It had been a few days since Team Shisui set out on their mission, and now, they found themselves in the Land of Tea. The country was a verdant paradise, lush with greenery and surrounded by mountains that seemed to cradle the endless rows of tea fields. The sight was nothing short of breathtaking, especially for Itachi, who had never seen such a landscape before. His usually calm and composed demeanour gave way to a flicker of awe in his dark eyes as he silently took in the view.
Shisui, usually quick to notice the smallest details, caught Itachi's reaction from the corner of his eye. He himself had been to countless places throughout the Elemental Nations, yet even he had to admit there was something special about this secluded corner of the map. The rolling hills and carefully cultivated tea fields, bathed in the soft light of the late afternoon, were mesmerising.
Noticing Naoki standing a few paces away, calmly observing the scenery with a serene expression, Shisui's curiosity got the better of him. "Naoki, have you been to the Land of Tea before?" he asked, his tone casual yet tinged with genuine interest.
Naoki, who had been lost in thought, blinked and turned to face Shisui. "Hmm? Yes, I have," he replied, his voice smooth and reflective. "I've travelled to most places in the world, including the island continent to the east, though I've only visited a few places there."
Itachi, who had been silently observing the exchange, tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing in thought. Shisui's expression mirrored his own surprise. "Tsunade-sama must have really liked travelling," Shisui commented, a light smile playing on his lips.
Naoki chuckled softly, a warm sound that matched the tranquil atmosphere around them. "She did. She wanted me to explore the world before settling in Konoha, to broaden my horizons. It's not something many shinobi get to experience—travelling for reasons other than missions, especially to remote areas like the Land of Honey or the Land of Vegetables."
Shisui nodded thoughtfully, his eyes scanning the distant mountains. "Makes sense. The world is bigger than just the village, after all."
Itachi remained quiet, his gaze returning to the landscape. There was something about Naoki's words that resonated with him. The idea of seeing the world beyond the village walls was appealing, though he knew his own path would likely keep him tethered to Konoha.
Their conversation tapered off naturally as they continued walking, their footsteps soft against the earthen path leading to Shocho Chayama's home. The air was filled with the subtle fragrance of tea leaves, and the sound of rustling foliage accompanied them on their journey. After about thirty minutes, they finally reached the merchant's residence—a quaint countryside house that was a perfect blend of comfort and history. The structure was neither overly luxurious nor too simple; it had an air of quiet elegance that made it both inviting and unassuming.
Shocho Chayama, a man in his late fifties with a kind face and a welcoming smile, greeted them warmly. His eyes, though lined with age, sparkled with the sharpness of a shrewd businessman. "Thank you for your help with the merchandise. How about you come inside and try some of my new tea?" he offered, gesturing towards his home.
Shisui returned the smile with a nod. "We'd be honoured."
The group followed Shocho Chayama inside, where they were led to a cosy living room. The room was tastefully decorated, with an array of antique tea sets displayed on wooden shelves, adding to the home's rustic charm. They settled into their seats as a maid brought in a tray with a beautifully crafted teapot and delicate porcelain cups.
"Here you go," Shocho Chayama said as he poured the tea. "This is one of our most popular products—Hon Gyokuro tea, made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant."
As the tea was served, the room filled with its fresh, grassy scent, underlined by a sweet, marine-like fragrance. Naoki took a sip, his eyes lighting up as the flavours danced on his tongue. "Oh wow," he murmured, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "This tea is delightful—rich in umami, with just the right balance of sweetness. I can taste hints of seaweed, butter, and even a slight nuttiness. Each flavour compliments the others perfectly."
Shocho Chayama chuckled, clearly impressed. "You have a refined palate, young one. I didn't take you for such a connoisseur of tea. Not many people know about umami—most only recognize the basic tastes of sweet, sour, salty, and bitter."
Naoki smiled modestly. "I've travelled a lot and experienced different foods from various cultures. My eldest sister taught me a lot about flavours."
