22. The Suspicious Client

Mission Assignment Hall.

"Elder Yuanshi."

As soon as Mei Terumi arrived, she skillfully made her way to the elder in charge of the mission assignments, greeting him warmly.

"Oh, it's Mei Terumi. Haven't seen you for a few days," the elder named Yuanshi replied with a kindly smile, beckoning her over. He was clearly quite fond of this junior.

Kisame stood quietly behind Mei Terumi, observing Yuanshi with a calm gaze.

This was a man in his seventies, bald with sparse teeth, dressed in a monk-like brown robe and leaning on a serpent-shaped wooden staff.

Yet, despite his unremarkable appearance, he wielded power and status nearly equal to that of the Third Mizukage. All important village matters were subject to his consultation.

In the Hidden Mist Village, the Mizukage was typically the strongest ninja in the village. Beyond that, the villagers would honor the eldest among them as elders, entrusting them with all the village's affairs.

Although the ninja world had enjoyed a few years of relative peace, the Land of Water had long been plagued by internal strife. The Blood Mist policy enforced by the Third Mizukage had further shortened the average lifespan of Mist ninja to less than thirty years.

The long-lived were exceedingly rare.

Yuanshi, born during the Warring States era and having weathered decades alongside the Hidden Mist, was the ideal elder, revered by countless villagers.

"Elder Yuanshi, this is our new teammate—Kisame Hoshigaki. He's an outstanding ninja we can rely on, and a person of warmth and kindness," Mei Terumi introduced Kisame, hoping he would make a good impression on the elder.

Kisame bowed to Yuanshi, showing his respect.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they got down to business.

"Let me see what tasks might suit you," Yuanshi said, pulling out a thick stack of files and donning his reading glasses.

Seeing this, Mangetsu Hozuki could hardly contain her excitement. "Elder, I want to take on a B-rank mission this time. The low-level ones are too boring, and the pay is low."

"B-rank missions require at least two chunin or one jonin per team. If I'm not mistaken, you're all still genin, aren't you?" Yuanshi replied with an amiable smile.

"Yuyuri, don’t trouble Elder Yuanshi. Let's do a C-rank mission as usual," Mei Terumi said.

Kisame remained silent.

In the Hidden Mist, missions were assigned by rank, not by ability.

Kisame had participated in two search-and-destroy operations before. Though not a main force, both missions were B-rank in difficulty.

However, unlike Kisame, who came from humble origins, Mei Terumi and Mangetsu Hozuki were scions of prominent clans. The village would never let them risk their lives.

In truth, since joining this squad, Kisame had benefited from their status, no longer forced to undertake the most dangerous tasks.

"You should head to the Village of Snow."

At that moment, Yuanshi looked up from the documents and gave the three their assignment.

The Village of Snow was a picturesque place in the Land of Water, covered in snow year-round. In his youth, Yuanshi had visited and befriended its late village chief.

Recently, the chief's granddaughter, Sakura Yuki, had led a small merchant caravan to the Hidden Mist, trading local goods in exchange for supplies.

With the heavy snows soon to block the mountain passes, and wild beasts likely to descend in search of food, Sakura Yuki had come to the Mizukage Building to request an escort for the return journey.

"This mission isn’t dangerous. You only need to fend off any wild animals and see the villagers safely home," Yuanshi instructed, handing the mission request to Mei Terumi.

"All right, then we’ll depart at once," Mei Terumi replied, accepting the assignment, bowing once more before heading out with her teammates.

Half an hour later.

The trio met their clients—the villagers of the Village of Snow—outside the gates.

Among them, the most striking figure was a young woman, around seventeen or eighteen, with fair skin and sweet, innocent features. Her smile was especially infectious.

She was Sakura Yuki, granddaughter of the late village chief.

"Excuse me, is there some mistake?" Sakura Yuki asked, first surprised, then cautious, upon seeing Mei Terumi and Mangetsu Hozuki.

She could hardly believe the Hidden Mist had sent two girls as their ninja escort.

Mei Terumi looked about eleven or twelve, and Mangetsu Hozuki seemed even younger—a mere child.

"Hey, don’t underestimate us! I’ve completed more than twenty C-rank missions," Mangetsu Hozuki huffed in protest, showing her record, though it did little to allay their concerns.

Only after Kisame arrived did Sakura Yuki and the villagers feel some measure of relief.

Though Kisame was only twelve, his towering height and imposing build offered a sense of security.

"Before we depart, I have a few questions, as per protocol. Please answer honestly," Kisame said, looking at Sakura Yuki and the others.

"Did you apply for an escort mission strictly as a C-rank assignment?" he asked.

"Of course," Sakura Yuki replied quickly with a charming smile, though Kisame, ever perceptive, noticed a flicker of unease in her expression.

He pressed on: "Do you or the Village of Snow have any enemies? If we’re attacked by hostile ninja en route, that would make this mission beyond our capacity."

A trace of panic flashed in Sakura Yuki’s eyes, but she quickly answered, "We’re just ordinary villagers—how could we have any ninja enemies? You're overthinking it."

She even stepped back, as if cowed by Kisame’s pointed questioning.

Unable to watch any longer, Mangetsu Hozuki rushed over. "Hey, stop interrogating them! Even if we are attacked by ninja, I’ll take care of them all!"

She’d heard the Village of Snow was beautiful and was eager to see it, worrying that Kisame’s attitude might ruin the mission.

Mei Terumi also stepped forward. "Kisame, let’s discuss any concerns on the road. If anything unexpected happens, the three of us should be able to handle it, don’t you think?"

She too felt Kisame was being overly cautious.

"You’re the captain—your call," Kisame replied, falling silent.

And with that, the group set off.

A few days later.

In the deep northern mountains of the Land of Water, snow fell thick and fast, the wind howling through the trees.

A small caravan of a dozen or so people trekked through the wilderness, reaching a wooded area at dusk to shelter from the storm.

Over the past few days, Sakura Yuki, Mei Terumi, and Mangetsu Hozuki had become fast friends, laughing and chatting together along the way.

Only Kisame remained apart, spending most of his time alone.