Konoha’s White Fang Shines

Chapter 68: Departure to Bird Country

"Wow~ This way of eating is simply amazing! Even after finishing, I still feel warm inside!"

Rō had once again been conquered by Konoha's cuisine, staring longingly at the hot pot even as they were about to leave.

Genma and Kurenai chuckled to themselves before finally dragging Rō away. However, when they saw the carriage he was traveling in, they were both taken aback.

Considering he was the heir to a small country, they expected at least a handful of guards. Instead, all they saw was a single carriage and a lone driver.

At that moment, Rō clenched his teeth, his expression complex. Genma found it hard to believe that such a young child could show emotions he shouldn't have at his age—anger, pain, frustration, guilt.

But thinking back, it made sense. After all, it was Rō who had hired them.

Perhaps something terrible had happened on their way to the Land of Fire, leading them to seek the protection of Konoha's shinobi.

While Rō managed to suppress his emotions, Chishima, on the other hand, couldn't hold back his tears.

He cried silently, as if not wanting to disturb anyone.

"Hey, Chishima! Don't cry. They're still here… They're watching over us from above."

As Rō spoke those words, a single tear finally slipped from the corner of his eye. He quickly wiped it away.

On their journey to meet the Daimyō of the Land of Fire, they had started with over a dozen guards. Now, only Rō, Chishima, and a single carriage driver remained. How could he ever forget those loyal warriors who had sacrificed themselves one by one before his very eyes?

Just as Rō revealed a rare moment of vulnerability, the remaining driver knelt before him, speaking with conviction.

"Lord Rō, I only survived thanks to the sacrifice of others. But I am not afraid to die. If we are attacked again, I swear I will protect you until my last breath."

The driver didn't know how to comfort the young lord, but seeing Rō show such vulnerability ignited a fierce sense of duty within him.

If not for the guards who had laid down their lives to cover their escape, he would have died on that road as well. His life no longer belonged to him alone—it carried the will of Bird Country's fallen heroes.

So if anyone dared to target their future ruler again, he was ready to give everything to stop them.

Genma and Kurenai were surprised by the intensity of his resolve. Meanwhile, both Rō and Chishima wiped their tears and moved closer to the carriage driver.

"Ugh… Uncle Yamami, we've already lost too many people. It's enough… it's enough."

Chishima, unrestrained in his emotions, openly sobbed.

Rō, though also wiping his tears, forced himself to stay composed. After a long pause, he finally spoke.

"Yamami, I won't let something like that happen again. This time, we've hired Konoha's shinobi. It won't happen again."

His small fists clenched tightly.

Yamami was momentarily stunned, then turned his gaze to Rō's back, where he saw Kurenai and Genma standing with their Konoha headbands.

Though the two of them were older than Rō, in Yamami's eyes, they were still children. He couldn't shake the feeling that things might not turn out well.

Still, seeing Rō and Chishima finally regain some composure, Yamami forced a smile.

"Yes. I believe in you, Lord Rō. Shall we depart now?"

"Yes, let's go. Uncle Yamami, have you had lunch yet?"

"Oh, I already ate! The inn's free meal was fantastic!"

Seeing Yamami so cheerful, Rō and Chishima exchanged an awkward glance, looking somewhat guilty.

They had originally planned to bring Yamami along to eat with them, but because of what had happened on their journey, they feared he would try to stop them. So they kept it a secret.

"Um… Uncle Yamami, we bought lots of Konoha specialties, and we got some for you too!"

Rō scratched his cheek awkwardly, avoiding Yamami's gaze as he handed over several paper bags.

The fragrant aroma seeped through the bags, making Yamami take a deep breath before glancing at Kurenai and Genma in suspicion.

"…You didn't sneak out to buy these yourselves, did you?"

"Ahaha~ Of course not, Uncle! We listened to you and stayed in the inn like good kids! Didn't you come check on us this morning?"

Chishima's words sounded reasonable, but his expression was stiff, betraying his nervousness.

Yamami caught on immediately, but seeing as they were still safe and accompanied by shinobi, he chose not to press further. He let out a sigh.

"Next time, tell the adults before doing something like this. I may not be important, but we're all in the same carriage. If something happens to you, who am I supposed to drive for?"

His blunt but reasonable words made Genma regard him even more highly. Initially, he found it odd that a prince's entourage was so small, but now, he understood why.

As Genma observed Yamami, Yamami also scrutinized Genma and Kurenai.

His gaze flickered before he stepped forward and addressed them directly.

"You two are Konoha shinobi, correct? I've heard Konoha's shinobi are strong. I hope you will protect Lord Rō with everything you have."

It was clear that he was doubting them.

However, Genma knew it was just a concerned guardian's warning, so he pulled Kurenai, who was starting to frown, closer and replied calmly.

"We accepted this escort mission. That means protecting the client's safety is our duty as shinobi. We won't forget our own principles. Please rest assured."

There was nothing wrong with Genma's response, and his tone was steady. But Yamami still felt uneasy.

They were just kids. And they looked… way too close to each other.

Not reliable.

Far from reliable!

Yamami wanted to yell out his frustration, but it wouldn't change anything. Their funds were limited, and they could only afford a near-B-rank level of protection.

As Yamami sighed in frustration, Chishima tugged at his pant leg.

"Uncle Yamami, aren't we supposed to be leaving?"

"Oh, right. Get in the carriage."

After Rō and Chishima finished storing their purchased goods, Yamami took the reins and set off.

Genma and Kurenai ran behind the carriage, keeping pace with it. As they passed through Konoha's main road, Genma watched familiar sights blur past and felt a sense of nostalgia.

He had lived in Konoha for eight years now, and this was finally the start of his career as a shinobi.

He used to watch older shinobi run along this road, wondering about his own future.

Now that he was finally on this path, he couldn't help but reflect on how much had changed.

Just as he got lost in thought, a figure appeared behind him, making his heart jump.

"You're getting distracted while traveling—bad habit, you know."

Yuji's gentle voice immediately calmed Genma down.

"Sensei, this mission isn't simple, is it? Why are we allowed to take a B-rank mission?"

"Why do you ask? Most students would be thrilled for an opportunity like this."

"No way, were past students really that reckless?"

Yuji shook his head. "Not exactly. It's just that many of them dreamed of becoming Hokage, so their ambitions were sky-high. I don't necessarily want my students to be like that, but I do want you to have courage."

At the mention of courage, Genma glanced at Kurenai.

Hearing their conversation, Kurenai also turned to look at Genma.

Their gazes locked, and a warm, shared understanding passed between them.

No matter what dangers awaited, as long as they had each other, they weren't afraid.

Yuji, witnessing this blatant display of affection, silently suffered another unexpected dose of dog food (public romance).

Before he could react, a voice called out from Konoha's gate.

"Hey! Genma! Kurenai! Sensei!"

Raido stood there waving, a wooden stick in his mouth, looking unusually relaxed.

Soon, their squad was fully assembled, and their journey to Bird Country officially began.

End of Chapter 68