Arrival

The team left Konoha.

At first, Kobayashi Ken and Sato Yu could barely contain their excitement, constantly looking around at the scenery along the road, so different from the village. But after several hours, that initial excitement was replaced by the monotony and exhaustion of a long march.

That afternoon, the team paused to rest beside a shaded grove.

Yamato gathered his three subordinates around him.

"How does your first mission outside the village feel?"

Kobayashi Ken flexed his ankle. "Not bad! Just more boring than I imagined."

Sato Yu silently adjusted his breathing and nodded, indicating that he could keep going.

Tejima Shinichi was brief and to the point. "No problem."

Yamato nodded. Looking at them, he began carrying out his duties as their Jonin Instructor:

"This is an escort mission, not a forced march. We have to match the pace of the caravan and the pack horses." He pointed at the convoy drinking water nearby. "At this rate, it will take at least two days to reach Tea Village on the border."

Sato Yu showed a hint of surprise. "That long?"

"Yes." Yamato affirmed it. "So learning to conserve your stamina and stay alert during long-distance travel is a basic skill for missions like this. And after we reach Hozumi Village, the first thing we do will not be to go straight after the Bandits. We need to gather detailed intelligence—their numbers, approximate strength, patterns of activity, and the likely location of their hideout. Acting blindly is the worst possible approach."

The three listened seriously, committing Yamato's instructions to heart.

Tejima Shinichi, however, was not surprised by that estimate.

Based on his memories of Team 7's first mission to the Land of Waves, when they escorted that old bridge builder Tazuna—they had traveled at an ordinary person's pace as well, and the round trip had taken several days.

By that logic, two days of travel to the eastern border was reasonable.

That conclusion made Tejima Shinichi shake his head inwardly.

The ninja world was neither exactly small nor large. The major nations possessed vast territories, and war was frequent; yet it did not seem particularly large, either.

Ordinary people could cross a national border and reach another country on foot in just a day or two. That scale was vastly different from the concept of a "country" in his previous life.

Such a "pocket-sized" world bore so much conflict and hatred. Thinking about it carefully, it was rather ironic.

"Especially you, Shinichi."

Yamato's gaze suddenly turned specifically toward Tejima Shinichi as he cautioned him.

Kobayashi Ken and Sato Yu both looked at Tejima Shinichi in confusion, unable to understand why he had been singled out.

Yamato continued, "I know you've just acquired a new ninjutsu and are eager to master it. Seeking power is a good thing, but when a ninja is on a mission, the first priority is ensuring your own condition and the team's safety."

"Using Shadow Clones to train while traveling long distances, especially with a high-level Water Release technique like 'Hard Vortex Water Blade' that demands extremely precise Chakra control, is not only inefficient—it also continuously drains your mental energy and Chakra. If an unexpected situation arises while you're exhausted or distracted, and you fail to react in time, the consequences could be disastrous."

Clearly, Yamato had not missed Tejima Shinichi's little actions during the journey!

Tejima Shinichi did not argue. He merely nodded and answered readily:

"I understand, Teacher Yamato. I'll be careful."

At that moment, Heiji, the caravan's leader, approached with a water skin in hand, wearing a flattering smile.

"You ninja have worked hard." After offering that courtesy, he naturally picked up the conversation, having clearly overheard Yamato's earlier guidance. "Lord Yamato is absolutely right! Intelligence is far too important! Speaking of those damned Bandits, sigh..."

The smile disappeared from his face, replaced by fear and anger.

"Those beasts aren't even human!"

Heiji began to describe them:

"They've been entrenched in the mountains near Hozumi Village for some time. At first, they only extorted tolls from travelers, but then their appetites grew bigger and bigger, and they started directly raiding the village!"

"Last month, they even..." Heiji's voice filled with deeper fear and resentment. "They killed people! Some villagers resisted, and they... They even set fire to several houses! They're nothing but demons!"

"Their leader is a burly man with a scar on his face. I heard he used to be a wandering samurai from another country, and he's especially ruthless! He has more than a dozen men under him, all vicious-looking thugs... The village's own guard clashed with them twice, but we lost both times, and several people were injured..."

"With no other choice, we finally decided to raise the money to post a mission!"

Kobayashi Ken clenched his fists, his face full of indignation. "Those bastards! They're going too far!"

Sato Yu's brows furrowed tightly as well, and a trace of disgust flashed through his eyes.

Tejima Shinichi listened quietly, his gaze occasionally sweeping over Heiji's slightly flushed face from excitement and certain details in his words that seemed somewhat exaggerated.

Yamato spoke at the right moment, soothing their emotions and steering the conversation back on track:

"We have a general understanding of the situation. Mr. Heiji, thank you for the information. As for how we proceed, we'll decide after arriving at the village, conducting an on-site investigation, and gathering more accurate intelligence."

Heiji hurriedly nodded. "Yes, yes, yes. We'll leave everything to you!"

The rest ended, and the team set out once more.

The two-day journey passed steadily amid monotony and vigilance.

As the setting sun painted the horizon orange-red for the second time, the outline of a village built against the mountains finally appeared at the end of the road.

Low earthen and wooden houses clustered together, and thin trails of cooking smoke rose into the air, carrying an isolated tranquility.

"We're here. Hozumi Village is just ahead."

Heiji pointed forward, a relieved smile appearing on his face.

The convoy slowly entered the village entrance. Villagers who had long since received word emerged from their homes and gathered along both sides of the road.

Their gazes held curiosity, but even more expectation. Yet when they saw Yamato and Team 1 walking at the front of the caravan, murmurs inevitably rose from the crowd.

"Are they the ones?"

"They look... so young..."

"That masked man does seem rather steady..."

Tejima Shinichi surveyed the surroundings.

Most of the villagers were sallow and thin, dressed simply, their eyes filled with a mixture of hope and doubt.

He could feel the unspoken suspicion in their gazes whenever they settled on him and his two teammates—they were too young.

Heiji clearly sensed the atmosphere as well. He immediately jumped down from the carriage and enthusiastically introduced them to the villagers gathering around:

"These are the ninja I invited from Konoha! This is Lord Yamato, the Jonin leading the team! These three are his capable subordinates! With them here, those Bandits' good days are over! We'll definitely reclaim peace for our village!"

His rousing words eased the villagers' unease.

An elderly man with white hair and beard stepped forward leaning on a cane, then bowed deeply to Yamato.

"This old man is the head of Hozumi Village. On behalf of the entire village, I thank everyone from Konoha for coming to our aid. The journey was long. You have worked hard."

Yamato nodded and returned the bow.

"It is our duty. Once we have settled in, please explain the situation in detail."

Heiji hurriedly took over:

"We have already prepared simple food and lodging for everyone. The village conditions are limited, so I hope you will not mind."

He eagerly led the way, intending to bring Yamato and the other three to the large house used as the village meeting hall.

Just as Heiji was about to continue leading them, Yamato raised a hand to stop him.

"There's no need to trouble yourselves." Yamato's voice cut off Heiji's next arrangements. "The escort mission has been completed. We appreciate your kindness, but this is not the time to rest."

His gaze settled on the elderly village head.

"News of our arrival has likely already reached the Bandits. If they learn that Konoha ninja have intervened, they will either heighten their guard or... leave directly. Worse still, they may become desperate and take more extreme action."

The people of Hozumi Village all changed expressions at those words and straightened up.

Seeing this, Yamato continued:

"Our top priority is to begin reconnaissance immediately and seize the initiative before the Bandits make their move."

The elderly village head stepped forward and bowed deeply to the four of them.

"If that is the case... we entrust the village's safety entirely to you ninja!"