Asuma looked at the map very carefully. It couldn't be described as close, one was in the Land of Rivers and the other in the Land of Fire, but both were in the same mountain range.
He thought carefully: "It's not impossible that there's a connection between the two, but there's no need to worry too much. Even if hostile Ninja appear, we can handle it. I believe you are all excellent Ninja."
Ino pouted, feeling that his words were not quite appropriate, but she didn't take it too seriously. Asuma's strength was very strong, and she was being a bit paranoid. At this time, Zabuza should be in the Land of Waves, and it was impossible for him to cross the Land of Fire from so far away to cause trouble in the Land of Rivers in the west.
Even if this group of ronin colluded with the previous bandits, so what? Just kill them.
It's a pity that Buggy and Dong Feng were taken away for forced labor, otherwise, asking them might have yielded some information.
The four of them went back to pack their bags, and an hour later, they gathered at the Village entrance.
Every time Ino came to the Village entrance, she would greet Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane, who guarded the gate, to make herself known.
Regardless of whether "Old Iron" was Danzo's illegitimate son, it was always right to maintain good relations.
Konoha Village had so many disasters, but look at them? Nothing ever happened to them from beginning to end. The two of them stood at the gate every day, like door gods, and as a result, they lived safely until boruto. This was skill, and you couldn't deny it.
Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane greatly admired Asuma, almost like fans seeing their idol.
Ino also couldn't understand where their admiration came from.
Team 10 wrote down their departure time, number of people, and destination on the registration form nearby. After the four of them signed in order, they left Konoha Village.
After traveling through the mountains for two days, Team 10 emerged from a jungle and entered the territory of the Land of Rivers.
Last time they went to suppress bandits, that was at least a mission in their own country. This time going to a neighboring country, they had to be careful many times. Not only did they have to be wary of various Ninja, but they also had to hide their tracks. Asuma didn't mention it, but for Ino and the other two, this journey through the forest while maintaining vigilance could already be called arduous. Fortunately, Choji had learned some good cooking skills from old man Kosuke, and he could prepare some hot food for the four of them even in the wild, so they wouldn't have to just chew on dry rice balls.
As they walked, Choji suddenly became excited. He pointed ahead and said, "Asuma Sensei! I smell curry! There must be a place to eat ahead, let's go check it out?"
Ino and Shikamaru sniffed, but smelled nothing.
The four of them walked onto a country road. Before long, they saw a two-story wooden house at the intersection, just like in many places in Ino's previous life where a circle would be drawn on the side of a wall with the character "dismantle" (Chai - Demolish) written inside. The side wall of this wooden house also had a large circle with the character "life" (Ming - Life) written inside.
"Asuma Sensei, it's here! What fragrant curry!" Choji said excitedly.
"Then let's go in and rest." Asuma was very reasonable. He lifted the cloth curtain at the door and walked in first.
Choji followed closely. Shikamaru walked in with his hands clasped behind his head. Ino looked left and right. In the middle of nowhere, there was only this one wooden house, which looked a bit suspicious. With caution, she followed them in.
Inside the house was an old woman who looked quite kind. As people age, their reactions become a bit slow. It wasn't until the four of them stood in front of the counter that she noticed strangers had entered the house.
Ino was highly vigilant and scrutinized the old woman carefully: her height, weight, Chakra, facial skin, and calluses on her palms. She didn't miss a single detail.
Asuma patted her shoulder, then smiled and shook his head, signaling her not to be so nervous; this was just an ordinary old woman.
"Who are you?" the old woman asked.
"Travelers passing by."
Although the four of them were clearly wearing Konoha Village Ninja headbands, Asuma lied through his teeth, and the old woman didn't detect any problem.
"You must have had a hard journey! Come and try the unique curry rice at Curry of Life Restaurant!" The old woman was very enthusiastic. Without another word, she invited them to sit down and quickly brought out several plates of curry rice for them to taste.
There was no wariness, no suspicion, and a kind smile. The old woman seemed completely unafraid that the four of them might be bad people.
Ino couldn't help but ask another question: "Hello, Granny, may I ask your name?"
The old woman was unaccustomed to her formal way of asking. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Everyone in the Village calls me Granny Sansho. You can call me that too. My sansho was the best when I was young! But in my later years, I discovered that curry is the best food in the world!"
"Yes, yes!" Choji nodded from the side. This guy thought all edible things were delicious.
The old woman chattered on about food, talking ramblingly. She would repeat things she had already said after three or four sentences.
Ino squinted her eyes. Granny Sansho? You wouldn't be a relative of Hanzou, would you? But at this point in time, Hanzou seems to have already died.
"I'm going to eat!" Choji, who had been starving for a long time, simply greeted them, picked up his spoon, and started eating. Watching him eat and nod blissfully, it seemed incredibly delicious.
Asuma didn't eat immediately. He sat by the window, first lighting a cigarette. Seeing Ino's suspicious look, he smiled but said nothing.
Being vigilant is a good thing, but how to distinguish between friend and foe, and reduce physical and mental exhaustion, also requires experience. This girl still has a long way to go in the future.
Ino waited for about two minutes. Seeing that Choji was already on his third plate, she figured there was no poison in the food and then picked up her spoon to take a small bite.
"Ugh!—!" While the carrot was still being chewed between her teeth, a scorching hot sensation rushed down her throat and into her stomach. Ino felt as if she had swallowed a mouthful of fire, burning from the inside out. Her fair face instantly turned red. This curry rice was so spicy that her ponytail stood on end.
"Water! Water!!!" She took out her portable water bottle and gulped down three or four mouthfuls to suppress the pungent taste.
After just one bite, a fine sweat broke out on her forehead. This stuff was too spicy! Is this something a human can eat?
She looked at Choji.
Choji: "???"
Goodness, a foodie is fearless, right? You can eat something this spicy?
Her gaze was too fierce. Choji chuckled twice: "Haha... haha... it's a little spicy."
Is this a little spicy? This is extremely spicy! This so-called "Curry of Life Restaurant" is truly a deadly place!
Granny Sansho heard the commotion from their side and quickly came over to ask: "Guest, is it not spicy enough? For the next pot, I will definitely increase the spiciness a hundredfold! I will absolutely not tarnish the reputation of the Curry of Life Restaurant!"
Ino waved her hands repeatedly, "Thank you! This is already very spicy! As for that hundredfold spiciness, please keep it for yourself to enjoy."
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