Destination: Land of Wind

As their first mission after becoming Chunin, Team 8 was originally taking it very seriously, insisting on choosing a high-difficulty mission to practice their skills.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. When Taiichi and the other two finished gathering in the Mission Hall, they were greeted by their Captain holding Mission Scroll.

"The village's assigned mission: to escort the Daimyo's envoy on his visit to the Land of Wind."

Captain Yamaguchi's words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the burning enthusiasm of Taiichi and his companions. Escort missions, especially those involving visits between major powers, were always the most time-consuming and laborious tasks.

It was time-consuming because the messengers were often ordinary people of high status, and their journeys were not only slow but also very particular.

The difficulty lies not in the frequent battles, but in dealing with cunning people, which is usually exhausting and mentally draining, especially Taiichi himself is a spy, making it even more troublesome.

"I was hoping to show off my skills, but I ended up with this kind of mission." Yohei Ping looked dejected. "Captain, can we postpone this mission?"

"Yohei, it seems you've already gotten too cocky after just becoming Chunin!" Captain Yamaguchi glanced at Yohei, his eyes filled with murderous intent. "Do you even remember the Three Ninja Precepts?"

Yohei snapped to attention, realizing he had said the wrong thing. He quickly slapped his mouth and kept spitting out his words as if trying to get them back out.

"Captain, I was out of my mind, please don't mind." Yohei apologized with a smile, but seeing that the Captain still had a cold face, and then seeing Taiichi winking at him, he quickly corrected his attitude.

"The Three Ninja Precepts: Never abandon a mission, never disobey orders, and never leak information."

Do you know where you went wrong?

"Yes, I understand. Disobeying orders is strictly prohibited."

"Good to know!" Captain Yamaguchi put away his cold expression and earnestly lectured, "You've all Chunin, and you'll all become squad Captain in the future. You must remember these rules, set an example, and never violate them carelessly."

Yes! *3

Seeing that his team members had grasped the concept, Captain Yamaguchi nodded in satisfaction and handed the three of them the Mission Scroll he had prepared earlier. "We'll depart today, rest in Kyoto City tomorrow, and then head to the Daimyo's Mansion the day after tomorrow to pick up the envoy before setting off for the Land of Wind."

After Taiichi and the other two checked the mission manual, they all said there were no problems. The team packed their equipment and set off directly towards Kyoto City.

July 6th, Konoha Year 45, afternoon.

The Team 8 spent more than a day traveling to Kyoto Prefecture. According to the plan, the rest of the day was for rest, and Captain Yamaguchi generously allowed Taiichi other two to do as they pleased.

Before leaving, Taiichi created three Shadow Clone their separate ways. Faced with the questioning looks from Yohei and Saori, Taiichi calmly replied with two words.

"Cultivation!"

"Taiichi, you're working way too hard! You finally have a little time to play around, and you're already thinking about cultivating!" Yohei complained, but his actions spoke louder than words. He also created a Shadow Clone and flashed out to find a place to cultivate.

Turning to look at Saori again, her Shadow Clone had already vanished without a trace.

Yohei slapped his forehead, looked up at the sky speechlessly, and uttered a profound sigh, "My teammates are really working too hard!"

Beside them, Taiichi and Saori exchanged a smile. After Yohei finished his remark, he looked at Taiichi and Saori again, and the three of them burst into laughter.

The scorching summer sun baked Kyoto City, but this did not affect the bustling streets at all. Even on this hot afternoon, there were still many pedestrians coming and going on the streets.

Some were traveling merchants, some were tourists, and there were also many children running around wildly.

Taiichi and his two companions walked side by side through the bustling market, occasionally eating dumplings from one stall and looking at ornaments from another.

Compared to the others around them who were constantly waving fans, the three of them were much more relaxed. The reason was that Taiichi manipulating a gentle breeze that surrounded them, which was much more efficient than waving fans.

"Taiichi, you can call this cultivation? And this breeze feels so cool!" Yohei felt the breeze around him, which brought a refreshing coolness; it was clearly lower than the outside temperature.

"Shopping and cultivation can be done at the same time!" Taiichi said with a smile. "I've mixed some water elemental applications into the wind attribute, which makes the wind cooler."

This is another Potent function of the talent after becoming a Chunin: the enhanced control over attribute changes allows Taiichi to now use two Nature Transformation simultaneously.

Yohei, oblivious to the deeper meaning in Taiichi's words, didn't quite grasp it, but the observant Saori understood. "Taiichi, are you trying to generate your own Kekkei Genkai? Isn't the fusion of two attributes a prerequisite for bloodline fusion?"

"Haha, I have that idea, but it's still a long way off. Right now, we're just laying the foundation." Taiichi full of smugness. After all, this kind of subtle arrogance is only worth celebrating when someone knowledgeable notices it.

