With Riku holding the sealed scroll containing the details of their first mission, a palpable sense of suspense and anticipation enveloped the trio.
Riku said, "This one's a straightforward mission, nothing too complicated. You should all be able to handle it with ease." His casual assurance only deepened the suspense for the genins.
Hiro couldn't help but remark, "This isn't good guys. If Riku-sensei says a mission is easy, it's probably anything but that. I mean, look at our daily training sessions. 'Easy' isn't exactly a word I'd associate with those."
Aiko, nodding in agreement, added, "Yeah, it's like he thrives on pushing us to our limits. 'Easy' for Riku-sensei might be a whole different level for us."
Riku's eye twitched.'I can hear them.'
Since they were a couple of meters away from Mahito and Riku, the genins decided to mutter amongst them. Oblivious to the fact that Riku could hear them.
Renjiro finally chimed in, "Well, whatever it is, we'll handle it. We've been through tough training together, and a mission should be no different."
'It's probably going to be the usual Bandit clearing mission. I don't know why Hiro and Aiko are worried.'
Riku returned and instead of conveying the details of the mission, he passed the scroll to Renjiro and instructed him to read the mission details out loud for the other two to listen.
As Renjiro unfolded the scroll and began to read aloud, the mission details unfolded before Team 15.
"This is a D rank mission. You are tasked with escorting Hozuki Fakinshi on his journey back to Yorinaka village in the Land of Soups."
"Why are we escorting this Hozuki Fakinshi?" Hiro inquired.
Renjiro responded, "It seems like Hozuki Fakinshi is a representative from Yorinaka village, and he has been attending diplomatic meetings here in Konoha. Now, it's our responsibility to ensure his safe return home."
Riku, observing his team's reactions, added, "Indeed. While the mission is easy, we must stay vigilant. Our task is not just to escort but to guarantee the safety of Hozuki Fakinshi."
"Head back home and get everything in order. Escort missions can take time, and it's crucial to be well-prepared for any situation. Ensure you have the necessary supplies, equipment, and a strategic plan in place."
The team nodded in acknowledgement. They dispersed with each member making their way to their respective homes to gather essentials for the mission.
Renjiro did not go home immediately but made his way to Kushina's residence, a place where he had been expanding his knowledge of fuinjutsu recently.
"Kushina-sensei, I've got a mission coming up, so we will have to postpone our fuinjutsu classes until I get back. I hope you understand." Renjiro said the moment he saw Kushina.
Kushina nodded understandingly. "Of course, Renjiro. Your mission comes first. Stay safe, and we can resume our training when you return."
Renjiro then headed to inform Sora, his former classmate who was still in the academy, to relay the message to Miwa. It had been quite some time since they last spoke as she was still in the academy and Renjiro had to focus on his genin training.
After a bit of catching up, Renjiro passed on the information to Sora who promised to notify Miwa the moment she returned back to the village from her mission. With every errand completed, Renjiro headed home, packed the essentials and rested the night away.
At dawn the following morning, the members of Team 15 reconvened at the village gate as they prepared to embark on their mission. Renjiro, carrying a backpack with his essentials, approached Aiko and Hiro, who were already present.
He had mainly packed extra kunais and clothes. He was still working on his fuinjutsu, so he chose to wait until he could make his own storage seals instead of buying them. Yes, Renjiro was cheap.
'In as much as this is this is just the village gate, It's still nostalgic. Not in the sense that I have been here, but it is exactly how it was depicted in the anime. Although I was only here a couple of years ago when Miwa brought me to Konoha, the sentiment is still there.'
Just as Renjiro was reminiscing, Riku arrived as the last member of their group
"Good morning guys, are you ready?"
The team returned his greeting. Inwardly, they were all wishing that he would keep the same spirit of punctuality during their daily training.
Hozuki Fakinshi, the merchant they were tasked to accompany, arrived at the village gate. His presence marked the commencement of their journey, and with a brisk pace, he approached Team 15.
"Ah, Rikus-san, isn't it?" Fakinshi greeted them, a sense of urgency in his tone.
"I appreciate your assistance in this matter. Time is of the essence, and I'm already behind schedule. Let's not linger. We must get going immediately."
Renjiro, Aiko, and Hiro exchanged glances, acknowledging the merchant's urgency. Riku nodded in agreement.
"We're ready to proceed, Fakinshi-san. We will ensure a safe journey to Yorinaka village." Riku said before turning to his team, "Alright, fall into formation!"
Team 15 fell into formation, with Riku maintaining a vigilant position at the rear. While Renjiro was at the centre with Aiko and Hiro both covering the flanks.
The initial part of the journey unfolded with a sense of monotony, with the terrain stretching before the team and Hozuki Fakinshi.
The merchant attempted to break the silence with small talk, discussing various aspects of his business and the peculiarities of Yorinaka village's culinary delights. Renjiro, Aiko, and Hiro listened attentively, their focus never wavering from their duty.
As the landscape transitioned and the team approached their destination, an unexpected twist disrupted the mundane rhythm of the journey. Renjiro sensed a couple of chakra signatures ahead of them and immediately turned to Riku.
"We have a couple of people ahead of us," Riku calmly whispered to the group. He did not want them to change their formation as that would alert the enemy.
"Renjiro, can you ascertain their power levels?"
"Yes, From their chakra signature intensity, they seem to be genins and at best a Chunin should be among them," Renjiro said.
He could not get an accurate reading as he had activated his chakra field the moment they left the village. The mental fatigue accumulated in these four hours of travel was getting to him.
"You guys prepare yourselves to deal with them. I will stay with Hozuki to keep him safe. Don't worry if things escalate, I will step in." Riku assured the team.
They continued walking and it did not take long for the bandits to make themselves known.
The bandits, armed with makeshift weapons, surrounded the convoy with menacing grins.
Hozuki Fakinshi's expression shifted from mild calmness to one of concern, realizing the imminent threat that now loomed before them.
He was not worried when he heard that an enemy was near since he was being guarded by Konoha Ninjas, which he had faith in. Only after he saw the bandits did his faith begin to waver.
'I should have asked for more security. I do not know why I thought the information of the package wouldn't get out.' Hozuki continued to lament. It seemed that there was more than meets the eye to their 'escort' mission.
Renjiro, Aiko, and Hiro instinctively shifted into combat stances, ready for the unexpected turn of events. Riku, too, maintained a composed demeanour.
The bandits, with their scruffy leader at the forefront, had surrounded Team 25 and Hozuki Fakinshi.
"Hand over your valuables, and maybe we'll let you continue on your journey," the bandit leader sneered, his eyes scanning the convoy.
Renjiro, Aiko, and Hiro remained steadfast, their hands poised over weapons, ready for the signal to strike.
Riku, their sensei, maintained a calm composure, aware that this seemingly routine escort mission had taken an unexpected turn.
'He is a Jounin! This is going to be extremely hard.'
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