Chapter 51: Minato's Words
The conversation between master and student concluded. Now fully aware of why he had been summoned, Minato Namikaze's expression grew serious as he turned to Veigar Koshima.
"Veigar, your free training time is over. Gather at the village gate at noon—we have a new mission."
Veigar, who had gone over a week without undertaking any missions, immediately understood that Minato's sudden reappearance meant something important.
Hearing about the new assignment, Veigar didn't ask unnecessary questions. His expression turned resolute as he responded, "Understood, Minato-sensei."
"I'll go prepare right away."
Minato nodded in acknowledgment. "Go ahead."
"I need to make preparations as well, so I'll be heading off first."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Minato had already vanished from Veigar's sight.
Veigar then left the forest, departing from Training Ground 44.
...
Noon, Konoha Village Gate.
Right on schedule, the three members of Minato's squad assembled at the village gate, where Veigar and Kakashi Hatake were briefed on their new mission.
Their task: escorting a merchant named Kazuo Yoshino back to the Land of Rain.
Before long, their client arrived, leading a caravan of over ten people toward the Konoha village gate.
Kazuo Yoshino, a merchant from the Land of Rain, struck Veigar as a cheerful, plump businessman who always had a smile on his face.
Though he had already met Minato, it was the first time he was encountering Veigar and Kakashi.
Despite this, Kazuo displayed no sign of disrespect. Instead, he bowed deeply and spoke with great deference.
"Lord Minato, and esteemed shinobi, I entrust my safety to you on this journey."
Minato responded with a polite smile. "No need for such formality, Mr. Yoshino. Ensuring your safety is our duty."
He then gestured toward Veigar and Kakashi, introducing them.
"These are my students, Veigar and Kakashi. The three of us will be handling your protection."
Kazuo bowed again, his tone filled with reverence. "Understood."
"Lord Veigar. Lord Kakashi."
As a well-traveled merchant, Kazuo had always shown proper respect toward the strong.
Seeing his sincerity, both Veigar and Kakashi promptly responded, "Mr. Yoshino, you're too kind."
Minato took over the conversation. "Mr. Yoshino, are you fully prepared?"
"If everything is in order, we'll set off immediately."
Kazuo nodded. "I am ready and will follow your lead, Lord Minato."
Minato acknowledged his response with a nod. "Then let's go."
With that, Minato swiftly handled the departure procedures, and Veigar embarked on his second mission beyond the village walls.
...
Unlike their previous mission, where the team had only escorted a single individual, this time they were responsible for an entire caravan—fourteen people in total, including Kazuo Yoshino, along with four heavily loaded carts of goods.
Moreover, the mission required them to leave the Land of Fire and cross into the Land of Rain.
Along the way, there was a significant risk of bandit attacks—precisely why Kazuo had requested Konoha shinobi for protection.
The merchant caravan advanced slowly along the main road. Veigar and Kakashi remained on either side, vigilantly scanning their surroundings for any signs of danger.
Minato, on the other hand, rode in the lead carriage alongside Kazuo, ensuring the client's safety.
Their journey proceeded without incident. With Minato's squad providing security, Kazuo and his caravan successfully reached the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain.
Apart from a few wild animal encounters, there were no threats along the way. However, neither Veigar nor Kakashi dared to let their guard down.
This was an unspoken rule passed down by countless shinobi who had learned it through blood and hardship:
The closer one gets to success, the more cautious one must be. A moment's carelessness could lead to disaster.
By the time they reached the border, the sky had already darkened. The group chose a suitable location to set up camp.
As Kazuo's men busied themselves pitching tents and lighting fires, Minato gathered Veigar and Kakashi for a briefing.
"Veigar, Kakashi, tomorrow we'll be crossing the border. Stay on high alert for any threats."
"The Land of Rain is far less hospitable than the Land of Fire. It rains constantly, and more importantly, the border is crawling with bandit groups. It's highly likely they'll attempt an ambush tomorrow."
Veigar and Kakashi nodded in unison. "Understood, Minato-sensei. We'll be extra cautious."
Minato continued, his tone firm. "Above all else, prioritize your own safety."
"Although this is classified as a C-rank mission, never underestimate the dangers. The border isn't just infested with bandits—there could also be wanted criminals or rogue ninjas from other villages lurking in the area."
"Our mission ends once we escort Mr. Yoshino safely past the border. At that point, Rain Country shinobi will take over."
Veigar and Kakashi immediately grasped Minato's concerns. Ordinary bandits wouldn't pose much of a threat.
But if rogue ninjas were among them, the situation could become far more perilous.
They had to remain vigilant.
Veigar and Kakashi exchanged determined looks and nodded once more. "Understood, Minato-sensei. We won't let our guard down."
Seeing that his point had been made, Minato's usual warm smile returned.
"No need to be overly anxious. Even if we do run into enemy shinobi, rest assured—I'll protect you both."
Hearing those words, Veigar was suddenly reminded of the future, when Obito Uchiha, at the start of the Fourth Great Ninja War, bitterly complained to Minato Namikaze, who had been resurrected via Edo Tensei
Recalling that future confrontation, Veigar's expression turned somewhat odd.
Minato noticed and raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
"Veigar, is something on your mind?"
Veigar shook his head and replied, "No, nothing at all."
"Don't worry, Sensei. With Kakashi and me working together, as long as the enemy isn't too formidable, we'll be fine."
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