Shibi Aburame's gaze swept across the mission board before settling on a single posting. Escort caravan to the Land of Grass Commerce Guild. B-rank. 400,000 ryo.
A B-rank didn't usually pay this well. This one was different—the caravan was massive, and the client had requested multiple teams. The payout was split, but still generous enough to make it worthwhile.
She didn't hesitate. "I'll take this one," she said flatly, pointing at the paper.
The clerk at the Mission Desk nodded. "Understood. I'll register it immediately."
"Are there any other teams assigned?" Shibi asked.
He checked his records. "There should be one more, but I don't have the names yet."
Shibi nodded and turned back toward her team. Seiran stood in the center, his clothes still rumpled from whatever had happened earlier. Beside him, Rin and Anko were huddled together, whispering about something. When Seiran's resentful gaze found Shibi, she felt an inexplicable chill.
"The mission is accepted," she announced, her voice clipped. "We should depart immediately."
---
At Konoha's entrance, the massive caravan stretched across the road like a merchant's dream. As Shibi's team approached, raised voices cut through the air.
Several team members exchanged glances and quickened their pace.
The sight that greeted them was almost comical. A tall, lanky shinobi in bright green spandex was bowing repeatedly to a stern-faced man in similar attire, while another shinobi tried to pull him upright.
"Dad, why are you apologizing?" the younger one demanded. "We packed everything. There's no reason to grovel like this!"
"Guy, you don't understand!" The older man bowed deeper, his voice desperate. "Please, I promise it won't happen again!"
Seiran's eyes narrowed in recognition. "Might Duy?"
Rin glanced over. "You know him?"
"That's Might Duy," Anko said, watching the scene unfold. "And the kid's Might Guy—they're both from the Academy."
The stern-faced man—apparently the team leader—waved his hand dismissively. "Just get out of my sight. I was cursed the moment I hired you two."
Guy's fists clenched. "I knocked over one box. We repacked everything. Why are you being so unreasonable?"
"Guy!" His father grabbed his arm, panicked. "Apologize to Captain Tauchi! We're lucky they let us join at all!"
Guy's face crumpled, tears welling up. "But everything's ready..."
Anko's eyes flashed with anger. "That's insane."
The caravan leader's voice boomed across the courtyard. "Are we leaving or not? Every minute costs money!"
Tauchi turned back to the Might duo, his expression turning cold. "Did you hear that? Don't you dare delay this caravan."
"Hold on."
Everyone turned. Seiran stepped forward, his white eyes catching the sunlight. Tauchi's expression shifted to confusion—a Hyuga? What was he doing here?
Seiran offered the overwhelmed pair a small smile. "Guy. Have you graduated?"
Guy's head snapped up, embarrassment flooding his face. "Hyuga Seiran? Yeah, I just finished the Academy. My dad and I take missions to help support the family since I haven't been assigned a jonin leader yet."
"I'm here to complete a mission as well," Seiran said.
"Seiran?" Might Duy stepped forward uncertainly. "Guy's mentioned his classmates. Aren't you the genius from the Hyuga Clan? The one with the dual bloodlines?"
"That's him!" Guy's face lit up with recognition, though frustration remained etched in his features.
Tauchi's eyes narrowed as he studied Seiran. A fresh graduate? And yet... there was something about the way he carried himself.
"So you're here for a mission?" Tauchi asked, his tone skeptical.
"This is a multi-squad assignment. We took it," Seiran replied coolly. "Problem?"
He turned back to the Might duo. "Since your team doesn't want you, join mine instead."
Both father and son looked stunned.
Tauchi's voice turned sharp. "Kid, where's your proof? This is B-rank work. If I were your leader, I'd never let you roam around causing trouble. You—"
"Are you teaching me how to do my job?"
The question came from behind them, cold and even. Tauchi spun around to see a ninja in black sunglasses and a wide robe holding a mission scroll.
"This is our authorization," Shibi said simply. "And I approve of them joining my team. Do you have objections?"
Tauchi's face went white. His body trembled visibly.
"S-Shibi-san," he stammered. "I didn't... I mean, of course I don't have any objections!"
The color had drained from his face entirely. Everyone in Konoha's shinobi circles knew about Shibi Aburame. Ruthless. Efficient. Shinobi who crossed her didn't just lose—they disappeared, sometimes not even leaving enough for the insects to clean up.
Tauchi looked at Seiran with something between regret and despair. Why didn't you tell me your team leader was Shibi Aburame?
It was over. He was seriously considering transferring to a different village.