Peddler's Escort Mission I

WIth the business in the Land of the Bears and Hoshigakure completed, Shiki wanted to go back and work on ways to exploit the Star's power. Unfortunately, fate had other plans.

After giving Natsuhi the enhancement procedure and introducing her to the rest of Mugetsu, another mission Shiki was looking out for came around before he had time to really get things going, mostly due to the thorough research required before the Star could be safely used.

'Well . . . It's hard to figure out the exact time between each of the missions I'm interested in, just from my memories of the filler episodes.' Shiki thought to himself.

'Since the last mission I'm interested in, would be more convenient to take care of before it actually comes around . . . I might want to take care of it first before I throw myself onto my other tasks.'

It was with these considerations that Shiki took on the Peddler's Escort Mission. Technically, it should be a simple mission of escorting some travelling merchants on their way to the Land of Vegetables and protect them from common bandits.

If it was so, then it would be a simple low rank mission for genin to handle but Shiki knew, that among the peddlers, the heir of the Land of Vegetables, princess Haruna travelled in disguise with two bodyguards.

Protecting her and safely delivering her to her throne while making a sweet deal of behalf of Mugetsu was Shiki's true goal and, since the true rank of the mission is much higher, Shiki decided to bring along a sub-leader chunin to handle the two genin they would bring along with them.

Said chunin was Hinata, as for the accompanying genin, they would be Shikamaru and Choji. As sort of a little test, Shiki had told them that they had an extra unofficial to be completed at the same time as the official one but shared no details and only told them to take note of anything unusual.

Hinata, who was already somewhat used to Shiki's way of doing things, immediately realized that Shiki merely wanted them to figure it out themselves. Shikamaru figured it out as well but thought it was too troublesome and a total "drag" to do so.

Alas, under the threat of mandatory hellsih training byt Shiki, Shikamaru decided to take what was for him, the lesser of two evils, and take the mission and Shiki's little test seriously.

Soon the met and greeted with the group of peddlers they were escorting. They were rather simple folk and quite easy to get along with. Except for a particular arrogant fellow who immediately drew attention to "himself". "He" went by the name "Shun".

This was disguised princess Haruna herself, idiotically drawing attention to her group and antagonizing other people, despite their already quite precarious situation.

A while later into the journey, when the Land of Vegetables was in sight,pillars of smoke could be seen, rising from deep within the country.

"Should we check it out Shiki-san?" Hinata asked.

"No need." Shiki answered.

"There was coup in the Land of Vegetables. The smoke is the result of the usurper's forces looking for something . . . Or someone . . ." He added.

"How do you know that?" Shikamaru asked.

"I've checked up on the country's info and the place the smoke is coming from is within my sensory range. Even though the distance makes it hard to see clearly." Shiki explained, stunning everyone.

"You can't see that far!?" "Shun" asked.

"More or less. Let's keep moving." Shiki ordered.

"You don't think we're the target right?" Choji asked.

"Doesn't matter either way." Shiki responded.

"What do you mean, Shiki-san?" Shikamaru asked.

"If they come looking for our group, I'll be able to tell in advance to make preparations besides . . ."

"Besides?" "Shun" asked.

"If they dare to come . . ." Shiki started with a cold smile.

The I dare kill them." He said as if he had utterly no regard for human life.

"What about if we split up into two groups to draw attention from the weaker members like the children and elderly." "Shun" suggested.

'Heh! More like use them as bait so you can escape.' Shiki scoffed in his mind.

"That'll just make our life as guards harder. And it's not like they pose an actual threat." Shiki said.

"They don't?" "Shun" inquired.

"Let me put this way . . . Even if they converged all their forces on our position, their leaders included. I could still annihilate all of them while keeping all of you perfectly safe." Shiki said.

"Of course . . . That way, my three subordinate would have nothing to do and would be getting paid to just take a stroll so . . ." Shiki paused.

