When night fell on their first day away from the village, Team 8, having traveled all day, set up a temporary camp in the wilderness forest and settled in.
The distance from Konoha Village to the southern coast wasn't too far. If only Team 8 were traveling, they could reach it in a day. But with Mr. Tenmei along, their pace became extremely slow—requiring at least three or four days.
"Aahhh, so boring. Is this what C-rank missions are like?"
After preparing his sleeping bag, Kiba sighed at the roaring campfire, his face full of weariness and frustration.
Honestly, when they first left the village, Kiba had taken this C-rank escort mission very seriously—even risking a beating from his dad to take a bunch of high-quality "beef-flavored soldier pills" from home, only to find they might be useless.
The entire day, they just walked, walked, walked, walked... Apart from passing some villages and encountering a few travelers, they didn't even meet a single wolf or dog.
"Having nothing happen is a good thing. The client's safety is the top priority."
Compared to energetic Kiba, Shino was much steadier. He was placing his "Kikaichū" on many surrounding trees, creating a simple detection barrier to prevent sneak attacks by thieves or wild beasts.
Since all had received standard Ninja Academy training (Yuki: ?), Team 8's members chose their rest spot around the campfire carefully, ensuring client Mr. Tenmei wouldn't suffer sudden attacks.
However, the client—a man claiming to be a fisherman but whose real occupation was unknown—was now cooking porridge by the campfire.
"Hmm hmm hmm, hehehe, almost ready, almost cooked."
As Mr. Tenmei's ladle stirred continuously in the small pot he carried, a strange smell gradually wafted out.
Since the porridge was made from millet Mr. Tenmei carried and wild vegetables dug nearby, let's call it Tenmei Porridge. As for the taste... At least Yuki had no desire to try it.
"Are you sure you don't want some?"
"No, thank you. We have rations."
What's with these guys? No appreciation... After Kurenai declined, Tenmei drank his own Tenmei Porridge.
"Teacher Kurenai, have you been to the coastal areas in the south?"
"Once or twice... The southern part of the Land of Fire, especially coastal regions, is remote and sparsely populated. Not just Konoha ninja—even traveling merchants rarely go there."
"Eh? So we won't encounter any decent opponents?"
Hearing Kurenai's words, Kiba—also eating rations by the campfire—made a sour face, since he eagerly anticipated facing strong opponents for a good fight.
"Of course. C-rank missions typically don't involve combat with ninja. If they do, that's at least B-rank. So your opponents will just be some bandits or thugs."
"Tch, bandits are fine too. Watch me send them all flying!"
"You, the furry-faced guy? Don't wet your pants from fright when the time comes."
"What?! You old geezer! Don't think just because you're the client, you can—"
In the dark, silent forest, a group of diverse figures gathered around the fire, enjoying this rare peaceful time while chatting and laughing with companions after the meal.
Night grew deeper. The previously faint moonlight seemed to give up its last struggle, allowing the space beneath the dense tree canopy to plunge into near-total darkness.
After a full day's exhaustion, almost everyone crawled into their sleeping bags, entering restful sleep to replenish energy.
However, "almost" everyone entered sleep—not "all."
Confirming no other creatures were outside, an elderly figure slowly crawled out of his sleeping bag and quietly moved toward the outer area.
Huff... Sitting by a lake about two hundred meters from the campsite, gazing at the starry sky above, Tenmei couldn't help but sigh deeply.
At this moment, Tenmei didn't resemble the bold, rugged old man he usually portrayed. Instead, he seemed like a sentimental scholar, burdened with worries, utterly unable to sleep.
But then, a youthful voice suddenly sounded beside him.
"What? Can't sleep, so you came out to admire the moon?"
"Eeeeeeek!"
Startled, Tenmei turned to see the sudden appearance was the most unique among the three youths protecting him—what was his name again... Hyūga Yuki.
Yes, in Tenmei's view, though Kiba and Shino were also special, even they paled compared to this youth who appeared gentle as jade yet radiated inner courage and steadfastness.
Loud people weren't necessarily brave; expressionless faces didn't mean steadfastness. Those truly possessing these qualities, rarer than gold, exuded a calmness even just standing there—a calmness that made one feel nothing needed worrying about as long as he was present.
"Professionals indeed. You probably noticed the moment I got up, right?"
"Well, except for that furry-faced idiot named Kiba. Hahahaha!"
"Pfft! Didn't expect you, seeming so refined, to be quite sharp-tongued."
"Naturally. By the way, tonight's porridge was good. But why pretend to be a fisherman to post this mission?"
"Well, actually, I just suspected... Huh?"
Instantly, the smile on Tenmei's face froze, his entire body stiffening.
Because Yuki's tone had been so natural, Tenmei hadn't noticed the youth suddenly shifting话题 (topic) mid-sentence—and to such a sensitive one.
Gulp. Swallowing, Tenmei tried maintaining a nonchalant smile. "No, no, what are you talking about? I clearly am just—"
"The callus on your right thumb's pad and the side of your index finger—those are called 'page-turner calluses,' only formed by people who frequently flip book pages. If you were a fisherman, constantly pulling nets and rods, calluses would be on your palms."
Here, Yuki pointed at Tenmei's right hand. Most of his right hand was very clean, only the thumb and index finger had some thickened skin.
This kid... quite observant.
At this point, Tenmei could only spread his hands, adopting an "I have a story, got any liquor?" expression. "Actually..."
"Wait, you don't need to say it yet."
Just as Tenmei prepared to narrate his past—enduring humiliation, bearing hardships, selflessly serving, unremarkable appearance—Yuki interrupted.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Weren't you saying you suspected something? Now it seems you can remove the word 'suspect.' What you suspect is almost certainly fact."
"...How do you know?"
"Because... your life probably isn't valuable enough to warrant such a large-scale operation to kill you."
What?! Before Tenmei could grasp Yuki's meaning, several faint whooshing sounds suddenly came from around him!
These sounds were extremely subtle, hardly audible even in this darkness. But clearly, something was flying toward them!
Yet the next second, Yuki's right hand moved like lightning around Tenmei's body. The nearly invisible projectiles in the dark seemed to vanish into thin air.
"Although I don't know who you are, since things have come to this, why not come out and accept your deaths?"
As Yuki slowly raised his right hand and opened his fingers, over a dozen almost hair-thin "Fūshin" (blow darts) slipped from between his fingers...