Otherwise, like Yohei, even if Taiichi explained it very clearly, he still wouldn't understand. In that case, it would be like casting pearls before swine.

Taiichi and his two companions leisurely strolled through Kyoto City, enjoying the cool breeze. Meanwhile, their clones had already arrived Kyoto City, each engaged in their own training. However, one of Taiichi's Shadow Clone took a circuitous route and arrived at the Daimyo's Mansion.

The Third Hokage had given Taiichi three lists. He handed the first list to the Daimyo during an escort mission, but apart from some money, Taiichi got nothing.

The second document was delivered through Daimyo in Konoha to one of the Daimyo's liaison points in Konoha. Aside from that, there was still no other information.

Today, this is the last list. Taiichi looked at the list in his hand, hoping to glean some useful information.

At the Daimyo's Mansion, Taiichi announced his name, and soon a servant came to greet Taiichi. Upon closer inspection, he recognized the servant as the same person who had come to meet Taiichi last time.

Taiichi silently followed the servant, winding through the Daimyo's Mansion until they arrived at a secluded hut.

First Gate, Taiyi found an official already sitting inside. The man was tall and slender, but his face was sinister. Taiichi thought of Danzo from Root. The two were the same kind of people who walked in the shadows, doing things that could not be seen by others.

"Taichi Matsushita, I am Shimazu Akira, the intelligence chief of the Daimyo's Mansion. Please take care of me from now on." He spoke politely, but didn't move an inch, clearly not an easy person to get along with.

Taiichi didn't stand on ceremony and handed over the last list, then stood aside waiting for what was to come.

Shimazu Akira carefully checked the list of names, occasionally taking out corresponding documents from the cabinet behind him for comparison. Taiichi's brow twitched at these actions; the Daimyo's Mansion's moles in Konoha were truly formidable, and the intelligence they had gathered was considerable.

After Shimazu Akira finished providing the latest information, he looked up at Taiichi again. "Daimyo asked me to ask you: In Konoha today, who is most likely to become the Fourth Hokage?"

Taiichi's pupils suddenly contracted. This question felt like a Kunai against his throat—a too specific answer would expose problems within Konoha, but a vague answer might arouse the Daimyo's suspicion.

Taiichi pretended to be deep in thought, considering his options. He was only a Chunin at the moment and couldn't access specific information from the higher-ups. He could only get information from powerful Hokage subordinates, which was the kind of information a Chunin should normally know.

"Speaking of the Fourth Hokage, the most likely candidates are the Three Disciples of the Third Hokage: Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade, known as the Sannin Tsunade." Taiichi carefully chose his words. "However, Tsunade is often away from Konoha these days, Jiraiya is rather unruly, while Orochimaru has the highest reputation."

He paused deliberately at this point, "Of course, this is just Genin. After all, they haven't had any specific information before, so this is all they know."

Shimazu Akira smiled meaningfully, "I heard that your Team 8 is getting very close to Jiraiya's disciples?"

The lights flickered a few times, casting flickering light on Taiichi's face. He cursed inwardly at these bastards for knowing so much, but calmly replied, "We've only been on a few missions together, so naturally we're a little familiar."

Shimazu Akira remained silent, only giving instructions on the next task of gathering intelligence: to collect information on the most prestigious ninja in Konoha.

When Taiichi's Shadow Clone left the Daimyo's Mansion and dispelled the Shadow Clone in a secluded corner, this memory flowed back to his original body.

"What is the Daimyo trying to do? Is he trying to interfere in the selection of the Fourth Hokage of Konoha? He really has no fear of death!" Taiichi was slightly stunned, did not attract the attention of Yohei and Saori, but the latest developments in the Daimyo's Daimyo's Mansion had to be reported to the Hokage as soon as possible.

In Taiichi's view, the Daimyo was recklessly testing the limits of Hiruzen Sarutobi's sensitive nerves. If Taiichi the Hokage, he would have already sent someone to assassinate the Daimyo.

However, Konoha should also make preparations in advance, since the Daimyo holds the reins of justice, Konoha could easily suffer losses if they are confused.

On the morning of July 7th, Konoha Year 45.

Captain Yamaguchi led his three-man squad to the Daimyo's Daimyo's Mansion. After handing over the mission, they escorted the envoy towards the Land of Wind.

The delegation consisted of one chief envoy, two deputy envoys, and ten guards, totaling thirteen people. The three envoys rode together in a large carriage, while the rest walked.

They'd barely left the Kyoto City and been walking for half a day when Yohei couldn't take it anymore. This leisurely pace was practically like sightseeing. How long would it take to complete a mission like this?

It can't take a month!

Captain Yamaguchi looked at Yohei's anxious expression with a sense of helplessness. This was usually how it was when escorting envoys; unless it was an urgent meeting, these envoys wouldn't be in a hurry to get going.

