After a few minutes, Kurenai Yuhi exited the inn.
"The client still has some purchases to make in Konoha. Be at the village entrance tomorrow morning at eight o'clock sharp," she instructed calmly.
"After dismissal, return home and prepare a change of clothes, as well as camping tents and blankets. It's best to also bring some soldier pills. If you can't carry everything, consider buying a storage scroll. You can easily afford one with the reward you've earned during this period."
"Yes."
Team 8 responded in unison.
"Don't forget. Gather at eight tomorrow. Be on time," Kurenai repeated firmly before vanishing with the Body Flicker Technique.
Afterward, Izanami and Hinata went their separate ways from Aburame Shino.
"You don't need to buy a storage scroll, Juuyabiru. I'll bring one for you tomorrow," Hinata said softly.
Izanami gently pinched Hinata's small cheek and teased, "As expected of a rich family's young lady. Are you planning to support me already?"
"Sup… Support…?"
Hinata's face instantly flushed red, and her voice trembled.
"Just kidding."
Izanami patted her head, took her small hand, and smiled. "No need for a scroll. I'll just carry a backpack. If we end up camping in the wild, I'll take the night watch to protect you."
Hinata's face turned even redder. She instinctively looked down, her gaze falling on their interlocked fingers. A smile quietly blossomed on her lips.
Her heart felt as sweet as if she had just eaten honey.
Although their relationship hadn't officially progressed to a romantic stage, the way Izanami and Hinata interacted was no different from a couple in love.
If not for fear that the Hyuga Clan Elders would find out and interfere, Hinata would have already confessed.
Once they both became Jonin—or better yet, Elite Jonin capable of serving as clan leaders and tactical trump cards—they would be able to openly be together.
Not even her father or the elders would be able to stop them.
That day would surely come soon.
Hinata squeezed Izanami's hand slightly, her heart filled with determination.
Izanami, unaware of Hinata's internal thoughts, would've surely smiled with satisfaction if he knew.
Hinata had already grown into an exceptional person.
With clear goals and the right guidance, the Princess of the Byakugan would only become more dazzling.
The Next Morning – 7:50 AM
Izanami and Hinata arrived at the village gate, each carrying a backpack.
Shino Aburame, already waiting there with his own gear, nodded in acknowledgment.
"Good morning."
"Morning."
"Shino, you didn't bring a tent?"
"I did. It's in a storage scroll. If you need any soldier pills, just ask."
"Thanks, but Hinata already prepared them for me."
"…"
The usual polite greetings were exchanged, but Izanami quickly realized this time he was the one making things awkward—not the always-reserved Shino.
Stuffed with "dog food" from the couple in front of him, Shino's expression remained unchanged, but internally, he was in a foul mood.
Still, true to his calm demeanor, he said nothing sarcastic and simply chose silence.
Seeing that Shino had gone quiet again, Izanami leaned over to Hinata and whispered softly in her ear.
To avoid being overheard, he stuck to normal topics, refraining from teasing her further.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Kurenai Yuhi's voice drew the attention of all three Genin.
A convoy of about a dozen people approached, accompanied by Kurenai and a plain-looking middle-aged man.
The man sized up the Genin team, wearing a warm smile. His joy was unmistakable—even visible in his eyes.
The trio quickly noticed that the man's gaze lingered longest on Hinata. But it wasn't due to her figure surpassing her peers; rather, it was her eyes.
Izanami activated his sensory abilities but detected no hostility from the man.
Apparently, his interest wasn't in stealing the Byakugan but in having someone with Byakugan on the team.
The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan is famous for its 360-degree vision and ability to see through all low-level invisibility techniques—even Earth Release techniques that integrate a body into the terrain.
Having a Byakugan user in the escort squad significantly enhanced their security.
Hiring one for a C-rank mission was an excellent deal.
No wonder the man was so pleased.
Realizing this, Izanami relaxed.
"Let me introduce you—this is our client. You may call him Mr. Nishimura," Kurenai Yuhi said, formally presenting the man to Team 8.
"Mr. Nishimura," the team greeted politely.
"Hello. I'll be in your care from here on," Mr. Nishimura replied, maintaining a humble and friendly tone.
Having dealt with troublesome clients on previous D-rank missions, Team 8 breathed a sigh of relief at the man's easygoing attitude.
"Let's go then."
Kurenai and Mr. Nishimura handed their pre-approved exit permits to the Chunin guarding the gate.
And with that, Izanami, Hinata, and Shino stepped out of Konoha—the village they had lived in for twelve years—for the very first time.
Initially, both Hinata and Shino were full of curiosity about the outside world.
However, that excitement quickly waned after they passed through the first town.
While the Land of Fire did have prosperous places like Tanzaku Street, most towns and villages were ordinary and underwhelming compared to the highly developed Konoha.
Modern conveniences like trains had yet to appear; nobles still traveled via palanquins or carriages.
Within a day, Hinata and Shino's curiosity faded. They shifted their focus entirely to the mission.
Ninjas could move at incredibly fast speeds. If they went all-out, they could travel from Konoha to Sunagakure (Hidden Sand Village) in just three days.
But with civilians in the group, speed depended on the slowest members.
This particular convoy had around a dozen people, two carriages, and no cargo on the return trip, so they moved faster than on foot but still stopped frequently.
Even so, it took eight full days just to exit the Land of Fire.
Shortly After Entering the Mountain Road Beyond the Border…
As the terrain shifted from forest trails to mountain paths, Kurenai Yuhi turned to Hinata.
"Hinata, what's the situation around us?"
Hinata activated her Byakugan. The veins at her temples bulged as her eyes scanned the area.
"No threats within a twenty-kilometer radius," she reported.
"Nani?!"
Kurenai Yuhi and Shino nearly dropped their jaws.
Hinata's response was calm—but her range had left them both stunned.
Though no danger was present, the scope of Hinata's visual range was terrifying.
The mild, shy girl who once hesitated during missions was now capable of scanning an area spanning 20 kilometers.
Both her mentor and teammate were genuinely shaken.
This was no longer the same Hinata they once knew.
Her growth was not only visible—it was formidable.
[End of Chapter 35]
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