The purpose of the three Chūnin squads was essentially to push the carts.
Meanwhile, Takuya's team was tasked with ensuring the safe delivery of the supplies to the front lines.
As for Genin...
At this stage, Konoha wasn't desperate enough to send Genin to the battlefield as expendable assets.
Seeing the three Chūnin squads working hard to push the carts forward, Nawaki and Minato felt too embarrassed to just watch, so they went up to help.
Their assistance was welcomed by the others. The more hands available for this laborious task, the better. However, when Takuya rolled up his sleeves to help, he was immediately refused.
Shimura Suimoku firmly declined, saying, "Takuya-sama, you shouldn't be doing this. Your role is to protect us and the supplies. If you expend your energy on this, who will protect us and the supplies when the enemy attacks?"
"Exactly," Kouta Sasaro and Akizuki Yama nodded in agreement.
"Your duty is to scout the surroundings and ensure our safety along with the supplies. Leave the physical labor to us."
Takuya: "..."
Why does it feel like helping out is the wrong thing to do?
After a moment's thought, Takuya decided not to push it.
Since his task was to protect the supplies and his teammates, he would focus on fulfilling his role as their guardian. As for Minato and Nawaki... they could continue pushing the carts.
The weak don't get special treatment.
"So, we're stuck pushing carts while he gets to rest?"
Minato and Nawaki were dumbfounded.
"You two, why are you slacking off? Takuya-sama is conserving his strength to protect us and the supplies. Do you think you're on the same level as Takuya-sama?" Suimoku scolded.
"Exactly, stop trying to slack off and get back to pushing. If everyone works together, it'll be easier. Don't think about taking it easy, or I'll report you to Danzo-sama after the mission is over," Yama added.
"....."
At that moment, Minato and Nawaki felt as if they'd been stabbed in the heart, the pain seeping through and through.
Seeing their plight, Takuya couldn't help but laugh.
The sight was just too amusing.
Transporting supplies was indeed a laborious task. Ninja might be able to run on water, but trudging through muddy terrain while pushing carts was an entirely different story.
The muddy ground and heavy carts made for a challenging combination.
As a result, everyone except Takuya looked exhausted and disheveled.
Not only was it tiring, but the ninja couldn't simply use chakra to walk on the ground. The carts, after all, couldn't do the same.
They had to exert effort where it was needed, with no shortcuts available.
"Push the carts to that clearing up ahead, and we'll rest there. We'll set off again in the morning."
Traveling through the night was not a good idea.
The mission required them to deliver the supplies within three days, so there was no need to rush and risk overexertion.
"Is that... really okay?" Suimoku hesitated as Takuya announced the rest stop. He watched as Minato and Nawaki sat down to rest after checking that the tarps covering the supplies were secure. The sight left the three Chūnin captains wide-eyed.
This wasn't their first time transporting supplies, and every previous mission had involved pushing themselves to the limit, fearing delays or enemy attacks.
Yet Takuya's team was ready to rest as soon as night fell, with no intention of pushing on through the night.
"Just do as he says; it'll be fine," Nawaki said, unable to bear the sight. "Since Takuya is the captain, you should follow his orders. And you, Shimura guy, take your team and go hunt something. Otherwise, we'll be stuck eating dry rations tonight."
Suimoku's expression soured.
Shimura guy? How would you like it if I called you Senju guy?
And you want me to go hunting?
During a mission, you want to eat grilled meat?
As expected, the descendants of the First Hokage have truly fallen! Suimoku looked at Nawaki with an expression of deep disappointment, ready to scold him and impart some battlefield survival wisdom.
But before he could speak, Takuya said, "Sounds good. Suimoku, take your team and go hunting."
"..."
Suimoku swore he had never encountered such an odd team before. They were on a mission, yet they still wanted to eat grilled meat!
Even though the grilled meat smelled delicious, and Suimoku ate quite a few pieces, he still felt that this was not the right approach.
The smoke from the fire could easily reveal their position and attract the enemy.
After they finished eating, Takuya calmly extinguished the fire and reminded them, "You can all rest easy tonight. If any enemies approach, I'll let you know."
Minato and Nawaki didn't argue, finding a spot sheltered from the rain and quickly dozing off after a long day of pushing carts.
In contrast, Suimoku and the other two Chūnin captains seemed uneasy.
They assumed Takuya would be on watch and volunteered to keep him company.
"Captain, we'll stay up with you on watch."
"There are enough of us to take turns so everyone can get some rest. One person staying up all night would be too exhausting."
"I'm not staying up," Takuya replied, looking at the three, who were eager to help with the night watch. "You should all just rest. I'll handle everything else. Look, those two are already about to fall asleep."
With Snowy around, why would he need to stay up? That would only make things harder for himself. Better to get some sleep and save his strength for tomorrow's cart-pushing.
Glancing at the carts piled with supplies, Takuya sighed.
The technology in the Naruto world was oddly skewed. While medical technology had advanced incredibly, other areas lagged frustratingly behind.
Especially in terms of mechanical transport.
Sure, they could build robots, but they still couldn't make decent vehicles.
And as for guns... the ones they had were outdated and almost useless.
Are we really stuck with an unreliable squad leader?
Watching Takuya dig a hole in a tree with a kunai and settle in to rest, Suimoku, Yama, and Sasaro felt a wave of despair.
What should you do when you're stuck with an unreliable squad leader?
Waiting for advice, urgent.
"I'm ordering you three to rest. If you have any complaints or dissatisfaction, you can report them after the mission is over. For now, follow my orders," Takuya said, noticing the trio whispering amongst themselves, clearly up to no good.
Working with people outside his own team was such a hassle.
They always found something wrong with his decisions.
It was much simpler with his own team.
"I'm definitely reporting you to Danzo-sama," Suimoku grumbled in frustration before leading his team to rest.
What choice did they have? The captain had practically ordered them to rest in a stern tone. All they could do was lie down and hope they wouldn't be the ones blamed if something went wrong. If the enemy attacked, their best bet would be to run for it and then report Takuya's misconduct.
What a reckless leader! How could someone so strong have so little dedication to the mission?
What was Danzo-sama thinking, putting him in charge of the transport?
Sasaro and Yama were also a bit upset, but unlike Suimoku, they didn't dare voice their complaints. After all, Suimoku was from the Shimura clan, with a powerful backing. They, on the other hand, were just regular shinobi and didn't want to risk offending Takuya.
How boring.
Shaking his head, Takuya didn't let it bother him.
After all, they were just concerned about completing the mission successfully and avoiding any encounters with the enemy. It was just a clash of perspectives during their first mission together.
Takuya wasn't petty enough to hold a grudge over a difference in opinion.
"How's the progress on your new technique, Minato?"
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