Chapter 116 Waiting

"Sakura's going to kill us," Naruto muttered, but he didn't take his eyes off the store window, and neither did Sasuke.

"She'll thank us later." Sasuke insisted. "After the Chunin Exams, we won't have a chance to come here again."

Jade Sea Castle is like a treasure trove of exotic goods, with several shops selling goods unique to the other four kingdoms - carpets and textiles from Sand Village, silks and artworks from Kirigakure, and metals and jewelry from Iwagakure.

So far, they had found a beautiful pair of fish-scale metal gauntlets and a set of crystal-encrusted scalpels for Sakura, which they planned to give to her for her next birthday.

They found a new pair of obsidian and gold earrings for Shikamaru that had the ability to store chakra.

He found some thick leather arm guards for Kiba, some abalone hairpins for Ino that could be used to hide half a dozen senbon, a ninjutsu cookbook for Choji with some recipes for increasing physical strength and improving muscle mass, a pair of metal insect chakra constructs for reconnaissance for Shino, and an elegant black belt of silk and steel with a pearly Hyuga clan crest embroidered on it for Hinata that was thick enough to block kunai attacks.

Sasuke had been secretly searching for a suitable gift for his idiot - preferably something protective that would come in handy for the upcoming exams, but so far, even among the abundant merchandise of Tamae Castle, he had come up empty-handed.

"We can't hang around anymore or that damn ship will leave while we're gone," Naruto reminded him for the third time in an hour.

"We'll catch up." Sasuke retorted. "Come on, this way."

"Asshole..." Naruto muttered as Sasuke dragged him into another alley, but his resistance was already very weak at this point.

"Since we're buying stuff for everyone we know, we should probably get something for ourselves," Sasuke muttered as he walked into another store.

"Let's go," Naruto retorted. "Besides, we still have to buy things for Iruka-sensei and Kakashi-sensei. Not to mention, if we don't buy Sakura her pork buns, she'll literally kill us."

Sasuke simply hummed, blowing a strand of dark hair out of his eyes.

"Those are the little things."

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"Can I help you with anything?"

An impatient voice interrupted Jin Hai's thoughts. He had been looking for the white-haired ninja, but his mind was distracted by trying to understand the pink-haired girl who was leaning against the starboard railing with ease. There must be something wrong with the letter, because Jin Hai didn't understand how a girl several years younger than herself could be part of this ninja team responsible for defending the entire ship in dangerous waters.

Despite her young age and small stature, she had a firm gaze and a confident demeanor that puzzled Jin-hae—how could someone so young possess such a strong will?

"I'm looking for your commander." Jin Hai admitted after a long silence.

"Commander?" she asked, tilting her head. "You mean Kakashi-sensei? The last time I saw him, he was talking to the captain. I think we'll be leaving soon."

Jin Hai blinked.

"So soon? We've just settled down. And our people haven't arrived yet?"

The girl shrugged nonchalantly.

"The two boys will be back soon. Besides, the sooner we get going the better. The longer we stay here the more likely your delegation will become a target."

"Come back? How can I come back..."

"Anchors are weighing! Everybody, sail!"

Jinhai was startled by the sudden shout and series of actions. The sailors ran to the rigging and mast and began to drive the ship away from the dock.

One of the sailors waved at them, his arm wrapped around the rigging and his feet standing on the side of the mast.

"Ms. Sakura! Can you come and help us with the mainsail? With your help, we can save at least twenty minutes!"

The girl burst into laughter.

"No problem, Sato, I'll be right there!" Then she turned back to Jin Hai and pointed to the stern. "Kakashi-sensei is at the stern. If you need anything else, you'd better ask him."

After saying that, she turned and left without hesitation. She appeared and disappeared so quickly that Jin Hai couldn't help but blink.

Jin Hai found the ninja commander at the place the girl said. He was leaning casually on the railing at the stern, whispering something to an old woman whom Jin Hai knew was the captain.

The white-haired man's only exposed eye glanced at him quickly, then turned back to the captain, and his movement was so fast that the captain seemed not to notice the momentary distraction at all.

"I'll have the tower guns ready before we're well out of the bay," said the captain.

"Thank you, but I guess that's just an unnecessary precaution," the commander responded with a respectful nod.

The woman shrugged.

"Caution is the boat."

Just then, the woman turned her head and saw Jin Hai standing behind her muscular shoulders.

She nodded slightly, though Jin Hai didn't know if it was an unconscious movement or if it was done on purpose for him, then she turned back to Kakashi and said:

"I won't bother you any more. If you need anything, just call me."

"Got it, thank you Captain."

The woman ignored his politeness and walked straight to the foresail, shouting orders to the sailors as she walked, swearing from time to time, but she walked on the bumpy deck as if it were flat ground.

"Lord Jin Hai, is there anything I can help you with?"

"I wanted to apologize for my mother not being able to come in person. I know this might make things... a little complicated."

The ninja tilted his head and looked him in the eye calmly.

"Why is this happening?"

Jinhae blinked, looking at the man in surprise. He had always been tall, even at sixteen his height rivaled most of his guards, but this man seemed to be taller than him, even though the actual height difference between them was not that great.

"Excuse me?"

"If you're worried that your age will bother me, that's not the case. As long as you can prove that you're capable of doing the job, things should go smoothly."

Jin Hai found himself straightening his back involuntarily.

"It's a... rather unique concept," he said after a moment.

"Not at all," Kakashi retorted. "You'll find that this is a common view among the Elemental Powers. Although, I must admit, I didn't expect you to bring a four-year-old on a diplomatic mission that could put him in danger."

Jin Hai made a face.

"I'm afraid we don't have much choice. Our mother is currently unwell and unable to care for him, and Bohai has a... talent for escaping his caregivers."

"I've noticed that. In fact, I'm surprised he hasn't hurt himself yet."

"Yes, in addition to being full of energy, Bo Hai also happens to have extremely good luck."

Kakashi chuckled.

"Well, I hope his good luck will continue. Speaking of luck..." The man raised his hand and pointed behind Jin Hai. Jin Hai turned around and was suddenly startled.