NOVEL NEXT Chapter 44: chapter 44
'Phew finally am alone' she sighed tiredly.
The dinner with her former teammates went smoothly, they spent their time eating and discussing many matters that involved their lives and clans
Unfortunately, her lack of social communication for many days because of training made it hard for her to keep up.
Upon entering her apartment, Yumiko started arranging the scrolls that were scattered almost everywhere in her room and table
She went to her wardrobe and took out tomorrow's outfit with her ninja pouch
Putting everything aside in her bed, she started taking scrolls out that contained explosive tags and weapons before putting them in her ninja pouch
She unsealed her Gunbai putting it next to her outfit
'Well, I think I am ready...' She looked at her clothes with doubt
For some reason, the upcoming mission made her restless and anxious, she still can't pinpoint why exactly, but soon enough she will discover
Shaking her head, she pushed the doubt at the back of her mind.
After putting her outfit carefully in the chair and the Gunbai on the table, she finally went to change her clothes and got ready for bed
Before sleeping she set an alarm at four in the morning
______________________________________
The next morning, Yumiko went to the training ground where she used to meet her teammates; her Gunbai hung on her back while jumping from roof to roof. It was dark outside, and the village was quiet with only bird chirping sounds in the background.
Upon her arrival, Yumiko was met by Santa Yamanaka and Seiza
Oddly enough, Natsuki wasn't there with them.
Yumiko was immediately noticed by the jōnin who welcomed her with a nod of his head
After exchanging their greeting, Santa said casually "Let's wait for your teammate then we will discuss the details of this mission"
After a few minutes of somehow awkward silence, Seiza finally asked what was on his mind
"Nee Yumiko-chan, Natsuki had never been late like this...I wonder why she is late today" He said boredly, however, curiosity was evident on his face
Yumiko shrugged her shoulders before answering shortly "I don't know"
Seiza's brows furrowed at her short-almost uncaring reply, he was now tempted to make her talk with him more
"Sooo... Did you miss our combined jutsus? I bet the answer is yes. If so, how about we use them in this mission? it would be awesome!" He said with boyish excitement, his grin was wide enough to showcase his fangs
"Well I don't mind" Yumiko said with a faint smile
"Sorry for the delay" Said Natsuki who appeared next to Santa
Yumiko and Seiza both gazes fall on their teammate
Natsuki avoided their gaze, only focusing on Santa
The change in Natsuki didn't go unnoticed by Seiza, as for Yumiko, she didn't pay it much attention
After all, Seiza knew Natsuki better than anyone since they were classmate at the academy
"Well since you're all here let's start"
Santa started explaining to them the details of the mission carefully, his expression no longer casual and instead, it was serious
"The diplomas are civilians, meaning our trip would be slower with the carriages and how much rest we will take along the way"
Seiza groaned in irritation "That's boring!" He sighed dramatically before asking hopefully, "Say, boss, what are our chances of encountering rebels?"
"I can't say for sure, it depends on what roads we will take, considering our situation, we will take the safest road" Answered Santa blankly
Yumiko chuckled at his desperation before reassuring him "Don't worry Seiza, we can still take missions together where we will have to fight"
His eyes brightened slightly at her offer finding it a great opportunity to-"Yes!" after realizing his sudden outburst he cleared his throat awkwardly
"I mean of course! I really need some action" He said sheepishly while rubbing his neck nervously
Yumiko raised her eyebrows before shrugging
Santa shook his head at their interaction, finding it amusing. "Well, let's go to the gates. The last one arriving there will have to do the first nightshift" After his last statement he disappeared completely off their sight
"No way I'll be the one!" Seiza said before disappearing, leaving leaves behind.
Yumiko looked eyes with Natsuki an apologetic smile on her face before also disappearing
Instead of just body flickering, Yumiko added some wind to gain more speed.
It was quite the surprise for Santa to find Yumiko at the gates not long after he arrived
"Your speed is astonishing Yumiko-chan, I am really surprised to see you here before your teammates" He said praisingly
"Boss, I am the first one t-" Seiza's words caught up in his throat after seeing Yumiko, eyes widening in disbelief "How?"
Yumiko grinned ear to ear before declaring "Well, you were not the only one who trained hard all this time Seiza-kun"
Saiza's face suddenly reddened, he quickly looked to the side while frowning deeply, a hopeless attempt to mask the embarrassment in Yumiko's eyes
"Tsk tsk it seems you've grown strong even though you are younger" He said in frustration
Not a second later, Natsuki arrived. Smiling wryly she said "I am the last one, unfortunately"
"For a Hyuga, you're the one who's supposed to be the fastest" Santa said with disapproval before adding "Luckily there is still some room for improvement Natsuki-san"
An unreadable expression graced Natsuki's face, only the first part registering in her mind. She stained a polite smile before nodding
"Well, let's wait for our clients here, they will come at any minute" He clapped his hands
While waiting, Seiza suddenly got close to Yumiko and whispered in her ear, "Nee Yumiko, I noticed the way the boss calls you. Are you perhaps familiar with him?" He asked her
Yumiko pondered 'What's wrong with him? His behavior became odd lately'
"Genma-sensei introduced me to him when we were on a mission" She answered simply
Seiza looked at her for a few seconds longer before mumbling "I see..."
"Here they are" Santa said loudly snapping everyone from their thoughts
Yumiko looked at them with mild interest. From afar they seemed nothing special, after all, those were just civilian diplomas nothing more
While examining them, her eyes landed on someone familiar, someone whom she was all but ready to face him
Her eyes widened in horror at the sight of Danzo Shimura
'I did not sign up for THAT' Her guard raised to its fullest while trying hard to act natural
'Okay, I should relax, He isn't my enemy...
For now at least...
What am I thinking? That piece of sh*t made Obito Uchiha and Sasuke team up to beat him'
Desperate to distract herself, Yumiko started looking around while overthinking 'He didn't catch me staring at him, did he? Well, his eye was closed... right?
...
....
.....
He has a fu*king Sharingan!' She screamed in her mind
The carriage sounds made her snap from her daze, looking back at the group, she found them already ahead of her
Santa bowed his head in greeting. "Elder Danzo, it's nice to see you all good." He shifted his sight to the other diplomas, greeting them politely as well.
Danzo nodded at him in knowledge before glancing briefly at the kids
Yumiko focused her sight on Santa, looking all serious and determined
'I will make it my mission to stay away from him' She thought firmly