Next day.
Mamoru was in his room packing. He'd bought too many souvenirs, his old backpack had given up, so he'd swapped in a gigantic one. The weight didn't bother him, he might lack everything else, but never strength.
He'd considered using Limitless for a long-range jump, but dismissed the idea the moment it surfaced. He barely knew the technique and had never tried it. If he materialized into a flock of birds or an alien, he'd be mincemeat in a second.
Packed and ready, he hauled the bulging pack to the neighboring tatami room.
Kurenai, Hinata and Shino were already seated around a low tea table, their luggage beside them on the tatami.
Mamoru dropped the heavy pack by the door with a thud and slumped into the empty seat.
Kurenai's gaze flicked to the conspicuous bag and an amused, helpless smile tugged at her lips. "How much did you buy? Dragging that monster home won't exhaust you?"
"Say I'm tired, would you carry it?" Mamoru sprawled bonelessly across the cool table, voice muffled. "We actually have to walk out of the country. Unbelievable. Does this world not have airplanes?"
"Airplane?" Kurenai folded her hands, tilting her head. "Never heard of it but we have 'flight scrolls.'"
"Flight scrolls?" Mamoru echoed. "Something you strap on to fly? Got any in the Land of Grass?"
Kurenai explained, "They're special winged devices. Only ninjas of the Land of Sky ever have them. But that nation was wiped out long ago."
"The vanished Land of Sky…"
Mamoru straightened, instantly alert.
So the Land of Sky really existed.
He dredged up hazy memories. Though fallen, scattered Land of Sky ninjas still hid somewhere, biding time for revenge.
Clack... Clack...
Steady footsteps approached, snapping Mamoru out of his thoughts.
Komatsu walked in, a heavy black briefcase in each hand.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." He said, smiling as he came over.
"Where's the money?" Mamoru propped his chin in his hand and cut to the chase.
Komatsu lifted the two cases with effort, and set them carefully on the tatami in front of Mamoru.
Mamoru didn't stand on ceremony, he reached out and flicked the latch of one suitcase open with a crisp snap. The lid rose to reveal neat stacks of crisp, brand-new bills.
A distinctive scent, ink mingled with fresh paper, wafted up.
Mamoru inhaled deeply, intoxicated.
The smell of money. The smell that set his mind at ease.
Kurenai caught his unabashed money-grubbing look and shot him a disgusted glare that plainly asked: Really?
Hinata, standing nearby, simply gazed at the fortune without the slightest flicker of expression. For the heiress of the Hyuga clan, wealth might as well have been air.
Shino, dark glasses masking half his face, was a perfect example of indifference, no one could guess what lay behind those lenses.
Mamoru plucked one stack of bills and fanned its edge with a lazy thumb-riffle before tossing it back.
Snap—
He shut the case.
Komatsu blinked at the casual display. "You… you're not going to count it?"
Mamoru said, a half-smile tugging at his lips, "No need, I trust you won't break our deal."
He turned to Kurenai, lifted a brow, and slid one suitcase toward her.
Komatsu added hastily, voice solemn, "I've counted it myself, eighty million ryo exactly."
"E-eighty!" Mamoru choked, coughed, then managed, Eighty million? I suppose that'll do."
He'd known half the amount wouldn't be pocket change, but the figure still dwarfed his expectations. Perhaps the man's generosity also bought future protection.
As Mamoru suspected, after spending time and money digging, Komatsu had learned the names Uchiha and Hyuga. He hadn't expected two heirs of Konoha's oldest clans in a four-man team.
Even Kurenai lost her composure, shock flickering across her face.
A ninja could work a lifetime and never see that sum.
Still, no one argues with money, she offered no false modesty.
"It's late, we should be going." She said, standing and bowing to their host. "Thank you for your hospitality."
Komatsu asked earnestly, "Won't you stay a few more days? Nagakawa City has sights you haven't seen."
Kurenai replied with a slight shake of her head, "No. The mission is finished, we shouldn't impose further."
In truth, had Mamoru not insisted his right hand wasn't healed, they would have left days ago.
"If my staff has been lacking, please forgive us." Komatsu said, bowing deeply.
"Not at all, you're too kind." Kurenai answered.
"Right, enough chatter. If we're leaving, let's move before night falls." Mamoru cut in.
Kurenai drew a slow breath, forcing down her irritation. Since taking charge of Team 8, her sleep had grown worse and new lines had appeared at the corners of her eyes. And the brat in front of her was the sole reason.
She lifted the black case from the low table and stepped out of the room.
Hinata and Shino followed, offering Komatsu a polite nod before hurrying after her.
Mamoru slung his bulging pack and his share of the cash over his shoulder. As he passed Komatsu, he bumped him lightly and flashed his usual cheeky grin. "Next time someone wants you dead, come to Konoha, I'll give you a discount."
Komatsu gave a wry smile. "I'd rather you visited for pleasure than trouble."
Mamoru said, striding out, "We'll meet again. Take care."
Moments later, the group had left Komatsu's estate.
Beyond Nagakawa's walls, they broke into a run, figures racing down the road that stretched toward the horizon.