After the team split up, Soma shouted to Dosuke: "Dosuke, investigate the merchants from the Land of Flowers."
"Understood, Captain," Dosuke replied.
Tachie activated her Byakugan. "There are five people in the room. You can go, Dosuke."
It made sense that the merchants, shaken by a recent robbery, gathered in one room. More people meant they could face threats together, but it also risked them all being taken out at once.
"Understood, Miss Tachie." Dosuke stepped out of the room.
He took a blowpipe from his pouch and carefully blew through the gap in the door. A colorless, odorless gas slowly spread inside.
After about ten minutes, Dosuke opened the door and walked in. Five people lay unconscious in the room: the Flower Country merchant, a teenage girl, and three samurai, likely family warriors.
Dosuke took a potion from his ninja pouch and poured it into the merchant's mouth before waking him.
"May I have your name?"
"My name is Shibauchi Junichiro…."
The next day, Dosuke got up early, careful not to wake up Tachie, who was sleeping nearby.
He turned on the tap and splashed cold water on his face. The morning drowsiness was instantly driven away.
* Squeak. *
Back in the room, Dosuke gently closed the door.
"You woke up really early, Dosuke. Where's the captain?" Tachie greeted sleepily, sitting on the mat.
"Well, Sister Tachie, I don't know where the captain is," Dosuke replied, looking at her.
"The captain went out but didn't say what he's doing," Takuto said, sitting on the sofa. He recalled the parasites used for warning the previous night. Two rows of insects flew toward him in sequence, crawling in along the cuffs of his sleeves.
Thanks to the Aburame clan's secret technique, Takuto's parasites guarded the surroundings last night, allowing the team, especially, to sleep until dawn without taking shifts.
At this time, Soma returned.
"I've set up traps along the way, trying to capture everyone alive," Soma said in a serious tone.
"Captain, I inquired about the Flower Country merchant yesterday. His family situation, habits, and more are all here," Dosuke said, handing a piece of paper to Soma.
"Well done, Dosuke," Soma said, quickly reading it and praising him.
"Now we are the Shibauchi family, herbal tea merchants from the Mori Mountain area of the Land of Flowers. I am the father, Junichiro Shibauchi; Dosuke is the youngest son, Taiyo Shibauchi; Tachie is the eldest daughter, Miyo Shibauchi; and Takuto, you are Makoto, a samurai from the Shibauchi family. Understood?"
"Understood!" the three replied together.
"Dosuke, how are the people from the Land of Flowers doing?" Soma asked, looking at Dosuke.
"Captain, I gave them a powerful hypnotic potion to ensure they'll sleep until tomorrow," Dosuke replied.
"Okay, then get ready to start. Dosuke, you and Tachie, go find the Sand Village team from yesterday," Soma said.
At noon, it was the same ramen restaurant as yesterday. Tachie and Dosuke sat in the shop and waited. Tachie glanced back while teasing the puppy she bought yesterday.
"Haha, what a great teacher! The money for this task is really a lot. I want to order an extra bowl of ramen!" a noisy voice came from outside.
"Okay, let you eat enough."
The Sand Village squad approached.
Dosuke looked at the Sand Village team entering the store and immediately ran over to the Chunin: "Hello, Ninja-sama, have you completed your mission?"
"Of course, we've completed the task in the village. Can you let us eat first? My name is Jieren Seiyo," the enthusiastic Genin said.
"Sorry, sorry, I was in a hurry," Dosuke apologized and led them to the seat where Tachie was. "Everyone, come here. My sister and I haven't eaten yet."
"Boss, a few bowls of ramen, one per person," Dosuke called loudly.
"If it's not enough, add more," Tachie said softly.
"Wow, Sister, you smell so good!" Jieren exclaimed, sitting next to Tachie.
"You brat!" The Sand Village Chunin, Saidaiji, punched Jieren on the head and apologized to Tachie: "I'm sorry, my disciple didn't mean it. He hasn't had much contact with girls in the village and meant no harm."
"It's okay, and I think Jieren is pretty cute," Tachie said, waving her hand to show she didn't mind.
"My father went to collect the payment for the goods sold yesterday. He said the price can be set at a B-rank mission level. I hope you can accept it, please," Dosuke said, bowing seriously to Saidaiji.
"Since I promised yesterday, I'll accept it. Don't worry," Saidaiji agreed directly.
"Haha, don't we make B-rank mission money again, Cang, Tai, and you were unhappy before?" Jieren asked his two companions with a grin.
Cang and Tai didn't answer but picked up their chopsticks and ate the ramen that was just served.
The young ninjas finished eating quickly. Jieren ate two extra bowls, saying he couldn't help but eat more when he had the chance, as he often went hungry in the past, sometimes eating one meal without knowing when the next would come.
Dosuke and Tachie rushed to the inn with Saidaiji and the Genin he brought, where they met Soma.
"Hello, Saidaiji-sama, thank you for your hard work this time. My life is too hard. I've never encountered ninjas before when coming to the Land of Wind for business, only bandits at most. My family's samurai could protect us," Soma said, who had transformed into Junichiro Shibauchi, speaking tearfully to Saidaiji with a big belly.
"This time, rogue ninjas killed over a dozen of my family's samurai, and the rest fled in fear. Only my most loyal Makoto stayed with me. If you don't help, Miyo, Taiyo, and I might die on the road," he continued, his eyes full of tears.
"Don't worry, Mr. Junichiro. Since I've accepted the mission, we'll definitely protect your safety. But you know the price!"
"Price? Don't worry, it's according to the standard of a B-rank mission. You only need to escort us to the Land of Flowers. If you're concerned, I can pay half the commission upfront," Junichiro said, pulling money from his pocket.
"No, no, I trust you," Saidaiji said, refusing Shibauchi money. "When do you want to leave?"
"Let's leave now, the sooner the better. I've already packed, and I don't plan to come back to the Land of Wind again, it's too dangerous," Soma said, looking at Saidaiji.