Shisui, who had been quietly enjoying his tea, grinned at the exchange. "I don't know much about tea," he admitted, his tone light-hearted, "but I have to agree with Naoki. This is definitely something special." He shot a glance at Itachi, who nodded in silent agreement, his expression thoughtful as he cradled the warm cup in his hands.
Once the tea was finished, Naoki turned to Shocho Chayama, his demeanour shifting to something more serious. "Chayama-sama, may I have a private conversation with you?"
Shocho Chayama raised an eyebrow, intrigued but not alarmed. "Of course," he replied, setting down his cup.
Shisui immediately picked up on the change in atmosphere. He exchanged a brief look with Itachi, who returned the glance with a subtle nod. They both rose from their seats. "We'll wait outside," Shisui said, his tone polite yet firm.
Naoki nodded his thanks, watching as his teammates left the room before turning back to the merchant. Shocho Chayama's expression had shifted to one of mild curiosity, his business instincts on alert.
"So, what is it you wanted to discuss?" Shocho Chayama asked, leaning back slightly in his chair.
Naoki met his gaze with calm seriousness. "I wanted to talk business," he began, his voice steady. "As you might have guessed from my surname and the symbol on my armour, I'm from the Senju Clan. I also have ties to the Uzumaki Clan. I'm planning to reestablish my clan soon and want to propose a business contract with you when that happens."
Shocho Chayama's eyes widened slightly in surprise before narrowing in thought. "And what exactly would I gain from this arrangement?" he asked, his tone measured.
Naoki nodded, as if expecting the question. "The Senju name still holds immense influence, not just in Konoha or the Land of Fire, but throughout the Elemental Nations. Associating your business with our clan could elevate your brand significantly. You'd have the right to use the Senju name, which would give you access to markets and opportunities that are otherwise difficult to obtain. Additionally, we could offer protection—there would be no need for you to hire shinobi. You'd also have the option to set up shops in the Senju district or in prime locations within the village, which we control. In return, we'd take a percentage of the sales."
Shocho Chayama leaned forward, his interest clearly piqued. The offer was tempting—hard to refuse, even. He weighed the pros and cons quickly, his business acumen kicking in. After a moment, he smiled and nodded. "Very well. Though we might be a few years away from that point, I agree to your conditions. When the time comes, I will gladly enter into this partnership."
Satisfied with the outcome, Naoki smiled and rose from his seat. "Thank you, Chayama-sama. I look forward to working with you."
As Naoki left the room, Shocho Chayama's son, Deshi, who had been eavesdropping, stepped forward, a look of disbelief on his young face. "Dad, why did you agree to his terms? He's just a kid."
Shocho Chayama sighed, a mix of exasperation and amusement in his expression as he turned to his son. "Deshi, you have a lot to learn about the world. That 'kid' is from the Senju Clan—a clan more powerful than some entire nations. His youth is exactly why I agreed. A child, barely seven or eight, handling a C-rank mission? That alone speaks volumes about his potential. Not to mention, he's related to Tsunade Senju and the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Opportunities like this don't come often."
Deshi's eyes widened as he absorbed his father's words. The weight of Naoki's lineage and the significance of his offer slowly sank in, leaving him both impressed and slightly overwhelmed by the realisation.
As Naoki stepped outside, he was greeted by the warm glow of the late afternoon sun and the sight of Shisui and Itachi patiently waiting for him. The Land of Tea was painted in hues of gold and amber, the lush green fields of tea glowing softly under the sun's rays. The mountains in the distance stood tall, their peaks just beginning to blur into the orange and pink of the evening sky. The air was crisp and fresh, carrying the subtle scent of tea leaves and earth, a comforting reminder of the nature surrounding them.
Shisui, leaning casually against a wooden post, straightened as Naoki approached. His usually carefree demeanour was softened by the tranquillity of the surroundings, but there was a familiar spark of curiosity in his eyes. "All done with your conversation?" he asked, his voice light but edged with genuine interest.
