The group wouldn't be back in Konoha long before they were given a second C-ranked mission. This one was a transport mission, a significant one as they were going to be transporting a group of supplies to a port city to aid in its construction. It seemed the Daimyo of the Land of Fire wanted to build this town to encourage trade and open up a new route to a couple of places off the coast. They just had to get the supplies out to the location. Of course, there was the threat of bandits and potentially missing-nin working for groups who would be hard hit by the construction of the new town.

As a result, they were going in a group of two teams: Team Aoba and Team Asuma. The two teams were to guard the group of wagons carrying wood and other supplies.

Ace, Sakura, and Kaza arrived at the meeting point early and found Aoba waiting for them. "Well, another big one. I know this one will have more than the usual challenges," Aoba said, looking squarely at Kaza. "However, you all need to get along with Team Asuma's members so that we can be successful on this mission. Understood?"

Kaza, feeling a bit nervous about being on a mission with Ino after their fight, nodded. "Of course, sir. I will do my best to work with Team Asuma."

"We got this, don't worry about it. Team Asuma and us don't have any issues with each other. Plus, this is about getting to start a new town," Ace commented with a charismatic smile on his lips.

"Yeah, as they said. Plus, we did one C-ranked mission; I am sure we can handle one with backup easily," Sakura added confidently.

Aoba nodded approvingly. "Good. That's the spirit. Now, we just need to wait for Team Asuma to arrive, and then we'll head out."

Soon, Team Asuma arrived. Shikamaru and Choji waved, while Ino stood with her arms crossed, sulking a bit as she shot Kaza a somewhat nasty look.

"Okay, everyone, let's find the meeting point and get this mission started. I think this shouldn't be too hard," Aoba said, looking over at Team Asuma. "Asuma-san, any suggestions on how you want your team arranged? I think we should have one member from each team support each other on this mission, at least for this first bit, so things can calm down."

Asuma took a drag from his cigarette and looked at Aoba thoughtfully. "Good idea. Shikamaru, you pair up with Kaza. Choji, you team up with Ace. Ino, you'll be with Sakura. This way, we have a mix of skills and strengths across the groups. Everyone, stay sharp and work together. This is a mission, not a competition."

He turned to Aoba, nodding slightly. "Let's get moving. We've got a job to do."

"Choji, Ace, take point, Shikamaru, Kaza take rare, Ino, and Sakura take mid, Asuma and I will support you as best as we can if we should run into any troubles along the way," Aoba declared to the groups, giving orders.

"Got it," Choji responded with a nod, already moving forward with Ace by his side.

Shikamaru gave a lazy salute. "Understood," he said, as he and Kaza positioned themselves at the rear.

Ino and Sakura exchanged a glance before nodding in unison. "We'll make sure to keep an eye out," Sakura assured.

Asuma nodded in agreement with Aoba's plan. "Let's stick to the plan and watch each other's backs," he added, before following behind the rest of the team.

The wagons led by Ain and Amu remained quiet. Ain, with his weathered face and graying hair, exuded an air of experience and stoicism, while Amu, his son, seemed similarly reserved, his dark hair and calm demeanor suggesting a depth of character beneath his quiet exterior. Together, they trusted in the abilities of the ninja to guide them safely on their journey southward.

At the front, Ace and Choji walked on opposite sides of the path, ready to adapt to any challenges that might arise. In the back, Shikamaru took the rear spot on the two wagons, with Kaza trailing behind to counter any potential ambushes.

In the middle, Ino and Sakura walked closest together between the two wagons as they traveled. Aoba and Asuma rode with each of the merchants, ensuring they remained close to the objects they were defending.

"Um, Ino, how are you doing? Holding up okay?" Sakura asked, looking over. She hadn't talked to Ino, her former friend turned rival for Sasuke's affection, in a long while. Even then, any talk had been rather negative up to that point. She was sure Ino was still potentially stinging from the embarrassing loss she had to Kaza. Plus, being told off as nothing more than a Sasuke fangirl had to hurt. While Sakura knew it came from a good place in Kaza's heart, it didn't make it any less harsh.

"Oh, you know, just fine," Ino replied with a forced smile, trying to maintain her usual confident demeanor despite the inner turmoil. "Just keeping up with the mission and all. Besides, what Kaza said is in the past now. I know who I am and what I'm capable of."

"God, I am glad Kaza didn't hear that, he would be sulking depressed for the whole mission and then some," Sakura replied with a smile as she looked over. "It is due to those two though, that I learned that I had to step up my game a lot since becoming a genin. Just being the smart girl wasn't enough, I was way too focused on Sasuke myself, and I think I am growing as a ninja now that I am focused on my own path."

"The fight showed me that I need to become my own person, to grow and find my own path. That I can't just focus on people's appearance. Kaza well he helped me, and yeah we didn't say the nicest of things to each other, but those worse did help," Ino said, her tone softening as she thought about things more. "I agree with you, and thanks, Sakura. You have grown a lot since the academy," She offered a genuine smile, appreciating the support from her old friend.

"You know why he was so harsh towards you right, Ino?," Sakura asked, looking over the wagons for a moment at her, figuring she had no clue.

