Rasa leaned forward slightly, his gaze sweeping over the four people before finally settling on Shira: "The leader of the Land of Snow, Kazahana Dōtō, has been developing a special kind of Chakra Armor in recent years."
"Based on scattered intelligence, this armor can greatly enhance the wearer's offensive and defensive capabilities, and may even give ordinary soldiers the strength to rival Chunin and Special Jōnin."
At this point, Rasa paused, then continued slowly, "More importantly, its method of utilizing Chakra may have some potential complementary or inspirational value to our Sunagakure Puppet Technique in terms of external energy manipulation and amplification."
Shira instantly understood Rasa's intentions. Escorting the princess and assessing the situation were secondary; what this Kazekage was truly after was the Land of Snow's Chakra Armor technology!
He wanted to take advantage of this mission to try to access or even acquire this technology in order to enhance the military strength of Sunagakure, especially the combat power of its puppet troops.
" The Land of Snow is now a land of Kazahana Dōtō; its Chakra Armor troops are heavily guarded, and their technology is undoubtedly protected with great care."
Baki added seriously, "Your second task is to gather as much intelligence as possible about the Chakra Armor, assessing its technical principles, combat effectiveness, and weaknesses, while ensuring the escort mission is completed."
"If the opportunity arises, under the premise of absolutely not revealing our identities, causing diplomatic conflict, or jeopardizing our main mission, we may try to obtain more specific samples or data. But this will be a priority after ensuring our safe escort, understand?"
"Yes!" the four replied in unison, their expressions turning serious. This was no longer a simple escort mission, but a mixed mission involving covert reconnaissance, which greatly increased the danger and complexity.
" Shira,"
Rasa looked at him. "You are the captain, and the only official Jonin. How to coordinate with Konoha, how to navigate the complex situation in the Land of Snow, and how to find opportunities while ensuring the main mission—all of these are decisions you must make on the spot."
"Remember, safety comes first, mission second. If things become impossible, bringing the team back is the priority."
"Understood," Shira replied in a deep voice. At the same time, she secretly wondered what had changed about Rasa.
Rasa continued, "You have two days to prepare. The Land of Snow has a frigid climate, and its environment is completely different from the Land of Wind. Request the necessary supplies from the Logistics Department."
"Two days later, at dawn, gather at the village entrance and depart for ' Sea Roar Port ' on the east coast to meet up with the people from Konoha and the client. Then, take a boat to the Land of Snow." Rasa gave the final instructions.
"Yes!"
Leaving the Kazekage Building, the afternoon sun was still blazing, making the streets of Sunagakure shine white.
The four of them walked into the shadow of a building and stopped for a moment.
Faint shouts could be heard from the training ground in the distance, and further away, the hazy, gray-yellow streets of Sunagakure swayed slightly in the heat. Some civilians were silently busy under the scorching sun, carrying goods or dragging buckets.
" Chakra Armor, huh?" Ishikawa broke the silence first, rubbing his chin, his face showing that interested expression again.
"Sounds pretty exciting. If we can actually get some information out of it, maybe we can upgrade the village's puppets? But then again, that General Kazahana Dōtō is not someone to be trifled with. We've gone into the lion's den and now we have to keep an eye on Wolf Fang."
Shūji didn't respond to Ishikawa's comment about technology. He gazed at the sparse figures working in the heat, then at the towering silhouette of the Kazekage Building in the distance. Suddenly, he spoke softly, as if to himself, yet also as if addressing Shira beside him. "Captain, look at them."
Shira followed his gaze.
"Working from morning till night, all for a bite of dry rations that's not so tough, or a bag of clean water. A border skirmish, a mission conflict, could make even that impossible."
Shūji's voice was soft, but each word was enunciated clearly. His usually bright eyes reflected not flames, but a heavy weight.
"Now, the ninjas of Sunagakure have become much stronger. The Lord Kazekage and all our comrades are working tirelessly for the survival and prosperity of the village."
"That's true. But what is the purpose of becoming strong? Is it merely to become even stronger, to avoid falling behind in the struggles with other great powers?"
He turned to look at Shira, his eyes clear. "I don't think so. Or rather, it shouldn't be. Ninjas possess power, and the prosperity of the village should ultimately be so that people like them can ensure that everyone living in Sunagakure doesn't have to worry about war and death every day, can have a peaceful meal, wear warm clothes, have children grow up safely, and have the elderly live out their days in peace."
