It's not that Logan has never done escort missions before. On the contrary, throughout his Ninja career, he had undertaken countless of such missions, ranging from humble farmers scraping together the commission fee to high-ranking officials and powerful military generals. The higher rank missions allowed him to see a broader view.
Logan considered himself to have a good understanding of the Ninja World. Whether from what he had seen in the original manga or from his personal experiences over the years, the life of ordinary people and the life of Ninjas were like this: a land filled with collisions of beliefs yet monotonously mundane.
However, since the long journey that accompanied him across two seasons, which began several months ago, things had been somewhat different and had caused quite a few changes in his mindset.
…
Several months ago.
"An escort mission? And a B-Rank at that?" Logan stood in front of Takeshi's desk, looking at the briefing in his hand, sounding somewhat surprised.
Given his past mission efficiency and performance evaluations, the ANBU rarely assigned B-Rank and lower rank missions to him.
"Why, from the tone of your voice, you seem somewhat dissatisfied?" Takeshi glanced at Logan with a strange expression, "I mean, Hattori, you might need to pay attention to your psychological development... There is something wrong with you. Generally, even if they are the most dedicated, ANBU's members will have a very solemn expression when they see an A-Rank or S-Rank mission. And for a simple mission like this, they may show no external reaction, but internally, they're ecstatic. Yet, in your case…"
Takeshi had watched Logan joined Anbu and gradually become a pillar of the ANBU. Although their superior-subordinate relationship was naturally strict, it didn't hinder his care.
After spending a long time together, except for his increasing mastery of the modern slang, Takeshi was actually unable to see too clearly into Logan's innermost thoughts. It was as if this outstanding young man harbored secrets he had never shared with anyone.
"Haha, this..." When Logan heard Takeshi's hesitant words, he realized something, scratched his head and said sheepishly, "It's okay, Commander. Remember those Medical-Nin who came to talk to me not long ago? The result was quite good."
Logan couldn't easily explain his preference for completing missions ranked A or higher. Low-risk missions had minimal impact on his current strength. And although stagnation in skills and strength at his level also meant maturity, Logan wasn't satisfied with just that.
When Takeshi heard Logan's answer, he couldn't refute it. It was indeed the truth, so it seemed that he could only believe in the diagnose of those Medical-Nin.
"Anyway, this is the mission. Escort the cultural envoy of the Land of Fire from the Land of Rivers back to the capital, then proceed to the Land of Tea. After completing the diplomatic mission there, return to the capital. The mission is considered completed when you return." Takeshi handed the acceptance certificate for this mission to Logan, and said, "The cultural envoy's entourage includes several Samurai, but they are all ordinary people, so the safety and defense on the way depends on you, an Elite Jonin."
"This will take a few months, won't it?" Logan frowned after hearing the long route, "And I'm the only Ninja?"
"Yes, that's right." Takeshi nodded casually, seemingly ignoring the arduousness of the mission, "But don't worry, most of the route is within the control of our Land of Fire. The likelihood of encountering Ninja attacks is minimal. If you encounter any small fry... just show off the style of our Konoha's Ninjas."
"..."
Logan felt that he should tone down his jokes in the future. Even the originally serious ANBU Commander had been infected by his bad habits.
"It's just a little troublesome. You have a few months to take advantage of this time to relax. Young man, I have been working as an ANBU for more than ten years, and I know the feeling of depression and dullness." Takeshi sat on his seat, his eyes looked elsewhere and he spoke his true thoughts.
Logan smiled sheepishly after hearing this, and Takeshi waved his hand, indicating that he could go.
"Sigh…" After walking out of the ANBU's Headquarters, Logan basked in the sunlight, Takeshi's words echoing in his mind, 'Did I really need to relax?'
Squinting at the sky, with clear blue skies above, Logan felt the weight of the responsibility he willingly shouldered today. It wasn't just the responsibility of the ANBU, but also the truth on the other world.
'I always feel that there are countless things to do here and there, and time waits for no one... I keep doing them, becoming mechanical. It seems that I have not escaped from the cycle of missions and training for a long time.'
…
'The cultural envoy of the Land of Fire... Should be some kind of diplomatic envoy, right?' A few days later, Logan was waiting at the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers. According to the scheduled time, the envoy should arrive here today, and his escort mission would begin.
Ninjas always pursued simplicity and practicality in their travels, not wanting to impede their mobility. Apart from wearing a set of Ninja gear and the iconic ANBU mask, Logan only carried a bag.
At noon, when the weather was warm, flags bearing the emblem of the Land of Fire appeared on the other side of the border. A group of several dozen people slowly approached in Logan's sight.
Logan put away the coins he had been playing with. He hadn't slackened in his research of the Railgun, and now, he felt like he was on the verge of a breakthrough.
"Hello, I am a Ninja from Konoha Village who has been sent to escort you."
"Just one person?" The leading Samurai looked stern, wielding a magnificent katana with valuable gold trim on its scabbard. The tall Samurai captain was obviously very dissatisfied when he saw that Logan was alone. Feeling that Konoha had shown disrespect by not attaching enough importance to the mission.
When Logan removed his mask, revealing his young face, the Samurai captain's frowned deepened. It was only when Logan submitted the entrustment certificate with Logan's basic information written on it, did his expression softened slightly.
However, the Samurai captain still didn't like him much. He waved his hand and said, "You Ninja just do whatever you like, we Samurai are enough to ensure safety."
Logan could only smile helplessly at this.
Although the beginning was not smooth, Logan was eventually 'accepted' into this envoy group. The bells on the carriage rang as the officials with diplomatic missions held their heads high. Then, at a pace that made Logan feel like turtle crawling, they entered the Land of Fire.