Chapter 25

I woke up to someone shaking me roughly. As I opened my eyes and took a deep breath, I began scanning my surroundings for any danger. There was none. My vision was blurry at first, but it gradually cleared.

Above me was a white ceiling with long blue lines.

"He's awake," said a calm, cold male voice.

I turned my head and saw a man in a light green medical coat. Panic gripped me for a moment, but when I noticed the Konoha symbol on his coat, I began to relax.

"Everything's fine, Machine," said the captain, who was also in the room. "You're in Hashi's field hospital."

Taking a deep breath, I allowed myself to relax a little. Memories of what had happened not too long ago began to return… at least for me. I didn't know how many days I'd been lying here, but I didn't think it had been long. So… Captain Kiochi said we're in Hashi's field hospital. This city was the final destination of our mission.

"Captain, what about the merchants?" I asked.

"Everything is fine," he replied. "You completed the mission excellently. Congratulations."

"Phew," I exhaled in relief.

I noticed the captain shook his head. A long bandage ran across half of his face. Oh… it looked like he didn't escape with just minor injuries either. I wondered how he got his injury.

"They'll discharge you tomorrow morning," said the captain. "I think Iryōnin Togo will tell you what happened to you."

"I will," the man nodded calmly.

"Then I won't disturb you," the sensei said and left the ward. And this must be exactly what it was—a ward.

I quickly turned my head from side to side, carefully examining my surroundings. I found myself in a fairly large room, with five other beds besides the one I was lying on. I was by one wall, and the others were by the opposite wall. A man was lying there, reading a book and crunching apples energetically. As I lingered, I noticed that he spotted me immediately and gave me a scrutinizing look. But a second later, his gaze softened, and he nodded politely. I nodded back.

"So," the iryōnin began. "You took a large dose of Lightning Style to your back. This led to some injuries. I don't know who your opponent was, but I'd rip off their hands for such use of Lightning."

Well, let it be. I'm sure none of our opponents could use Lightning. If they could, they wouldn't have held back until the very end. That's stupid, especially since it wasn't a sparring match but a fight for survival. And I survived. I survived a one-on-one fight and against a group. Excellent.

"Uh-huh," I muttered. "It was… unpleasant."

"And that's it?" he chuckled. "Unpleasant is when I stick my fingers… into interesting places. If it weren't for your clumsy opponent, you'd already be in a coffin, a roasted corpse. And it wouldn't even be tasty meat..."

"I understand, iryōnin-san," I replied respectfully. "Thank you for your work."

"Ah," he waved it off and exhaled. "Alright. Besides the large dose of Lightning Style and the injuries from it, you have nothing else. They should have all healed by now. Scars will remain, but that's part of a shinobi's life."

"Do the scars affect anything?" I asked.

"For you? Only your looks," the iryōnin chuckled. "And even then, no one but your future wife will see them unless you want to show them."

I moved my muscles a little, trying to understand how they responded to even such a small stimulus. I felt nothing but familiar fatigue. This is good. It means that basic functions aren't damaged, and I won't be limited in my use of taijutsu. Excellent. Very good.

"In general, rest," he said.

"What about my comrades?" I asked.

"They're fine," he chuckled. "Just mild chakra exhaustion. Nothing special, and possibly even beneficial for them."

"Good."

The iryōnin left, leaving me in the ward with the shinobi, who continued reading his book. After a while, he put down the book and pulled out a fresh apple, tossing it to me. I caught it with ease.

"Thanks," I said and took a bite. The apple turned out to be really delicious. It had that firmness, crispness, and sweetness. Together, it was incredibly pleasant.

"Well, congratulations on your first trip to the hospital because of a mission," he said in a low voice. "Taking a Lightning Style technique to the back, you've got to be really… smart."

He froze on the word "smart." Well, I agree. To everyone, it looks like I took the hit from the technique head-on. But that's definitely not the case. But I'm not going to convince anyone otherwise. Let them think so.

"Yeah, I just didn't have time," I replied.

"It happens," he shrugged. "In our shinobi life, anything can happen. What's your name, genin?"

"Suzuki Grandvitara," I replied, already expecting him to mock my name.

"Oh," he said quite calmly. "I'm Masada Isuzu."

"Nice to meet you, Masada-san," I nodded to the man. "Sorry if this is too personal a question, but how did you end up here?"

"No, it's nothing personal," he waved it off. "I had a run-in with a chakra beast that was terrorizing a small village. My team was tasked with taking it out. We completed the mission, but at the cost of my injury. Another hole in the skin for the collection."

"And what kind of beast was it?"

"Ah, a superboomer," the shinobi waved his hand as if that meant something to me. What kind of animal… superboomer?

"I see," I just shook my head.

After that, the conversation died down. Masada returned to reading his book, and I closed my eyes and slipped into meditation, trying to understand what had happened to me. The first thing I discovered was an increased chakra reserve. There was more of it in my body, more flowing through my chakra pathways, and more being created at the source. And why was more being created? Because I had a rapid jump in the amount and quality of Yang and Yin energies. Everything happened proportionally, so the imbalance in Yin didn't change, which means I just need to train a little in chakra control to fix any flaws that might have occurred.

