Late November, Konoha Year 60 – Land of Grass
On the vast plains of the Land of Grass, four figures bearing the forehead protectors of Kusagakure trekked onward. The team composition—one tall ninja accompanied by two shorter boys and a girl—was instantly recognizable to any experienced eye: a Jonin leading three Genin on a mission. The Jonin leader was a tall man with bulging eyes and thick, protruding lips that seemed to dominate the lower half of his face. This, combined with his brawny build, gave him the unfortunate appearance of an upright boar, especially if glimpsed in the dim light of dusk.
"Sensei Yuichi, where are we off to shake someone down this time?" The question came from the short Genin trailing behind Yuichi. With his narrow, triangular eyes, flat nose, and sharp, almost simian features, he possessed an inherently unlikeable face.
"Sota, we're here to execute a mission!" scolded the other male Genin beside Sota. This one had small, shrewd eyes. While not as distinctively unpleasant-looking as Sota, the way his eyes constantly narrowed into slits held its own chilling quality.
"Tch. You always seem to get the biggest cut anyway," Sota grumbled back resentfully at his teammate, Goshi.
"Would you two stop arguing?" the team's sole kunoichi interjected. She was reasonably cute, but the scattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks added an air of demanding petulance to her expression.
Tilting her head back, she asked, "Sensei Yuichi, where is our mission this time?"
"Ahem." Yuichi cleared his throat with exaggerated importance. "Sota, Goshi," he began, "we are shinobi of Kusagakure. It is our duty to resolve troubles for our clients. You two… need to be more discreet in the future…"
He then continued, "This time, we've been assigned to… uh… let me see…" He pulled out a scroll, glanced at it, and then announced, "Our destination is Red Leaf Village. Let's do our best, Otoha, Sota, Goshi."
He finished with an ugly grin, which was mirrored by knowing smiles from his three Genin.
Red Leaf Village – Junko's Home
After a day and two nights of rest in Junko's home, Haruno Sakura could finally mold a small amount of chakra again. It wasn't nearly enough for combat, and barely sufficient for significant medical treatment. Although her wound had closed, sharp movements still sent waves of dull pain through her abdomen.
Still, Sakura was satisfied with this progress. This wasn't Konoha; there were no proper medical facilities here. While Junko and Granny Rika had treated her wound, their methods were, from Sakura's professional perspective, quite amateurish—a far cry from Konoha standards. But Sakura held no complaints. They had, after all, saved her life.
It was lunchtime again. Lacking medical resources, Sakura relied on food to replenish her weakened body. Junko and Granny Rika certainly weren't stingy; knowing Sakura needed nourishment, the past few meals had been surprisingly rich with fish and meat.
Sakura felt rather embarrassed by this. From her observations over the last couple of days, Junko's family was not well-off; 'modest' might even be generous. Compared to her own family back home, it was like comparing heaven and earth. Sakura could also sense a subtle resentment from Granny Rika, likely directed at the burden she represented. But for Junko's sake, the old woman kept her thoughts to herself.
"Junko," Granny Rika said after the meal, "since Yanluo Bridge is passable now, take the herbs we have dried to the Land of Rain market this afternoon. And buy some more fish while you're there; we've finished what we had."
"Aww…" Junko pouted instantly, displeasure clouding her face. Sakura-neechan had promised to teach her some basic medicine yesterday afternoon, and she'd been looking forward to another lesson today.
However, Junko also knew Granny Rika wanted her to go to the Land of Rain to buy higher-quality provisions specifically for Sakura. Seafood from Rain Country was much better than what was available locally in Grass. For Sakura-neechan's recovery… Junko swallowed her disappointment and agreed.
I wonder how much of my mission payment is left, Sakura mused silently, listening to their conversation. She felt deeply moved and wanted to repay their kindness, but lacked any immediate means. I'll send them money once I get back to Konoha. It's crude, but practical.
Honestly, this was the first time since coming to this world that Sakura had received help from strangers with seemingly no expectation of reward. The reasons were complicated, certainly—Junko helped because she craved friendship, and Granny Rika helped because of Junko—but regardless of the tangled motivations, Sakura silently committed their kindness to memory.
