The Genjutsu Devil of Konoha

[Next Morning – Village Gate, Just After Sunrise]

Anyway, he spent enough time training, he also changed the name to Katon-Fūton: Gouen Ryuusha no Jutsu. Or simply just Fire Style: Great Flame Dragon Chariot Technique.

Yes, long-ass name, but it did give credit to what it was, hm, or he could just call it its original name.

The technique, however, was so different from the original though, different enough so that it was noticeable. For one, the flames were much bigger, they could travel a much faster distance, they were hotter, and the technique was harder to master.

He could do it that easily since he was goated with nature transformations.

His chakra control exercises worked wonders for that, hm.

Oh well, he wouldn't use it unless necessary, after all, it still took like 25% of his chakra.

Hm.

He could do much more.

Heh, he only had a month, and 6 shadow clones... so really 6 months, 4 months if he counted for repetition between shadow clones, he hadn't fixed that problem yet.

Nawaki was the first to wave, all grin. "Oh, you didn't chicken out, here I thought you would be brooding again."

Seijuro raised a brow faintly. "Reflection is not brooding."

Mikoto was also nearby, she seemed better, well, guess his little trick did help.

You see, he told her to use her Sharingan during happy moments or when she was having fun, you may be wondering why.

Well, simple. When the Sharingan is active, the owner practically gains perfect memory, and since the Sharingan only gets activated when the owner is fighting, the user of those eyes usually has a lot of memory of killing people in their psyche, probably why the clan is so insane half the time.

Anyway, by activating it in moments where she was having fun or enjoying herself, she essentially negated that weakness, so now her psyche would be okay.

That was good.

He looked them both over with a clinical eye. Nawaki had more control in his stance now, like he'd been practicing his balance. Mikoto's gaze was steadier—less reactive, more centered.

The whole squad seemed to have been upgraded a bit, even Nawaki looked like he had received a buff recently, that was very good to know.

Tsunade seemed to be scanning them.

Hm, they didn't look traumatized... good enough.

She tossed them a scroll.

"Escort mission. Land of Tea. Merchant's got money, but no common sense. You're guarding him to the border, then watching his back until his business is done." The way she said "you" felt like she wasn't planning to participate unless things got dire, shit like being jumped by jounin or some shit like that.

She looked at Seijuro. "It'll be long. Stock up."

Already done.

Seijuro's satchel was light even though it was filled with chakra pills, field rations, soldier stimulants, sealing tags, and more than a few homemade firebombs. Preparation was key.

[Two Hours Later — Main Road Outside Konoha]

And there he was.

The client.

Hideaki of the Golden Leaf Trading Company, riding a palanquin pulled by two enormous puffed-up oxen, dressed in silk that looked like it hadn't been cleaned in days.

He had a thin mustache, oily skin, and the kind of sneer that made you want to hit him with a kunai before he even opened his mouth.

Hideaki: "Ah, finally! The hired help. Hmph. You lot look like children... though I suppose beggars can't be choosers. I trust you'll at least be useful?"

Nawaki looked like he was about to say something extremely unprofessional.

Mikoto placed a hand on his shoulder.

Seijuro, ever the diplomat: "We've been approved for this mission, unless you believe that Konoha ninja are not up to snuff."

Hideaki scoffed. "Tch. I suppose. Now then! Keep my wares untouched, my robes unscorched, and most importantly—keep those filthy highwaymen away from my face."

Hm... Seijuro would have to ignore this old fuck.

Nawaki muttered under his breath: "I'd like to see a bandit try and not go for that mug."

Mikoto, whispering: "Calm down, Nawaki, it's not good to go after the client."

"...."

Seijuro: "Enough. Maintain formation. We move."

And so, the journey began—with the most punchable merchant in Fire Country in their care.

Bandits? Meh. Tea Country weather? Manageable.

Client?

Now that was the real S-rank threat.

This guy was the definition of a dick. Tsunade, meanwhile, walked somewhere in the back, since they were four of them.

They were in formation, Seijuro was at the top, as in top right, Mikoto was top left, Tsunade was directly behind Mikoto, and next to Nawaki.

So if there were an attack, she could reach Mikoto and Nawaki the fastest. Seijuro was the only one where it would take a few seconds or so.

But he was like the strongest genin in the group, he would be all fine.

Nawaki was the closest, so she could rescue him quite easily, Mikoto second, and Seijuro third.

As for why Seijuro and Mikoto were in front, Seijuro was a sensor, as in, he could sense a decent distance in front of them.

And Mikoto had the Sharingan... should be self-explanatory.

Tldr, their formation was optimal.