Besides that, I felt that some qualitative changes had happened to my body. I don't even know how to explain it or what to compare it to, to accurately describe these changes. The body felt a little freer, more pleasant. Comparing it to clothing wouldn't be quite accurate, but it feels as if I'm wearing slightly more comfortable clothes… more comfortable.

Continuing to lie in bed, I decided to sleep a little and fell asleep so soundly that I missed lunch, dinner, and almost missed my own discharge from the hospital. Although I definitely wouldn't have missed it because the iryōnin or nurse would have woken me up.

After getting myself ready and changing into clean, washed clothes, I went to the hospital reception, where Captain Kiochi was already waiting for me. He was talking to a young nurse, who was listening to him very attentively. For a moment, I thought I saw tons of noodles hanging from her ears.

"Suzuki," the sensei immediately noticed me. "Excellent. Let's go."

After that, he turned to the nurse and continued:

"Sorry, sweetheart, but I have business to attend to," he said. "If I'm still around, I'll definitely drop by."

"Oh," she replied and smiled broadly.

The captain and I left the hospital and immediately headed in a direction unknown to me. In a small inn, I immediately noticed Shiko and Ayamane sitting on the second-floor balcony, talking about something.

When I reached them, I immediately saw my bag standing in the corner of the room. The weights I was familiar with were already on it, which I hurried to put on. The pleasant weight spread through my body, but nothing more. I didn't feel the pressure as before. And that's strange. After making a few movements, I really didn't feel the weight of the weights at all.

"How are you feeling?" Shiko asked when they returned to the room.

"Not bad," I replied. "It could have been much worse."

"It really could have," said the sensei. "But you're here, and your opponent is not. Alright, now that we're all here, I'll explain our next steps."

We all settled on the beds and chairs, waiting for the captain of our team to speak.

"First, we'll head to the merchants so they can sign off on the mission. Second, we'll buy some supplies, and only after that, we'll head back. Any questions? Suggestions?"

"Sensei," Ayamane began. "What kind of supplies do we need to buy?"

"Poisons, medical supplies," he began. "I need to replenish my stock of flash seals, as well as some other things."

"Got it," Nara shrugged.

"Excellent," the captain nodded and scratched his bandage. "Then let's not linger here. We're heading to the merchants."

The merchants were staying at the other end of the city, in a fairly expensive inn. Besides them, there were other merchants here as well, immediately exchanging goods or trading. It wasn't a bazaar or a marketplace but a place for merchants to do business with each other. This way, they could buy some goods a bit cheaper than on the market.

The city of Hashi was impressive in size, reminiscent of resort towns from my previous world with its unique atmosphere. The streets, paved with light stone, meandered lively between blooming parks and elegant buildings, whose facades were adorned with bright colors and intriguing architectural elements. The air was filled with the scent of flowers and the freshness of the sea breeze, giving the city a special lightness and carefreeness.

People moved here often leisurely, savoring every moment of their stay. The atmosphere was one of joy and relaxation. Children's laughter echoed from every corner, where little ones chased balls or played hide-and-seek, while their parents enjoyed the coziness of cafes and restaurants, offering exquisite local dishes and exotic drinks.

Although the ocean was a four-hour walk away, many townspeople and guests of the city didn't consider it too long a journey, thanks to the picturesque landscapes stretching along the route. The path to the ocean lay through green hills covered with blooming vegetation and past small cozy villages, where one could stop to rest and enjoy local delicacies.

So said all the geography books of the Land of Fire.

"Gentlemen," the captain addressed our clients.

"Ah, Kiochi-san," Zoro Mugiwara greeted him. "We are glad you came."

"Then you know why I'm here," the sensei smiled.

"Of course," the man chuckled.

The captain handed them the mission scroll, and then we all did as well. The merchants took turns signing their names and then applying their seals. After that, they returned the scrolls to us. We accepted them and stored them, following the mission completion protocol. Now we need to submit these scrolls to the Hokage Administration and get paid.

"Thank you for the protection," said the merchant from the Land of Waterfalls. "I don't think we could have survived the attack of those shinobi."

"That's why you hire us," the captain said. "All the best, gentlemen."

"And to you," the second merchant replied. "Safe journey back."

"Thank you. And successful trading to you," the sensei said with a smile on his face. "Team thirteen, let's go."

The local market in the city of Hashi was a magnificent and lively place, where every corner exuded its unique atmosphere. The market sprawled over a significant area, offering an endless variety of goods, from traditional crafts to exotic items. The wide aisles between the stalls were bustling with merchants energetically promoting their goods, praising their quality and uniqueness. Their voices merged into one large, melodic noise, creating an atmosphere of active and dynamic trading.

