The ox cart moved painfully slow — barely faster than walking speed.
After leaving Konoha, Team Nine spread out around the cart in a square formation, keeping Meinazu protected in the center.
Of course, that formation wasn't exactly stable.
Right now, one corner has been missing for quite some time.
"Miss Meinazu, you look troubled… is there something you haven't told us?"
"Huh? Miss Meinazu?"
Rin tried to strike up a conversation, but Meinazu said nothing.
Attempt one: total failure.
Noon Break
During their short rest, the team gathered to eat.
"Rin, try talking to her again this afternoon," Drake said casually.
"Don't ask directly — just chat about normal things first."
"Okay." Rin nodded obediently.
"Want me to try?" Obito mumbled through a mouthful of dumplings.
No one even responded.
After a quick meal, the journey continued.
Rin tried again — still no response.
Meinazu sat silently on the cart, staring blankly at the passing woods as if lost in thought.
Nightfall
By the campfire, the four gathered for their daily briefing.
Kakashi unfolded the map and marked a red point along the route.
"At our current pace, it'll take five days to leave the Land of Fire and enter the Land of Hot Water."
The ox cart simply couldn't go any faster.
Rin spoke next.
"She didn't say anything today either… but I'm sure Meinazu is hiding something. I can feel it."
Drake wasn't surprised. He'd suspected as much from the start.
Then it was Obito's turn.
"I've got nothing to report. Oh — Drake, can you lend me two kunai? I forgot mine."
He rummaged through his pouch and said something even more shocking.
"…I didn't bring any either."
Drake's face darkened.
"You didn't bring any?" Obito blinked.
"Would bringing them even help?" Drake sighed.
"…Fair point."
Given Drake's legendary accuracy, Obito conceded.
Watching their nonsense completely derail the briefing, Kakashi felt a profound sense of despair.
So this… is the world of dead-last.
Night Guard Assignment
"Alright. We'll split the night watch into two groups," Kakashi announced as temporary captain.
"Tonight: me and Rin. Tomorrow night: Drake and Obito."
His arrangement was instantly rejected.
"Why do YOU get Rin? I object!" Obito yelled.
His voice was so loud even Meinazu turned around to look.
"Then how do you suggest we do it?" Kakashi asked coldly.
"Obviously me and Rin!" Obito puffed out his chest.
"Heh." Kakashi sneered.
You really think your purpose is guarding?
Rin tried to mediate. "We're teammates, let's not argue…"
But they were already locked into a stare-down, sparks practically flying.
Desperate, Rin looked to Drake for help — only to find him staring deeply… at Meinazu.
"Drake! They're about to fight and you're just staring at her?!" Rin tugged his sleeve, exhausted.
"Fight? That's great."
Drake's eyes never left Meinazu.
He'd love nothing more than for Kakashi and Obito to start brawling — preferably with Obito getting injured.
Then they could just escort Obito back to Konoha and end this mission peacefully.
Sadly, the two shouted for ages but neither threw a punch.
"Obito, you're disappointing. If I were you, I'd have slapped him twice already," Drake sighed later, patting his brother's shoulder.
"What if Kakashi hits back?" Obito rolled his eyes.
"Then slap him twice more."
"…But I can't beat him."
Final Decision
After a team vote, Kakashi was forced to change the guard formation.
So it became:
Kakashi + Obito
Drake + Rin
As Obito put it:
"If I can't have it, Kakashi doesn't get it either."
The Next Morning
Cloudy skies. Gentle breeze.
Drake stretched and checked his status panel.
Name: Drake
Age: 13
Strength: —
Constitution: [Chūnin Level]
Agility: (×44) [Jōnin Level]
Spirit: —
Chakra Capacity: —
Skills: None
Ninjutsu: None
Overall Combat Rating: Apprentice Genin
"My speed… jōnin-level now?"
His mood soared.
With speed like this, his safety was practically guaranteed.
Even Kakashi wouldn't be able to catch him if he ran.
"I was just about to wake you."
Obito jumped down from a tree, yawning heavily. He'd taken the latter half of the night watch.
"Where's Meinazu?" Drake frowned, glancing at the now-empty cart.
"Huh? I didn't notice…" Obito rubbed his eyes, confused.
Wait.
Where did she go?
"You call that guarding? She vanished and you noticed nothing?!"
Drake's sharp shout woke Kakashi and Rin instantly.
Obito looked pitiful but couldn't argue.
When he took over, Meinazu had still been on the cart.
But near dawn, he'd been too sleepy and dozed off.
Who knew she'd disappear the moment the sun came up?
"Split up and search!"
The four scattered in different directions.
The Forest
Drake didn't actually think he'd find her.
He knew his direction was wrong.
If Meinazu really wandered off, logically she'd head east — toward the Land of Hot Water.
But he chose the north.
Pushing aside a dense patch of grass, he froze.
At the same time, the crouching Meinazu froze as well.
Yes…
If Drake wasn't mistaken…
She seemed to be… taking a dump.
"…Need some paper?"
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