Chujie Port

Chujie Port

Inside the Hokage Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was smoking as usual while handling official business. Looking at Shuji as he pushed open the door and entered, he skipped any unnecessary pleasantries and went straight to the point.

"You've done very well with the team-building work, and your coordination over this period has also been good." The Third Hokage's voice carried a trace of approval as his gaze settled on Shuji's face. "In your judgment, are you ready to take missions, Shuji?"

"Anko Mitarashi's mental state has basically recovered." Shuji answered cautiously. "Therefore, my judgment is that this team can handle B-rank missions." He deliberately emphasized "B-rank." For their first official mission, he needed to give the team some room to adjust. He did not want the village to immediately throw them a hot potato.

The corners of Hiruzen Sarutobi's wrinkled eyes twitched almost imperceptibly. The former Shuji had been more direct and forceful in his approach, rarely showing this near "weakness" in his caution over mission difficulty. Was it the shadow of having been severely wounded and losing his companions last time? Or the sensitive identity of that eight-year-old Uchiha on the team? Or perhaps... The stray thought flashed through his mind without affecting his movements.

"Mm." The Third Hokage responded, precisely pulling one scroll from a stack on his desk. With a flick of his wrist, the scroll arced through the air and landed in Shuji's hand. "A B-rank mission: escort a merchant caravan to Chujie Port."

An escort mission? If it had been classified as B-rank, the core risk was likely the possibility of fighting ninja. Shuji picked up the scroll, untied its cord, and quickly scanned the neat writing upon it.

Client: Hongshan Cheng.

Occupation: Cloth merchant.

Cargo: A batch of high-quality fabrics from the Land of Fire.

Destination: Chujie Port.

Mission Rank: B.

The contents themselves were clear and concise. It appeared to be an ordinary escort for cross-border trade. Yet the B-rank classification was the greatest warning sign.

Chujie Port was located along the southwestern coastline of the Land of Fire and nominally belonged to the Land of Tea—a country with a rather unusual geography.

The Land of Tea possessed two disconnected enclaves on the continental landmass, embedded respectively in the southwestern and southeastern corners of the Land of Fire, separated by the vast territory of the Land of Fire.

It also possessed two large overseas islands, Nagi Island and Dawo. Its total land area even exceeded that of the Land of Water.

However, the Land of Tea had no hidden village.

Its unique geographical position—it only shared a land border with the Land of Fire—and its lack of military strength meant that it had effectively become a stable source of retained missions for Konoha. Nearly all significant commissions within its borders flowed to Konoha.

Hongshan Cheng's caravan was currently stationed at Southguard Post, south of Konoha. Traveling from the heartland of the Land of Fire to Chujie Port in the Land of Tea, which was also within Konoha's sphere of influence, yet they might encounter ninja along the way?

Shuji looked up, his gaze calmly settling on the Third Hokage. "Does this mission have any other objectives?" The risks of escort duty alone were insufficient to justify a B-rank classification. There had to be some unspoken additional factor.

"Sharp as always." Hiruzen Sarutobi was not surprised. He took a puff from his pipe, and the smoke he exhaled briefly obscured his expression. "Over at Chujie Port, a group of rogue ninja has emerged in recent months. They're quite troublesome."

"I understand." Shuji nodded. The explanation made sense. "Does the village have detailed intelligence on these rogue ninja?"

"A group of five," the Third Hokage said, taking two slightly thinner scrolls from a drawer and placing them on the desk. "They call themselves the Black Erosion Corps. Their movements are elusive, and they have mastered some rather sinister secret techniques. They are not easy opponents." He pushed the two scrolls forward. "For this mission, besides ensuring that Mr. Hongshan's caravan safely reaches Chujie Port, I hope your team can investigate the Black Erosion Corps along the way and uncover their true capabilities."

He pointed at the two scrolls. "An A-rank mission: drive out or eliminate the Black Erosion Corps. A B-rank mission: scout them and obtain detailed intelligence. Based on your team's actual circumstances on site, you may judge for yourselves which one to complete." He paused. "If, after an on-site assessment, you believe the risk is too high and beyond your capabilities, you are permitted to complete only the core caravan escort mission and return safely."

"Additionally," Hiruzen Sarutobi added, "your team designation will continue using your former number: Team Five."

Shuji's gaze lingered for a moment on the scroll cover marked "Team Five." That was the designation of the team that had once fought alongside him at the border, the one from which only he had ultimately escaped with the intelligence... He silently gathered up the two scrolls concerning the Black Erosion Corps as well.

