Secrets

"Eh? It's nothing like that… He's just been giving me some lessons in his spare time… Nothing too crazy."

Minato raised his hands as he tried to dismiss the question.

"Ehhh? I don't believe it. Spit it out."

"Nozomi, if he doesn't want to speak, just leave him... Stop being nosy."

Next to them, Jun was in his typical napping position, watching her from the corner of his eye. Once said his piece, he got back to sleep.

"You…! Why are you never on my side!? Is it because I'm a Hyūga and your an Uchiha!?"

"So what if it is... Are you going to do anything about it? Just shut up and let me sleep."

To be truthful, Jun never really liked the Hyūga-clan... Just because they had the Senju's backing, they started hailing the Byakugan as the number one Dōjutsu...

Although Nozomi was alright, she too could be annoying sometimes, like now.

"Grr…"

Nozomi gnashed her teeth. It seemed like every time she spoke, the other two would immediately shoot her down. Was she even part of this team?

"Please calm down…"

Minato tried to calm things as he got in the middle of the two. He really didn't want his teammates to start fighting right before an important mission.

"Now now, you two should learn from Minato. Infighting is the worst thing that can happen to a three-man cell!"

With a puff of smoke, Jiraiya appeared in front of his students. He wore his usual greenish-black Kimono, but this time, he had some chainmail armor underneath[1]. He too carried a backpack.

"Hmph! You can keep your secrets!"

Like usual, Nozomi ignored the three guys and buried herself in her new book, 'The history of Cha No Kuni'. She had borrowed it yesterday, in hopes of learning more about their destination.

"What happened to her… Is she ok?"

Jiraiya whispered towards Minato and Jun, who both shrugged in response. Women weren't meant to be understood after all... It was a perfect excuse for them.

A few minutes later, their client, Yamanoue-san, arrived with a horse-carriage. Seeing it, Minato and Nozomi gaped in surprise… It was their first time seeing such a thing.

"Greetings, degozaru!"

Yamanoue waved at them from the driver's seat as he stopped the horses. He was wearing the same clothes, but this time, he had a Kasa[2] on his head, hiding half of his face.

Interested, Minato and Nozomi walked to the back of the carriage and looked inside. What they say was a bunch of materials and merchandise, from it, came a fragrant smell.

"So this is what we have to protect? Oh, it's tea!"

Smelling it, Nozomi's mood improved as she inspected everything.

"Of course, I would hope that this princess also protects me, degozaru... Hahaha."

Hearing the man's words, Nozomi smiled. He seemed like a nice guy, unlike her teammates and teacher.

Walking up to one of the two horses, Jun caressed its neck. Huffing, they hit the ground with vigor.

"Good horse!"

This was definitely a good horse. Although Jun was not fond of traveling on or with animals, he recognized the effort put into breeding and nurturing these stallions.

"Hahaha, the young man has a good eye! We, of the Ryokucha[3] family, take meticulous care with everything we do. That includes breeding horses! Thank you for your praise, degozaru."

"..."

Even though he liked the horses, Jun still didn't like Yamanoue. All he did was boot-lick those around him… Did he have no backbone...?

Then again, he was a merchant, so it was somewhat understandable.

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[1] He looks like this, but with his forehead protector: bit.ly/2JwpHW9

[2] 'Kasa' is a traditional Japanese hat that features an oval shape.

[3] 'Ryokucha' Literally meaning: Green Tea

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