Ino shook her head, curious to hear Sakura's explanation. "No, why?" she replied, intrigued.

"Because there is three things you should know about my teammate Kaza," Sakura said with a smile, "One, he is incredibly shy and self doubting himself, second, that he works really hard to get better too, and three Ino," Sakura said taking a second pause, "He has the worst crush on you ever."

Ino's eyes widened at Sakura's revelation, a mixture of surprise and confusion crossing her face. She glanced back at Kaza, who was walking beside her, his expression awkward and shy. "He... has a crush on me?" she asked incredulously, her cheeks flushing slightly.

"Yeah, he's had it for a while," Sakura confirmed, giving her a knowing smile. "But he's too shy to say anything about it himself."

Ino's mind raced as she processed this new information. She had never considered the possibility that Kaza might have feelings for her, especially after their recent confrontation. His words had meant a lot to her. Him standing up for himself was also really impressive. As she looked back she knew she had been avoiding him on this mission. She didn't want to admit that he was right and that she was also really impressed by him. She could feel a flicker of some feelings that came with that realization already. That there was far more than mets the eyes with Kaza Togusa.

"I think I need to have a talk with him," Ino said looking back at him. She could see how focused he was. Yet, now that she knew that he had feelings, she could repay their interactions, and it was so obvious. He really did care about her, and she was certain it wasn't because she was pretty too. The realization made her feel happy, and content, but she was also more determined to show Kaza that he was not some no one, but someone who mattered.

After a moment or two in thought she figured she should actually do something. She slowed down and waited for Kaza to catch up to her. "Hey," she said softly with a kind tone, "Mind if we talk for a bit?"

Kaza looked up and nodded, "Of course Ino, any time," he said honestly as he looked towards her. "How can I help you?" He asked his tone a bit indecisive as he felt suddenly nervous talking to his crush.

Ino hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to broach the subject. She fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve before finally meeting Kaza's gaze. "I... I just wanted to say that I'm sorry," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "For how I treated you during our fight, and... for not realizing sooner... about your feelings."

Kaza's eyes widened in surprise at her apology. He hadn't expected her to acknowledge their confrontation, let alone apologize for it. "Oh, Ino, you don't have to apologize," he said quickly, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I... I should be the one apologizing. I was too harsh with my words, and I never meant to hurt you."

Ino shook her head, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "No, Kaza, it's okay. You said what you did because you wanted me to get stronger. Honestly I kind of needed to hear that," she admitted, her gaze softening. "I have come to realize that I've been so focused on Sasuke that I've been neglecting my own growth as a ninja. And... I appreciate that."

Kaza smiled brightly as he was glad to be of help to his crush. Of course his heart also very much fluttered at her words. The sight of her smile made him a bit weak at the knees. "I'm glad I could help, Ino," he said sincerely, his nerves slowly dissipating as they talked. "And... if you ever need someone to talk to, about anything, I'm here for you."

Ino's smile widened, as her checked were colored by a bit of color. "Thank you, Kaza," she said softly, her eyes meeting his with a newfound warmth, she could sense something she had missed up to that point. "I... I think I'd like that. I want to get to know you better, Kaza Togusa."

Ace saw what happened and slowed down to walk next to Sakura, "Thanks for helping him Sakura," he said with a smile as he patted her on the back. He gave her his trademark charismatic grin as he looked at Sakura out of the corner of his eye walking with her for a moment.

Sakura returned Ace's smile, feeling a sense of warmth at his gratitude. "Of course, Ace," she replied, matching his pace as they walked together. "Kaza's a good guy, and he deserves to be happy."

Ace nodded in agreement, his grin widening. "Yeah, he does," he agreed, casting a glance back at Kaza and Ino walking together. "And I think he's on his way there, with a little help from you."

Sakura chuckled softly, feeling a sense of pride at the thought. "I'm just glad I could help," she admitted, glancing back at Kaza and Ino with a smile. "After all, what are teammates for?"

"Yeah, having you two as my teammates has been the best," Ace said with a nod of his head, "Plus, you have gotten really strong yourself. I think a pretty awesome kunoichi, Sakura Haruno," Ace added before starting returning to his spot up front.

Sakura's cheeks flushed slightly at Ace's compliment, feeling a surge of pride at his words. "Thanks, Ace," she replied warmly, her smile widening. "That means a lot coming from you."

"Better be careful though Sakura, I might have to take after my brother and steal the attention of Sasuke's other fangirl away from him," he said with a smirk as he paused for a moment to make sure Sakura heard him.

Sakura's cheeks flushed even deeper at Ace's playful remark, and she couldn't help but laugh softly. "Well, we'll just have to see about that, won't we?" she replied, matching his playful tone.

"Yep, let me give it my best shot after this mission, you me, going out to the movies, maybe doubling up with the pair back there," Ace said referencing Kaza and Ino still walking and talking in the back.

Sakura smiled at the idea. "That sounds like a plan. I'd love to." She glanced back at Kaza and Ino, noticing the genuine interaction between them.

With that Ace soon found his way back as the two Aoba shook his head, his team was different, they were livelier than the normal one for sure. He said nothing though as he kept an eye out for them. He was sure though; they were already something else. Then in the future they were going to be even more amazing.