Chapter 68: FUNFUN Street is a "Good Place"
When returning to the guest room in the Hyuga Clan Compound, Haruko indeed felt a gaze.
Although there was no malice, there was still an invisible pressure of "I am watching you."
This was also one of the reasons why Haruko did not plan to stay here for long—although Hyuga Hiashi did not ask, the feeling of being constantly monitored was indeed uncomfortable.
"Still have to leave the Village..."
...
Another day passed, and the mission approval finally came down.
It was a designated escort mission issued by Teuchi, naming Haruko and Kaguya Kaede as guards, responsible for protecting Teuchi and the others during their travels.
Anko Mitarashi would serve as the captain.
'They still sent someone to monitor us, although I had guessed it from the moment the Third Elder suggested going through the procedure..."
Looking on the bright side, at least it was an acquaintance. And the kind that was easier to deal with.
Moreover, previous missions had proven that with Anko following, Danzo would have reservations about making a move; she still had some influence.
"Dad, the mission has been approved. Pack up, let's leave tomorrow morning."
Teuchi was busy in the Hyuga Clan's kitchen. Hearing this, he nodded: "Got it. I'll go tell Ayame and the others."
"Yeah."
Haruko turned to walk out, then stopped: "Oh right, Anko is coming along too, she's the captain."
Teuchi froze for a moment, then quickly reacted: "Sent by the Village?"
"Yes." Haruko didn't explain further.
Teuchi was silent for a moment, then sighed: "That's fine, one more person means one more layer of protection."
...
Early the next morning, Haruko's group gathered at the entrance of the Hyuga Clan Compound.
"Thank you, Clan Leader Hyuga Hiashi, for your care over the past few days." Teuchi bowed to Hyuga Hiashi.
"You're too kind." Hyuga Hiashi waved his hand, "Travel safely."
Hinata stood behind her father and said softly: "Brother Haruko... travel safely."
Haruko glanced at her and nodded: "Yeah."
Hinata's face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head.
The group left the Hyuga Clan Compound and headed toward the Village gate.
Anko was already waiting there, leaning against the gatepost with a wooden toothpick in her mouth.
"Well then, we'll be troubling you for this period, Jonin Ninja Anko."
As the client, Teuchi stepped forward to greet Anko.
"Oh, leave it to me." Anko spat out the toothpick, "Since everyone is here, let's set off."
The group left the Village gate and headed forward along the main road.
Haruko trailed at the very back; unlike his usual lazy attitude on missions, this time there was not a hint of relaxation.
Anko followed beside Haruko, lowering her voice to tease him: "You kid, making such a big fuss just to go on a trip."
"I didn't want to either." Haruko replied indifferently.
"Thanks to you, this really is a publicly funded trip." Anko habitually reached out to hook her arm around Haruko's neck, "When the time comes, just do your own thing; just pretend I don't exist."
Haruko silently brushed away Anko's arm.
"Please do your job properly, Anko-sensei."
"Yes yes" Anko put her hands behind her head, "I feel like our roles are reversed."
Unlike the serious mission atmosphere of the two in the back, the voices in front were becoming increasingly lively.
Ayame's laughter was the clearest; she was discussing something with Tayuya. Although Tayuya sounded dismissive, she was responding earnestly.
Kin followed beside Teuchi, occasionally pointing at the scenery along the road, while Teuchi explained the local features he knew about in a gentle tone.
Kaede was at the very front of the group on guard duty, occasionally joining the discussion; she looked much more relaxed than when she was in Konoha.
This really did feel like a real vacation.
"Hey, Brother Haruko." Ayame turned back, her eyes sparkling, "Where are we going?"
"FUNFUN Street."
"FUNFUN Street?" Ayame tilted her head, "What kind of place is that?"
Tayuya shook her head: "Never heard of it."
Kin blinked and looked at Teuchi.
Teuchi rubbed his chin, seemingly in thought as well.
Kaede turned to look at Haruko, revealing a complicated expression, but did not say anything.
Anko turned her head away, her shoulders trembling slightly, looking as if she were trying hard to endure something.
"I don't know either." With everyone's gaze focused on him, Haruko explained, "I just heard other Ninjas mention it. It's not far anyway, let's go take a look."
Anko shook even harder.
The others had no objections, so the first stop of the trip was set as FUNFUN Street.
It was just that Anko's "watching a show" expression gave Haruko an ominous premonition.
...
FUNFUN Street was not far from Konoha, less than half a day's journey.
In his previous life, Haruko had seen an introduction online and had always been curious about the description: "You will have a very FUN experience when you come here."
However, after arriving—
"Haruko... leaving others aside, bringing Tayuya and Kin to a place like this isn't very appropriate, right."
"This isn't a place we should be coming to, Dad! Brother Haruko, you really are something!"
"Big brother is a man after all..."
"Brother Haruko... no matter what you become, I will support you."
"Why come to a place like this? If you wanted something, wouldn't it be better to just ask me?"
"Hahahaha hahaha hic."
Only after arriving did they realize—this was just a red-light district.
Because of the Three Prohibitions for Ninjas in Konoha, there were no overt pleasure quarters in the Village.
But that didn't mean there was no demand.
Those Ninjas who wanted to "have fun" would either go to underground establishments or sneakily come here.
In addition, this was a gathering place for all sorts of people. Some information trading, underground missions, and black market deals also took place here.
"I'm not, I didn't, I just heard other Ninjas say this was a 'good place' so I was curious to come and see..."
The gazes of everyone made Haruko's face burn red, and he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
'Damn it, I should have guessed! Netizens have misled me; this is clearly a socially dead experience!"
"Anko-sensei, you knew about this all along, didn't you!" A flustered and exasperated Haruko turned his accusation toward Anko, who was laughing very loudly.
Anko didn't mind Haruko's murderous gaze, instead patting his back: "How about it, kid, had your eyes opened? Do you want big sister to take you inside for a look around?"
"Am I that kind of person? On the contrary, Anko-sensei, you seem very familiar with this place; you don't come here often, do you?" Haruko took a step back and counterattacked.
"Ha? How is that possible! This is my first time here too!" Concerned about her own innocence, Anko immediately explained, "Remembering the terrain around Konoha is basic for Konoha Ninjas! Why don't you know about it instead!"
"Ahem, well..." Teuchi interrupted their argument, "In any case, let's leave here first."
"Brother Haruko, where are we going? Tell us first, and don't lead us to a place like this again, okay."
"I already said I didn't know before! Ayame, you don't really think I'm that kind of person, do you?"
As Haruko spoke, he took out a map and looked at nearby locations.
"Anyway, let's go to the Yugakure Hot Spring Town first. If we leave now, we should be able to spend the night there."
Patter patter—
Not long after the group left, a carrier pigeon flew out from an alley, heading in the direction of Konoh
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