After lunch, Junko headed out, and Granny Rika went to tend her herb garden. With nothing else to do, Sakura decided to rest again. Sleep conserved energy, and for someone severely injured and weak, it was a form of healing in itself.
Dimly, through the haze of sleep, Sakura heard a clamor. Lying on the tatami mat, she irritably covered her ears and shifted position, trying to sink back into drowsiness. But the noise persisted, growing louder, stubbornly surrounding her.
Finally, Sakura forced her eyes open. She sat up, rubbing the sleep from them. The sounds became clearer now: Granny Rika's timid, deferential voice, punctuated by two other voices, dripping with sarcastic condescension. Wondering what was happening, Sakura unsteadily got to her feet, pushed open the door to her room, and looked out.
The small main room now held four additional people, all wearing shinobi forehead protectors. Seeing them, Sakura snapped fully awake. A closer look confirmed the symbol: Kusagakure.
As the door slid open, the four ninja turned in unison towards the girl standing there. The ugly Jonin leader surveyed her, then leered. "Well now, Granny, this must be your granddaughter, eh? She's quite a looker."
Granny Rika saw Sakura and quickly urged, "Why are you awake? This doesn't concern you. Go back and rest." Worry was etched deeply onto her face. Even if I resent her presence slightly, Rika thought, she's still just a child. I'm not heartless… just worn down by this world.
"Don't say that, Granny," the freckled kunoichi drawled, casting a sideways glance at Sakura. "Your granddaughter looks about our age. I'm sure we'll become good… friends." She dragged out the last words with deliberate, unpleasant emphasis.
"Enough idle chatter," the Jonin leader interjected, his smile utterly devoid of warmth, making his ugly face seem even more menacing. "Just tell us the commission. We'll be sure to help you and-your-grand-daughter complete it properly."
"B-but… last month… didn't I… just pay?" Granny Rika stammered, her voice trembling.
"I don't recall us being here last month," the triangular-eyed boy, Sota, said with a scowl. "We're here to help you fulfill a commission, not take your money for nothing. Watch your words, old woman. Don't make us sound like bandits."
"Y-yes… yes… thank you for your help… but… but… there's nothing that needs commissioning right now…" Granny Rika replied nervously, choosing her words with extreme care.
Crash!
The ninja boy with the small eyes—Goshi—violently swept the flower vase from the table, shattering it on the floor. "Looks like there is something that needs commissioning now, wouldn't you say? Hahaha!"
His two teammates, along with the ugly Jonin, burst into laughter. "Nicely done, Goshi," the leader praised, then turned back to Granny Rika, his face alight with contempt. "Well? Ready to make a commission request?"
Witnessing this humiliating scene, tears welled in Granny Rika's cloudy eyes. They were ninja. Even the children among them couldn't be provoked. Simply because they were ninja. Taking a deep breath, she forced the words out, "Fine. I commission… you… to clean the room… The payment… is one thousand Ryo."
"Old woman, you think one thousand Ryo is enough to hire me, a Jonin, to clean your room?" The Jonin's face instantly darkened, the mocking smile vanishing, replaced by a look as fierce as a demon's.
"Then… then how much do you want?" Granny Rika asked, resignation settling over her, her eyes filled with bleakness.
"The three of us are two thousand Ryo each, minimum. For Sensei Yuichi, it'll be four thousand," Sota declared, ticking off fingers. The last team that came back said this village was loaded. Gotta aim high for the first house.
"Hey, Sota, isn't that going a bit far?" Goshi interjected, seemingly chastising him. "Sensei Yuichi is a Jonin of Kusagakure! How could a mere four thousand Ryo be enough for his commission? Sensei's rate starts at six thousand, minimum! Besides, Otoha is the only girl; her commission should be four thousand too. Right, Sensei Yuichi?"
"Mm… Well said, Goshi," Yuichi nodded approvingly at his subordinate, then addressed Granny Rika. "You heard him, old woman. I'll take six thousand. My subordinates will take six thousand total as well."
