The Friction of Interests in Defense-Zone Handover and the Well-Timed Grassroots Station

The passage leading to Sunagakure's Inner Village was narrow and long. The wind whirled through it, making a low, mournful sound.

The checkpoint guards carefully inspected Baishi's pass. In particular, they lightly scratched the diamond-shaped mark with a fingernail. Only after confirming that everything was in order did they step aside and let him through.

"Regular Defense 3rd Squad. Report over there." The guard pointed toward a low barracks on the left, his tone strictly businesslike.

Baishi put away his pass and walked over.

At the barracks entrance, a middle-aged shinobi polishing a long blade looked up and glanced at him.

"New arrival?"

"Konoha Logistics Department, Baishi. I'm here to assist with work under a special pass." Baishi handed over his documents.

The middle-aged shinobi accepted them, skimmed them briefly, and returned them. "My name is Zuo Shi, and I'm the squad captain of the 3rd Squad. We're under wartime conditions, so we're short-handed. You'll patrol with us for now. Any problem with that?"

"I'll follow the arrangements," Baishi replied.

Zuo Shi nodded and said no more. Clearly, he had no interest in a "logistics clerk" from Konoha. He pointed to an empty bedroll in the corner. "That's your bunk. We'll rotate shifts in Area C in half an hour. You'll come along."

Baishi set down his modest luggage and had only just sat down when someone suddenly flung open the barracks curtain.

Three ANBU wearing bird-shaped masks entered.

The leading ANBU was not tall, but his presence was cold. He swept his gaze around the room before finally looking at squad captain Zuo Shi.

"Captain Inuzuka, we've received an oral order from headquarters. From this moment onward, the patrol duties in Defense Zone C-3 will be taken over by ANBU Team 7."

The barracks, which had been somewhat noisy,