Chương 217

The side gate closed slowly behind us as we moved toward our cart, the large wooden doors groaning. Genta and Shizuru stood waiting for a moment before suddenly sprinting toward us with wide smiles. Genta slapped my back hard enough to make me stumble, while Shizuru hugged me and then immediately wrapped her arms around Sena while complaining loudly, "Why are you two always in trouble? Life and death situations seem to be your normal." I sighed because it was painfully true.

Most of our missions were quiet, but the ones that did have trouble came with enough danger to make up for all the calm ones combined. Shizuru turned to Sena with concern written all over her face.

"Are you feeling better now?" Sena nodded and replied softly, "I am, thank you, Shizuru." She then looked at Genta with a tiny smile.

"And thank you, Genta, for annoying my parents by always visiting our compound and asking about me." Genta grinned proudly while scratching the back of his head.

"I only wish they let us inside at least once." Sena bowed her head slightly.

"I apologize for that." Shizuru shook her head immediately.

"You do not need to. We already figured it was not your choice." Sena gently held Shizuru's hands and squeezed them with as much warmth as her stoic self could manage, and that small gesture carried so much care that Shizuru's smile brightened noticeably Then Genta looked at me with a massive smile full of excitement.

"From what I heard, you came out mostly unharmed from the ambush and even saved your sensei's life." I raised my nose to the sky with the most pompous tone I could muster.

"Indeed I did." Shizuru rolled her eyes at that in record speed and kicked the back of my leg, making me hop around in agony while everyone laughed at my tragic hero moment. I steadied myself and with a pulse of chakra, a scroll appeared in my hand. I handed it to Shizuru, who narrowed her eyes, curiosity activated instantly.

"What is this?" she asked, suspicious but clearly interested. I replied in the most mysterious tone I could manage, "Something I need your help with. I left a message and instructions inside explaining the nature of the task, so check it once you return home." Shizuru nodded slowly, extremely intrigued, already imagining the puzzle waiting for her. Genta then poked me in the shoulder repeatedly like a woodpecker.

"What about me?" he demanded. With another puff of smoke I produced a notebook and handed it to him like it contained forbidden knowledge. Genta examined the cover before asking, "What is this?" I answered with utmost grandeur, "A book full of my secret super tasty food recipes." Genta's eyes widened so much it looked like he just saw the divine ramen of legend. He held on to the notebook with the reverence of someone holding a holy relic from a long-lost ninja god. Sena's smile twitched.

She stretched out her hand with elegance that hid the danger beneath.

"Genta, may I have that book for a moment to copy a few recipes?" she asked with a melody sweet enough to hide explosives in. Genta's pupils shrank rapidly as he yanked the notebook to his chest, his arms locking around it like a maximum security prison gate.

"No," he declared dramatically.

"It is mine and mine alone. It was entrusted to me and I shall protect it with my life." A small tick mark appeared on Sena's forehead while Shizuru leaned forward from the side, trying to swipe the notebook. Genta noticed instantly, jumped back, and looked at them both as if betrayed by his closest friends. Then he spun around and bolted toward the village entrance at full speed while shouting, "Best of luck, Noa! Sena!

I know you will do great and return as amazing chunin, and your performance will increase the village reputation!" His voice continued even as he turned a corner and vanished, still clutching the notebook like a priceless treasure. Sena looked at Shizuru, and without a single spoken word Shizuru nodded back, as if she had received a telepathic mission order to secure the recipe book later. Shizuru then faced me and Sena with gentle seriousness.

"Please both of you, come back safe and take care of each other." We nodded firmly, understanding that she meant every syllable. Shizuru then raised her voice and called out to Shisui and Kaen, "Please take care of them and come back victorious." Shisui laughed warmly and replied, "Do not worry, I will keep them safe."

Kaen just gave a very slight nod, his face turning the tiniest shade of red at the idea of being responsible for Sena's safety, and he tried to hide it by looking away and pretending he was just stretching his neck. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Shizuru hugged both of us tightly before turning around and sprinting after Genta, waving with all the energy of someone who refused to let goodbyes be dull.

