Chapter 73: Lying in Ambush

"So that's how it is..."

'Eve-every day watching me?'

Hinata nodded shyly, unable to ask any more questions.

However, Uchiha Kage's answer did not completely dispel the doubts in her heart.

'And not just the Gentle Fist, other abilities of Kage-kun are also very intriguing.'

Still dazedly following Uchiha Kage out of her room, out of the Hyuga clan, and to the gates of Konoha Village, the young lady of the Byakugan family was still pondering with her head down.

'Should I continue to ask Kage-kun?'

'What if, what if Kage-kun is reallyin the dream...'

'Then those previous compliments about my eyes being beautiful, and calling me baby, are all true.'

'Ugh...'

This huge temptation made Hinata have to imagine the possibility of all this existing.

'If the dream is true, then even if I have to defy my father, defy the clan, I will... I will...'

"Hinata, you've been acting strange since earlier, did this guy bully you when he went to find you?", At the gathering point of Team 8 outside the gates of Konoha Village, Yuhi Kurenai looked strangely at Hinata, who had been blushing and keeping her head down.

Although she really likes to pair Uchiha Kage and Hinata together, every time she sees Hinata like this, she feels a very unpleasant sensation in her heart.

It's as if something has been taken away by someone else.

"N-no!"

'Not only was there no bullying, Kage-kun was very gentle in treating such a... shameless girl like me.'

But recalling the treatment scene, remembering the feeling of Uchiha Kage's hand holding her ankle, Hinata's face turned even more crimson.

"Really?"

Hinata's reaction made Yuhi Kurenai even more suspicious.

"Shouldn't we talk about the mission, sensei?"

Although Uchiha Kage also likes to see Hinata's shy expression, he feels that if the girl continues to be shy today, her brain might just burn out.

"Hmph! Anyway, you're not allowed to bully Hinata, got it?"

'This disciple is definitely not honest, otherwise Hinata wouldn't be as shy as today... red like a burning cloud.'

'This is too abnormal!'

If it weren't for knowing the character of this female disciple, Yuhi Kurenai would have wanted to send her to Konoha Hospital for a check-up.

"Sensei, if we don't leave soon, it will be dark," Facing the unfounded accusations from the female teacher, Uchiha Kage didn't care at all.

He just wants to finish the mission quickly and return to the village.

Although he can't participate in the Chunin Exams, he still hopes to catch up with the big show brought by the Chunin Exams.

"Yeah, sensei, let's not bother with such trivial matters," Shino, who had already been bribed by Uchiha Kage's Hidden Mist Technique, also chimed in to help.

After all, Hinata would be willing even if she were bullied by Kage.

"Shut up! It's the first time I've seen you so eager to do a mission, you must be feeling guilty," But obviously, Yuhi Kurenai only heard Uchiha Kage's words and perfectly ignored Shino.

"Hinata, quickly say how he exactly..."

"Kage-kun has been very good to me, sensei, don't wrong him," Hinata shook the female teacher's arm, then hurriedly clarified for Uchiha Kage.

'If this continues, she really might faint from shyness.'

"You..."

Even the most obedient Hinata has opposed her.

Yuhi Kurenai has completely lost the desire to interrogate Uchiha Kage.

But the sour feeling in her heart is also growing.

"Let's go, this mission might be more dangerous than the last one, you all need to be prepared."

Burying other emotions temporarily in her heart, Yuhi Kurenai finally got serious and discussed the mission with her three disciples.

———

"Samehada and the Executioner's Blade should both be on the way, are you enough alone?"

[Outside Konoha Village]

Uchiha Itachi, with his face wrapped in bandages, leaned against a large tree and conveyed information to Kisame, who was also leaning against the same tree on the other side.

"Itachi-san, are you concerned about me?"

Kisame looked up through the branches and leaves of the tree at the gradually darkening sky.

'It's going to rain again.'

"I remember you said that people like us will eventually die a bad death."

"I did say that."

Through the bandages, Uchiha Itachi could already feel the rain from the splashes of raindrops falling on the leaves.

Pitter-patter!

Just like the rain that day in front of the cave.

"And that kid, I just didn't use my full strength last time..."

