"Are we really on a mission?"
Sakura casually munched on snacks, one hand holding juice while she stuffed sweet pastries into her mouth. Beneath her sat a luxurious, plush carpet inside an opulent carriage with a complex internal structure featuring lighting, ventilation, anti-slip mechanisms, and maximum comfort. They hadn't felt a single bump the whole way.
This didn't feel like going on a mission at all—it was more relaxing than a vacation.
Naruto wasn't new to such luxury. He ate greedily without hesitation or manners.
Sasuke, however, wore a gloomy expression, frequently glancing at the carriage as though annoyed by its slow speed.
In response to Sakura's question, Anya lazily replied from the edge of the carriage: "I've been in wars for years—can't I finally enjoy myself a little?"
"Yeah, Sakura… mmm, so good," Naruto said with his mouth full, pushing the remaining food toward her. "Don't hold back. Uncle Anya is rich."
Hearing that, Sakura's sense of guilt eased significantly. She turned to Sasuke, who had remained silent the entire time, and said, "Sasuke, have something to eat too."
"No need," Sasuke replied flatly. He turned to Anya and asked, "How much longer until we arrive at our destination?"
"That's really rude. Introduce yourself properly first—I'm Anya. You can call me Master if you'd prefer, or 'Old Man' like Naruto does. At the very least, use my name respectfully."
Sasuke emotionlessly replied, "I only care about the mission."
"Then you should listen to Sakura and eat something," Anya responded calmly. "Our current mission is gathering intelligence while cooperating with Takigakure on an investigation. In short, it's a long-term assignment—not something resolved immediately upon arrival."
Annoyance flared within Sasuke, but he could do nothing.
At this moment, Sakura gently placed some food in front of him.
He glanced at it for a moment, then reluctantly accepted it and began eating.
Glad to see him eating, Sakura turned to Anya and asked, "Master, how long will you be leading us? Where's Master Kakashi now?"
"As for him," Anya said, "last time he went out, he got injured by Sasuke's older brother. I scolded him and sent him off to train harder. When I feel he's worthy again, he'll come back to teach you all."
Sakura picked up on Anya's meaning and suspiciously asked, "So you're saying... you're even stronger than Master Kakashi?"
Anya arrogantly replied, "Of course! Not just Kakashi—even if it were Sasuke's older brother, facing me would mean only running away."
Upon hearing this, Sasuke snorted coldly, punched the table hard, his aura surging violently as he coldly declared, "Then I want to fight you."
Anya leisurely replied, "Didn't we already fight before? You passed out in one hit."
"Cheap shot—you caught me off guard!" Sasuke shot back fiercely. "This time, I'll seriously fight you."
"Is that so? Then what about now?"
The moment Anya finished speaking, Naruto and Sakura gasped in unison.
In an instant, two icy blades materialized silently on either side of Sasuke's neck. A slight push forward, and blood would stain the carriage floor in the next second.
Sasuke's eyes widened in shock, cold sweat breaking out on his face as he spoke slowly, "When did you..."
"There's no need to be surprised. I've killed countless Genin like you on the battlefield. You're not qualified to fight me now." Anya's tone remained calm, and that very calmness made his words feel undeniably real: "It'd be different if your brother were here."
Beside him, Sakura stammered fearfully, "Master, I... we believe you're strong enough. Please put your weapon away."
"Yeah, Uncle, Sasuke is our teammate. You can't really—"
"Rest assured, I know my limits. You're just a bunch of kids. I won't get angry." Anya interrupted Naruto, and without any visible movement, the blade vanished from sight in an instant. Then he simply closed his eyes and said, "I'm going to take a nap. When we reach the next town, I'll take you all to get some food supplies. Don't worry, with me around, there won't be any problem with the mission."
At this moment, Sasuke's gaze grew complicated as he looked at Anya. He finally believed that this man before him hadn't lied. He really was stronger than Kakashi, even stronger than the person Sasuke himself wanted to kill. If that was the case, following him might make Sasuke stronger too. Thinking this, much of the gloom in Sasuke's heart finally dissipated, and his expression began to relax.
As the carriage moved steadily forward, the next town soon appeared on the horizon. Right on cue, Anya woke up as if he'd timed it precisely, casually pulling out three heavy money pouches and tossing one each to the three youths.
Naruto looked puzzled as he asked, "Uncle, what's this for?"
Anya smiled slightly, "Didn't I mention earlier? Buying food supplies—I cover the cost, and you handle the shopping. Seems fair, doesn't it?"
"But..." Sakura secretly checked the amount in her pouch, her eyes widening slightly at the sum: "We don't need this much."
"The rest is yours. Spend it however you want," Anya replied, then lay back down inside the carriage.
The three of them, upon hearing this strange request, exchanged glances. It took them a while before they truly realized: this new teacher really was a big shot.
Sakura, receiving this much spending money for the first time, screamed inwardly: This is literally the ideal teacher! Handsome, super powerful, missions feel like vacations, and money to spend freely. What? Who's Kakashi? I don't remember him anymore, and I don't want any contact in the future—I'm afraid the new teacher might misunderstand...
Excitedly, the three rushed around the village making purchases, quickly filling big and small bags according to their various tastes. Even after buying so much, most of the money remained in the pouches.
"How should we spend it?"
After putting all the food supplies into the carriage, the three experienced, for the first time, the burden of wealth.
Anya sat up and asked, "Oh, you're back quickly. Did you spend all the money?"
Seeing the three shaking their heads, Anya's expression darkened as he seriously said, "Actually, this money was a trial for the three of you. Unfortunately, you've failed."
"A trial? What do you mean?" Naruto asked, clearly confused.
"It's obvious. We're out here on an intelligence mission, and such operations often involve unpredictable developments. The three of you rushed out of the hospital without preparing any ninja tools—you clearly didn't stop by a Ninja Tool Shop to stock up." Anya raised two fingers and continued, "Second, we're now close to Takigakure, which has long served as a major hub for intelligence gathering. With funds available, we can easily purchase bits of intelligence. By consolidating the intelligence each of us gathers, we'll surely uncover something valuable. Third, you forgot to buy feed for the horses. Did you plan on letting them starve?"
Upon hearing that, the three couldn't help but feel deep respect for their new Master.
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