A document without a village emblem stopped a blade backed by a forehead protector for the first time

When the barrier at Gray Bridge Checkpoint came down, Yayoi did not step back.

She placed her Travel Document on the wooden counter, leaving the other two in her children's hands.

"Please verify the numbers."

The captain on duty wore a Forehead Protector of the Land of Fire's Western Border joint defense force. The short sword at his waist was already half an inch out of its sheath.

"We don't recognize papers without a National Seal here."

"The Western Border Registry issued them. Both witness stations can respond through the Return Bells."

"Unregistered Migrants are detained first. Their identities are checked afterward."

The captain raised his hand, and two ninja closed in from either side.

Yayoi's older son clutched his Travel Document and stood in front of his little sister.

The corner of the paper shook violently in his hand, but the notched moon was still clearly visible.

A guard reached out to snatch it.

The boy instinctively dodged, and the guard immediately drew a Kunai.

The blade did not come down.

Yayoi held her own Travel Document across the space in front of her children.

"You can inspect what I'm carrying and check my restrictions."

"But first, tell me which order gives you the right to take my children's proof of identity."

Paper could not stop a ninja weapon.

But the public number told every guard nearby that, if the Kunai came down, the time of detention, the source of their authority, and the holder's status could all be retrieved from the witness stations.

The attack could no longer be recorded as routine action against someone whose identity could not be confirmed.

The ninja holding the Kunai looked at the captain and did not advance.

A long queue soon formed behind the checkpoint.

By the time Gen and the