Chapter 31: Rank C Mission

"Rank C mission... Hmmm..." 

Lee rubbed his chin while sitting in the carriage pulled by strong horses, with Neji, Tenten, and a slightly chubby man named Kataro wearing a straw hat and long grayed moustaches. 

Kataro wore a blue kimono and got on his feet, and skillfully managed his horses.

Meanwhile, Kataro's personal security team of five warriors walked along with Might Guy to keep an eye on the border to make sure no potential danger disturbed the client and his carriage with certain goods.

Their destination was bound for the city outside of Konoha called Osaka. 

It was one of those small towns but quite atmospheric and thriving and located near the Hidden Leaf in four different directions.

Guy had done missions like this before and this wasn't anything new for him.

It's just a normal Rank C task to keep a carriage and a wealthy client safe.

However, Rock, Tenten, and Neji had an entirely different experience and had never encountered a mission before. 

After all, they were leaving Konoha's territory under his leadership and likely leaving Konoha's territory together for the first time.

Guy considered himself a sort of guide for them in a completely different world.

"This is our first Rank C mission. We wouldn't want to disappoint the Third Hokage, right?" 

Tenten asked with a certain nervousness in her voice when turning to the pensive Rock and the impassive Neji.

"It's uncertain. Additionally, there is no guarantee that any bandits will even attack us. Guy-sensei tends to scare off many suspicious individuals with his shining bowl hair, ha-ha!" 

Lee laughed and took his mind off things for a moment. 

He told her a joke about Guy's hairstyle to reassure her, and she relaxed and smiled after his words.

"Our sensei's appearance speaks for itself. You can tell immediately that he's a top-level fighter and the most dangerous shinobi!" 

Tenten chimed in with humor while Lee's gaze became blank and cloudy again.

This made Tenten think about exactly what Rock was thinking all the time.

[Name: Rock Lee]

[Shinobi Rank: Genin]

[Health: 100%]

[Stamina: 100%]

[Chakra: 100%]

[Taijutsu Rank: C+]

[Ninjutsu Rank: —]

[Genjutsu Rank: —]

[Inventory]

[Achievements]

[List of Hellish Exercises: 2]

[Bronze Chest Awards for Running]

[20,000 ryo]

[10 Military Pills]

[Healing Ointment]

[Whip of Mercury]

[Whip of Mercury - This technique involves the user making their body as loose and fluid as possible, allowing the user to use their arms like a whip and perform powerful "slaps" that affect the largest human organ, the skin. This technique is powerful enough that it can actually rend the skin of a victim's body and cause enough pain that anyone hit by it will cry out in agony. This technique is capable of killing with a strong pain shock or leaving the enemy disabled forever.]

'Damn, another technique that won't be easy to use in sparring with friends. What kind of torment is this?! I guess I shouldn't complain. After all, there will be no mercy in battle with enemies. In that case, these moves won't backfire on me, and they'll be a trump card. However, death from pain shock...'

In his thoughts, Lee couldn't help but think that damaging nerve ends would be a hundred times worse than the famous Tenketsu strikes. 

That's why he felt chills going down his spine.

There is a lot worse pain than paralyzing points in the body that come from nerve and nerve bundle damage. 

It's just a shame that practicing such a technique during a mission outside of Konoha won't be so easy.

'However, I've more or less mastered the Impuls, which means my overall power has increased. I'm going to deal bandits or a shinobi in my own way!'

Lee grumbled something to himself and then looked at the system again. 

He wanted to know what hellish exercises he needed next and whether it would give him the expected silver chest with even better rewards.

[List of Hellish Exercises: 2]

[Kill 3 Demonic Wolves]

[Reward: Silver Chest]

[Kill 2 Demonic Bears]

[Reward: Silver Chest]

'It's Silver Chest. It turns out I wasn't wrong. However... Demonic beasts? So, I've gone from regular push-ups, squats, and pull-ups to actual killing even if it's animals? I didn't even think the system would have many aspects.'

"Nevertheless, I still can't do anything like that while traveling on a mission with my team. We'll be traveling by carriage for a few more days, and I don't have the opportunity to wander off somewhere and kill animals for a reward. I'll have to wait a bit, and the mission itself doesn't seem to be too long." 

Lee finally came to an end. 

He stretched, shook his head, and looked around to enjoy the lovely scenery in the Land of Fire on his way to Osaka.

"Mr. Kataro, why did you use the services of our village? After all, you have very strong personal security, and rogue ninjas rarely roam such roads." 

The five warriors, who were nearly two meters tall, stood out with obvious muscularity with swords on their backs and light leather armor.

The warriors themselves also looked as cool-headed and silent as ever, creating the impression of an impenetrable wall.

"Ah, if only my security were enough, ah, if only." 

Kataro replied with a heavy sigh and then bit his lip and continued in a grim tone.

"I heard rumors that recently mysterious bandits have been operating on the way from the Hidden Leaf to Osaka, dangerous and unpredictable, and they don't even realize it..."

"It sounds like a normal story but if a real Shinobi is involved in these activities, he could indeed engage in stealthy and secretive theft, and if so, why at all?" 

Tenten commented on the situation while also pondering her own question.

"Nukenin, or rogue ninja, who have committed some crime in their home village or simply left it for their own special purposes officially end up in the Bingo Book."

"They are constantly hunted down, and life is difficult for them. However, they can also take orders from other criminal figures and engage in various shady activities like murder."

"In general, it's possible that a rogue ninja might just steal from those who represent little value in order to survive and earn money."

"Nevertheless, a Nukenin must possess great nobility to refrain from killing anyone. After all, many from the Bingo Book are quite bloodthirsty monsters." 

Guy began to give explanations and ideas to show a rare level of thoughtfulness for someone who is usually carefree. 

He didn't miss the chance to give his students some background information.

"So, you mean to say that there's a chance, a small chance that we'll encounter some strong Nukenin, right?" 

Rock inquired eagerly and didn't even hide the martial gleam in his eyes. 

After all, he would rather fight someone—even someone dangerous and better than him than just stand while guarding the carriage.

"I don't want to disappoint you, Rock. But! The chance of that happening is extremely slim. Rumors are just rumors and nothing more, so don't rely too much on them. An experienced Shinobi doesn't believe in other people's stories because he checks everything himself and only then gets down to his work!" 

Guy solemnly said to instill his teachings into the minds of his students.

"If no one attacks my carriage and doesn't rob me, then I'll be only too happy."

Kataro remarked with a snort, scratching his chubby cheek and then focusing on the horses and the road. 

He saw no point in continuing the conversation, and he just wanted to be silent now.

"Neji, what do you think?"

Tenten touched Neji's shoulder who was literally spaced out, sitting nearby in the carriage.

"What? Are you talking about something?"

Neji looked around, genuinely awakened, but didn't understand what exactly was happening and why.

After such a response, Rock, Tenten, and Guy looked at him strangely which only made him feel even more uncomfortable and blurted out the first thing that came to his mind.

"Let's start training immediately!"

Overall, it didn't get any better...