[Naruto·Itachi bg] A clear spring

In the dense forest of the Country of Fire, the seventh squadron, which was marching at high speed, ran towards the northeast.Ten days of special training in the jungle allowed them to quickly improve their strength and master the skills mentioned by the teacher.But they still don't know where their final destination is.

Izumi Uchiha followed the teacher steadily, with Senior Hayata next to him, while Hinata Kiyoshi, who also had the ability to sense, was at the rear.Looking at the forest around her that had turned into afterimages, she guessed the destination of her trip.To the northeast of Konoha, I thought about the map I memorized when I stayed up late not long ago...could it be the Land of Earth?It's been less than a year since they signed the armistice agreement. Last year they fought so violently and fought to the death, they probably won't be welcomed this time.

Sure enough, he would not be welcomed... He looked at the team in front of him wearing brown vests and wearing forehead protectors that were very eye-catching not long ago.Both sides immediately became cold-faced.It's one thing to be displeased, but the task still needs to be completed.After checking a certain token of both parties and exchanging mission items, the other party left the scene quickly after saying a few words——

"Three days later, the master you want to see will be waiting for you at Genji's mansion in the Iron Country."

They were already near the Iron Country, which was a neutral country. This time they didn't need to travel day and night. Uchiha Izumi, who breathed a sigh of relief, felt sore all over.Her endurance has never been good, and running day and night for three days made her breathless.Brother Zhisui is right...if you don't pay attention to her, you will suffer a loss in this matter sooner or later.

Going further north, she felt a deep chill not long after walking. The white snow on the roadside almost froze her exposed toes.In order to keep the package light, she brought several sets of summer and autumn clothes. Who knew she would come to such a country of ice and snow!It was a big loss. She sniffed the snot hanging out of her nose, and the girl held her red arms and trembled like a fallen leaf.Why are other people wearing short-sleeves not cold at all——

"Senior sister, use chakra to wrap your whole body and you won't feel cold anymore." Yu Hayata reminded kindly at the side.

"I tried it, but it only got colder." This trick didn't work for her!

"Uchiha, what other attributes do you have?" Hinata Kiyoshi, who was following behind and wearing white training clothes, almost blended into the snowy scene.

"Wind and water."

...these two combined can make it freeze to the point of freezing.Facing this strange teammate who was so tough that he could chop up a wild boar a few days ago, the cold-faced Hinata Kiyo couldn't help but complain in his heart.It was unheard of for an Uchiha rookie from the Hidden Leaf Village of the Fire Country to not have fire attributes, and he had actually seen one in his lifetime.

"We'll be there soon, remember to buy a coat." The teacher in front of him, with frost in his black hair, didn't look back and kept running steadily.

A group of four people stepped through the thick snow, leaving behind four pairs of footprints, three deep and one shallow. A cold wind blew by, and snowflakes fell from the lonely trees. Soon the small and shallow footprints disappeared in the snow. On the surface.

There is no trace.

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Outside a certain clothing store at the entrance to the Iron Kingdom, Izumi Uchiha, who had bought a plush robe and shoes as he wished, felt like he was warmly alive again, and the landlady who almost froze to death in this country and was ripped off was severely beaten. After cutting it for a long time, she couldn't cut it off even if her tongue was shining like a lotus flower.Isn't it the money earned by opening a shop in this place for an ill-prepared traveler like her?She must get a storage scroll when she returns!Otherwise, she would have to buy everything when traveling far away, and her salary would probably not be enough for her.

She had just graduated, although Class [-] participated in several D-level missions during the days when she was asleep.But she didn't go. The same team took money together. In peacetime, the wealthy Konoha Ministry of Finance approved it without blinking an eye, but now... Konoha is at war with several surrounding countries. Apparently she was so poor that she had to be stingy - she, a bastard, naturally didn't receive a penny.As for those round little coins that you bring before going out, where will they be enough?Being a bastard, she had no choice but to hold back her shame and borrow a little from each of the three people.Judging from the pained expressions on their faces... I guess there aren't many left. I hope this mission can be rewarded on the spot.

