Chapter 3: VIP Escort

A wealthy business man from the capitol of the Land of Fire is traveling to the Land of Water to secure a new business deal. However, he foresees potential intervention from some parties which aren't too happy about the business deal. So the business man has paid Konoha to send a team to escort him on his journey. The team selected for the job was Team Sanmaru. So far, they had completed more missions than any genin team of their year. This would be their first mission to the Land of Water.

March 6th
Team Sanmaru waited at the randevous point, about a mile away from Konoha. It was about 8:00am.

"Of all the missions we could've gotten stuck with, we end up babysitting some high-browed prick," Kamiko grumbled. She had an obviously annoyed look on her face, pounding her fists into a nearby treeas she shadowboxed with it. "Why are we doing this again, sensei?" Sanmaru took a long drag of his cigarette, blowing the smoke from the corner of his mouth before explaining. "Because much like the Land of Wind, we need to help establish and maintain cooperative peace with the Land of Water. Our client has a deal that help positively impact that peace. However, because The Hidden Mist Village still has some leftover crime syndicates and mercenaries that hold significant power, they see that kind of change as bad for business." "Besides," Renji piped in, doing stretching exercises, "given our current rep, we were bound to be one of the top picks for a mission like this. Right, Kazuma?" Kazuma sat silently under a tree next to the one Kamiko was beating up, eyes half-closed in meditative state. "Hey, you alright?" Kamiko asked, "You're kinda quiet about all this."

"Since when has that been out of character for me?" he said bluntly. Kamiko shot him a glare and unconsciously shot her fist through the tree with a loud CRACK! making everyone jump a bit. "Simmer down, Thunder Hands, I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it," Sanmaru quickly said trying to keep the situation under control.

A few minutes later the team saw four men approaching. Three of the men were dressed the same and wore glasses, they flanked another man who was holding a suitcase. "Greetings leaf shinobi," he said, "My name is Elijah Ramu. Would I be correct to assume that you are my escorts?"

"You would assume correct," Sanmaru replied, "I'm Sanmaru Nara, and this is my team. We'll be escorting you to your destination."
"Kazuma Ryuuga."
"Kamiko Chinoike, at your service."
"Who are the other three stiffs, anyway?" Kamiko swatted Renji in the head, as a sign to correct himself. "I mean...Renji Zashimaru." Sanmaru turned his attention back to Elijah. "Are there any extra variables about this situation that we need to know about?" he asked. Because honestly, I want to know about the extra personnel myself.

"Oh these are simply my regular security guards," replied Elijah, "I never go anywhere without them. However, they aren't shinobi, so every now and then I hire ninja from the leaf. Here's the run down. We'll be riding a public vessel from the Land of Fire to the Land of Water. Once we arrive in the Land of Water, we'll be taking a 2 hour walk down a much less public road till we arrive at our destination."

"What'd I tell ya? A babysitting mission," Kamiko grumbled. Kazuma gave her a warning glare, meaning to watch her tone. "Seems simple enough," he said, "with any luck, we shouldn't run into much trouble."

"I suggest we leave now, sir, while there's still sunlight," Sanmaru nodded in reply. "Kids, you know the plan: Renji, have a clone scout ahead every 2-3 miles and back; Kazuma covers the front, Kamiko gets the rear, and I'll stay close to Mr. Ramu. We keep up this formation until our destination is in sight." The three genin promptly took their positions, while Sanmaru took a moment to stub out his cigarette and lighting a new one. "So, ready to go?"

"Let's move out," said Elijah. The group headed East towards the docks, it was about a days journey as a shinobi, but Elijah and his men couldn't move as quickly. After almost 2 days of travel, the group arrived at the port city and settled down in a hotel. "Tomorrow morning we'll board the the boat to The Land of Water," said Elijah, "everyone get some rest tonight." The crew rested at the hotel for the night and then, the next day, boarded the boat to the Land of Water.

March 9th

The boat had 60 people on it. Most were below deck but about 12 were hanging out above deck, including Elijah Ramu. "It's such a nice day out today," said Elijah as he took a sip of wine.

"Sure is," Sanmaru agreed, flicking his cigarette into the water. "So far things have gone smoothly. If we keep up this pace, we should be able to get you there by tomorrow." He stood silently for while, leaning against the railing before speaking again. "So what's your stake in this? I know enough, but I'd like your side of the story."

Elijah took another sip of his wine and then set the cup down. "My company is a national company. Meaning we don't serve clients outside of our country. With no more room to expand within the Land of Fire, we're seeking to become an international company. However, the Land of Water already has a sizable company that provides the same services. Like us, they are also wishing to expand. Rather than compete in the international market, we're seeking to combine our two companies and expand together. Unfortunately, there are some within both companies that aren't too happy about this. In some cases it has to do with money and power, in other cases it has to do with nationalism and prejudice. I was warned by the Land of Water company that their may be some people out to kill me during my journey, but I have faith in the shinobi of my country."

"So you plan to risk your life for a merger deal with a country whose power players have sketchy goals.." Sanmaru replied with a smirk, "a bit unorthodox, but I can respect it. Still, I don't see why you would hire us shinobi for something like this; a few body guards should suit you just fine, should it not?"