Among this bustling commerce were street food stalls, offering a wide array of culinary delights. From them wafted the aromas of fresh pastries, spicy marinades, roasted meats, and fragrant spices. These smells danced in the air, intertwining and attracting buyers from all corners of the market.

Despite the abundance of scents, the air was occasionally infused with heavier, oily smells, which stood out from the roasted food cooked over open flames and sweet treats covered in thick syrups. These aromas contrasted with the fresher and lighter notes, making a stroll through the market a true culinary journey. Any other person might say this, but not me. I didn't like the smells at all.

People, walking between the stalls, would stop to sample local delicacies or buy unusual souvenirs. The air was filled with a sense of fun and community, as buyers and sellers engaged in friendly banter, exchanging jokes and tips. The Hashi market wasn't just a place to shop; it was a meeting place, a space for exchanging stories and enjoying life.

"We'll meet back here in an hour," the captain said. "You're free to buy something at the market if you wish."

After that, the captain disappeared into the crowd, leaving us alone. People paid no attention to the trio of genin, as there were other shinobi here as well. It's hard for me to determine their rank, so let's assume we're the only genin here.

"Well, shall we go?" I asked the girls. "Or do you have other plans?"

"Sorry, Suzuki," Shiko began. "But we won't go with you. We really do have other plans. And we don't need to buy anything here."

"Got it," I nodded. "No, then no. Then we'll meet up because I really need to buy something."

Leaving the girls alone, I started wandering through the market rows, sometimes stopping to examine items that caught my interest. For example, protective padding for shinobi vests or the protective mesh that some female kunoichi love so much. Honestly, I wouldn't mind wearing such a mesh either if it really protects against blows or weapons.

Besides that, I was interested in a few short blades that could be a great addition to my one-on-one combat abilities. Sure, fighting with fists and kunai is fine. But if you don't have much chakra for techniques, and the opponent has some kind of defense, then fists become not very useful weapons. In general, I was looking for short blades and even picked out a few, but once I learned the price, I put the weapons back on the counter. The price was too high for my pocket.

After that, I continued my walk around the market until I found a nondescript bookstore in the far corner of the market. There weren't many people here, which allowed me to calmly enter the store.

Behind the counter was a man with large round glasses, green eyes, and black hair. He was wearing a strange brown cloak. In his hand was a small pendant on a chain. The pendant featured a snake with green, encrusted eyes.

When the door closed behind me, I felt as if I had been cut off from the outside world. It became so quiet and peaceful. The man looked at me calmly, then pushed back his bangs, revealing a long, zigzagging scar.

"How can I help you?" the man asked.

"Well, I'm looking for something interesting," I shrugged in response. "But so far, I haven't bought anything."

"Oh," he said, giving me a slightly mocking look. "Then you've come to the right place. As my wife says, nothing is more important than books and the knowledge they may contain. Allow me to offer you a book: Legends Through the Ages: The Rabbit Goddess and All That Came Before Her."

"What's that?" I asked.

"It's this book," the man said and pulled out not just a book… It was a large book, with several thousand pages. Its weight looked considerable. "A rather rare item, to be honest. It has a lot of interesting things for you."

"Oh," I muttered. "Can I take a look?"

"Of course," the man chuckled.

I opened the book and saw a large illustration of a tree and a woman with rabbit ears nearby. She was fiercely and quickly chewing some fruit. After that, there was a brief summary along with chapters and other designations.

"Who's the author of this book?" I asked as I examined the cover.

"The author's name has been lost," the seller replied somewhat sadly. "The only thing known is that the author loved taking hallucinogenic mushrooms. That's all I know."

"Really," I said, surprised. "And how much does this book cost?"

The price he named wasn't very pleasant, but something about this book intrigued me. Something that attracted me... Maybe it was the title? I know well that shinobi aren't very interested in legends and history. They'd gladly spend that time on something else. Something more useful than some ancient legends that might turn out to be the ravings of a mad mind. But I feel that there might be some interesting secrets hidden here that could help me in the future. Although I doubt it, because it sounds quite stupid and somewhat unreliable. But still, "tales" of this world! Even if they are the imagination of some lunatic…

"What do you think, should I take it?" I asked him.

"Yes," he replied confidently. "It's an interesting book, so I advise you to take it and study it. It might be useful."

"Alright," I exhaled. "I'll take it."

After paying for it, I received a free bag along with the book. It turned out to be of good quality and convenient. In general, I'm sure I can carry it without worrying about the book getting damaged by the environment.

"Thank you," I nodded. "And do you have any other interesting books?"

"Hmm," the man thought. "I don't think these books would be interesting or useful to you."

"Really?" I asked with a slight suspicion. Well, okay. If that's the case, then so be it. "Then, thank you."

After that, I left the store with a pleasant weight at my side. Without looking back, I continued to walk around the market in search of something else interesting. And indeed, I managed to buy some cheap supplies, in the form of spikes that can be set up in traps, several steel wires, and a few protective plates that can be attached without a vest using special clips.