At that moment, Prime Minister Sanada approached, his demeanor a mix of surprise and admiration. "Have all the enemies been dealt with?"
He regarded the trio, marveling at their prowess. Although he suspected they were talented, their swift victory left him astounded. They had dispatched the threat without showing any signs of distress after taking lives.
"It's been resolved," Reiki replied coolly. "However, Mr. Sanada, as your escorting ninjas, we have accepted your commission. If we discover you've concealed any relevant information regarding this mission, we reserve the right to terminate our contract."
His expression was calm, but his eyes were sharp as they scanned the prime minister's reaction. Following the skirmish, Reiki had used his medical ninjutsu on the fallen leader, gathering vital information that hinted at deeper troubles.
"Yes... I understand," Sanada said, momentarily taken aback by Reiki's straightforwardness. He quickly shifted the topic, "You should take a good rest. We'll handle these corpses."
Noting that the prime minister was evading his questions, Reiki didn't press further. He pulled out a sealing scroll and began to seal the bodies of the fallen ninjas, then turned and vanished from sight.
Sanada watched him leave, conflicted, before heading back to his carriage.
"That ninja named Reiki seems to have discovered something," he remarked to his assistant.
"What should we do?" the assistant inquired, eager for guidance.
"Follow the original plan and wait until we reach our destination," Sanada instructed, his tone steady.
---
Most of the transport workers had endured a sleepless night, haunted by the recent attack. Reiki and the other three rose early the next morning, the tension still palpable in the air. Shisui took up the scouting position while Reiki and Nozuki joined the team as they resumed their journey.
"Brother Reiki, you were amazing last night! If it weren't for you, we might not have survived!" A young transport worker beamed at him, enthusiasm radiating from his voice. "Can you tell us how you train? Maybe during lunch, you could share your experiences from the battle?"
The atmosphere shifted; gratitude and admiration filled the air as they acknowledged Reiki's heroism. In this world, strength commanded respect, and Reiki's display of skill had captured everyone's attention.
Nozuki felt shy under the spotlight, simply nodding in response. In contrast, Reiki appeared composed, but internally he was worried.
He replayed the battle in his mind. **That was a fatal mistake,** he thought. **I killed them all. I'm supposed to be a medical ninja, not a frontline fighter.**
He reflected on how, if given the chance, the transport workers could have contributed to their defense.
*Next time, we need to adjust our strategy.*
Meanwhile, Tsunade, who had been covertly following the trio, wore a satisfied smile. Beside her, Jiraiya observed closely.
"Tsunade, your disciple has something special!" Jiraiya commented, genuinely impressed. "Not only does he excel as a medical ninja, but his combat abilities are remarkable too. Have you thought about his next training direction?"
"I was considering letting him travel the ninja world with me," he suggested, a hint of ambition in his tone.
"Travel with you?" Tsunade's brow furrowed. "If you don't want to be beaten by me, then drop that idea."
She swiftly redirected the conversation. "Did you notice their fighting styles?"
"Yes," Jiraiya nodded. "They're quite unique. It doesn't seem like typical Konoha tactics."
Tsunade smiled knowingly. "They weren't trained by me. Shisui is a genius from the Uchiha clan who chose to be in my class. Nozuki was recommended by your good apprentice, and I suspect Minato has influenced her. As for Reiki… his methods are fascinating."
Jiraiya chuckled lightly. "You must feel proud as a teacher with such talented students."
"Of course!" Tsunade laughed, her eyes sparkling. "But it's not just about that."
"Are you trying to show off your disciples?" Jiraiya teased, a grin on his face.
"Of course not," she retorted, but then her expression turned serious. "But you've noticed, haven't you?"
Jiraiya's interest piqued. "You mean regarding this mission?"
"Exactly. What they're transporting isn't just ordinary cargo. There's a chance it involves special resources," Tsunade explained, drawing a symbol in the dirt that made Jiraiya's breath hitch.
"If it's what I think it is, then it's definitely worth investigating," he said, his tone shifting to seriousness.
"Will you confirm during the transaction?" he asked, his gaze fixed on the team ahead.
"Let's wait. Since Reiki has already discovered something, I want to see how they handle it. It might lead to unexpected surprises," Tsunade replied, her excitement palpable.
Jiraiya shook his head, amused yet slightly exasperated. With Tsunade, things were rarely simple.
---
As noon approached, the team halted in a quiet forest clearing, the air thick with tension. Shisui returned from his scouting mission, his expression grave.
"Same as yesterday, no traces of the enemy," he reported. "It seems they might have sent out more than one team. Reiki, the enemies we face next could be stronger."
"What's our plan?" Shisui asked, glancing at Reiki.
Over the past few days, their dynamic had shifted; Reiki had emerged as a leader, the glue holding them together.
"Just wait," Reiki replied firmly. "And if there's another fight, I won't be on the front lines. If either of you is injured, return to me immediately for treatment."
His words were resolute, underlining his commitment as the medical ninja of their group. He knew he needed to adapt to his role rather than acting as a front-line combatant. The next confrontation could be pivotal, and he wanted to be prepared, both for his teammates and for what lay ahead.
>>>>>
Gimme Power stones I'm Poor