"Since the 4th Shinobi War," said Elijah, "The use of shinobi has become more wide spread. The use of any non-shinobi assassins would be ludicrous these days. I keep these security guys around because shinobi are expensive to keep around long term, but for a journey like this, it's absolutely necessary." Elijah took another sip of his wine. "But you all can relax till we get to the Land of Water," he added, "We shouldn't have any trouble in the middle of the sea."

In my line of work, you'd be surprised, Sanmaru thought to himself. Sure, there was no obvious way any attacker could threaten them now, but he's experienced enough to know that anyone can and will try anything.For now, I think I'll ease up a bit, but I am definitely not letting my guard down..

"You may be right about that," he said finally, "guess I was making a good call into telling those kids to enjoy themselves for a bit. Although I hope Renji isn't taking that TOO much to heart, he tends to be a bit...frisky around girls. If it's not me, it's either Kazuma or Kamiko that has to keep him on a leash." Sanmaru chuckled at the thought of Renji possibly flirting with whatever young women were onboard.

Most of the passengers were on the lower deck, a meal was being served. Most of the passengers were upper-class, so there were a wide variety of foods available for no extra cost.  The room was full of adults, with the exception of one girl, about 12 or 13 years old, and then the genin of Team Sanmaru. The girl was on board with her father. They lived in the Land of Fire but were visiting family in the Land of Water.

The girl and her father sat at the table with their food and began eating. Suddenly, the father stopped. "Something wrong father?" asked the girl. "Nature calls," he said, "I shall return." The man then ran off to the restroom.

"Well this is a bore," Kamiko yawned. She sat at a table with her two teammates while eating. "At least the food's good. Plus, we get to have a day off for once." "And of course, the travel." Kazuma nodded, "I don't think I've ever been to the Land of Water before." "And let's not forget the interesting company," Renji said, his eyes on the girl sitting by herself. Oh, here we go, Kazuma thought to himself. Kamiko simply rolled her eyes with disapproval. "Seriously? Don't do it."
"Don't do what?" Renji asked coyly. A big sly grin spread across his face. "I'm simply going to say hello to an obviously lonely person." With that, he strutted over to the girl with faux masculinity. "Excuse me miss," he said to her as he sat down, "but if looks could kill, you'd definitely be recruited by the Anbu." Behind him the distinct sounds of Kazuma's low groaning and Kamiko's stifled laugh can be heard.

The girl looked over at Renji, a bit unsure how to respond. "Uhmm...thank you," she replied. She noticed their forehead protectors and saw the leaf symbol. "So you three are from Konoha huh?" she asked, "Are you all a team?"

Back on the top deck, a dark skinned woman with dreadlocks approached Elijah and Sanmaru. “I’m sorry for bothering you,” she said with a calm smile, “but can I have one of your cigarettes. I forgot to pack enough for the whole trip you see.”

Sanmaru analyzed the woman before giving a shrug, pulling out his pack of cigarettes and his lighter. “Sure, why not."

Meanwhile, Renji continued his flaunting, trying his best to woo the girl. “Only one of the best. I'm their leader, Zashimaru Renji!" he emphasized with a no so subtle wink. “Perhaps you heard of us."

Happily accepting the pack and lighter, the woman quickly pull out a cigarette and lights it before returning the lighter. “So what brings a Leaf ninja like yourself out here,” she asked after taking a quick puff, “Business or just training?”

Sanmaru let his own cigarette dangle at the corner of his mouth, glancing at Elijah before answering. “I guess you can say a little bit of both. Everything else is a need to know basis. ”

"You're a bit far from home yourself miss," said Elijah as he finished up his glass of wine, "I assume on business yourself?"

Meanwhile...

Below deck, Renji was exaggerating his importance to the team in order to impress the girl. But she wasn't very gullible, she knew his kind. Besides, Renji didn't come across as the leader type, especially compared to the more intimidating guy on the team. Speaking of the other guy...

"What's your friend's name over there?" asked the girl pointing at Kazuma. He caught her eye as Renji was talking, so she barely even caught what he said.

Renji showed his obvious disappointment when he realized she was staring at him. “Oh him? " he thumbed back in Kazuma's direction. “That's Kazuma, not much of a talker. Plus, he can be boring and sometimes a bit scary. I'd stay away from him if I were you. " Renji tried to be nonchalant about it, but he can almost feel the white-hot glare of his friends stabbing him in his back.

"Kazuma...huh?" she said, "You should introduce me to your friends. Looks like they're glaring over this way."

Despite them already walking over, Renji nervously waved them over. “Heyy, guys, I was just about to introduce you to-" he was cut off by a swift punch to the gut by Kamiko, sending him to the ground in pain. “And that's only a fraction of what you deserve, " she grumbled. “Sorry about Renji. He can be bit... overwhelming at times," Kazuma said to the girl, “but even that's putting it lightly. "

"Oh it's no problem at all," she said as she walked over to Kazuma with an excited grin, "My name's Yoshino. It's a pleasure to meet you Kazuma."

“Uh.. Likewise. I guess, ” Kazuma said, giving a confused glance at Kamiko, who shrugged with equal puzzlement. Who's this excited to meet a complete stranger? Kazuma thought.