Hodaka, Feng Zheng, and Mieko waited outside the Hokage Building, while Renjiro went inside to apply for more missions.
Mieko complained, "Why are there so many bandits in our country? And why aren't they stronger?"
Hodaka sighed and said, "Yes, eighteen bandit bases, and not a single bandit stronger than us."
Feng Zheng added, "I think our missions are deliberately chosen so we don't encounter any strong enemies."
Mieko commented, "That's even more disappointing!"
Feng Zheng sighed, nodded, and said, "Yes, but I heard that many Rank C missions run into trouble and can be upgraded directly to Rank B, or even Rank A Missions. I thought this was common, but now it seems I was wrong."
Hodaka replied, "That situation isn't common. But they often lead to serious injury or death. That's why you hear about them so often."
Feng Zheng said, "Oh, that makes sense. I hadn't thought of it that way."
Mieko interrupted, "You're getting off topic. Think about how we can get better missions! Should I go yell at the guy who posts the missions again? Last time he gave us a Rank C mission. So maybe this time he might give us a Rank B mission."
Feng Zheng looked at her and asked in a bored tone, "Last time I threatened him that you would burn a baby. I don't think he'd mind us burning bandits."
This made her face flush slightly with embarrassment.
They were about to chat a bit more when Renjiro emerged from the building. He announced, "Today, we're not doing any bandit extermination missions."
Hearing this, the squad members were delighted. Mieko eagerly asked with anticipation, "Teacher, can we do a Rank B mission now?"
Renjiro was amused by her question. He shook his head and replied, "No, we will be escorting a group of merchants to Fuhou Port in the Land of Tea."
Her hopes were instantly dashed.
Hearing this, the three Genin stared intently at Renjiro.
Feng Zheng asked, "Teacher, what are we protecting them from?"
Renjiro smiled and replied, "Protecting him from bandits, of course."
He enjoyed the rebellious expressions on his students' faces for a few seconds, then said, "This will be a long journey. It will take us about two weeks to get there, and about three days to return. So pack your things; we'll depart at noon."
The Genin agreed dejectedly and then left. As she was leaving, Mieko asked Feng Zheng, "Feng Zheng, do you think it would be effective to threaten the mission poster with the merchants' lives?"
The squad hadn't gone far. Renjiro, hearing this, immediately broke into a sweat. He raised his voice slightly so his students could hear, "No, I'll just take you on more bandit extermination missions..."
They didn't want to hear their teacher's threats anymore, so they just laughed and shunshined away.
Renjiro watched his students' cunning antics, just sighed, and muttered, "It seems I'm getting old and not fit for these troublesome things anymore."
Konoha Main Gate:
At noon, Renjiro Squad gathered here.
As usual, Feng Zheng was the last to arrive.
Renjiro, Hodaka, and Mieko were already standing there, along with eight merchants and two wagons loaded with goods.
The reins of the two wagons were tied to two oxen respectively.
Feng Zheng walked towards Hodaka and Mieko, who were standing behind Renjiro, as Renjiro was conversing with the most elegantly dressed merchant.
Upon seeing Feng Zheng, Renjiro said, "Mr. Iha Toshio, this is Feng Zheng. The last member of our squad."
Feng Zheng looked at the man and said, "Hello."
The merchant smiled, gave a slight bow to Feng Zheng, and said, "I am Iha Toshio, a merchant from the Land of Tea. Feng Zheng-kun, please take care of me."
Feng Zheng nodded, thinking, "This guy is quite polite! Did he say that to all three of us? But honestly, although he seems calm, he's actually very nervous."
Feng Zheng looked at Renjiro, eyeing him suspiciously.
"Is the content of this mission more complex than he said? Now that I think about it, why did he suddenly take on such a long mission? Earlier, he seemed very keen on making the area around the Land of Fire free of bandits."
Renjiro saw Feng Zheng staring at him and thought, "Has his perception become so sharp that he can even sense worry? I know he can detect lies through Chakra fluctuations, but has his perception improved to this extent? Few people besides the Yamanaka Clan can sense worry. And most of them are experienced, veteran Ninja."
Not wanting Feng Zheng to discover anything, Renjiro said, "There are many bandit bases along the path we're taking. We've already eliminated most of the bandit bases between Konoha and the Land of Rivers, and the Land of Rain."
"Through this mission, we will eliminate the bandits on the way from Konoha to the Land of Tea. So stay vigilant, as there are at least 17 known bandit bases on our path."
The Genin nodded at these words. Mieko and Hodaka sighed inwardly. Feng Zheng, however, wondered, "Is he only worried about the bandits? Or something else? Hmm, never mind, we'll find out soon enough. But I should remain vigilant."
Afterward, Renjiro conducted an inventory check, while Iha Toshio checked that all goods were packed.
Fifteen minutes later, Renjiro Squad set off with the merchants from the Land of Tea.
Two wagons, eight merchants, and four Ninja traveled steadily away from Konoha.
They continued until evening without rest, then set up camp.
They encountered no bandits on the way, as all bandits in this area had been eliminated by three of the four Ninja not long ago.
During dinner, Hodaka sighed and said, "They're moving so slowly."
Feng Zheng agreed, "Yes. For the past four months, we've either been training or exterminating bandits ourselves. So we've almost always moved at top speed."
Mieko also joined the conversation, saying, "Yeah, but at least these wagons are a bit faster than the last ones. The last escort mission to the Land of Rivers had twelve wagons! And the wheels kept breaking!"
Hodaka laughed and said, "Yeah. We still remember how frustrated you were then."
Feng Zheng added, "Yeah. I suspect the main reason Teacher stood next to the wagons the whole time was because he was worried you'd burn them down. Haha."
Hodaka also laughed, while Renjiro ignored their jokes. Mieko just snorted, disregarding them.
After dinner, Renjiro said, "We'll start moving at four in the morning tomorrow. Tomorrow's pace will be faster than today's. Tonight, everyone will take turns on watch. Feng Zheng, you go first. Wake Hodaka up after two hours. After Hodaka is Mieko, and finally me."
The Genin nodded. Renjiro chatted with Iha Toshio for a while.
Soon, Hodaka, Mieko, Renjiro, and the merchants were asleep.
