**Chapter 60: Weird Escort Mission!**

In Konoha, a gathering was underway at the Security Department, with Uchiha Fugaku at the forefront. Tension hung in the air as Yihe , head of the Interrogation Department, faced the aftermath of a grave mistake.

"Minister Fugaku, we acknowledge that this is indeed our dereliction of duty," Yihe Gang admitted, discomfort visible on his face. "The prisoners we had, sent in by your clan, have escaped. This should never have happened."

"Let's not dwell on blame," Fugaku replied with a measured tone. "What matters is that we prevent this from happening again. However, the deaths of these Root Organization members are concerning. Make sure to inform Danzo-sama."

With that, Fugaku and his team departed, leaving Yihe to grapple with the grim reality: four corpses lay on the ground, members of an organization with a notorious reputation.

---

The following day, Tsunade reviewed the commission signatures in her hand, astonished. "You're done already?" she asked, glancing at Reiki and the others. Completing ten commissions in a single day seemed impossible.

She had allowed the three of them to make their own arrangements for the next two days, confident in their abilities. They had originally intended to seek actual combat training, but they found themselves immersed in tasks instead.

---

Meanwhile, in a different part of the village, Prime Minister Sanada fumed. "Is this the ninja Konoha arranged for me?" he asked, eyeing the female ninja accompanied by three young boys. "I expected someone more capable for a B-level commission!"

Before he could voice further complaints, the assigned ninja vanished, leaving him frustrated yet with no option but to rely on this group for his protection. Resigned, he retreated to his carriage, preparing to depart.

"Shisui, I'm entrusting the investigation mission to you," Tsunade instructed, turning her attention to the rest of the group. "You two, guard the caravan. Remember, this is a B-level mission; don't take it lightly. I'll keep a low profile to protect you from the shadows."

With those words, she disappeared, her meaning clear: as long as Reiki and the others faced no significant danger, she would remain uninvolved.

"I'm counting on you here," Shisui said, activating his Sharingan before vanishing from sight. 

Reiki and Nozuki assumed their positions, keeping a vigilant watch. For Reiki, this was a momentous occasion—his first official mission. The recent end of World War II left the ninja world in chaos, with many looking to target Konoha's movements.

After several hours on the road, they left the safety of Konoha's borders behind. 

"Reiki, notice anything off?" Nozuki asked during a break at noon.

"I did," Reiki replied quietly. "But the specifics are still unclear. These people are too tense, and their chakra feels off. They're not ordinary cargo workers; they're ninjas."

"It feels like this escort mission involves more than just simple goods," he added, reflecting on the nature of their assignment.

"Exactly. The client, Prime Minister Sanada, is acting more fearful than one would expect," Nozuki observed. "His anxiety feels like a genuine fear for his life."

"Given that Sanada is the only one in the carriage, and the others are also ninja escorts, it's suspicious. This combination doesn't add up," Reiki noted. "We need to be on guard. If trouble arises, our safety comes first. We have to hold out until Tsunade arrives."

"Right!" Nozuki agreed, determination in her eyes.

After half an hour, Shisui returned from his reconnaissance. "No signs of ambushes ahead. If we maintain our pace, we should reach our destination in two days," he reported, his confidence bolstered by his Sharingan.

"Three young ninjas, here's your lunch," a kind middle-aged man said, approaching with food and water. "Make sure to eat well!"

"Thank you, uncle. We'll protect everyone," Shisui assured him.

"Good luck! I believe in you!" the man replied, leaving the provisions before heading back.

After a brief respite, the caravan set off again, striving to exit the forest before nightfall. Camping in the woods was too risky, given the recent developments.

As dusk descended, they finally emerged from the forest and onto a wide plain, where a small stream glimmered nearby. Sanada opted to make camp here, and the responsibility of night watch fell to Reiki and his companions.

"This is our commission; we can't have others watching over us," Reiki said, as several freight workers opted to stay up with them, clearly lacking trust in the trio's abilities.

"Go sleep; we've got this," Reiki encouraged, noticing the fatigue in their eyes. "We'll watch over things while you rest."

Though confused, the workers complied and settled down. Reiki, Nozuki, and Shisui found a large tree and leaned against it, allowing their eyes to close for a much-needed rest.

---

Later that night, after the first group of watchmen completed their rotation, all seemed calm. But in the shadows nearby, Nozuki furrowed her brow, puzzled by Reiki's choice to pull away from the group.

"What's your plan, Reiki?" she asked quietly.

"Something isn't right with this team. What they're transporting isn't just the goods we see," Reiki whispered back.

"I suspect the cargo owner is a facade," he continued, his voice low. "And something is bound to happen tonight."

Uchiha Shisui joined the conversation, nodding in agreement. "I found no traces earlier, which in itself is suspicious. We need to stay vigilant." 

With their minds focused, the trio prepared for whatever lay ahead, knowing that the night was far from over, and the real challenges of their mission were just beginning.

>>>>>

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