Konoha's New Prodigy: The Journey

11

The journey to Sunagakure lasted 3 days and it was calm as ever. Once we made it to Suna the guards took us to the Kazekage office where Kankuro and Gaara were already waiting for us.

"We've been assigned for this mission, Kazekage-sama" Sarada said while bowing.

"I see you brought two more shinobi's" Kankuro said while looking at Kawaki and me. "So this is your first official mission from the Leaf, right Himawari?"

"Technically, it's my first mission with a team" I said with determination.

Then Kawaki made a step foward."We believe there's a group stealing medical supplies from the village, right?"

"The group call themselves 'Shadow of the desert'. They've been terrorizing the fronteir between Konoha and Suna. As you know, the Five Nations have been rebuilding themselves due to the effects of the war. However, Suna's been facing a series of epidemic sickness so that's why we need the medical supplies." Gaara said while handing us information about the criminal's profile.

"Any idea of why they're stealing the supplies?" Mitsuki asked.

"We believe they're re-selling them at highier costs so they could gain money for themselves" Kankuro stated.

"Seems logical" I murmured before Gaara called Shinki. "Escort them to their chambers. You'll be staying at Suna until the mission is complete."

And with that, he dismissed us with Shinki. He had stoic pose, he was taller, slimmer but he could express an inner strenght not even Kawaki could. I noticed he wasn't that chatty during the way, but he seemed to be relaxed around Team 7. I remember him during the chūnin exams being creepy and acting like a pshycopath.

"These are your chambers" he said while showing the room where Sarada and I were staying. My brother and the rest were staying in another room at a fair distance. "Make yourself comfortable before we start with the investigation."

"Thanks Shinki" Sarada said while I simply nodded. I noticed him glancing at me before leaving. Our eyes meeting each other, and feeling a strange sensation before he left.

It wasn't until I heard Sarada calling me that I realize I got petrified by his stare. "Hima-chan! Do you hear me!"

"Uh? I-I-I mean..." I stuttered. Kami how I hate it.

"Nevermind" she waved me away. "Let's unpack before meeting with the others."

*****

"So, what should we do?" Boruto said after hearing Shinki's explanation of the problem.

"We should ambush them" Sarada said while watching the reports and the whole map they made. "People like them make their moves during night."

"At the dessert?" Boruto said.

"Not exactly there, but somewhere near the Forest that connects to Konoha."

"But it still illogical" I said. "Haven't we passed the forest before landing here at Suna? We should've seen them or at least, sense their chakra.."

"Unless..." Kawaki said. "They use a genjutsu to confuse the merchant travelers."

"Whatever it is, we need to act fast. People are dying of sickness so we're running out of time." Shinki said. "Tonight, we'll meet at the village's gates."

We all nodded before ending the discussion. I was about to leave before I heard his voice. "You stay here, Himawari."

I closed the door and approach him with professionalism. "What is it, Shinki-sama?"

"Please, don't call me that. Just Shinki" he said while waving his hand. "I heard you possess great medical abilities."

"Sakura teached me. But they're not that great, I still have a lot to train."

"But you've learned a lot for you age. Would you be interested in developing your abilities while treating patients here at Suna?"

"I would love it" I replied with a warm smile.

He smiled. "In that case, follow me."