At this moment, Reiki really wanted to say, "Let me out! I can still move!" But the memory of Tsunade's "loving" iron fist quickly silenced him.
"Looks like I'll be resting at home today," Reiki sighed. He mixed a medicinal concoction and soaked his whole body in it, letting the fatigue seep out of his muscles.
Just then, he heard the door creak open, and Shizune and Yuhi Kurenai stepped in.
"Reiki…?" "Senior Brother Reiki…?"
Suddenly, their startled screams filled the room, followed by yet another beating from Tsunade. Reiki felt wronged but dared not complain. After all, he'd forgotten to leave a sign outside the door indicating he was inside. He could only accept this punishment.
…
Early the next morning, Reiki was preparing to head out for his morning exercises as usual.
"Where are you going?" Tsunade's voice stopped him before he could step out.
"Uh…I forgot. I have a mission today," Reiki replied sheepishly, scratching his head. It seemed he'd already forgotten yesterday's reprimand.
"Go pack your daily essentials and a change of clothes. Meet me in 10 minutes," Tsunade instructed sternly.
Tsunade couldn't quite understand Reiki. Sometimes he seemed to love a peaceful life, yet he was always finding ways to stir up trouble. Other times, he acted indifferent to excitement and challenges. She couldn't figure out his motivations.
…
A few minutes later, Reiki packed his things and followed Tsunade to the Hokage's office. Inside, he noticed several familiar faces: Jigu, Hyuga, and Asuma. Could it be...?
"Tsunade, you're here," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, looking up. "Since everyone's here, I'll assign your mission."
"This time, your task is to seize control of the mine in Daping Village, located at the border between the Land of Taki and the Land of Fire. You may encounter resistance from Takigakure or other village ninjas. You are permitted to eliminate any obstacles. The mission is classified as S-rank."
"Jigu will be the captain, and Hyuga Pyo the vice-captain. Reiki and Sarutobi Asuma, you'll be team members," Hiruzen continued, handing a scroll to Jigu.
"Reiki, you're one of the three selected by Tsunade to evaluate whether medical ninjas can become a permanent part of the combat unit. Your performance on this mission is crucial," Hiruzen added with a kind smile.
"Reiki will do his best to support the team!" Reiki replied confidently.
Seeing Reiki's enthusiasm, Hiruzen's smile grew.
"Go ahead, then. Once you've secured the mine, contact the village, and we'll send reinforcement. I wish you a successful mission and safe return."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" the four of them responded in unison.
With their mission clear, the team quickly set off toward the village entrance.
Mines were valuable resources often contested by the major ninja villages, and small villages like Daping Village stood no chance alone. Though they had a handful of ninjas, their numbers and skill levels were insufficient to protect such valuable assets. To the large villages, it was a prize ripe for the taking.
The four made their way through the dense forest, soon leaving Konoha's protective boundaries.
"Captain Jigu, you can speed up a bit. Reiki's taijutsu is strong enough to keep up," Hyuga commented, feeling their pace was a bit too slow.
"Alright," Jigu agreed, noticing that Reiki was indeed keeping up with ease, while Asuma was managing as well. They accelerated their pace, reaching a small pond by evening.
"We'll rest here for the night. We should reach our destination by noon tomorrow," Jigu announced. He and Hyuga seemed comfortable, but Asuma was clearly exhausted, his stamina waning due to his limited mission experience.
"No, let's keep moving. We should try to arrive earlier," Reiki suggested, tossing out three bottles of stamina potion.
"Is this…stamina potion?" Jigu asked, surprised. He knew about these potions, though their high cost often deterred him from using them.
"Yes, it's a stamina potion," Reiki confirmed. "Asuma, drink up, and if anyone's hungry, take a soldier pill to restore some chakra."
Reiki promptly drank his potion, while Asuma followed suit, feeling his strength rapidly returning. Jigu, not wanting to waste the opportunity, drank the potion too.
"Vice-Captain Hyuga, you'll handle the scouting with your Byakugan. Here's a chakra recovery potion for when you need it," Reiki said, offering another expensive potion.
"Alright!" Hyuga accepted it without hesitation.
The team set off once more, moving through the night. By dawn, they reached the hills overlooking Daping Village.
"It was a smooth journey. Let's rest here briefly, and at dawn, we'll move in to secure the mine," Jigu instructed, sitting down to restore his chakra.
This time, Reiki didn't suggest advancing under the cover of night. After all, the darkness favored stealth, but it also meant lower visibility, which could put them at a disadvantage if they encountered hostile ninjas from other villages.
Meanwhile, on the opposite cliffside, several figures gathered, clearly targeting the mine as well. At the heart of Daping Village, a dozen local ninjas had already started mining operations, but their expressions were far from pleased. Though they had discovered a precious resource, they knew it made them vulnerable, caught between powerful forces all eager to claim the mine for themselves.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 380 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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