Konoha’s White Fang Shines

Chapter 52: A Second Meeting with Taito

Early the next morning, within a quiet courtyard of the Daimyō's palace in the Land of This.

The Daimyō leisurely held a delicate, white bun in one hand and sipped from a bowl of porridge. This wasn't ordinary rice porridge; it appeared to be a mix of several grains, with a richly colored texture.

Just as the Daimyō took his last sip of porridge and prepared to take a bite of the bun, a maid quietly approached the courtyard's entrance. Bowing her head, she gestured for permission to enter.

"Let them in," said the maid in a soft voice.

At her words, the Daimyō turned toward the entrance. Slowly, eight individuals entered the courtyard—Yuji and the team under his temporary leadership.

As the group approached, the Daimyō spoke first, his voice warm and inviting. "Have you had breakfast? Did you rest well last night?"

"Thanks to your hospitality, everything was perfect. We've already had breakfast," Yuji replied, pulling Genma subtly behind him as he spoke.

If the Daimyō happened to glance in Genma's direction, he might notice the noticeable dark circles under the boy's eyes—a clear sign of a sleepless night. Considering that several team members had been injured during the matches, such an observation might lead to a recommendation for the team to withdraw from their mission altogether.

The Daimyō nodded thoughtfully before sharing some information. "According to reliable reports, the Land of That has hired their own ninja. However, their exact origin remains unclear, so—"

"Rest assured, Daimyō-sama," Yuji interjected confidently. "Since you've entrusted this matter to us, we will ensure the situation is resolved. Ninja matters are best left to ninja."

"Good. Then you are dismissed for now. When it's time to set out, someone from the military will come find you."

Yuji bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Daimyō-sama."

With that, Yuji led the team out of the palace grounds.

Although they were told to wait for instructions from the military, the lack of a specific rendezvous point hinted at the Daimyō's confidence in his control over the situation. This relaxed attitude highlighted the Daimyō's firm grip on the nation, leaving Yuji and the others with little choice but to comply and wait.

The team had been in the Land of This for only two days. Apart from visiting the dining area, they had yet to explore other parts of the city. Naturally, their curiosity began to stir.

"Since the mission has been delayed for two days already, set aside your little adventures," Yuji said sternly, his expression firm as he grabbed Raido, the most restless of the group. "We'll stay in the food market area. No splitting up."

Despite Yuji's strict tone, the food market proved to be a pleasant compromise. At least they could pass the time snacking and exploring stalls.

The market was bustling, its vibrant energy attributed to the country's wartime demographic of more women than men. As the team wandered through, they quickly became the center of attention. It seemed their performances in the martial competitions had earned them some fame.

"Kaa-chan, look! It's the Gale Kid!" a child exclaimed.

"Ah, it really does look like him! Such a spirited young man," her mother replied with a smile.

"Hey, check it out—it's the team of young prodigies!"

Before long, the group was completely surrounded. The smiling crowd resembled an impromptu fan club, leaving the eight ninja both flattered and bewildered.

Thankfully, a group of uniformed guards arrived, armed with staves, to clear a path.

"Make way, everyone! These are honored guests of the Daimyō. Please maintain order," one of the guards announced politely but firmly. They handed Yuji a sealed letter as they guided the group out of the crowd.

Yuji quickly opened the letter, scanned its contents, and tucked it away. "Thank you. We'll depart immediately."

He turned to the team, his voice sharp and decisive. "Our target is fifty miles west of the city gates. Nomaru, take the lead. I'll cover the rear. Move out!"

"Understood," Nomaru replied, nodding before taking point. He called for his students to follow, and the entire team set off at once.

The urgency in their teachers' demeanor hinted at the seriousness of the mission. As the group sprinted through the city and beyond its gates, most felt a mix of tension and excitement—except for Genma, whose incessantly twitching eyelid filled him with unease.

Trying to suppress the ominous feeling, Genma gritted his teeth and focused on the path ahead.

The team moved in their well-practiced formation. Nomaru and his students formed a triangular vanguard, while Genma's group adopted a reverse triangle behind them. To balance the lineup, the two teachers positioned themselves at opposite ends of the team.

This streamlined and symmetrical formation was designed to reduce air resistance—a practical consideration for ninja traveling at high speeds. It also allowed for seamless rotation between the lead and rear positions, conserving the team's stamina over long distances.

Genma had devised this setup after considerable thought. When he'd asked their teachers about it, they'd admitted they had simply inherited it without giving it much scrutiny. Though initially frustrated by their vague answers, Genma had come to understand the ninja world's preference for simplicity and efficiency.

Before he knew it, the team had reached the western forest, where the faint silhouettes of others could be seen among the trees.

Upon entering the woods, Genma's mood took a turn for the worse.

There he was—the very person Genma had begrudged for hours on end—Taito.

Genma's dark circles were a direct result of this man invading his dreams, fueling his frustration. Though relieved to have Nomaru and Yuji handling introductions, Genma still found it hard to suppress his irritation.

As the group approached, Taito stepped forward and bowed deeply.

"Are you the ninja hired by the Daimyō? I am here to escort you. You may call me Taito," he said, his demeanor formal and respectful, though his expression remained as steely as ever.

Straightening up, Taito's sharp gaze briefly flickered when it landed on Genma, revealing a moment of recognition. It was unclear how Taito felt about encountering the group again, but Genma was far from calm.

Had fate been kinder, Genma might have had the chance to face Taito in battle and give him a hard time. Instead, fate seemed intent on mocking him.

As Genma glared at Taito, Kurenai's expression grew uneasy. But she quickly composed herself and shifted her concern toward Genma.

Having spent so much time with him, she understood his personality well. Whether it was innate or learned, his blend of tenderness and stubbornness made him both endearing and exasperating.

She couldn't deny that Genma's multifaceted nature was part of what drew her to him. Unlike others, who wore their emotions plainly, Genma's complexity made him feel more genuine—at least to her.

Kurenai had often suspected that his stoic exterior was a facade reserved for others, while his true self was something only she was allowed to see. This thought, paradoxically, both troubled and delighted her.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Taito approached. To everyone's surprise, he bowed again, this time directly to Genma and Kurenai.

"I didn't realize you were among the ninja sent by the Daimyō. I deeply apologize for yesterday's incident," Taito said, his voice sincere.

End of Chapter 52