Iron Country, Genji's Mansion.

Unlike the surrounding buildings, the Genji mansion in front of him was obviously a wealthy family.It has a long history, and the word "Genji" on the weather-beaten lintel is simple and upright, evoking some familiar yet distant memories.

"Senior sister, don't be in a daze, come in quickly." Senior Hayata's call came to her ears. She turned back in shock, smiled sheepishly at the servant waiting for them, and followed the team in.

Two or three steps behind her, Yu Hayata who followed behind suppressed the surge in his heart. He had seen the helplessness and farewell in his eyes before, with his last relatives.

Following the servants on the winding path, they were led into the living room and each was given a cup of tea and sat down in confusion.

"What does this mean?" Hayata Yu looked at the tea at his hand, and there was still a tea leaf floating vaguely on the faint green.

"Drinking tea means letting us wait a little longer." Hinata Qing seemed very indifferent and drank the tea slowly.

"Genji is the largest noble in the Iron Country, we still have to be more careful about our behavior." Sarutobi Kino couldn't help but remind the three children.The Kingdom of Iron is a neutral country that respects warriors. There will be no good results if you are disrespectful here.

...There was silence.

Uchiha Izumi, who was always active, remained silent and studied the tea in his hand seriously.

The teacup in his hand glowed with the luster of white porcelain, glowing with warmth in the sunlight that filtered through the foyer.The lone tea leaf in the cup floats calmly on the water.It tastes like a distant fragrance, not thick and not greasy. It is different from the boiled tea that I often drink. This is sencha.

A kind of... craft that she once refused to learn because of her instability, but later never had the chance.

After three cups of tea, the three people sitting down were a little unable to sit still.The maid on the side just dutifully refilled the tea for them, ensuring that the tea was filled to two-thirds, accurately every time.

Different from the shyness and restlessness of the three people, the girl sat steadily with a very upright posture, as if she was integrated into the house.

Hinata Qing, who looked around boredly, naturally discovered the difference in her.There is something wrong with his teammates now, it seems like there is a different person.Hinata Qing, who was about to ask, stopped talking.The footsteps outside the door are getting closer and closer, someone is coming.

"Mr. Sarutobi from the Land of Fire, you are far from welcome." The visitor was an aristocratic boy of thirteen or fourteen, wearing a formal kimono with many colors on his body.

"You're welcome, Young Master Genji. We came here this time to wait for the Earth Kingdom..." Sarutobi Kino, who didn't know which adult the other party would send, stopped suddenly.

"My ancestor has been in poor health recently, so I am taking care of all the affairs. The envoys from the Kingdom of Earth will arrive in three days. Please rest first."

Genji of the Kingdom of Iron has been responsible for receiving envoys from various countries. I heard that the leader of Genji, who has few heirs, is old and has been in poor health. I hope there will be no accidents before they complete their mission.

"Then please arrange it, young master." He nodded to express his understanding, and looked at the three disciples who were still standing behind. The three of them planned to follow the servant to their temporary residence.

"Excuse me, who is this... miss?" Young Master Genji glanced at Izumi Uchiha, who was walking at the back of the team, with interest.The loose robe covered her clan emblem, and the forehead protector was removed long before entering the country.He seems to behave naturally and has a graceful figure. Could it be that... Fire and Earth have intentions of getting married?How could he send such a little girl away... What a pity. If she could grow up in his yard——

"Young Master Genji, I am a ninja of Konoha." Such a look made her very uncomfortable.

"Ah, that's really disrespectful. If you need anything, please don't bother me carelessly."

Uchiha Izumi nodded, put away her nostalgic thoughts, walked quickly and decisively, and left more like a ninja than before.

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For three days, they stayed in a small courtyard except for meeting each other when sleeping. At other times, they were busy with their own business.The teacher came and went without a trace, while the other two teammates were focused on studying chakra control.And there was an inexplicable irritability in her heart, as if she wanted to get closer to the truth but had no way to find it.She wanted to do nothing but read.After staying in this state for three days, she couldn't help it anymore. Taking advantage of the afternoon sunshine, she might as well go out and visit the market.

