Leaving Konoha, Captain Yamaguchi immediately picked up the pace.
"This is a C-Rank mission. If everything goes smoothly, we just need to deliver the supplies to the outpost. The only requirement is speed." As they ran, Yamaguchi explained the mission details.
He pulled out three storage scrolls and tossed one to each of his team members. "These contain part of the supplies. Each of you carries one. This ensures that even if something happens and we get separated, at least some supplies will reach the destination."
Taiichi and the others caught the scrolls and secured them in their gear pouches.
"Captain, judging by the direction... are we heading to the Land of Rain or the Land of Grass?" Yohei asked, looking at the path ahead.
"Land of Rain," Yamaguchi answered curtly, not looking back as he led the way.
"Oh, the Land of Rain. I heard it rains there constantly, like the heavens are crying." Yohei started babbling again. "Hey, do you think we'll run into trouble this time? Seems like every time we go out, something chaotic happens!"
"Yohei!" Yamaguchi snapped, glaring back at him. "Shut your crow's beak and focus on running."
Taiichi and Saori, running a few steps behind, exchanged glances and covered their mouths to stifle their laughter. But deep down, they felt a twinge of excitement.
The Land of Rain was notoriously unstable. Bordering three Great Nations, it was a hotspot for friction between ninja forces even during peacetime. This was going to be an eye-opening trip.
Yamaguchi pushed them hard until noon, when they finally stopped for a quick rest and supply check. By then, everyone except the Captain was panting heavily. Saori, who had the lowest stamina, looked like she didn't even have the energy to speak.
"Captain... isn't this pace a bit too intense?" Taiichi asked the question everyone was thinking. "If we run into enemies now, we won't even have the strength to fight back."
"You're right. We were close to the village earlier, so I pushed the pace to test your limits," Yamaguchi explained. "We'll slow down from here."
Taiichi saw Saori let out a visible sigh of relief. If they had kept that sprint up, she would have collapsed long before they reached the outpost.
"Saori, you gotta work on your cardio! You're dragging us down!" Yohei joked, trying to lighten the mood even though he wasn't doing much better himself.
Saori rolled her eyes at him, too tired to retort.
Taiichi smiled faintly at the exchange.
After a quick meal and an hour of rest, they set off again. Yamaguchi kept his word and slowed down significantly, allowing even Yohei to relax a bit.
They traveled day and night for nearly two days before finally reaching their destination—Outpost No. 7.
Before they could get close, a kunai shot out from a tree ahead, landing directly in front of Yamaguchi's feet.
A clear warning shot.
"I am the Jonin in charge of this supply delivery mission. Here is the mission scroll." Yamaguchi pulled a scroll from his pouch and held it high.
A moment later, a ninja wearing a Chunin vest emerged from behind a tree. He looked tense and stopped about ten paces away. He didn't speak, just extended a hand and gestured for the scroll.
Yamaguchi noted the caution and tossed the scroll over without hesitation.
The Chunin caught it, inspected the seal, and then opened it carefully, wary of traps. Once he confirmed it was safe, he checked the mission details and the village's secret code.
Only after verifying everything did he relax his guard and step forward. "Apologies. I'm Touyama. We were attacked by enemy ninja not long ago, so we're on high alert."
"Understandable." Yamaguchi sighed internally. So that's why the supply request was late. "Did the outpost suffer heavy losses?"
" Sigh ." Touyama's expression fell. "It's bad. You'll see when you come in."
He gestured for them to follow.
Taiichi and Saori both looked at Yohei with expressions that screamed, You jinxed it, you crow-mouth.
Yohei looked innocent. He was just running his mouth; he didn't actually expect his "prediction" to come true. Was it the outpost's bad luck, or theirs?
Entering the outpost, the scene was chaotic. The attack must have been recent; the camp was still a mess. Wounded ninja lay groaning on the ground, but there were no medical ninja attending to them.
Taiichi quickened his pace to catch up to Yamaguchi and tugged on his sleeve, signaling him to look at the wounded.
Yamaguchi understood immediately. He turned to Touyama. "Are there no medical ninja in the camp? I see a lot of wounded untreated."
"This is just an outpost. We don't have medical ninja stationed here. Usually, we handle minor injuries ourselves, but this time... some of our comrades are hurt too badly. I'm afraid..." Touyama looked pained, clearly distressed at watching his friends slowly die.
"My squad has a medical ninja. We can help," Yamaguchi said quickly. He turned to Taiichi. "Taiichi, go treat the wounded."
"Yes, sir!" Taiichi agreed instantly. That was exactly why he had signaled the Captain.
"That's wonderful! I'll have someone take him to the critical care area right now!" Touyama looked at Taiichi like he was a rare treasure.
"Sachiya! Sachiya! Get over here!" Touyama shouted into the camp.
"Coming! Coming! What is it, Touyama-senpai?"
A Genin covered in blood and grime ran over, holding bandages and scissors.
"Take this..." Touyama paused, looking at Taiichi.
"Taiichi Matsushita."
"Right. Take Taiichi to the critical ward. He's a medical ninja," Touyama said urgently.
"Ah!" Sachiya froze for a second, then his face lit up. "Takayama-senpai doesn't have to die!"
He grabbed Taiichi's hand and started dragging him deeper into the camp. "Come on! Hurry!"
Taiichi was dragged away before he could even say goodbye.
Seeing Sachiya's desperation, Yamaguchi realized the situation was dire. Worried Taiichi might need extra hands, he turned to Saori. "Saori, go help him. Yohei and I will meet the outpost commander."
"Yes, Captain!" Saori ran after Taiichi.
"Chunin Touyama, take us to the commander. We'll hand over the supplies and see what else we can do," Yamaguchi said to the relieved Touyama.
"Right, right. I was so happy I forgot the main business." Touyama stopped smiling and looked worried again. "Jonin Yamaguchi... is Taiichi's medical ninjutsu good? He looks... very young."
"Don't worry. Despite his age, his medical skills are recognized by Lady Tsunade herself," Yamaguchi assured him confidently.
"That's great. That's great." Touyama wiped a tear from the corner of his eye and muttered, "They don't have to die..."
"Let's go meet the Commander."
---
With Taiichi
Sachiya dragged Taiichi into a tent that was still mostly intact. Inside, three critically wounded ninja lay on makeshift beds.
They were unconscious but groaning in pain. The bandages wrapped around them were soaked through with fresh blood. They were bleeding out. Without intervention, death was only a matter of time.