(Today's chapter, you guys should maybe give me some Powerstones, it was a double release 😤)
"This cart really is nice, it's gonna revolutionize the transportation system," Kakashi commented.
"I guess Shikamaru can finally catch a break from his mom," Ino grinned at Shikamaru's emerging frown.
"I don't think that would be the case. I can already see her making me work more," Shikamaru finally replied.
Shikamaru felt like he had dug his own grave.
With this stunt, his mom's expectations would definitely increase.
"Hehe, that would be funny," Choji said while munching on his chips.
He could guess what Shikamaru was thinking right now.
"I think it would be better not to publicize it, as that would mean other villages would gain this info too," Shikamaru tried to save his skin.
"Nah, it's bound to be known sooner or later. We might as well get some goodwill from traders and other minor villages by publicizing this method. It would help the world as a whole too, as a bonus," Kakashi smirked. He was really enjoying this game.
"Tch." Shikamaru realized it wouldn't lead anywhere if he continued arguing like this.
The ultimate decision power would be up to the Hokage, so it was pointless to argue with Kakashi. He would probably blackmail his dad to convince the Hokage not to publicize it since his father was the direct advisor to the Hokage.
"Now that I think about it, aren't you a Hokage candidate, Kakashi-sensei?" It seemed Sora was also in the mood to mess with Shikamaru.
"Wait, really?" Ino gaped. It seemed she was the only ignorant one here.
"Guess the future of the Leaf seems bleak," Sasuke definitely didn't smirk while saying that.
"Now, now, under my leadership, the village would definitely be at peace," Kakashi admitted that he was one of the next candidates.
It's not like denying it would change anything here, so he might as well have fun.
"Yeah, more like Icha-Icha would become the norm," Sora added his own thoughts.
"You guys are kids. When you grow up a bit more, you'll realize why it's the peak," Kakashi said, hugging his book close to his chest.
"I tried to steal his book once. Unfortunately, it failed," Sora sighed in disappointment (A/n: Do you guys remember this? xD).
"You were playing a losing game. It's okay. Maybe you'll succeed when you're a bit older," Sasuke seemed in the mood to rub salt in Sora's wound.
"I'll definitely beat you the next time we meet."
"We'll see about that. It seems unlikely to me, but you can always try," Sasuke smirked.
"Hmph, I will definitely humble you again," Sora focused his attention back on the scroll Tsunade gave him.
He was really lagging behind in his training.
Well, nobody could blame him as he was technically robbed of 3 months...
Or technically, the correct term would be that he was given 3 more months than others.
"""Depends on the perspective""" the narrator shrugged.
"So, who are you meeting up with in Wave?" Choji asked.
"Well, old friends, I guess. More like acquaintances," Kakashi said in his typical manner, not looking up from his book.
"You have friends?" Sora gasped in shock.
"Maybe someone adopted him as a friend," Sasuke snickered.
"Maybe a secret girlfriend? You can be honest," Ino smirked.
"You guys think too much. You'll get to know when we reach them," Kakashi chose not to answer their inquiries.
And so the wheel turned along with the cart.
"You've been here before, haven't you, Sasuke?" Ino asked while stretching her body.
They had finally arrived after so many hours.
"Yeah, it was our first C-rank mission."
"Oh, what do you remember about this place?" Sora asked.
"The bridge here has a stupid name. That's all I remember."
"Is that so? What's the name?"
"You should check it out yourself," Sasuke said mysteriously, deliberately.
"We'll be meeting them at that bridge, so you guys can check the name," Kakashi said.
"Oh, what was your mission when you came here?" Choji asked.
"To protect the bridge builder while he built his bridge," Kakashi briefly said.
"Sounds boring," Ino was expecting something like an intense battle or some interesting incident.
Kakashi chuckled. "Genin missions are like that."
They walked to the bridge.
They could see two silhouettes on the bridge, but due to the mist, it wasn't clear.
"Great Naruto Bridge," Sora read the signboard aloud.
"It really is stupid," Ino grinned.