"Senior Hayata?" The courtyard is very small, and in the open space in the center sits a dazed Yuu Hayata.

"Senior sister, are you going out?"

"Yes, I haven't gone shopping for so many days. Would you like to come with us, Hayata-senpai?"

Can't refuse.

The boy and girl walking in the only market looked left and right.

It doesn't feel as prosperous as Mulan Street... Such a small country still has snow all year round, so supplies are definitely scarce.

"Senior sister, don't you have anything to buy?"

"Yes." Izumi Uchiha walked to a stall after taking a fancy to his target.There were various medicinal materials placed there. I weighed the wolfberries in my hand and confirmed that they were different from the spiky wolfberries in the Kingdom of Wind. These had rounded edges and were vaguely brown.

"The little girl has good taste. This is the newly restocked wolfberry."

"Are you from the Kingdom of Earth?"

"Yes, do you want some?"

"Weigh ten pounds."

"Okay!"

"Twelve!"

"..." She silently looked at the brown-haired boy who was following her.

"Don't worry." The other person smiled back.

Fortunately, I brought along a rich man who was easy to talk to.She really has nothing to do with bargaining.

While waiting for Hayata Yu to pay, she was bored and saw a clothing store behind the stall.She had enough clothes to wear, but what caught her attention was not the discount advertisement at the door of the store, but a kimono hanging aside.The delicate white base material, on which Mo Mei climbed, had a yellow belt... very much like the kimono she wanted to wear but could no longer wear.

"Guest, do you want to try it? We are selling this treasure at [-]% off!"

"How much?" She was smarter this time.Ask for price first if you want goods.

"It's not expensive, it's just three taels."

It was indeed sold at a low price...but she still had no money.He turned around to leave but was held tightly by the landlady.

Is the folk custom of the Iron Country so passionate and tough? "It's okay if you don't buy it, give it a try, girl!...Don't leave! I just need a model. If it suits you, please leave me a photo and I'll give it to you, okay?"

Can't refuse.

After putting on the kimono, Uchiha Izumi didn't expect that the clothes fit so well. Although the size was a bit too big, he could just tighten it up a little when wearing it, and he could still wear it for a few more years.

She refused makeup and hair and was dragged by the enthusiastic boss lady to take a random photo. She was embarrassed and apologized to her teammates who had been waiting for a long time with her hair down.——

"I'm so sorry for keeping Hayata Gakuin waiting for so long. I'll come after I change my clothes."

"It should look good if you leave it longer." It will be more gentle...

What kind of answer is this? I can’t answer it at all.The girl was stunned for a moment.

The absent-minded young man came back to his senses, "No need, it's getting dark, we'd better go back early."

The way back was not long. As we approached the gate of the courtyard, we met a group of followers and an old man with gray hair taking a leisurely stroll among them.

Old age.

Although he didn't look good, the old man who insisted on not needing support showed a strong aura.They hurriedly avoided it and bowed, then returned to the guest room under the vague gaze of the man.

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The group from Earth Kingdom arrived the next day. They hired a group of local samurai without bringing a ninja team.

Since the other party is so sincere, they should also put away the costumes that make the other party feel uncomfortable.

Following the local customs, they changed into kimonos with local characteristics and went to the meeting hall.She was wearing the white plum suit she bought last night, and her hair was simply pulled back.As for what the teacher and the adult were talking about, they definitely didn't know.The three of them were guarding outside the door. She and Yu Hayata were at the front door, while Hinata Qing went to the back door.

Besides them, there were dozens of samurai with swords standing outside the door.

I got up too early and couldn't sleep last night.Resisting the desire to yawn, she did not dare to slack off while surrounded by many warriors.

Although samurai do not know how to use ninjutsu, it is remarkable that the Iron Country without ninja villages can remain neutral without being annexed by other countries.The samurai under the leadership of Lord Mifune must have put in a lot of effort.

Under the glow of the setting sun, the samurai's swords, worn out over the years, still carry a fierce killing intent.

Clang——

When the sword is unsheathed, the spirit of the warrior reappears.