Chapter 70: Nowhere Safe
While they were resting, Ryota said,
"Hah, finally we can rest now."
"No, Ryota, this is a very important lesson, so listen carefully. You are not allowed to let your guard down anywhere else but in Konoha. Even though we are here for a business deal, it doesn't mean we are an ally.
After three great ninja wars, no country will bat an eye to protect someone else. They may even help others kill another ninja if they can," Yukihiro said.
"So, Sensei, what are we going to do? Due to the effect of the soldier pill, we're going to pass out tomorrow. We have no other choice but to trust the Daimyo to protect us," Kaida said.
"Hahaha, Kaida, like I already said, we can only trust our village to protect us. Come, follow me," Yukihiro said and went to the guards.
"Excuse me, I would like to send a message to Konoha that we have reached here safely. Can you please lead us to the communication center?" Yukihiro asked.
"Yes, sir, this way please." The guard bowed slightly and showed them the way.
After reaching the center, Yukihiro wrote a letter:
*Lord Third, we have safely reached the Land of Noodles and are in the Daimyo's palace. We were attacked during our journey, so we had to eat soldier pills. All of us are fine. We were able to reach here in two days; we still have one day before we pass out.
We will send another message before leaving the palace.*
At the end of the letter, Yukihiro made a seal, implying it was sent by him alone.
All three of his students read the letter, but they were still confused about how this letter would ensure their safety.
Yukihiro then gave the letter to an office worker, who copied its contents onto another letter and sent it to Konoha using a messenger hawk.
If everything went correctly, they should get a response from Konoha within 10 hours. After that, they went back to the waiting area, where Hiroto and Renji were preparing for the meeting, which would happen soon.
However, for an official meeting, they would have to wait a little longer, as they had arrived earlier than the scheduled time.
All three of them sat on the sofa. Then Yomi asked,
"Sensei, due to your letter, now the Daimyo's forces will know that we will be vulnerable after one day. How is this going to help us?"
"Yomi, when I said that the Daimyo's palace is not safe because they may try to kill us, it was only the case if they could be completely sure that Konoha couldn't blame them for it.
Even though Konoha is weak after the Third Great Ninja War, we are still strong enough that these small villages can't openly offend us. Now that we have sent a message to Konoha stating we are in the Land of Noodles and in the Daimyo's palace, if we suddenly go missing, the Land of Noodles will be in serious trouble.
That's why I sent the message using the official method. Now, it will be the Daimyo's job to protect us."
Hearing this reasoning, all three of them went into deep thought. Afterward, they looked at Yukihiro with admiration.
"Sensei, you're different from what I imagined," Ryota said.
"Oh! How did you actually think I was?" Yukihiro asked with a smile.
"All brawn and no brain."
*Smack*
`Hahahahaha`
After a smack to the head from Yukihiro, Ryota quietly sat down.
"It's your first time in the Land of Noodles, right?" Yukihiro asked.
"Yes, Sensei," Kaida said.
"Then since we still have one day, you're free to go sightseeing. But come back here after 12 hours."
"Thanks, Sensei!" Yomi shouted, clearly excited.
...
After coming out of the Daimyo's palace,
"Since we're safe after such an incident, why don't you treat us to a meal, Ryota?" Kaida asked.
"Hey, why should I be the one to treat? You're the one who fought a Jonin and almost won. You should be treating us," Ryota shouted.
"Why is my only friend so stingy?" Kaida said in a depressed voice.
*Bark bark* Kiba also supported Kaida, shaking his head.
"Okay, okay, I'll give the treat. Don't start your acting now," Ryota said, rolling his eyes.
"Yay, let's try all the noodles this village has to offer!" Yomi said, running toward a noodle shop, followed by Kaida and Kiba.
"Hah! Looks like my purse is the only one that's going to suffer during this mission," Ryota said, then followed after his teammates.
In the shop, they tried various types of noodles, which were delicious, though they paled a little in comparison to Teuchi's noodles.
After eating, which only Ryota felt was too much, they asked the locals for the best shop for noodles. Since they had just eaten, they decided to explore the village a little and try the noodles from the most famous shop later.
The village wasn't extraordinary—just too many noodle shops. Still, the noodles from the famous shops lived up to the village's reputation, and Ryota's purse took a critical hit there.
But all in all the outing was really enjoyable for all four of them, eating and exploring an foreign place like tourist was very rare for them though they have gone out of the village for missions many times, but this was the first time they could enjoy it, and they used this opportunity to its fullest
Afterward, they went back to the palace.
...
"So, how was your day?" Yukihiro asked.
"It was great, Sensei. There are hundreds of different types of noodles here. Though we weren't able to try them all, the ones we did try were awesome," Kaida said, patting his belly.
"Hahaha, it's good that you enjoyed your food. The official meeting has been decided for the day after tomorrow."