A farewell dinner, a quiet vow… and the first real steps beyond Konoha's safety.
Night fell, and an Akimichi family yakiniku restaurant was packed to the brim.
As a small gesture of thanks—and to help everyone get acquainted—Kushina treated Inuzuka Tsume, Adrian Voss, Shizune, and Yuanhai to barbecue before tomorrow's escort mission.
Akimichi barbecue was famous in Konoha, and by the time they arrived, they'd nearly been forced to give up on finding a seat.
It made sense.
The Akimichi clan's secret techniques burned through fat at an absurd rate. To maintain their strength, they needed huge amounts of meat—and if you were going to eat meat regularly, you might as well do it properly, safely, and in bulk.
High demand sharpened skill.
Before long, barbecue became more than a meal—it became business. Akimichi restaurants naturally turned into one of Konoha's favorite gathering places for shinobi.
And when it came to "business," clan shinobi and civilian shinobi lived in two different worlds.
The Ino–Shika–Chō alliance wasn't just tradition—they were practically stitched together.
The Nara clan raised livestock. Deer products had medicinal value, and the meat and trimmings flowed steadily into Akimichi kitchens.
Clan shinobi had mission pay and family income streams.
Civilian shinobi?
They earned every scrap the hard way—grinding missions just to afford scroll access, supplies, and training resources.
Adrian stared at the sizzling deer meat on the grill, swallowing lightly before he laughed and looked at Kushina.
"There are a lot of people today. We barely got a table." He grinned. "Kushina-sensei, thanks for treating us. When I have money, I'll treat you next time."
Kushina immediately shot him a glare, bristling. "So if I don't treat you, you won't treat me?"
Adrian could practically see the tsundere wiring in her brain short-circuiting.
He sighed internally and smiled. "How could that be? I'm just broke. When I've got money, anytime you want barbecue, I'll pay. Whenever you show up."
"You think I'm the kind of person who takes advantage?" she huffed—then pointed sharply at the grill. "It's ready. Eat. And don't stay up too late. You're waking up early tomorrow."
Even with her grumpy tone, her mouth betrayed her—just a hint of a smile.
Over the past few days, Kushina had secretly worried.
In Konoha's terms, Adrian lacked the "bond" mentality. She'd wondered if he simply didn't like her.
But hearing him speak like that… it eased something in her chest.
Shizune and Yuanhai quickly joined in, grateful and earnest.
"Thank you, Kushina-sensei!"
Kushina waved a hand like she didn't care, but her grin widened anyway. "Eat, eat! Don't let Adrian eat it all, you little brats!"
Once the kids started, Kushina turned to Tsume with a bright expression. "Tsume-senpai, you should eat too!"
"Kushina, you really didn't have to," Tsume said warmly.
"Don't say that," Kushina replied. "I'm the one inconveniencing you."
They all dug in.
There was one unfortunate drawback: Konoha's rules were strict. No alcohol for minors.
Adrian silently mourned the missing piece of the barbecue experience. In his previous life, he'd tasted alcohol young—just enough to know what he was missing.
Still, it was only a taste of a feast.
Adrian's appetite was too absurd. If Kushina tried to actually fill him up with premium meat, she'd go bankrupt on the spot.
And it wasn't like the village spoiled Kushina with extra allowances. The Uzumaki clan's homeland was gone, and she hadn't exactly escaped with riches. The fact she was alive was already a miracle.
The dinner served its real purpose, though—everyone got comfortable with one another before the mission.
They didn't stay long. After confirming tomorrow's meeting time and location, they split up.
…
Back at Tsunade's residence, Adrian and Shizune began packing for the escort.
Smoke bombs. Kunai. Shuriken.
Adrian didn't bring much, but he brought what mattered. This era was unstable. Even a "simple" mission could turn ugly without warning.
He also packed basic medical supplies—bandages, ointments, a few emergency items.
And of course…
His sword.
Once everything was sorted, Adrian headed downstairs to wash up. Shizune finished quickly and came down as well.
"Adrian… you're all set?" she asked softly.
"Yeah." He nodded. "Everything I might need. You?"
Shizune smiled sweetly. "Me too."
Adrian could see the tension hidden behind her expression.
Tsunade was away on another mission again, leaving the house quiet. Shizune tried to act brave, but she was still nine.
So Adrian reached out and ruffled her hair gently.
"Don't worry," he said. "I'm here. Wash up, then get some sleep."
Shizune's cheeks pinked instantly. "…Mm." She nodded, obedient and relieved.
After she left, Adrian returned to his room.
Moonlight poured through the window, pale and calm.
He sat cross-legged on the bed and began his daily breathing practice—morning and night, without fail.
With each inhale, a faint pull stirred in the air. Moonlight… and something else. Natural energy, subtle and cool, gathering toward him like thin threads of mist and slipping into his body through skin and breath.
One full cycle later, Adrian opened his eyes and glanced down toward his core.
Still no clear change.
He was leaving the village tomorrow. Part of him hoped… hoped that pushing a little harder tonight might trigger something—some shift in the strange "sea" he'd been building for years.
He wasn't weak. With the Flower-Flower Fruit, a careless chūnin could be erased instantly. Even against a jōnin, Adrian wasn't helpless.
But he wanted more insurance.
More hidden cards.
In this world, "enough" could turn into "dead" overnight.
Still, he didn't force it.