Hinata seemed to already know what was coming and was fully prepared but Shikamaru and Choji could feel something quite ominous from Shiki's words.

"I'll just be in charge of defense and will only interfere and attack if I think it necessary. That part, will be left for your three. Otherwise, there'd be no point in dragging you all along with me on this mission" Shiki declared.

"You can leave it to us!" Hinata answered with zeal.

'Ah Hinata! How far you've come.' Shiki praised in his mind.

The other two were unfortunately nowhere near as motivated to excel in their assignment.

"Anyways . . . Let's us just keep moving on the previously decided route shall we?"

And with this, they kept moving.

A bit later, Hinata suddenly motioned for the convoy to stop and said.

"Enemy shinobi approaching." Followed by their distance and the direction they were coming from.

"It's showtime fellas! Show me what you got."

"Easy for you to say Shiki-san!" Choji complained.

"Don't worry. I've marked everyone with the formula for my Flying Raijin. Even if you're on the other side of the world, I can instantly reach you so if it looks like you're getting killed, I'll surely intervene." Shiki assured.

And so, the group headed off into battle while the convoy hunkered down for a bit and rested under Shiki's protection.

One of the members however, was trying to sneak away. A retainer of the princess, disguised as a merchant.

"Haruna-sama, I shall go and delay the enemy while you escape." Kikunojo declared.

"No! Do you think that guy won't notice it!?" Haruna said in a low voice.

"This is the only way. I don't believe that man has such abilities." The man insisted.

But then, he suddenly heard a voice behind them.

"No you just made want to prove you wrong."

Immediately both shinobi guards turned to Shiki, weapons at the ready while the other peddlers looked warily at the group.

"Better put those toys way before you get yourself hurt boys." Shiki mockingly said.

Seeing that they just became more hostile, Shiki's attitude also changed as his expression became emotionless and he spoke with a tone that promised death.

"Stand, down . . ."

"Both of you! Put your weapons away!" Haruna commanded.

"Haruna-sama! This man is dangerous!" Kikunojo argued.

"Yes I am. And if you don't stand down, you'll get to taste exactly how dangerous I am." Shiki said.

In the end, Shiki simply got tired of it and, used his snake senjutsu to paralyze the both of them with a single strike of his Hidden Shadow Snake Hands jutsu.

"Looks like even your subordinates don't listen to you princess." Shiki teased.

"Hmph! Looks like you knew who I was from the beginning." She growled.

"Well, well! Smart, beautiful, perceptive . . . You do seem to have a lot going for you princess."

"What nonsense are saying!?" Haruna questioned with a flustered look and a blush gracing her cheeks.

"No nonsense, just the truth." Shiki replied.

Haruna just stamped ar fet at Shiki's flirty behaviour.

"What do you want?" She asked.

"Why don't we discuss that in private, shall we?" Shiki proposed.

"Fine!" Haruna replied.

They then moved a bit away from the others, much to the displeasure of the paralyzed duo.

"Wow! Didn't expect you to be so obedient." Shiki commented as he led the way.

"Not like I have the capability to say no." She mocked herself as she followed him.

"True! But I think I've got a solution to that problem." Shiki said.

This instantly made Haruna look up at the back of the man before her.

'What could this mysterious and godlike man want from me?' Haruna asked herself.

After that line, Shiki went on to use his silvered tongue and slowly, like a devious devil, entice Haruna to join him in his plans as the new Daimyo of the Land of Vegetables.

She would get a powerful backing that could make her to fear anyone and her country would prosper beyond belief in her hands, making her loved by all the citizens.

For a former political prisoner, who felt unçoved and isolated all her life, without any place to belong to, this was certainly an enticing offer.

The thought of being protected made her feel quite the fluttery feeling on her chest. Like she had butterflies in her stomach.

Shiki's upgraded lady killing skills were far too much for this young maiden who had yet to experience being loved and by endidn his offer with a powerful hug followed by some sweet nothings . . . Hook, line and sinker. How could Haruna resist?

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