WRIN - Chapter 22 - Naka Outpost (Patreon)

(Word Count: 1,285)

The rest of the day was spent on the road walking. The Land of Fire was a beautiful place, with sprawling forests, fields, and farms. However, the landscapes quickly became monotonous throughout the day. 

We rarely passed small towns, and when we did, the civilians gave respectful nods toward Tsunade when they noticed our headbands. We were still pretty close to Konoha, being within a day’s journey, so these small villages were likely the main farmers of Konoha, their produce sold mostly to us. So they likely saw a lot of ninja around.

Our final destination for the day was a small village along the Naka River, where we had a small ninja outpost, known as the Naka Outpost, where expeditions like ours could rest for the night. The Naka Outpost was the main stopping point for any mission heading on the western front of the Land of Fire. The next morning, we could purchase passage on a boat to take us downstream, which would take us about two thirds of the way there.

“You know, I was just looking at the map, and isn’t the outpost we’re heading to closer to Oujisama?” Shizune asked. Oujisama City was the capital of the Land of Fire, where the Daimyo lived. “Why don’t they send the resupplies? Wouldn’t it take less time?”

Tsunade huffed. “The ninja world is pretty segregated from the civilian world, Shizune. All of the responsibility to handle ninja outposts is solely on the Leaf’s shoulders, mainly the Hokage’s. The outposts will only get supplies from nearby sources in emergencies. Otherwise, it’s simpler for the Hokage to just send a team like us.”

Eventually, we approached the Naka River, and the small village. About 5 miles out, I noticed a bird take off and fly ahead of us towards the village. By the time we got there, the Jonin in charge of the outpost here was waiting to greet us. 

“Lady Tsunade! Welcome!” He was rubbing his hands together like a smarmy businessman looking to suck up to his boss. Like middle management when the CEO suddenly drops by. “I’ve already gotten my men to prepare a nice hot meal for you and your team! Right this way, my lady! Anything you need, just be sure to let me know.”

I eyed him up and down. What sort of promotion was this guy looking for? He was already a jonin. Any higher rank than that required recognition for contributions on the battlefield, not managing an outpost so close to Konoha. ‘Ah, that’s it. This is a dead-end job, so maybe he wants to leave this place.’

Tsunade quickly sent the guy off with platitudes and they retreated to the room for their team. Shizune and Kurenai collapsed onto the tatami mats, with Shizune kicking off her sandals. 

“Please tell me there’s a bath here! I’m beat!” Shizune groaned. Kurenai was face down on the mat, but she muffled an agreement.

“Come on girls, get up. There’s a shower room and a cafeteria waiting for us. Don’t start lazing around just yet.” Tsunade nudged Kurenai with her foot. As a genjutsu specialist, she was never that focused on taijutsu, so she was the weakest one on the team, at least physically.

Kurenai begrudgingly forced herself to stand up with a tearful pout.

I wasn’t tired at all, and I wasn’t really bothered by a bit of dust on my pants, so I was placed in charge of guarding the supplies scroll while they freshened up. Even if we were in a Konoha outpost, we were still on a mission. We couldn’t leave the scroll unguarded.

I took the scroll with me to go eat.

The cafeteria was like any other, a large room with a bunch of tables. There were several other ninjas present, a handful of them were chunin judging by their flak jackets. Only two were Jonin. The rest were career genin.

They saw me enter and there was a mixed reaction. Some of the career genin jeered, knowing I was under the guidance of a Jonin, fast tracked to being promoted. Others found me adorable.

“Look what we have here! A genin fresh out of the academy!” one of the genins mocked. “I bet this is his first time outside the village!”

I ignored the guy and made my way to get food.

“Pfft. He doesn’t seem too impressed with you, Gaho,” The man sitting next to him laughed.

‘Idiot. Now he has to escalate to save his pride.’

“Hey kid, I was talking to you!” The guy, now identified as Gaho, shouted.

“Oh, leave the kid alone, Gaho,” one of the jonin cut in tiredly. “He’s Lady Tsunade’s protege. You don’t want to cause trouble for him, or she’ll skin you alive.”

“Eh?” Gaho’s face paled. He then muttered a hasty apology and left.

Food in hand, I went to sit down by the jonin that stepped in. “My name’s Norihide Sakai. Thanks for stepping in, I didn’t really feel like having to kick his trash in front of everyone.”

The jonin chuffed in amusement. “Heh, I don’t doubt you could. Gaho’s not exactly the brightest of the bunch.”

The rest of the evening passed without any more excitement, and we turned in for the night.

Back in their room, Shizune and Kurenai sighed contentedly. After a long day’s travel on foot, nothing beats a good bath and meal. Meanwhile, I started pulling out the futons from the closet.

“Man, today was so loooong!” Shizune complained. “I'd rather stick to practicing my ninjutsu!”

“I really don’t look forward to passing through the Shuno Desert,” Kurenai agreed.

Tsunade hushed her. “Don’t talk about our route when we’re not in the village, Kurenai. You never know who may be listening.”

“Eh? But we’re in a Konoha outpost?” Kurenai said, confused. It should be safe enough here.

“I know, but it’s not a good habit to get into. We should only talk about mission objectives when we’re confident we’re alone.” With that, Tsunade opened the door to reveal Gaho there, his hand raised like he was about to knock.

“Can I help you?” She asked bluntly.

“Er, hello. I just wanted to apologize. To the kid,” Gaho said nervously, pointing to me. He really didn’t want to get on Lady Senju’s bad side. “I was out of line, and mildly drunk. No hard feelings, yeah?”

I shrugged. I didn’t really care. “Next time you see a new genin, don’t give them a hard time, and we’ll be fine.”

“Right. Of course,” Gaho gave Tsunade another nervous glance. “Have a good—” Tsunade shut the door in his face.

~~ WRIN ~~

After having the door slammed in his face, Gaho’s nervous face fell away to a cold anger. He had heard everything the foolish girls had said. People had always underestimated him. They all thought he was stupid or incompetent. Someone to dismiss without much thought.

Gaho made his way outside of the town to a secluded spot on the banks of the river, where one of the neighboring trees had a tangle of roots exposed as the river carved out the mud around it.

It was the designated spot he used to pass along messages and pick up payment. He was an informant.

Gaho reached into the tangle of roots and pulled out a small sealed canister that was disguised as a fake root. Inside was a small notepad and a pencil. He wrote, “Tsunade and her genin squad are delivering supplies down the Naka River. They’ll be crossing the Shuno Desert, either heading to the outpost on the Fire-Rivers border, or the Fire-Rain-Rivers border.”

Gaho grinned darkly. Suna will do with that as they will.