He lay down, pulled the blanket over himself, and closed his eyes.
Tomorrow… was going to be early.
…
Morning.
Adrian and Shizune arrived at Konoha's gates with small packs on their backs. Adrian wore his sword at his waist.
The usual gate guards weren't there today—Kōtetsu and Izumo were the same age as Adrian's group and hadn't taken those posts yet.
Before long, Yuanhai arrived… then Tsume… and finally Kushina came to see them off as well.
"Off" was the polite word.
This felt more like a farewell.
A little later, the merchant caravan rolled up—two wooden wagons piled with goods, eight people total.
A middle-aged man dressed neatly stepped forward with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, we're a bit late. Didn't mean to keep you waiting."
"No problem," Tsume replied professionally. "We only just arrived. If everyone's here, we can depart. Tado-san."
After filing paperwork at the gate registry, the team was cleared to leave.
Adrian turned to Kushina with an easy smile. "Kushina-sensei, go back. When I come back with money, I'm treating you to something good."
This time, Kushina didn't snap or act tsundere.
She smiled—openly.
"Good. I'll be waiting."
Then her expression sharpened, the mentor in her coming out. "Be careful on the road. Protect Shizune and Yuanhai."
Kushina didn't fully understand why Adrian hid his strength. But she understood one thing clearly:
Even Tsume probably wasn't Adrian's equal.
On paper, Tsume was the acting leader.
In reality… Adrian was the team's trump card.
"Don't worry," Adrian said firmly. "We'll be fine."
Kushina turned to Tsume. "I'm counting on you."
Tsume grinned. "Relax. I'll do everything I can to protect them. And I believe they're capable too."
As she spoke, her eyes flicked briefly toward Adrian—measuring, curious.
With the creak of wagon wheels and the steady rhythm of hooves, the convoy finally moved.
Konoha's massive gates receded behind them.
And for the first time in three years…
Adrian stepped beyond the village.
…
Land of Fire—one of Konoha's smaller towns.
"Let's rest here for the night," Tsume said as they reached a hot spring inn. She patted the head of her big dog companion, Blackmaru, then addressed the caravan members.
Tado nodded with relief. "Good. Everyone's worked hard. Let's sleep properly tonight."
Several merchants visibly brightened. Most of them were used to sleeping rough.
Shizune and Yuanhai didn't even try to hide their happiness. They were stronger than civilians, yes—but they were still nine-year-old kids. Fatigue was written plainly on their faces.
Adrian wasn't exhausted, but days of sun, wind, and dust wore on anyone. He felt it in his bones.
A ninja could reach Yusui Town in a single day if they moved at full speed.
A merchant caravan, dragging two wagons?
Ten days. Maybe more.
"Welcome," the inn clerk greeted politely. Business manners mattered… and mattered even more when there were Konoha shinobi wearing forehead protectors in the lobby.
After Tsume arranged rooms and assigned night watch rotations, she turned to Adrian.
"Adrian, keep an eye on things here. I'm going out to scout."
Adrian took one look at the fatigue in her face and shook his head. "Tsume-sensei, you and Shizune and Yuanhai should rest first. You'll still be on watch in the first half of the night. I'll handle scouting."
Tsume hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. Be careful."
"Boss, I'll go with you," Yuanhai offered, trying to sound tough.
Adrian glanced at him—at the heavy eyelids and barely-contained yawns.
He laughed quietly. "You're half-asleep already. Go rest. Just be ready to move tomorrow."
Yuanhai scratched his head, embarrassed. "…Okay."
After dropping his pack and gear in the room, Adrian stepped out with his sword.
The closer they got to the border regions, the more the atmosphere changed.
This town's streets were noticeably quieter than settlements closer to Konoha. Fewer lights. Fewer people. More wary eyes.
A child walking alone at night drew attention—but the sword at Adrian's waist sent a clear message.
No one approached him.
He took a slow circuit through the town.
As expected, he sensed several chakra signatures.
Weak ones.
Genin-level, at best.
Rogue shinobi… drifters… the kind that hovered around trade routes and waited for easy targets.
Adrian didn't bother provoking them. Not unless they crossed the line.
Once he confirmed there was no immediate threat, he returned to the inn, reported to Tsume, ate a quick meal, completed his nightly breathing practice, refined chakra for a short time…
…and went to sleep early.
At dawn, after standing watch in the second half of the night, Adrian faced the rising sun and drew in a single breath of warm yang energy.
Fatigue drained away like it had never existed.
The convoy moved again.
Four days passed.
The terrain grew rougher. Hills rose into low mountains, and the forest ahead thickened into dense green.
Tado exhaled with relief. "Once we cross these mountains, Yusui Town is just ahead."
Tsume didn't relax at all. Her eyes stayed sharp as she watched the tree line.
"We're not there yet," she said firmly. "The next stretch will be difficult. Maintain formation. Move."
A proper shinobi didn't loosen their guard until the mission was complete.
Yuanhai took the lead.
Adrian kept to the left flank, positioned to respond quickly to threats and protect the wagons.
Shizune held the right side.
Tsume, the most experienced, remained at the rear to keep the entire group within her sight.
Blackmaru ran patterns around them, moving in wide arcs—scouting, sniffing, listening.
Inuzuka senses weren't just for show.
And as the forest swallowed the road ahead…
Even the wind felt quieter.
As if something in the trees was holding its breath.
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