Granny Rika had felt a flicker of hope when Goshi first spoke, but upon hearing his conclusion, her face turned deathly pale. "Th-that… that much… I don't have that much money."
"Don't have it?!" Yuichi glanced again towards Sakura, still standing by the doorway. "No matter. If you can't pay, your granddaughter can pay it off for you."
Sakura, watching from the side, had understood the situation for some time now. Seeing the shattered vase on the floor, she had already silently condemned these four to death. Junko had told her about that vase; her parents had made it for her after she was born, hoping her heart would always be filled with beautiful things, just like the vase. Though Junko sometimes grumbled about her parents, she treasured that vase dearly.
Suddenly, the sound of a latch clicking echoed as the front door swung open. Junko stood there, holding a bucket, her voice bright before she could fully take in the scene. "Granny Rika, Granny Rika! The price for herbs was even higher in the Land of Rain today! I bought lots of fish, and some huge crabs too! Sakura-neechan will recover in no time after eating these—"
Her voice trailed off as she finally registered the figures crowding the room, their forehead protectors confirming her fears. This had happened before. Instinctively, Junko tried to hide the bucket behind her back, her eyes darting nervously.
Smack!
Without warning, Yuichi backhanded Granny Rika across the face. The old woman cried out, clutching her cheek as she stumbled and fell. Seeing this, Junko forgot the bucket entirely, rushing to her grandmother's side, tears streaming as she called her name.
"How dare you lie to us!" Yuichi snarled, his cold gaze sweeping over Junko and Rika. "The commission just went up by another two thousand!" He strode towards the entrance, snatching up the bucket Junko had dropped. "We'll be eating here tonight. Go prepare the meal." He peered into the bucket, noting the plump pufferfish and fat crabs. A cruel smirk touched his lips. "Heh, Red Leaf Village really is rich. This stuff must have cost a pretty penny."
Sakura quietly moved to Junko's side, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Go prepare the food first," she murmured. "I'll take care of Granny Rika."
Impulsiveness will only put us in danger, Sakura thought, channeling the hard-won control she'd learned after the fight with Hanzo. Rage simmered beneath the surface, but she was in no condition to fight, especially against a Jonin. Forcing down the fury, Sakura urged Junko to comply for now. Acting rashly would only make things worse.
Seeing Junko still crying, Sakura added gently, "Granny Rika will be alright. Remember, I'm a doctor? Just do as the ninja say for now. I'll treat Granny Rika."
Junko's tears subsided slightly, though her shoulders still shook with sobs. Sakura's words offered a sliver of reassurance, but she choked out, "B-but… that food was for you."
"It doesn't matter right now. Just do what they ask. I'll take care of Granny," Sakura repeated firmly. She helped Rika up and supported her into the inner room.
Junko wiped her tears with the back of her hand, lifted her chin, and stood frozen, glaring defiantly at Yuichi and his team.
Yuichi met her furious gaze with indifference. He'd seen that look countless times. The first few times, it might have caused a flicker of unease, but with repetition, seeing that impotent rage from helpless civilians… it gave him a twisted sense of pleasure.
His three Genin, however, flinched slightly under Junko's stare. Yuichi shot them a disgusted look. "Learn from this," he snapped. "These are just peasants. No matter how strong a rabbit thinks it is, it can never beat a tiger." He stepped towards Junko, bucket in hand.
As Yuichi approached, Junko instinctively backed away, but he lashed out, grabbing a handful of her glossy black hair.
"Ah!" Junko cried out in pain as he yanked her head down towards the bucket.
"Make sure it's delicious," Yuichi hissed menacingly, his face close to hers. "Or your sister and that old hag will be in danger. Understand?"
He abruptly released her hair. Losing her balance, Junko stumbled and fell to the floor. She stared blankly at the bucket for a long moment, then silently pushed herself up, picked it up, and walked towards the kitchen.
"See that?" Yuichi turned back to his three subordinates. "Getting scared by a peasant girl's glare. If word of this gets out, don't even think about working under me again."
The three Genin immediately started sucking up. "It won't get out, Sensei! Please don't kick us off the team! Everyone knows how famous you are in Kusagakure, Sensei!"