Sure enough, the group leisurely traveled for a full five days before reaching the border of the Land of Fire. After the group entered the Land of Rivers from the Land of Fire, Captain Yamaguchi immediately gathered the team for adjustments.

"Taiichi, you will be stationed in the center, Sensory Ninjutsu once every half hour."

"Yohei, Saori, you two go to the rear flanks of the guard post, and I'll stay at the very front."

"Do you understand?" Captain Yamaguchi asked the group for confirmation.

Yes. *3

The group dispersed, everyone took their positions, and the group moved forward steadily. Apart from a few scattered bandits, they did not encounter any noteworthy enemies along the way.

Having left the Land of Fire, the envoys realized that the environment abroad was not as stable as at home, and the delegation's pace of travel noticeably increased.

On July 14th, Konoha 45, the delegation finally crossed the Land of Rivers and entered the Land of Land of Wind.

The desert of the Land of Wind, scorched by the blazing sun, resembles a golden inferno. Endless sand dunes undulate like solidified giant waves, slowly flowing in the hot wind. Fine sand is swept up by the wind, forming a hazy sand mist in the air.

The harsh environment starkly demonstrated the power of nature to Taiichi and his companions, who were visiting the Land of Wind for the first time.

It also made them realize how much the people of the Land of Wind longed for the fertile land of the Land of Fire.

Looking at the delegation, it's fortunate that they were well-prepared, having modified their vehicles before entering the Land of Wind to make them suitable for desert driving.

Without this carriage, the journey alone would have nearly killed the three envoys. Even the well-trained guards were swaying precariously from the heat.

Shortly after entering the Land of Wind, Taiichi discovered during a routine sensory Scout that a group of ninjas were hiding under a sand dune 800 meters ahead. Judging from their attire and undisguised Headband, they were undoubtedly from Sunagakure.

Taiichi immediately rushed to the front of the group and informed Captain Yamaguchi of the news.

"Has the other side made any moves?" Captain Yamaguchi asked calmly, showing no surprise at the unknown enemy.

"There's been no movement at all; they're just hanging on us from a distance. But the number of people has decreased; it was a four-person team before, now there are only two."

"That should just be routine surveillance; just stay alert."

Sure enough, not long after, the two ninjas who had left returned, seemingly with some orders. The Sand Village Ninja continued to monitor the delegation for half a day, and after confirming that they were indeed heading to the capital of the Land of Wind, they left.

Throughout the entire ordeal, this group of Sand Village Ninja never appeared or made contact with the people from Konoha.

After they left, Taiichi finally returned to his usual frequency of releasing Sensory Ninjutsu every half hour. Maintaining this surveillance had taken a heavy toll on Taiichi, especially mentally.

After all, Taiichi's Chakra Perception was originally created to assist in training, not specifically for use as Scout Ninjutsu, and its consumption is much greater than that of ordinary Sensory Ninjutsu.

If it weren't for the 1 point increase in mental strength Chunin he was promoted to Chunin, Taiichi wouldn't have been able to withstand this kind of continuous sensory perception for most of the day.

The rest of the journey was uneventful, except for the sandstorms that made Taiichi and his companions quite uncomfortable; otherwise, everything went very smoothly.

Finally, on July 18th, the delegation arrived in the capital of the Land of Wind, and the team's mission was considered half completed.

In the days that followed, the team split into two, taking turns protecting the messenger's safety. The others also took this opportunity to get plenty of rest.

And so, three days later, on July 21, the mission was finally accomplished, and Team 8 escorted the mission back to the Land of Fire.

However, fate did not always favor the delegation. A day after leaving the Land of Wind, the delegation encountered its first test.

"Captain, I have a feeling something's wrong with the weather!" Taiichi, sitting in the center on the roof of the vehicle, had a better view and was able to sense his surroundings by frequently using his Chakra Perception them, so he was the first to notice changes in the environment.

"Visibility has decreased, and the temperature is higher, and the wind is picking up," Taiichi said, pointing to the distant horizon as he told Captain Yamaguchi about his findings.

Looking in the direction Taiichi was pointing, in just a short while, the sky in the distance had already turned a yellowish-brown. Masasuke Yamaguchi frowned slightly, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

He Body Flicker arrived at the top of the nearest sand dune, and looking into the distance, he could see it much more clearly now. He saw a sand wall that stretched from the sky to the earth, rushing towards the delegation with a devastating force.

"Sabaku! Stop! Form ranks!"

A loud shout came from Masasuke Yamaguchi's mouth, and the carriage immediately came to a stop under the driver's control, with the guards surrounding the carriage.

By the time Captain Yamaguchi returned to the group, the sky had darkened visibly, the horses were stamping their hooves restlessly, and even the riders' best efforts to calm them had no effect. The sand wall in the distance seemed to be right next to them.