Inuzuka Hana leaned closer to Naruto and whispered:
"Is… this really the person we're protecting?"
In front of them stood a fat businessman with big ears and narrow eyes. He smiled politely as he handed Yamato a gift as thanks. It made Yamato, who was used to killing and fighting as a ninja, feel very uncomfortable.
"You've already paid for the mission. I can't accept this," Yamato said quickly, pushing the gift back.
"That's fine, you still have a heavy burden ahead," the merchant said nervously, which only made Yamato feel even more awkward.
"Just take it. It's already yours," he said.
Naruto immediately laughed.
"Haha, as you like, I'll take it then."
Then he walked over and took the gift box from the seller's hand.
Yamato frowned.
"Naruto, how can you take advantage of the client? The mission is already paid! And it's even 100,000 taels for a C-rank!"
Naruto rolled his eyes.
"100,000 taels? I earned that when I was three."
(Thanks to the Hyuga Clan…)
Yamato was only 18. He had grown up in Root and ANBU, living in a world of killing and survival. This was his first time doing normal missions as a Jonin instructor. To him, missions were always life-and-death battles—he didn't understand these human interactions.
To Naruto, this was simple.
"This is called human relations. You don't get it?" Naruto said.
He opened the gift box and glanced inside.
A silver note worth 300,000 taels.
Naruto raised an eyebrow.
Three times the mission reward.
He glanced at the goods on the wagons. Each one was guarded by ninja from the Fuma Clan. A faint smile appeared on his face.
This cargo… wasn't simple.
Otherwise, why so much protection?
After the caravan started moving, none of the Fuma ninja dared to mock Naruto for being a kid. A ninja sent by Konoha was never simple—especially one leading a Jonin.
They weren't stupid enough to cause trouble.
This disappointed Naruto a little. He had wanted to show off in front of the girls.
As time passed, Inuzuka Hana and Uchiha Izumi slowly became bored. After the initial excitement, nothing happened. Every day was just traveling and eating.
No danger. No action.
Even bandits wouldn't dare attack such a strong escort.
Compared to this, even catching cats in the village felt more interesting.
Naruto, however, used this chance well.
He trained them.
Tree climbing… water walking…
Under Naruto's guidance, the two girls quickly improved.
After half a month, they could already control chakra like proper genin.
Just as everyone thought the rest of the journey would stay peaceful—
Haimaru suddenly growled nervously.
Yamato immediately raised his hand.
"Stop!"
The Fuma Clan Jonin frowned.
"What is it?"
Yamato explained:
"Hana's ninja dog has an extremely sharp sense of smell. If it's reacting like this, something is ahead."
The Fuma Jonin signaled everyone to stop.
Yamato looked at Hana.
"What's wrong?"
"Woof! Woof!" Haimaru barked urgently.
Hana's expression changed. She used her clan technique to smell the air.
"Yes… there are people ahead. Moving."
Then she looked at Naruto, thinking he had already noticed.
Naruto: "???"
(I'm just guessing…)
(The Nine-Tails is a tsundere fox. If I keep using it like a dog, it'll hate me forever…)
At that moment—
Several kunai suddenly shot out from the forest!
Explosive tags were attached to them!
"Not good! Take cover!" Yamato shouted.
"Wood Style: Great Forest Technique!"