Lotus Of The Leaf ~Book One~

Chapter 52! Journey to the Land of Tea!

~*****~

I yawned tiredly as I stood before the mission with Squad Seven behind me. "Okay! Let's do it!" I nearly jump as I hear Naruto shriek behind me. I turn my gaze over my shoulder and sigh at his over excited expression. "Whatever the mission is, I'm psyched and ready to go!"

Sasuke scoffed slightly. "But, where's Kakashi-Sensei?" I hear Sakura ask.

"Man, some teacher. He's always the last one here." Naruto complained.

"Kakashi won't be here at all," I hear Tsunade say from the outside.

"Lady Tsunade?" I question softly.

"Granny Tsunade!" Naruto bellows.

"Stop calling me that, will you?" Tsunade snapped at the blond idiot. She took a seat at the mission table before me.

"Uh, Lady Hokage?" Sakura hummed. "What's this about Kakashi-Sensei not coming?"

"You know our forces are stretched thin. All of our Jonin are already busy on other missions, including Kakashi. Ren will be acting as Squad Leader as the four of your handle this one on your own." She holds a scroll up. "It's a B Rank Escort Mission. Someone important."

"Important. Really?" Sakura hummed.

"Of course, it could develop into an A rank mission if your run into trouble." Tsunade explains further.

"Who are we escorting?" I question as she hands over the scroll.

"I don't know," Tsunade shrugs. 

"Hold on, what do you mean you don't know?" Naruto asked loudly.

"Every four years, our neighbor, the Land of Tea, holds a dedication ceremony at the Great Todoroki Shrine, and each time we're asked to escort a runner who will participate in the rave that's part of the ceremonies. This year, the messengers who were bringing the request were attacked before they could get here." Tsunade mentioned.

"Who attacked them?" Naruto asked.

"I'm sorry, but I'm still not following this story very well." Sakura added. 

"Well, don't worry about that now. When you meet Boss Jirocho, he'll fill you in on everything."

"When we meet Boss Jirocho?" Naruto asked curiously.

"That gambler we met?" I ask curiously.

"That's everything I know. Now, no wasting time." Tsunade said as she stood up. "They're expecting you at the Land of Tea by the end of the day, so get moving."

"Ma'am." I bow before turning to the squad. "Meet at the gate in ten." I order and run out.

~*****~

We were mostly silent on the way to the Land of Tea. "Hey, Sakura, you hungry at all?" Naruto asked curiously.

"A little bit, maybe." Sakura mentioned.

"Hey, good idea! Lunch break!" Naruto bellowed. "And look! What a coincidence! There just happens to be a tea house right there!" He pointed ahead at the tea house.

"What do you think, Ren?" Sakura asked.

"Well, it wouldn't hurt to sit for a minute. But we need to get back on the road quick, okay?" I smile back at them. Naruto took the opportunity to run ahead. "Wait, Naruto!"  I groan and hunch forward in despair. "It's not like it's my first mission as acting Squad Leader."