Hiruzen Sarutobi rose to his feet, walked around the wide desk, and came to Shuji's side. He extended a hand and patted Shuji's shoulder in consolation, though his gaze was directed out the window at the bustling scene of Konoha. His voice lowered. "The Land of Tea's share of commissions is vital to the village's current finances. We cannot afford to lose it." He withdrew his hand, a hint of helplessness entering his tone. "The Kumogakure delegation will soon arrive. Personnel within the village are stretched thin. Both the Anbu and regular forces must prioritize the delegation's security and the peace negotiations... I can only trouble your Team Five to go to Chujie Port and assess the situation first."

Shuji gave a slight nod, with no extra emotion visible on his face. "Yes, Lord Hokage."

He put away the three scrolls and turned to leave the Hokage Office. The heavy wooden door closed behind him, shutting out the smell of tobacco and that weighty charge. The corridor was somewhat dim, and Shuji's footsteps remained steady, but his mind was already calculating at high speed.

The Black Erosion Corps... rogue ninja... investigation, perhaps even expulsion... The mission was clearly far from easy. Itachi's genius was limited by his age and stamina, while Anko's condition had improved but had yet to return to its peak. Their first official mission carried dual objectives and would take them deep into an area that might contain powerful enemies. The risk level had risen sharply.

But the Hokage's meaning was also clear: over the past decade, the village had only enjoyed one peaceful year, between Konoha Years 50 and 51. No matter how wealthy Konoha was, its financial pressure remained immense, and the Land of Tea could not be abandoned.

"Team Five..." Shuji quietly repeated the reinstated designation. That memory surfaced in his mind. Though he had not experienced it personally, it still left him with mixed feelings.

Taking a deep breath and suppressing his stray thoughts, Shuji quickened his pace toward the Third Training Ground. It was time to prepare for Team Five's new journey.

The sunlight on the training ground had become somewhat scorching. Anko was repeatedly practicing the attack angles of Hidden Shadow Snake Hands against a reinforced wooden post. Sweat had soaked the back of her dark purple coat, but her eyes remained focused. On an open patch of ground nearby, Itachi sat with his eyes closed in concentration, seemingly repeatedly simulating some chakra control technique.

Seeing Shuji return, Anko stopped moving and wiped away her sweat. With a hint of anticipation, she asked, "Captain, why did that old Hokage... ahem, Lord Hokage call you over? Is it a big mission?" Her eyes shone with eagerness. The past few days of training had clearly helped her recover some of her former condition.

Itachi also opened his eyes and quietly looked at Shuji.

Shuji walked to the center of the field and spread the three scrolls out on the sand. "A B-rank mission: escort a cloth merchant caravan to Chujie Port in the Land of Tea." He pointed to the core mission scroll, keeping his explanation brief.

"Chujie Port?" Anko raised a brow. "Isn't that place pretty peaceful? B-rank? Are ninja from another country planning to cause trouble on the road?"

"It used to be peaceful." Shuji's voice was calm. "Now, a group of rogue ninja calling themselves the Black Erosion Corps has appeared near Chujie Port. They know secret techniques, operate covertly, and threaten the trade route." He pointed to the other two scrolls. "Additional mission: investigate the Black Erosion Corps for intelligence, B-rank, or, depending on the situation, drive them out or even eliminate them, A-rank."

Anko sucked in a sharp breath. "A-rank?! We're going this big on our first mission?"

"The Hokage has given us discretion." Shuji stressed, "Our priority is ensuring the caravan reaches its destination safely. As for investigation and expulsion, we'll decide based on the intelligence we gain locally and our own condition." His gaze swept over the two of them. "This mission carries considerable risk. Our opponents are rogue ninja with unknown intelligence, so be careful."

He paused, his voice steady. "Team Five's objectives: first, ensure that Hongshan Cheng's caravan reaches Chujie Port without a scratch. Second, collect as much intelligence as possible on the Black Erosion Corps without endangering our own safety. Third," he looked at Anko and Itachi, "drive out the Black Erosion Corps. Understood?"

"Understood!" Anko put away her earlier surprise, her expression turning serious as she nodded firmly.

Itachi also answered clearly, "Yes, senpai."

"Good." Shuji gathered the scrolls. "Destination: Southguard Post. The caravan leaves at dawn tomorrow. Dismissed for now. Go back and prepare your gear, ninja tools, and medicine. Assemble at the village gate before six tomorrow morning."

(End of Chapter)