. It would help us coordinate better."
All eyes focused on Kaguya. She gazed back calmly, her pure white eyes revealing no emotion. "All of them."
This answer stunned everyone except Sasuko, whose expression remained unchanged—Miss Kaguya had said the same thing before.
"Exactly what it sounds like." Kaguya's tone remained flat.
Yoya hastily explained, "Mother means she's knowledgeable about various types of jutsu."
Naruko blinked and laughed to smooth things over. "That's amazing! Please take care of us!"
---
In the afternoon, the group rested by a stream.
Naruko sat leaning against tree shade, watching Sasuko tell Yoya ninja stories. Hinata periodically stole glances at Naruko, then hurriedly looked away before being noticed.
Kaguya stood alone by the stream, gazing at the flowing water lost in thought.
"Miss Kaguya." Naruko approached her side. "You seem uninterested in the mission?"
Kaguya turned to look at her. "A mission is a mission."
"But you look... lonely."
Kaguya froze slightly, remaining silent for a moment before responding, "I'm used to it."
"Contact!" Sasuko suddenly called out.
Everyone immediately went on alert. Hinata activated her Byakugan. "Four o'clock direction, three hundred meters out. Five chakra signatures approaching."
"Bandits?" Naruko assumed a combat stance.
After activating her Mangekyo and observing briefly, Sasuko relaxed. "Ordinary merchant caravan. However..." She frowned. "They seem to be in trouble."
Distant cries for help reached them. The group exchanged glances before Naruko decided immediately, "Let's check it out!"
Upon arriving at the scene, they found cargo wagons stuck deep in mud pits while merchants frantically pushed at the vehicles. Seeing the ninja squad, they startled first, then showed relief.
"Please help us!" An elderly merchant pleaded. "This shipment must reach Tanzaku Town before dark, or we'll breach our contract."
Naruko confidently patted her chest. "Leave it to us!"
She was about to form hand seals when Kaguya simply raised a finger. The mud seemed to come alive, automatically retreating and gently lifting the wheels. The entire process completed instantaneously with barely perceptible chakra fluctuation.
The merchants stared dumbfounded, thanking them profusely. Naruko looked at Kaguya in amazement. "That Earth Style is incredible! You didn't even use hand seals?"
Kaguya nodded slightly and said nothing more.
After resuming their journey, Naruko leaned close to Sasuko's ear. "Big Sister Kaguya really is extraordinary."
Sasuko gazed at Kaguya's retreating figure thoughtfully.
---
By evening, Tanzaku Town's outline appeared on the horizon. This small town famous for its gambling halls and cuisine lit up as dusk fell, its streets crowded with people.
"We'll rest here tonight!" Naruko pointed toward an inn ahead.
After checking in, everyone gathered in the dining hall for dinner. Yoya savored every dish with relish—this newly born body let her experience taste for the first time. Even the usually cold Kaguya's eyes flickered with subtle light when sampling the local specialty dumplings.
"How is it?" Naruko looked at everyone expectantly. "I told you Tanzaku Town's dumplings were delicious!"
Sasuko gently set down her chopsticks. "They're quite good. However..." She looked at Naruko. "You didn't choose to walk just for this, did you?"
Naruko grinned without denying it.
After dinner, Hinata volunteered for night watch but was stopped by Kaguya.
"I'll do it." She walked toward the window after speaking.
Yoya tugged at her mother's hem. "I'll stay with Mother."
Night deepened as Tanzaku Town's lights gradually dimmed. Kaguya sat quietly by the window while Yoya leaned against her, already asleep.
"Does Miss Kaguya need to switch shifts?" Naruko approached her side.
Kaguya gazed out the window. "No need."
After a moment of silence, Naruko suddenly asked, "Miss Kaguya, why did you become a ninja?"
Kaguya didn't answer immediately. After a long pause, she said softly, "For survival."
This answer left Naruko contemplative. She recalled Kakashi-sensei once saying that everyone had reasons they had to fight.
"We still have to travel tomorrow." Naruko turned to leave. "Good night, Miss Kaguya."
"Good night."
The simple response made Naruko pause slightly. She'd assumed this aloof older sister wouldn't bother responding.
---
In the late night, several grim-faced men appeared near the inn where Sasuko's group was staying.
Actually, they'd been marked from the moment they entered this street. Such a group of distinctly beautiful women was far too conspicuous—from refined young ladies to adorable lolis, and women with unique mature temperaments.
These men had already planned to make their move once the women left town and traveled some distance. In their view, this group clearly consisted of pampered noble ladies—expensively dressed yet traveling without even a single guard. It was practically an invitation to be robbed.
This time they'd struck gold!