There was no problem for Takeshi to lead the way. Takeshi had just eaten a lot of chicken skewers, and he also wanted to move around as he digests it.
The only question worth thinking about was - what was Minato's intention in marking him without even telling him? Takeshi sat on Minato's shoulder and enjoyed the thrill of running at high speed.
Along the way, he found Obito's location based on his scent. Obito used to be hard to find. This guy is now just like Guy, running around the village every day, making his scent spread all over the village.
It's not difficult to judge he is by which checking in which side the scent is stronger and fresher. So, he navigated different directions, going back and forth for nearly ten minutes before he found Obito in a very remote place in Konoha. He had just helped an old woman go home and was returning happily from there.
"Go home, tidy up and prepare for a mission out of the village. Meet by the village gate in in 40 mins" Minato instructed Obito.
After giving orders, Minato travelled back with Takeshi. He still had to return home and tell Kushina.
This couldn't be avoided, this mission came so suddenly that even he was caught off guard, but adapted quickly, as in this profession such missions aren't rare.
'It's been too long since I've been on a high ranking mission, and I was getting bored for a while, and there is only so much shopping I can do with Kushina...'
"Kushina, are you home ? Wait... Why are you here Takeshi ? Shouldn't you be with Rin?" Minato used Flying Thunder God to return home, felt surprised after seeing Takeshi on his shoulders.
He was a little surprised and abit embarrassed at the same time. After all, he was back to have a private meeting with his lover, and Rin and the rest of team didn't have the Flying Thunder God's mark on them so he cannot teleport Takeshi to them... this was a bit troublesome.
Takeshi fell into silence as stared at Minato with blank expressed, 'That's a good question indeed. I also want to know why I'm here. If you wanted to go home and didn't to want take me along, then why bring me along ?'
Just as he was about to jump off the man's shoulder, a figure quickly approached and picked him up, happily spinning in circles and saying, "Hey, hey, little Takeshi, did you come here to play? You should visit more often."
"Meow!" Takeshi struggled, but couldn't break free from her ruthless hands. Minato had no intention of helping at all. 'Traitor!'
He stood there watching the scene while chuckling. He was probably thinking about how to tell Kushina that he was going out to do a mission.
Uzumaki Kushina had a dream of being Hokage when she was a child. Unfortunately, her identity as a jinchuriki prevented her from leaving the village to participate in battles, so she could not accumulate prestige at all, let alone become Hokage.
For her, being the Hokage is destined to be just a dream, yet a more realistic goal is to be the Hokage's wife. At least Minato is still a strong competitor for the Fourth hokage.
After being tortured for a while, Kushina was persuaded by Minato to let go of Takeshi. Then Minato informed his lover that he was going on a mission.
And just like that Kushina's happiness vanished. Of course, for any relative of a ninja knows going on a mission is unavoidable, and Kushina is aware of that and has gotten adjusted to that, but that doesn't change the gripping fear and worry she has for Minato's well being and safety.
Minato, having already used to this said some sweet romantic words to her to comfort her, while taking the time to pack his ninja tools and luggage, it was almost time almost the time he gave his students to meet by the time he left.
Takeshi didn't leave Minato's home, as Minato didn't use Flying Thunder God to send him to Rin. He just waited to hitchhike on Minato to quickly Teleport from one corner of Konoha to the gate of the village at other corner.
According to the one hour time given, they barely arrived on time so by the time they arrived, Kakashi, Obito and Rin were already waiting at the gate.
In addition to them, there was also a caravan led by a middle-aged man. Though it is abit too small to a caravan.
Takeshi guessed that this caravan going to the Land of Grass is not as simple as just selling goods. Of course, none of this is important to them.
As Minato came last, Obito took joy in not being the last one arriving today.
"Sensei, you were too slow!" Obito complained shamelessly.
"Hahaha, it's because you came too early. I had to handle some official matters and documentations. Don't worry about these stuffs. Now that everyone is here, let's set off. The sooner we get to the border, the sooner we can finish our mission." Minato smiled awkwardly, and then quickly switched topic.
"Meow~ If he hadn't spent so much time with his wife, Minato-sensei would definitely have arrived earlier, he said to Kus...." Before he could finish, a hand clamped over his mouth, stifling the rest of his speech, Takeshi had proudly exposed his lie, but Minato covered her mouth to prevent him from speaking more... The rest of the speech was covered by muffled sounds, as Takeshi struggled to break free.
"..." Rin felt a little embarrassed. It was the first time that her Sensei had such a reaction, but thinking about it, Sensei meeting his wife before leaving... 'ahem, it's quite normal, isn't it?'
Minato covered the cat's mouth and said with a smile, "Uehara-san, are you prepared to go?"
"Any time." Uehara Kazuhiro nodded lightly.
Takeshi glanced around. Uehara Kazuhiro was obviously not a ninja, but the guards around him are now Konoha ninjas, along with tall and strong samurai's. This guy was obviously not doing normal business.
Then he sniffed. 'The scent of iron, weapons?' Takeshi became thoughtful, and he came to a realization - during the war, what other commodity is more important and easier to sell than weapons! No wonder a Jonin team was sent.
"Sensei, we have to hurry up. Let me carry Takeshi for you."
'??? There's something wrong with you, Obito!' Takeshi was a little surprised. As in the past, Obito was very resistant when he jumped on Obito's shoulder to hitchhike, but now he actively asked to carry him along... This guy has changed!
"Meow! Are you Guy?" Takeshi stretched out his paws, with a look of disbelief and poked at him to check for Transformation.
"No, I just think you are quite fat and would be good substitute for training weights." Obito said in straightforward manner, but words were quite heart-wrenching. Takeshi stretched out its claws to smack him, but Rin pulled him back.
"Takeshi, don't make trouble, Obito, you don't have to carry him, I can do it." Rin bowed lightly to express her gratitude, and then placed Takeshi in his old position on the medical box - she specially modified the top of the medical box to create a place where Takeshi can lie down.
Not long after, their large group set off. Since they were following the caravan, the travel speed wasn't fast and the physical exertion was not intense.
However, Obito was jumping up and down the whole time without stopping, just like a replica of Guy.
Later...Kakashi also became a little nervous, deeply suspicious that Obito would suddenly jump in front of him and say "Youth!", "Passion!", "Duel!" and other incomprehensible words in the next second.
Because the two people are becoming more and more similar, Obito is almost the same as Guy except for the additional Uchiha mark on his clothes and Sharingan. Same energetic, similar passion.
'It's a disaster waiting to happen for me. ' Kakashi sighed inwardly.
In comparison, Takeshi is quite open-minded and doesn't mind the change. Obito is his most stable source of points. Without such a great teammate, how can he get points?
In addition. The most surprising thing is that he actually gained points from the very good-tempered Minato! Although it is only over four hundred, which is not a high value compared to Minato's strength, it can be regarded as breaking the embarrassing situation of "0" income from Minato till now.
'I need to keep up the good work!' Takeshi was lying in the medical box, looking at the points value that was close to six thousand, and his heart was full of happiness.
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