Konoha’s White Fang Shines

Chapter 25: On the Road to Colorful Fog Mountain

For some unknown reason, all the D-rank missions in the village had been completed.

It had only taken about two weeks, and now they were on the cusp of true shinobi life. It felt somewhat unbelievable when Genma thought about it.

Regardless, moving on to C-rank missions was inevitable.

So, when their team gathered again, the three genin and Yūji-sensei headed to the Mission Assignment Desk once more.

After some deliberation, the four of them all agreed on one particular mission: eliminating bandits on Colorful Fog Mountain.

Under normal circumstances, eliminating mountain bandits wouldn't be a simple job. However, the intelligence reports stated that Colorful Fog Mountain was perpetually shrouded in mist; many fugitives fled there because it was difficult to be found. In other words, the geography made the bandits hard to eradicate.

Additionally, subjugating these bandits wasn't solely up to the shinobi—there would also be samurai hired by the client, cooperating in the operation.

As for whether there were wandering shinobi among these bandits, the client repeatedly swore otherwise. They claimed to have thoroughly investigated and confirmed the bandits were merely ordinary vagrants.

It also made sense for swordsmen to pick such a mission, because actual combat is crucial for developing one's kenjutsu. So, with everyone on board, they accepted the assignment.

After gathering the necessary supplies, the four left the village.

Their destination lay quite far from Konoha, almost on the border of the Land of Grass. The group traveled at a run, passing countless towns and villages in the Land of Fire, until eventually reaching the vicinity of Colorful Fog Mountain.

Once they drew near the mission site, they slowed their pace to recover some stamina for the upcoming battle.

As they rested, Genma reflected on the mission details.

"Yūji-sensei, why does the client want to eliminate these bandits? The mission text only mentioned them harassing nearby villages, but it's not very specific."

The more Genma pondered, the more suspicious it seemed. Since the world's governance wasn't exactly democratic—more feudal in nature—having local authorities suddenly make a big effort to help impoverished villages felt unusual. That kind of large-scale operation usually wasn't worth the trouble, and there wasn't an obvious profit motive for the local ruler.

In Genma's experience, folks often acted out of self-interest in this world.

"You've got some good insight," Yūji said, nodding. "I thought the same thing at first. But after learning more about the client, I realized it's actually legitimate. It turns out these villages are under his administration, and while trouble in the countryside doesn't normally raise alarm, he's at a critical juncture and needs absolute stability under his watch."

Genma understood. "Critical juncture" likely meant a time of political transition—maybe a promotion was imminent. Back in his younger days, he'd come across tidbits of how leaders got promoted or demoted in the ninja world. Apparently, he was witnessing one of those scenarios in action.

It did show that this local authority had guts. A coward might've just negotiated with the bandits instead of risking a direct confrontation, especially since it was tough to oust them.

But this man wanted to snuff out all uncertainties by hiring shinobi for a large sum, so they could completely wipe out the bandits.

Colorful Fog Mountain's geography was also tricky. It lay on the border between two nations, making it complicated from a diplomatic standpoint.

If handled poorly, eliminating the bandits could spark a dispute between countries. That was precisely why the bandits had grown so brazen: if the Land of Fire's forces showed up, they could run into the Land of Grass. Chasing them there would mean crossing the border. The same logic applied if Grass dispatched troops; the bandits would escape into Fire.

Hence, to succeed, one needed an elite squad capable of delivering a decisive blow. That was likely why the client had hired ninja.

Having clarified these thoughts, Genma turned his attention to the sight of Colorful Fog Mountain in the distance. Even near midday, it was swathed in clouds and mist, forming a perpetual haze.

Kurenai and Hitoshi Rittō, disliking complicated intrigues, lost interest in Genma's questioning and focused instead on the terrain.

They lurked within a wooded area, still some distance from the mountain's base, and sheltered in a spot where the sun was behind them. It would be hard for any sentries on the mountain to see them with so much backlight.

Kurenai and Rittō climbed a tree to get a clearer vantage point. Genma also considered going up to join them, but paused, noticing how Kurenai was straining her eyes.

With a faint grin, Genma reached into his ninja pouch, pulling out a scroll. Summoning from it a green metal cylinder, he called out: "Kurenai, catch!"

"Huh? What is—" Kurenai started, but reflexively caught the object mid-air. Holding it in her hand, she saw it was a green metal cylinder with a glass lens at one end.

"A… telescope?" she wondered aloud. Studying the lens for a moment, she found it a bit blurry, then carefully pulled the two ends apart.

The cylinder telescoped outward. Peering through the eyepiece, she saw the mountain's lower slopes in clear detail.

"Wow~ it works so well!" she exclaimed happily.

Rittō, who possessed sharp hearing, immediately heard her excited voice and glanced longingly down at Genma from the tree.

