Chapter 128: Chapter 128: Minato: There's an Art to Getting Free Meals

Chapter 128: Chapter 128: Minato: There's an Art to Getting Free Meals

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"What the heck?!"

Nawaki let out a groan of frustration. They had just gotten back to camp, barely had time to sit down, and now they were being assigned another mission. Was there really no other team available to handle this? Damn you, Danzo!

After spending so much time with Takuya, Nawaki's opinion of Danzo had become entirely negative. Getting slapped with a mission right after returning to camp was just plain unfair.

Takuya didn't bother complaining. Instead, he opened the mission scroll and, after a quick glance, a smirk spread across his face. He kicked Nawaki lightly.

"Quit whining. It's actually good news. Our mission is to escort a group of injured shinobi back to the village, and then we get to stay there and rest."

With shinobi returning from various fronts, the camp was overloaded with medical cases. This meant that Danzo had no choice but to assign some teams to escort the less severely injured back to Konoha. This would help ease the burden on the camp and prevent too many wounded from gathering in one place, which could lead to negative morale.

So, Takuya's team had been given an escort mission. Given how Takuya had proven himself on the battlefield, Danzo naturally wouldn't overlook him for this crucial task. Escorting injured shinobi was no small responsibility; if they were ambushed, the entire mission could end in disaster.

The camp had already been breached, the medical unit decimated, and Danzo himself had been seriously injured. His reputation was hanging by a thread. If even the wounded didn't make it back safely, Danzo might as well kiss his position in Konoha goodbye.

"That's awesome!"

One second Nawaki had been complaining, the next he was practically bouncing with excitement, wiggling his hips in a way that made Minato want to kick him. It looked ridiculous.

The thought of returning to Konoha for some well-deserved rest lifted everyone's spirits. They quickly gathered their things and set off with the injured.

Several other squads were also tasked with escorting wounded shinobi back to the village. The goal was to get them proper medical care. Those too severely injured to travel would have to wait for Tsunade to return or for reinforcements from Konoha.

Those who could walk did so, while others were loaded onto carts. The long procession made its way from the camp toward Konoha.

To guard against potential ambushes, Takuya, Minato, and Nawaki took turns scouting the area, even if it was just for show.

"I wonder how long the war with the Sand Village is going to drag on," Nawaki mused.

"It won't end anytime soon," Takuya replied, patting Nawaki on the shoulder. "But that's not our concern right now. Our job is to get these injured shinobi back to the village safely, complete the mission, and then take some time to recover ourselves."

"I've had enough of this constant rain and gloomy weather in the Land of Rain. Just seeing clouds makes my head hurt."

"Tell me about it," Nawaki agreed, nodding enthusiastically.

Just as the Third Hokage had guessed, Takuya had indeed just finished his bath and was now enjoying a cold drink he had pulled from the fridge. The drink, of course, had been prepared by Kushina and Mikoto, his favorite orange juice.

As for the bath, Takuya would have liked to take one, but his house didn't have a bathtub.

After completing their mission, Minato dragged Nawaki to the market. "What are we doing here?" Nawaki asked. "All I want is a bath and some food."

"You don't get it," Minato said, flashing a mischievous grin that seemed out of character for him. He lowered his voice. "If we just show up, Takuya will probably suggest we go out for ramen or barbecue. Do you really want ramen or barbecue?"

"No," Nawaki quickly shook his head. After eating either dry rations or barbecue on the battlefield, he was sick of both. He didn't want to see either of them for a long time. He craved

something different.

"Exactly. That's why we're buying groceries. That way, Takuya has no choice but to cook for us. There's an art to getting free meals-pay attention."

After years of tagging along with Takuya, Minato had become quite adept at securing a good

meal.

When Minato and Nawaki returned with bags of fresh vegetables, Takuya could only sigh. He had been planning to suggest ramen because he was too tired to cook, but Minato had effectively blocked that option.

Looking at the fresh produce they had brought, Takuya knew he couldn't get out of cooking

now.

After dinner, the three of them headed to a hot springs inn for a soak. Ever since Takuya's prank, business at the hot springs had taken a hit. Many owners had received funding from the village to build enclosed hot springs, turning them into indoor baths. After all, the "Telescope Technique" couldn't see through walls.

With rumors about the technique spreading, how many girls would feel comfortable bathing in an open-air hot spring? If anyone still did, it was almost like they were inviting someone to

peek.

When Takuya returned to Konoha, Kushina and Mikoto were thrilled. Kushina even took Takuya to meet some of her clansmen.

Seeing a group of redheads left Takuya a bit confused. When did Konoha get so many Uzumaki? Weren't there just Kushina and Nami?

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