Naoki nodded in response, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Shisui's gaze remained steady as he considered their next move. "So, what's the plan now? We could head straight back to Konoha, or we could take some time to explore this place a bit more. It's not every day we get to visit somewhere like this."
Naoki's eyes widened slightly at Shisui's words, a hint of surprise flashing across his face. "You're not going to ask me what I talked about with Chayama-sama?" he inquired, his tone a mix of curiosity and amusement.
Shisui chuckled, his lips curling into a knowing smile as he turned to face Naoki fully. Reaching out, he ruffled the younger shinobi's hair with a fondness that spoke of their growing bond. "Naoki, just because I'm your Jonin instructor doesn't mean I have the right to pry into everything. Everyone's entitled to their privacy, and I trust you to handle your own matters. I'm guessing whatever you discussed had something to do with your clan, and that's your business, not mine."
Naoki's smile deepened, the warmth in Shisui's words settling in his chest. "Thanks, Shisui. And to answer your earlier question, I think we should stay a bit longer. I know the perfect place for us to grab a bite—especially since Itachi's stomach seems to be agreeing with me."
As if on cue, Itachi's normally composed expression shifted into one of mild embarrassment, his cheeks tinged with the faintest hint of pink as he quickly looked away. Shisui's laughter was immediate, a rich, hearty sound that filled the air. "You've got a point, Naoki-kun," Shisui agreed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "So, where's this magical place you're taking us?"
Naoki's grin grew as he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as if sharing a well-kept secret. "It's a place called Kuma no MITSU. Their signature dish is honey-glazed bear meat, but this isn't just any bear meat. It's sourced from the Land of Bears, with honey imported directly from the Land of Honey. The vegetables come from the Land of Vegetables, and the sauces… they're from the Land of Sauces on the island continent to the east. They've brought together the best ingredients from all over the world to create something truly special."
As Naoki described the dish, both Shisui and Itachi couldn't help but be captivated by the vivid imagery his words painted. Shisui's mouth watered involuntarily, and Itachi, despite his usual calm demeanour, found himself visibly intrigued, his dark eyes gleaming with interest. The image of the succulent, honey-glazed bear meat, perfectly cooked and paired with the freshest vegetables and rich, exotic sauces, was enough to set their imaginations—and appetites—ablaze.
"That sounds amazing," Shisui admitted, the excitement in his voice impossible to miss. "Where is this place, Naoki-kun? Take us there right now."
Before Naoki could respond, Itachi's stomach growled again, louder this time, as if in agreement with Shisui. The sound broke through the momentary seriousness, causing all three of them to burst into laughter. It was a rare, wholesome moment, the kind that solidified the bond between them. Even Itachi, usually reserved, couldn't help but join in, his laughter soft but genuine, the corners of his eyes crinkling in a way that only happened when he was truly at ease.
As their laughter died down, Naoki gestured ahead, leading the way toward the restaurant. The sun continued its slow descent, casting long shadows and bathing the landscape in a golden glow. The sky, now a canvas of warm oranges, pinks, and purples, provided a stunning backdrop as they walked side by side, their spirits high.
The road ahead seemed to stretch out infinitely, a winding path that disappeared into the horizon where the sky met the earth. Yet, in that moment, it felt less like a journey back to the village and more like a walk with friends, each step light and filled with the promise of good food and better company.
As they moved toward the restaurant, the laughter and light-hearted banter continued to flow naturally between them, carried along by the gentle breeze. The sunset painted the world in a soft, almost magical light, as if the universe itself was acknowledging the warmth and companionship that bound the three shinobi together.
And so, with the beauty of the Land of Tea as their backdrop and the promise of a delicious meal ahead, Shisui, Itachi, and Naoki walked on, their laughter echoing into the evening, a simple yet profound reminder of the small joys that made life as a shinobi worth living.