"Hey, Genma, give me one, too!"

Genma felt his eyelids twitch in exasperation. "They're expensive. I only have a few, and they're not even distributed in the markets yet—they're considered strategic gear. If I hand one over, the ANBU might drag us both in for questioning."

"That's so unfair!" Rittō sulked. "You just hand it to Kurenai without a fuss, but you turn me down? That's so hurtful!"

He screwed up his face, trying in vain to squeeze out tears.

But Genma was in no mood to humor him. "Oh, come on. You know perfectly well Kurenai's basically my fiancée—my parents never skimp on gifts for their future daughter-in-law."

Rittō retorted with an eyeroll. "Sounds like you've got a whole harem or something."

Genma's snappy comeback died as he caught Kurenai's reaction from the corner of his eye. She was a bit flushed, apparently having overheard—and didn't look entirely pleased.

To keep from provoking her further, Genma hopped up into the tree with Rittō and said in a low voice, "Alright, if you become a chūnin, I'll give you one. Fair enough?"

Immediately, Rittō perked up, delighted. "Really?! You're not tricking me, right? You know I'm an honest man!"

Genma felt the urge to laugh. "Sure, I'll promise. I'll give you a binocular version, too."

"Hehe~" Rittō beamed.

"Ah, I see something interesting," a sudden mature male voice interjected. Turning, Genma realized it was Kamase Yūji, standing behind them with a mischievous grin.

Genma sighed inwardly. Seems male camaraderie is inevitably rascally at times.

"Uh… sensei, when's your birthday, by the way?"

"Oh, my birthday, right? It's coming up… December 8th, to be exact. Keep it in mind. I heard the Shiranui clan has plenty of business with Konoha's logistics department—seems that was true, huh."

With Yūji's penetrating gaze, Genma stiffened and quickly replied, "Yes, we'll remember your birthday, sensei. Rittō too, obviously."

Rittō wanted to protest, but Yūji's glare stopped him cold. He nodded submissively.

"What about Kurenai? She's also part of Team Eight, right?"

"Uh, sure. If Team Eight is throwing a birthday party, of course everyone will be there," Genma answered.

"Great! It's the first time I'll have so many people celebrating with me." Yūji said, turning away.

Somehow, his departing silhouette looked lonely. His last words lingered, leaving Genma to guess that Yūji, beneath his calm demeanor, might be starved for companionship.

"Hey, Genma," Rittō complained as soon as Yūji left. "You said you'd do something about the teacher's birthday, but why drag me into it?"

"Because we're Team Eight," Genma answered pointedly. "Isn't it normal for all of us to do something together? Mark December 8th on your calendar and bring a gift."

With that, Genma hopped down, leaving Rittō on the treetop. He headed over to Kurenai.

"Uh, Kurenai, I just set up a group event," he said sheepishly.

"A group event… you mean a dinner get-together?" Kurenai guessed, her cheeks slightly pink as if she were hungry.

"Well, sort of. Our sensei's birthday is coming up. Might as well celebrate it with a nice meal."

Ever since graduating, Kurenai had been indulging in more tasty treats—her pocket money had increased. She definitely loved good food.

While it was said a woman's stomach divides between main courses and desserts, Kurenai's preference trended toward savory and strong flavors.

"Ooh, a birthday party with no cake, right?" she teased.

"Uh, sure. The main thing is a hearty meal, not fancy pastries. Not everyone likes cake."

"Sounds interesting," she mused, eyes shining.

"Leave it to me and my parents. By the way," Genma added with a half-smirk, "would you like to meet your future father- and mother-in-law?"

Instantly she blushed. "N-no, I'm not ready for that!"

"Come on, I've met your dad. My parents have heard all about you, and they already like you."

"R… really?" Kurenai asked shyly, face reddening even more.

"Of course. They supported me in courting you from the start. How could they not be fond of you?"

Kurenai froze, overwhelmed by a tangle of emotions. Before she could reply, a discreet cough shattered the moment.

"All right, you two," Yūji called from not far off. "Focus on observation. Kurenai and Genma, you each have a telescope, so split up to cover more ground."

Perhaps the memory of that promised birthday gift had put him in a lenient mood—there was no scolding, just a soft reminder.

"Don't forget," Genma whispered mischievously, "my folks have lots of great food. Think about it, okay?"

"You jerk, always teasing me," Kurenai muttered sourly as Genma jumped away.

Still, a sweet warmth lingered in her chest. She resumed scanning the misty peaks of Colorful Fog Mountain with the telescope.

As the sun shifted slightly, the thick morning haze began to thin and transform, revealing swirls of iridescent color reminiscent of a silken ribbon draped by some celestial maiden.

End of Chapter 25