"Reminds me of ramen," Choji took out another packet of chips.
"I told you guys," Sasuke shrugged.
"You guys are too brutal," Shikamaru said with an amused tone.
"I'm really gonna tell Naruto-niichan about this," Sora decided to snitch.
"Hehe, what proof do you have?" Ino decided to take the bait.
"Well, he's easily gonna believe me because it sounds believable. Believe it," Sora grinned.
"Oh, I was expecting you to say something like, 'He'll believe my words,' then I'd dissect that statement," Ino deadpanned.
"Well, that's not how you snitch, nee-san," Sora's mysterious smile didn't reassure anybody here.
"Yeah, I'm not even gonna question that," Ino regretted asking in the first place.
"Glad that you're sensible enough," Shikamaru rolled his eyes.
They got on the bridge.
"What do you guys think about the identity of the two people on the other side?" Sora asked.
"Chefs."
"His secret girlfriend with an illegitimate child."
Everyone just looked at Ino—_—Cho.
"I'd say ghosts," Sora deadpanned.
It seemed to be a competition for the most ridiculous claim.
"Oh," Ino deflated while looking at the bandaged man and a girl with him.
"Hmm? It seems Konoha really likes giving you babysitting jobs. You even have more kids than last time," the man said.
"Will you believe me if I say it was a coincidence?" Kakashi closed his book.
"It's been 4 or 5 months since I last saw him, yet my instincts are saying he's dangerous. What are you feeding him, Kakashi?" The man pointed at Sasuke.
"Tomatoes," Kakashi cryptically answered.
"It's been a while, Sasuke. Sorry for last time," the girl said.
"It's fine. It was an accident. Things like that happen," Sasuke shrugged.
"Wait, what are you talking about? Give me some context! That sounds so misleading!" Ino blushed, yelling.
"It's a secret," Sasuke winked.
"So, let me ask, why is one of the swordsmen of the Mist your friend?" Shikamaru looked at Kakashi.
"It's all about connections and coincidences," Kakashi shrugged.
"I don't believe you," Shikamaru wasn't convinced.
"You can choose not to believe. It's not like I care," Kakashi's eye smile really annoyed Shikamaru at the moment.
"Anyway, let's discuss matters," and with that, Zabuza and Kakashi went elsewhere to talk.
"Who are you?" Ino asked the girl present.
"I go by Haku," she cryptically replied.
"Ano, should I call you nee-san or nii-san?" Sora asked.
"Hey, that's definitely rude to ask!" Ino bonked Sora on the head, but he ducked just in time.
"What do you think I should be called?" The girl smirked, entertained by the question.
"Nii-san," Sora said with a neutral tone.
"Why?" She or he raised an eyebrow.
"You seem like a guy to me. I can tell," Sora cryptically replied.
"Oh, is that so? Well, you're correct. I am a boy," Haku smirked.
"Wait, what?" This really shocked Ino—_—Cho. Well, Shikamaru was busy thinking about something, so he wasn't mentally present in the conversation.
"I'm surprised you got it right on the first try," Sasuke said.
"I'm just a child of many talents," Sora didn't miss a chance to boast.
"Yeah, whatever you say," Sasuke deadpanned.
"Wait, if you're a boy, then what did you mean by your earlier statement?"
"Well, if Sasuke-san doesn't want to share it, then I'm afraid I can't either," Haku's smile made Ino blush.
Not due to his smile, but the implications of his words.
Before she could clarify, Zabuza returned.
"I guess we'll be participating in a mission alongside Zabuza. Your current mission is null. You're under my leadership as of now," Kakashi said to the four.
"Wait, really? Nice, we don't have to wander around randomly," Sora sighed in relief.
"Are you sure these kids will be helpful, especially this red one? How old is he even?" Zabuza pointed at Sora.
"I'm going to be 7 soon," Sora smirked.
He really liked it when people underestimated him. It was too troublesome otherwise.
"You don't mind if I test these guys?" Zabuza said while swinging his sword in a vertical downward motion toward Sora, who was a few meters away.
***
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