"Yes!" we all cheered as one. "Right, now, this is a simple escort mission to the land of tea. The customer is a long time friend of Konoha and has been using our services for years. He makes monthly trips from Konoha to the land of tea, trading. Are there any questions?"
Ping!
Quest Alert!
Ensure the cargo is delivered to the land of tea!
Reward:
+5000 EXP Failure:
Banned from C rank missions for over a year.
Do you accept?
Y/N? I raised my hand. The Hokage nodded and I spoke, "what kind of resistance can we expect? Bandits? Raiders?"
The old man smiled, "is there a difference between a bandit and a raider?"
"Yes. A raider will just take everything and run as fast as they could. A bandit will take everything, kill you, burn your caravan and then run as fast as they could."
Sarutobi chuckled, "no Yami, you won't face any raiders or bandits. This is a very safe route. But common thieves are still an issue. And the money is still very good. Now, are there any other questions?" there were none as I accepted the quest, "good. Ko, meet with the customer and set up your departure time. Dismissed."
"Yes lord Hokage," we replied as we quickly ran out.
"Alright, all of you pack enough for two weeks," Ko said as he opened the scroll and looked over the mission details before putting it away, "I know this trader, I'll talk to him and find out more. Met me at the training ground in two hours and I'll tell you when we will leave. Dismissed!"
"Yes sir!" we said as he leaped away, moving like a blur across rooftops.
"So what are we going to do for two hours?" Zumo asked.
"You heard Ko sensei," China spoke up, "we need to go pack up."
Zumo rolled his eyes, "we can do that whenever we want China! Besides, we don't even know when we're leaving so what's the point?"
I nodded, "agreed. We should celebrate, reward ourselves for a job well done. You two up for some ramen?"
China smiled, "yes Yami! Of course!"
Zumo shrugged, "you buying?" I nodded, "yup. Come on, I know this great place just down the road." I guided them to Ichiraku's where we entered, "hey Ayame! I'm back honey!"
"Hey Yami!" Ayame called out from behind the counter.
"Yami!" Naruto, who was sitting eating what looked like his fifth bowl of ramen, turned to us and smiled, "fancy seeing you here! Don't you have a mission or something?"
"We got a break, decided to get lunch," I smiled as I sat down next to him. I turned to see my teammates looking cautiously at Naruto, China in particular looking very worried. I rolled my eyes, "relax, he's not going to prank you or something. Come, sit," I tapped the stool next to me.
China gulped as she nodded, sitting down next to me while Zumo sat down next to her. "Hello," Ayame said as she came up, "and who are these cute little genin?"
"I-I'm China Menzo, it's pleasure to meet you," China bowed a little.
"I'm Zumo Sarutobi," Zumo smiled at Ayame.
"They're my teammates," I explained, "we're on a break, figured they could use a nice meal. Plus seeing you always brightens up my day sweetie," I said with a wink.
China's eyes went wide while Ayame just rolled hers, "never going to happen Yami."
"But why? I am technically an adult you know," I winked pointing at my headband.
"Maybe in a decade or so hon," Ayame chuckled, "now, what will you have."
I sighed, "well, since I obviously can't have you, I guess I'll just settle for some chicken ramen," I turned to my teammates, "and you guys?" Zumo shrugged, "miso is fine."
"And you China?" Ayame asked looking at the girl was a shocked stiff. Ayame blinked, "China? Are you okay?"
"Y-yes, I'm fine," China blinked out of her shock as she looked at me and Ayame, "I'll have pork please."
"Coming right up!" Ayame smiled getting to work.
"Yami," China called out.
I looked at her, "yeah? What's wrong?"
"Do you...do you like Ayame?" China asked, her words struggling to come out. I sighed, fan girls, what a pain.
I shook my head, "not in a romantic way no. She's just nice to be around, plus I've been flirting with her since the day I met her it's kind of hard to stop now." "Awe, Yami, and here I was thinking you loved me!" Ayame chuckled.
I smiled, "you'll always have a place in my heart Ayame."
"Bah! Would you stop already, you're making me want to throw up!" Naruto scoffed.
I rolled my eyes, "you're just jealous because I have the guts to flirt with girls while you still can't even talk to Sakura without her punching you across the room."
"Hey! Just you watch! One day she'll say yes!" Zumo snorted, "sure, that'll be the day. I bet even frogs will talk by then."
"Technically frogs can talk," I shrugged. "What?" China asked in surprise.
"Yeah, toad summons can talk, didn't you know that?" I blinked. All three shocked their heads, "huh...just me then. Okay." Lunch was spent quietly, though Naruto kept asking questions loudly that set my teammates on edge. But eventually they gave in and spoke to the boy like a normal human being.
An hour later we met up with Ko and he informed us to be ready to leave tomorrow morning at dawn. I got back home that night and told Naruto I won't be coming home for a few days, the kid just went on and on about how t wasn't fair I got to go cool mission while he was stuck here. Hehe, sucker.
I stayed up all night working on storage seals and managing my tools, just to ensure against any possible outcome. Then morning came and I ran to the gates, eager to leave the village for the first time ever.
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