The carriage moved slowly along the rugged mountain road.
Komatsu focused on holding the reins, his eyes fixed on the dirt road ahead.
Mamoru leaned against the shaft seat on his left, his legs swinging casually, while Shino sat quietly on the right, scanning the surroundings alertly from time to time.
Inside the cargo compartment, Kurenai and Hinata were surrounded by a pile of goods tied with hemp rope. Kurenai's eyes were closed as she dozed, her breathing steady, while Hinata leaned against one side of the compartment, hugging her knees, her gaze drifting outside the curtain as if listening for something.
"Mamoru, how old are you?" Komatsu suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.
"Almost thirteen, I guess." Mamoru replied nonchalantly, his eyes still fixed on the woods by the roadside.
"So you're only twelve?" Komatsu said with a slight look of surprise.
"To have such skills at twelve, you must have put in a lot of effort, right? That's really impressive."
"It's alright, mostly just natural talent." Mamoru said, puffing out his chest without any modesty.
"I am the strongest existence among the Konoha ninjas, ahahahaha..."
"Cough, cough, cough!"
A deliberate coughing sound came from inside the carriage, clearly Kurenai reminding him to tone it down.
Mamoru curled his lip and changed the subject, "Enough about me. What about you? How did a pampered young master like you end up transporting goods all by yourself?"
"It's a tradition in my family, a test for every generation's heir." Komatsu's tone became solemn, his fingers gently rubbing the rough reins.
"A test?" Mamoru raised an eyebrow, showing an interested expression.
"That's right." Komatsu gently pulled the reins to adjust the carriage's direction.
"When my father inherited the firm from my grandfather, he went through the same test. Only by doing it yourself can you understand the hardships of this business."
"Oh, so it's a test passed down through generations." Mamoru nodded thoughtfully.
"But then again, you're so young. Your father should be in his prime right now. It seems a bit early for you to inherit the family business, doesn't it?"
"That was indeed the case. But my father is now seriously ill, and his health is deteriorating. He can no longer handle the business of the firm." Komatsu's expression suddenly darkened.
"The firm is only able to operate normally with the help of my uncle."
"Uncle?"
Mamoru unconsciously frowned and thought, 'The old man is dying, and the uncle is running the business... This sounds like trouble is brewing, there's some major drama here.'
"Oh, is that so?" He then responded in a normal volume, his tone indifferent.
"Coming to the Land of Fire this time is one of the tests my father gave me." Komatsu patted the carriage behind him, trying to cheer himself up. "Once this cargo is successfully transported back to the Land of Grass, after deducting losses during the journey and various expenses, whether the profit margin reaches expectations is also part of my father's test."
"And what if it doesn't reach expectations?" Mamoru asked bluntly.
Komatsu was clearly taken aback. His fingers unconsciously tightened on the reins as he stammered, "Then naturally... naturally..."
"Naturally, it will reach expectations." Mamoru cut in, patting him on the shoulder. "With me around, your luck won't be bad."
Komatsu gave Mamoru a grateful look and took a deep breath. "I used to grow up under my father's protection. Now that he's seriously ill, I should take on the responsibility of the family business. It's just a test. I have to overcome it no matter what."
"Um... Good luck."
Hinata lifted the curtain of the cargo compartment, poked her head out, and encouraged him in a small voice. She admired his optimistic and positive attitude.
"Haha, thank you for the support, Hinata-san." A sincere smile appeared on Komatsu's face.
Mamoru looked at the receding forest and thought to himself, 'This kid is really well-bred, using honorifics and all. But your old man is dying, and instead of staying home, you're out here taking some test?'
—
Two days later.
Deep within a continuous range of forested mountains, it was currently summer. The air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and soil, and the occasional bird song made the mountains feel even more tranquil.
A four-wheeled wagon, pulled by two brown horses, traveled steadily along a deserted mountain path. The horses' hooves struck the soft soil with a dull thud, and the wheels crunched over fallen dry branches with a crisp snap.
Suddenly, the carriage jerked to a halt, the horses stamping their hooves uneasily.
"The carriage stopped?" Inside the cargo compartment, Kurenai straightened up alertly.
"We've got a situation." Mamoru's voice came from the front, his tone showing no emotion.
Kurenai lifted the curtain of the cargo compartment, and her eyes narrowed slightly at the sight before her.
Three samurai with Katanas tucked into their waists blocked the middle of the road. They wore ragged grey Kimonos, their fronts open to reveal sturdy chests, and straw sandals on their feet, exuding an air of desperation. However, the looks they gave the carriage revealed a sense of cunning and ruthlessness. One could tell at a glance they were up to no good.
The leader in the middle had one hand tucked into the front of his clothes, his head held high, a toothpick dangling from his mouth, looking utterly arrogant.
His two accomplices on either side leaned in, talking in low voices.
"Boss, looks like a fat sheep."
"It's a fat sheep, boss."
"You bastards, I'm not blind! Do you even need to tell me?" The boss with the toothpick scolded his subordinates, spit flying everywhere. "Don't make such a fuss!"
"Boss, look, there's a woman on the carriage. Maybe later..."
The samurai who spoke looked at Kurenai, who had poked her head out from behind the curtain, his eyes widening with a lewd smile.
"Bastard, even if there's a woman, it's not your turn. Boss hasn't even spoken yet." The other lackey said, quickly trying to curry favor.
"Hmm... this chick is indeed quite good-looking." The leader with the toothpick rubbed his chin, his eyes darting around. "Kill the men, keep the woman and the kid."
"Yes, boss, hehehe..."
The two beside him immediately let out lewd, suppressed laughter, their hands already moving to the hilts of the swords at their waists.
Because of the distance and the fact that they were whispering, Mamoru only heard a vague mumble. But seeing their shifty eyes and the way they kept glancing at the carriage, anyone could tell they weren't discussing anything good.
"Who are these people?" Mamoru asked, his voice not loud, but enough for everyone on the carriage to hear.
"I'm not sure." Komatsu gulped nervously, his fingers on the reins trembling slightly. "But looking at their outfits... they seem like samurai."
"Samurai... are we filming a movie?" Mamoru mused, his gaze sweeping over the Katanas at their waists. "Let's test their intentions first."
"O-okay," Komatsu replied softly, his Adam's apple bobbing again.
He took a deep breath, straightening his back as if to bolster his courage, and shouted forward, "Gentlemen, please do us a favor and make way! We need to pass through here!"
Instead of responding, the three samurais exchanged sinister glances, wearing malicious smiles as they approached the carriage step by step.