It took Kurenai a few minutes inside the inn before she finally emerged.
"The client still has shopping to do in Konoha," she said to Team 8. "So tomorrow at 8:00 a.m., be at the village gate on time. After I dismiss you today, go pack spare clothes, a tent and sleeping bag if you have one, and maybe some soldier pills. If you can't fit everything, you might want to buy a storage scroll. You've earned more than enough to afford it."
"Understood, sensei," they all replied.
"Remember—8:00 a.m. sharp tomorrow. Don't be late." Kurenai reminded them once more, then vanished in a Body Flicker.
Izayoi and Hinata said their goodbyes to Shino.
"Izayoi-kun, you don't need to buy a storage scroll. I'll bring one tomorrow," Hinata said softly.
Izayoi gave her cheek a playful pinch. "Way to flaunt that Hyuga fortune, huh? Already trying to 'keep me as your boy toy?'"
"B–Boy toy…?"
Instantly, Hinata's face went crimson, and her words started to tremble.
"I'm kidding." Izayoi gave her a gentle head-pat, then took her hand, smiling. "Actually, no need for a storage scroll. I'll bring a backpack. If we end up camping out, I'll stand watch and protect you."
At that, Hinata's cheeks went an even deeper red. She unconsciously lowered her gaze to where their fingers were interlaced, and a sweet smile lit up her face. She felt as if her heart were brimming with honey.
Though they hadn't openly declared themselves a couple, Izayoi and Hinata were already acting the part. If not for the worry that "coming out" might reach the Hyuga elders and cause trouble, Hinata would have confessed a long time ago.
In her mind, once both she and Izayoi became elite Jonin—vital to the village—no one could tear them apart. That day wouldn't be far off.
Hinata suddenly squeezed Izayoi's hand, silently steeling herself. Izayoi, oblivious to these thoughts, would've been pleased if he knew.
After all, this "new" Hinata already shone bright, and she'd only grow stronger with clear goals. A properly guided "Princess of the Byakugan" could become absolutely dazzling.
…
The Next Morning, 7:50 a.m.
Carrying backpacks, Izayoi and Hinata arrived at the village gate. Shino was already there, also with just a single backpack.
"Morning."
"Morning."
"Shino, you're not bringing a tent?"
"I did—just stored it in a scroll. And if you need soldier pills, let me know."
"Thanks, but Hinata's already got me covered."
"… …"
They exchanged their usual small talk. This time, the conversation-killer wasn't Shino's "aloofness" but Izayoi himself.
Having to watch the two be all cutesy—and hearing the mention of Hinata helping Izayoi—felt like getting a faceful of romantic mush. Still, Shino wasn't the type to sulk or be snide, so he just fell quiet again.
With Shino back to silence, Izayoi turned to chatting in whispers with Hinata—avoiding any sensitive talk that might let Shino's insects overhear.
"You guys didn't wait long, did you?"
Soon, Kurenai's voice drew their attention. A caravan of around a dozen people came into view, led by Kurenai and a nondescript middle-aged man.
The man eyed Izayoi, Hinata, and Shino with a friendly smile. They all noticed how his gaze lingered on Hinata the longest—but not due to her figure. Izayoi's sensing picked up no malice.
The man was probably excited to have a Hyuga in his escort group. After all, the Byakugan is famous for 360-degree vision and can see through most stealth—letting a caravan spot danger far in advance. Landing a Byakugan user for just the price of a C-rank mission was a huge coup.
Realizing all that, Izayoi paid it no mind.
"Let me introduce you," Kurenai said to her three students. "This is our client, Nishimura-san."
"Nishimura-san," Team 8 greeted politely.
"Hello there. I look forward to working with you."
He showed no ego at all, keeping his posture modest. Seeing a client so easygoing was a relief to Team 8, who had previously dealt with a few weird or finicky D-rank patrons.
"All right, let's be on our way," said Kurenai. She and Nishimura handed over their exit permits at the village gate.
For the first time in their lives, Izayoi, Hinata, and Shino stepped beyond the Konoha walls. Hinata and Shino, initially excited to see the outside world, soon lost interest after passing the first small town.
True, the Land of Fire boasts some bustling spots like Tanzaku Town, but many others are plain, nowhere near as developed as Konoha. Add to that the era's technology, where noble travel was largely by carriage or litter—trains were still years or decades away.
Without ninja traveling at full speed, it might normally take them three days to go from Konoha to the Sand Village in the Land of Wind, or a week or so to reach the farthest corners of the ninja world.
But that's for shinobi alone. A caravan with everyday people is only as fast as the slowest among them. Here they had around a dozen people and two wagons, returning empty, so at least they weren't weighed down. It was faster than walking, but still with frequent pauses, taking eight days just to exit the Land of Fire.
"Hinata, how are things looking out there?"
As soon as they left the Land of Fire, moving from forested paths into mountainous ones, Kurenai addressed Hinata—who had her Byakugan active, veins visible at her temples.
"Within a 20-kilometer radius, no threats."
"Na-Nani?!"
Though her actual words indicated safety, Kurenai and Shino almost jumped in shock at the figure Hinata gave. They were simply stunned by that radius.
~~~
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