On the streets of Konoha, passing pedestrians cast surprised glances at the pairing of a grown man and a child, or rather, a grown man, a child with increasingly defined features, exuding a hint of handsomeness, and another clad in eternally unchanged green tight-fitting clothes, with a somewhat wild hairstyle, thick eyebrows, a large nose, and a face etched with the passage of time.
This duo was Lin Yu and Might Duy, along with Kai, who was in the bundle on Might Duy's back.
Lin Yu paid no mind to the pointing fingers of the passersby, as they had no idea of Might Duy's true strength. Although Might Duy was abysmal in all aspects save for taijutsu, Lin Yu didn't care. What he valued was Might Duy's exceptional solo combat capability; the Eight Inner Gates was a powerful taijutsu that could unleash unexpected, decisive blows on enemies at any moment during a fight.
Might Duy, on the other hand, was accustomed to it. Over the years, he had transformed others' opinions of him into nourishment for his youth, spurring him to greater effort and dedication.
...
Konoha Inn.
"You two accepted the mission?" A portly middle-aged merchant from the caravan looked at the pair before him with some surprise.
The caravan consisted of five people in total: the merchant and four guards, none of whom were ninjas. The cargo was ordinary specialty goods, purchased from a remote area and destined for the capital of the Land of Fire for sale, aiming to profit from the markup.
"Yes, we will complete this mission," Lin Yu replied.
"What's going on? Konoha actually sent a kid to take on a mission? As for this older fellow, he's sturdy enough, but why are you carrying a baby on your back? Is Konoha trying to play me! A combination like yours can complete the mission?" The stout merchant grew increasingly angry as he spoke, his weight seemingly increasing by two or three jin.
Might Duy stepped forward, his voice filled with unwavering resolve: "Please rest assured, I will do my utmost to ensure everyone's safety."
Seemingly moved by Might Duy's sincere and firm tone, the merchant had no choice but to swallow his pride. Turning down the mission was not an option, as he had to reach the capital of the Land of Fire that day, otherwise, the freshness of the specialty goods could not be guaranteed, and the selling price would fluctuate significantly.
"Alright! Then let's depart now!" Might Duy's expression was one of great excitement. He could finally undertake a mission again!
As for preparations, Might Duy knew nothing beyond taijutsu, so a kunai was enough. Lin Yu, however, needed nothing; a note left for Kushina at his home would suffice.
At the gates of Konoha, after showing their passes to the unknown guardian deity, the group ambled towards the capital of the Land of Fire...
"A C-rank escort mission?" Orochimaru, in a secret base somewhere, had just received notification that Lin Yu had accepted a mission. After all, the mission was undertaken in his name, so notification was necessary.
"Might Duy? Is there anything special about this person?" Orochimaru believed Lin Yu only associated with people for a purpose. However, after racking his brain, he could only recall that the man's taijutsu seemed decent, but merely decent. He had been a genin for over a decade; if he truly possessed strength, he wouldn't have endured this long.
Orochimaru chuckled and dismissed the thought of Might Duy. As for the C-rank mission being problematic? Orochimaru didn't think so. He believed Lin Yu simply wanted an excuse to leave the village, and choosing someone as simple-minded as Might Duy would make it easier to conduct some clandestine activities.
For example, visiting the base of the "Eternity" organization, or meeting with members in black robes. Orochimaru smirked; these possibilities had been considered the moment he took Lin Yu in, and he also wished to use Lin Yu to make contact with this organization that dared to name itself "Eternity."
"Don't keep me waiting too long, Lin Yu-kun..."
...
Night, the capital of the Land of Fire.
No unexpected incidents occurred along the way. There were no individuals hiding their identities within the group, nor were they transporting any special cargo. Not even a single ant blocked their path. They arrived peacefully at the capital of the Land of Fire. Although it was the capital, it was merely a small town surrounding it, falling under the capital's jurisdiction.
Without venturing in to witness the prosperity of the great nation's capital, Lin Yu and his companions bid farewell to the portly merchant and returned to Konoha the way they came.
"Duy-senpai, you go back and hand over the mission. I have some personal matters to attend to." Orochimaru's guess was correct; Lin Yu's purpose for leaving Konoha was not merely to complete a C-rank mission. He had many things to do, such as dealing with Hanzo's head, which was about to go moldy.
"But, isn't it a bit improper? Two people go out on a mission, and I return alone..." Might Duy hesitated. The honest and simple man felt this was not right.
"It's fine, Senpai. You can just say that Orochimaru-sama gave me a solo mission that I need to complete by myself," Lin Yu carelessly sold out Orochimaru once again.
"Oh! So it's a solo mission assigned by Lord Orochimaru to Lin Yu. No wonder. I understand, I understand," Might Duy exclaimed in realization, then gave a comical expression of good luck.
"Then... Lin Yu, how should the reward be divided? I..." Might Duy stammered, his old face flushing with embarrassment.
"Ah, about that, my share will be used to buy milk powder for Kai," Lin Yu said, teasing Kai, who already bore a resemblance to his future watermelon-shaped haircut.
"How can that be! I'll just take my share. I'm not that kind of person," Might Duy stated resolutely.
"Duy-senpai, consider this as a training fee for you to train me in youth in the future. To burn my youth, what are these external possessions worth!" Lin Yu said with feigned exasperation, pretending to be impassioned.
"Alright! I accept your gift of youth, and let us unleash our youth together from now on!" The mention of youth instantly reduced Might Duy's already limited intelligence to negative numbers. His large eyes were filled with the flames of youth.
"But there's also Lord Orochimaru's share..."
"That is my teacher's investment in my youth! Please, Duy-senpai, you must accept it!" Lin Yu could no longer hold back, a surge of blood rising, his face flushing red.
However, in Might Duy's eyes, this was Lin Yu's passionate fervor for youth! This young man was exactly to his taste. If it weren't for Kai, he would have been unable to resist imparting his understanding and love for youth to him.
One had to be grateful that Kai inadvertently saved Lin Yu. If Lin Yu were to wear green tight-fitting clothes and sport a watermelon-shaped haircut, Kushina would likely be utterly disgusted, and Lin Yu himself might have exploded with shame. But such a thing was impossible!
After parting ways with Might Duy, Lin Yu changed into a black robe under the cover of night, put on a golden-patterned mask, and headed for the nearest bounty association.