Chapter 35: Kurenai Yuhi and Aburame Shino Are Startled

Several minutes later, Kurenai Yuhi finally emerged from the inn.

"The client still needs to make some purchases in the Leaf Village. Tomorrow morning at eight o'clock, make sure to gather at the village entrance on time," Kurenai instructed. "After we disband later, go back and prepare your change of clothes, as well as camping tents and blankets. It would be best to also prepare some Soldier Pills. If you can't fit everything, then go buy a Storage Scroll. The payment you've received recently is more than enough to afford it."

"Yes," Team 8 nodded in acknowledgment.

"Remember, tomorrow morning at eight o'clock sharp. Don't be late," Kurenai reminded them once more before disappearing with the Body Flicker Technique.

Izayoi and Hinata also parted ways with Aburame Shino.

"Izayoi-kun, you don't need to buy a Storage Scroll. I'll bring one tomorrow," Hinata said softly.

Izayoi pinched Hinata's cheek playfully and teased, "As expected of a young lady from a prestigious family. Are you planning to take care of me already?"

"T-take care of you…" Hinata's face instantly turned red, and her voice trembled.

"Just kidding," Izayoi said, patting Hinata's head. He then took her small hand in his and smiled. "You don't need to bring a Storage Scroll. I'll just bring a backpack. If we need to camp outdoors, I'll stay up to protect you."

Hearing this, Hinata's face turned even redder. She instinctively lowered her head, looking at their intertwined fingers, and a happy smile appeared on her lips.

Her heart felt as sweet as if she had eaten honey.

Although their relationship hadn't fully progressed yet, the way Izayoi and Hinata interacted was no different from that of a couple.

If it weren't for the consideration that making their relationship public might reach her family and invite interference from some of the elders, Hinata would have already taken the initiative to confess her feelings to Izayoi.

Once both she and Izayoi became Jonin, or even Elite Jonin who could serve as the clan's ace fighters, they would be able to be together openly.

Not even her father or the clan elders could stop them.

That day would definitely come soon.

Hinata suddenly tightened her grip on Izayoi's hand, silently vowing in her heart.

Izayoi didn't know Hinata's thoughts, or he would have surely smiled with pride again.

The changed Hinata was already outstanding enough.

With a goal in mind, Hinata would become even more remarkable.

With proper guidance, the princess of the Byakugan would shine with dazzling brilliance.

...

The next day, at 7:50 in the morning.

Izayoi and Hinata, each carrying a backpack, arrived at the village entrance.

There, Aburame Shino, who was also only carrying a backpack, had been waiting for some time.

"Good morning."

"Morning."

"Shino, didn't you bring a tent?"

"I did. It's in the Storage Scroll. If you need Soldier Pills, just ask me."

"Thanks, but Hinata already prepared some for me."

"..."

After exchanging their usual greetings, Izayoi and Shino fell into an awkward conversation.

However, this time, it wasn't the 'aloof' Shino who killed the conversation, but Izayoi himself.

Shino, who had unexpectedly been fed a mouthful of dog food, showed no change in expression, but his mood was far from pleasant.

Still, his personality wouldn't allow him to make sarcastic remarks, so he chose to remain silent.

Seeing Shino fall silent again, Izayoi could only whisper to Hinata on the side.

To avoid being overheard, Izayoi stuck to normal topics and didn't tease Hinata.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Not long after, Kurenai Yuhi's voice drew the attention of Izayoi and the other two.

A convoy of over a dozen people soon came into their view. Leading the group were Kurenai Yuhi and a middle-aged man dressed in ordinary clothes.

The middle-aged man was currently scrutinizing Izayoi and the other two, a warm smile on his face. Through the windows of his soul, one could see his joy.

Moreover, Izayoi and the others noticed that the man's gaze lingered the longest on Hinata.

It wasn't because of Hinata's figure, which surpassed her peers, but because of her eyes.

Izayoi extended his senses but detected no malice from the man.

It seemed that he wasn't targeting Hinata's Byakugan, but rather, he was pleased that the escort team included someone with the Byakugan.

The Byakugan of the Hyuga Clan was the most renowned sensory eye in the Shinobi World.

With its 360-degree telescopic and x-ray vision, it could see through any low-level Invisibility Technique.

Even Earth Release techniques that allowed one to merge with the ground couldn't escape the eyes of the Hyuga Clan.

Having the Byakugan in the team meant they could detect danger in advance and escape in time.

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The fact that the reward for a C-rank mission could secure the services of a Hyuga Clan member was simply a steal.

No wonder the middle-aged man was so delighted.

Once Izayoi understood this, he stopped worrying.

"Let me introduce you. This is our client. You can call him Mr. Nishimura," Kurenai Yuhi introduced the middle-aged man to Izayoi and the others.

"Mr. Nishimura."

Team 8 greeted him politely.

"Hello, I'll be counting on you from now on."

Mr. Nishimura had no airs about him; instead, he kept a very humble demeanor.

Seeing that the client was so easy to get along with, Team 8, who had encountered difficult clients during D-rank missions and had to put in extra effort to earn good reviews, breathed a sigh of relief.

"Let's go, we can set off now."

Kurenai Yuhi and Mr. Nishimura handed the pre-arranged village exit permits to the Chuunin guarding the gate. For the first time in twelve years, Izayoi and the others stepped out of the village they had lived in.

At first, Hinata and Aburame Shino were very excited to see the outside world.

However, after passing through the first small town, they were greatly disappointed.

Although the Land of Fire had many bustling commercial towns like Tanzaku Street, most were ordinary towns and villages, naturally not as developed as the Leaf Village, which served as a military base.

Moreover, most nobles traveled by palanquins carried by people or by horse-drawn carriages.

High-tech transportation like trains wouldn't appear for many years.

In less than a day, Hinata and Aburame Shino lost their excitement and focused on the mission.

Shinobi moved quickly. If they traveled at full speed, it would take about three days to go from the Leaf Village in the Land of Fire to the Hidden Sand Village in the Land of Wind.

In a little over a week, they could reach the most remote parts of the Shinobi World.

But that was for shinobi.

If the team included ordinary people, the speed would depend on their pace.

The mining team had over a dozen people and two carriages. Since they weren't carrying any cargo on the return trip, they moved much faster than walking.

Even so, the team moved in fits and starts, taking eight days to finally leave the Land of Fire.

"Hinata, how's the surrounding situation?"

As soon as they left the territory of the Land of Fire, the forest path turned into a mountain trail. Kurenai Yuhi, noticing Hinata with her Byakugan activated and veins bulging at her temples, asked her a question.

"Within a radius of twenty kilometers, there is no danger whatsoever."

"What?!"

Hinata had given a safe response, but it nearly caused Kurenai and Aburame Shino to drop their jaws in shock.

There was no helping it—they were both stunned by the data Hinata had provided.

(End of Chapter)