I watched them go, a warm smile spreading across my face. Seeing my friends again after so long made something settle peacefully inside my chest. Sena looked pleased too, her eyes softer than usual. She turned to me.

"Ready?" I nodded with a confident grin.

"I am." We turned together and walked toward the cart, stepping forward into our new journey. Shisui was already speaking with the cart driver when we arrived. With a puff of smoke, our luggage appeared on the ground, and I began loading it up. Sena moved to help, but Kaen shook his head quickly and stepped in front of her like a knight sworn to protect cardboard boxes.

"I will take care of this. You should rest," he stated with a seriousness far too dramatic for simple luggage duty. Sena smiled politely and nodded before climbing into the cart. Shisui was grinning at Kaen the entire time, and Kaen's face turned even redder as he pretended to be deeply occupied with the luggage. I shook my head, amused at how smooth he wasn't, and with combined effort the cart was ready within minutes.

Once we were settled inside, the cart rolled forward, the wheels steadily carrying us away from home. Shisui wasted no time diving into business.

"It will take around a week to reach the Hidden Sand at our pace. During that time, we will train coordination and team synergy during our rest stops. We need to make sure Sena is fully integrated into the squad's combat rhythm and iron out any issues." We all nodded, already shifting into mission mindset. Shisui continued, "Noa will only use regular ninjutsu, taijutsu, and kenjutsu. So we need to adjust our strategies accordingly, especially with you, Sena." Sena nodded immediately.

"I can already work around that. I will plan with that limitation in mind." Shisui gave her a pleased nod.

"Good. But training will make sure we uncover any hidden weaknesses in your coordination. We cannot afford surprises in the exams." Sena bowed slightly.

"Of course, Sensei. I understand and I look forward to your guidance." Shisui smiled proudly.

"You are such a good student." For the first two days the journey felt almost comfortable. The Land of Fire stretched wide around us with open fields and patches of forest that looked as if they had all personally promised Konoha to keep growing forever. Travelers waved as they passed by. Merchants yelled loud greetings, trying to sell snacks or tools. Kids on the roadside pointed at our forehead protectors like we were some kind of parade.

Kaen still had no idea what to do when praised, which only made the villagers cheer louder. I pretended I was used to it. Shisui pretended he did not find that funny. By the third day the scenery began to shift. The trees did not vanish, but they stood farther apart and looked more tired from the sun. Grass thinned and more patches of cracked earth appeared. Rest stops were less lively. The air tasted drier. Even the wind felt different. I drank twice as much water and still felt thirsty.

On the morning of the fourth day the real change arrived. The cart wheels kicked up dust with every turn. The shade of trees became rare enough that we took breaks whenever we found even a single one. The sun overhead was sharper, more intense, the kind of heat you feel in your eyelashes. Shisui looked completely fine. By day five there was no doubt left. The Land of Wind welcomed us like an oven welcomes bread. The ground had fully surrendered to sand and stone. The horizon stretched flat and endless.

Even sound changed, voices swallowed by the wide open space. The world here did not care about comfort. It cared only that you kept moving. Soon after, a checkpoint appeared ahead of us. A small fortified station surrounded by thick canvas walls and multiple sharp-eyed shinobi wearing sand-colored uniforms and Hidden Sand headbands. They approached with silent steps, not aggressive, but watchful. One stepped forward and asked Shisui for our documentation. His voice was polite and dry. Papers exchanged hands.

Seals were inspected. Names confirmed. Satisfied, the guard returned our scrolls and nodded.

"You may proceed. Sunagakure is almost two days ahead. Stay on the marked route. Do not stray from the flags. The desert does not forgive wandering, so we cannot guarantee your safety if you do so." Then the gate opened for us, the wind blowing a wave of hot air as a greeting or maybe a threat. The cart rolled forward again, deeper into the vast unknown that lay under the Hidden Sand's watch.

Looking out the cart window, I opened my mouth to say something, only for a sudden gust of wind to blast straight into it, filling my tongue with sand. The Hidden Sand made the first move.