"I'm not worried about you, just here to tell you a fact."

Uchiha Itachi's tone was still quite cold, but it effectively interrupted Kisame's self-satisfaction.

"You alone going to find him, you will definitely die."

"Hey hey, do you really think I can't even handle a kid?"

Although he no longer had Samehada, Kisame didn't think he would really lose, even though that Uchiha boy performed quite impressively that day.

And reclaiming Samehada is a matter of his dignity, even if Itachi is still his companion, he would only act alone.

"That's all the information."

Uchiha Itachi walked out from under the tree, letting the cold raindrops from the sky hit his face.

"Hope next time it won't be a new face."

Splash!

With this last sentence, Uchiha Itachi's body turned into several crows and dissipated in the quiet night rain.

"You really think highly of that kid, but..."

After Uchiha Itachi left, Kisame quickly put away the playfulness on his face.

'Actually, compared to fighting, I'm better at lurking and hiding.'

Recalling the years of doing missions under Suikazan Fuguki in Kirigakure, a rare trace of sadness appeared on Kisame's face, something he had never shown to others before.

"But, it seems, I can somewhat understand why Itachi-san likes to be in the rain."

———

"Representing Konoha to form an alliance with Kirigakure?"

"This should be an S-rank mission, right?"

While on the move, both Hinata and Shino were surprised by the content of the mission after hearing it.

"Although it's an S-rank mission, we will only receive A-rank mission compensation."

Yuhi Kurenai emphasized the Third Hokage's stingy behavior.

"However, there will be other compensations, after returning to the village, you will be specially promoted to Chunin by the Hokage."

"So, we don't need to take the Chunin Exams anymore?"

Shino and Hinata looked at each other.

Being directly promoted to Chunin seems quite good.

"Yes, so... this mission is equivalent to your Chunin Exams, work hard."

Uchiha Kage aside, Yuhi Kurenai now wants the other two disciples to be able to stand on their own as soon as possible.

Promotion from Genin to Chunin is not just an honor, the dangers of the missions they will face in the future will also increase exponentially.

"Yes, sensei!"

"Now let's talk about the dangers of this mission."

Looking at the serious and obedient Hinata and Shino, Yuhi Kurenai's face softened a bit.

"This time, to form an alliance with Kirigakure, the Third Hokage has us bring two of Kirigakure's swords, and the bodies of the two Kirigakure missing-nin, Momochi Zabuza and Haku..."

And the danger they will face is the S-rank missing-nin from last time, Kisame Hoshigaki, who is likely to come to reclaim the sword Samehada, and the Kirigakure Anbu pursuit team that wants to reclaim the bodies of the Kirigakure missing-nin.

"But once we reach the Land of Water, reach Kirigakure, the crisis will be lifted, and the mission will be almost complete."

Unless Kirigakure intends to directly go to war with Konoha, it is impossible for them to attack Konoha's envoys.

"Understood?"

"Understood."

'Is the enemy that shark-like ninja from last time?'

'And the Kirigakure Anbu ninjas...'

Hinata looked at Uchiha Kage, who was still moving beside her.

'Kage-oun is so strong, he definitely won't be afraid of these dangers, but I also... must work hard not to hold him back.'

"The enemies are Kirigakure ninjas..."

Hearing this, Shino was more motivated than usual.

Using the Hidden Mist Technique in front of Kirigakure ninjas would definitely be interesting.

"Sensei, let me carry Samehada."

Uchiha Kage looked at the gradually darkening sky.

Logically, Kisame should have already received the information that they are carrying the Samehada sword out of the village.

But a whole day has passed, and he hasn't shown up.

This is slightly unsettling.

Just to be safe, Uchiha Kage decided to carry the most important Samehada sword on his back to attract some attention.

"Hmph..."

But due to the earlier confrontation, Yuhi Kurenai seemed to still be sulking, completely ignoring him.

"Sensei?"

Uchiha Kage also didn't quite understand why the female teacher was still angry for so long.

This doesn't match her usual gentle big sister image at all.

Even if it's for Hinata's sake, it shouldn't be to this extent, he really didn't bully Hinata, at least not much in reality.

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