Chapter 11: Hanako: Is there a problem with me protecting my employer?

The search for Meinari turned out to be a false alarm.

Soon after, the team hit the road again.

"It's strange," Hanako observed Meinari's figure as he followed the cart, lost in thought.

This woman was behaving unusually.

"If it were a normal woman, encountering such an embarrassing situation in the morning would at least make her scream in surprise."

"But this woman just paused for a moment."

"Her mental resilience far exceeds that of an ordinary person, even surpassing many ninjas."

That was Hanako's latest assessment of Meinari.

He then reexamined all the suspicious points about her.

"First, someone who can open a bathhouse in Konoha must be eloquent. But she has hardly said a word on the road."

"Secondly, her expressions. Even Rin could tell that she was worried. Does that mean she's concerned about her situation?"

"Her mental strength is strong, indicating she has experienced a lot of hardships."

"But why doesn't she conceal her expressions?"

As Hanako delved deeper into his thoughts, he was surprised to find that he had more and more doubts.

If Meinari was truly concerned about her safety, why would she issue a C-rank mission? Wouldn't it be better to issue an A-rank mission directly?

That way, a Jōnin team could take over.

After all, someone who can open a bathhouse in Konoha certainly wouldn't lack money.

Hanako spent the entire morning brainstorming, but still couldn't come up with a clear idea.

In the afternoon, as the team passed by a stream, Meinari, unusually, spoke up.

"I want to freshen up here."

As the employer, her reasonable request was granted.

The male members of Team 9 moved away, leaving only Rin in the vicinity.

Under a big tree.

Kakashi and Obito appeared together, finding Hanako.

"I noticed you were deep in thought this morning. Did you discover anything?" Kakashi asked Hanako, staring at him.

Since they set off in the morning, Kakashi had noticed something different about Hanako.

More precisely, it was the first time he had seen Hanako seriously pondering.

"What could I discover?" Hanako glanced at Kakashi and shook his head.

"Then what were you thinking about this morning?"

"None of your business!"

Kakashi: "???"

Did Hanako just scold him?

How dare he!

"You're the team leader, but you keep coming to me like I'm the leader."

Hanako sarcastically retorted, plucking a blade of grass and sticking it in his mouth.

"Well said! I've thought the same thing about him for a long time." Obito chimed in, standing on the same side as his good buddy.

Kakashi, aren't you a genius?

Can't you think for yourself?

Why do you keep asking us, the tail-enders?

"Our circles are different. Don't force yourself to fit in! Hehe~~" Obito sat beside Hanako and spouted a classic quote.

This line was taught by Hanako himself.

Watching Kakashi leave dejectedly, Obito felt an incomparable satisfaction.

It's great to argue with someone, especially when it's our good buddy Hanako. Kakashi has nothing to say against him.

Due to the conflict once again, Team 9 was unusually quiet for the rest of the afternoon.

Until nightfall.

It was time for the daily task summary.

Kakashi once again spread out the map and marked their current position.

"At the current speed, we'll enter the Land of Hot Springs in three days."

"Given the cloudy weather today, I predict it will rain tomorrow. So we might need to rest in place tomorrow."

"Tonight, everyone needs to set up our resting spot."

After Kakashi finished speaking, Hanako looked at him with surprise.

So this guy still has some tricks up his sleeve.

According to the usual routine, it should have been the teammates' turn to speak.

Unfortunately, Kakashi exercised his team leader's privilege and skipped that part.

"Do you see? He's angry and won't let us speak," Obito started with a sarcastic tone.

"Why is Kakashi angry?" Rin looked puzzled.

"It's because Hanako scolded him during the day. Haha~~"

Seeing Obito blatantly destroying their camaraderie, Hanako mentally noted it down.

Just you wait.

I'll see how I can sow discord between you next time.

After a simple dinner, the team arranged their resting spot and set up a makeshift shelter.

Next, it was Hanako's turn for the task.

According to the previous assignment plan, he was responsible for the first half of the night's vigil.

As he watched his three teammates settling down to rest, Hanako first took a stroll around the surroundings.

Then, he walked up to the cart and calmly climbed aboard.

The mission of Team 7 was to protect Meinari.

So in Hanako's mind, he would stick close to her.

Watching from the tree is safer than sticking close to her.

Meinari didn't sleep deeply.

At first, she felt something behind her, thinking she had leaned against the side of the cart.

So she intentionally leaned against the sideboard because it was more comfortable to sleep that way.

Until...

An arm stretched over from behind and embraced her.

In the pitch-black night.

Meinari turned over and faced Hanako.

Two pairs of dark eyes locked onto each other.

"Your composure is beyond my imagination."

"You're quite persistent."

"It seems you won't speak."

"Can you leave then?"

"I won't leave unless you speak."

"In that case, suit yourself."

After a whispered conversation, Meinari turned back around.

Hanako once again stretched his arm over and held onto the well-endowed beauty.

The sky began to brighten.

As Hanako woke up, he quickly retracted his arm.

Then he noticed his teammates surrounding him.

"Hanako! Do you know what you just did?" Kakashi spoke with a cold, icy tone.

As a ninja, you slept with your employer?

If this gets out, the entire village will have to take responsibility for you.

"I misjudged you, Hanako!" Rin was equally furious.

When she took over the night shift, she couldn't find Hanako anywhere.

If she hadn't glanced at the cart, she would have called her teammates to search for him.

"Ah, Hanako, even if you don't have a girlfriend, you can't do something like this." Obito wore a pained expression, speaking firmly and with righteous indignation.

Was Hanako embarrassed?

Of course not.

He hopped off the cart and brushed off the dust from his body.

"Is there a problem with me protecting my employer?"