"Power should be used to build and protect such a life, not merely for fighting and destroying."
These words made Ishikawa blink, his usual nonchalant expression vanish, and he carefully examined Shūji before remaining silent.
Maki glanced sideways, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
Shira was startled and looked at Shūji in surprise.
Huh? Budu! Hagiwara, you bastard...
This ideology, rooted in the "people" and emphasizing individual happiness and peaceful life, is particularly relevant in today's Shinobi World, where family, village, and national interests reign supreme, and where hatred and armed conflict are rampant.
Especially in the resource-scarce and fiercely competitive Sunagakure, they are truly anomalies, and some are even dangerously naive.
But isn't this precisely the direction he subconsciously accepts from another world? It's just that he has rarely expressed it so clearly and directly in this world.
"A very unique idea, Shūji."
Shira didn't immediately judge right or wrong, but looked at him seriously. "To many people, this might seem too idealistic. The rules of the ninja world have always been cruel."
I know it's ideal, and I know it's difficult.
Shūji straightened his back even more, and raised his voice a little, with a hint of stubbornness, "Just because it's difficult, does that mean we shouldn't think about it or do it?"
"If you see something wrong, see innocent people suffering, and then turn away and pretend you didn't see it because 'it's always been this way' or 'the rules are cruel,' what's the point of having power? Is it just to become a part of the rules, or even an accomplice?"
The more he spoke, the brighter his eyes became, and the flame within them ignited again, burning even more intensely than before. "My home is on the outskirts of the village. My neighbor, Brother Atetsu, watched me grow up. He's not some powerful ninja, just an ordinary Chunin who usually does patrol and escort missions."
"He took good care of us neighborhood kids. When he came back from missions, he would sometimes bring us some interesting little trinkets from outside the village. He often said that once he had saved enough money, he would try to open a small shop in the village and live a peaceful life."
Shūji's voice lowered, tinged with a barely perceptible sob. "Four years ago, during a routine border patrol mission, we encountered a squad from Iwagakure."
As Shūji spoke, Shira suddenly perked up her ears. Four years ago? The border? Iwagakure? Hiss... Isn't this exactly the event she experienced...?
Ignoring Shira's stunned expression, Shūji continued, "Back then, he covered the retreat of an injured Genin in his team, Atetsu- san didn't make it back. When his body was brought back, he was almost unrecognizable."
"His elderly mother lived alone and fainted several times from crying. Eventually, she nearly went blind from crying, barely surviving on meager village pensions and the help of neighbors."
He looked up at Shira, his eyes slightly red. " Atetsu didn't want to be a hero, he just wanted to live a good life and make his mother's life better. But even that small wish was gone in that conflict."
" Sunagakure is vast, and it's become much stronger now, but the pain and loss of these small, specific people are also very real. I don't want the people I know in the future, or the people I will protect in the future, to have to go through these things."
He took a deep breath, as if making some kind of decision, and uttered a sentence that instantly stunned Shira, making her hold her breath:
"Captain, I think good and evil are like light and shadow. Where there is light, there is shadow; where justice exists, evil will inevitably exist as well. They are interdependent, and the struggle will never cease. Therefore, evil may never be 'completely' eradicated."
He paused for a moment, his gaze sharp as a drawn sword.
"But precisely because the friction between good and evil is eternal and inevitable, those of us who consider ourselves to be on the side of good have even less reason to compromise with evil! Every concession, every hesitation and indulgence arising from the inability to eradicate evil, prolongs the pain inflicted by evil and betrays those who believe in the light and yearn for the light!"
"Compromise will not bring peace; it will only make the shadows longer and darker. Faced with an evil that must be fought, all we can do, and the only thing we should do, is to fight to the end, again and again, until we can no longer stand up!"
After the words were spoken, silence fell over the small shadowy area.
Only the distant, indistinct sounds of daily life and the mournful whistling of the wind against the rock face could be heard.
Ishikawa opened his mouth, then forgot to close it, as if he were truly getting to know this young companion for the first time (even though they had only known each other for a short time).
Maki stared at Shūji, his eyes filled with complex emotions, a sense of unease beneath.
Shira stunned, her heart filled with turmoil.
Could it be? Did I just run into someone from my hometown?
He traveled to the present day and witnessed the competition at the Ninja Academy, the cruelty of missions, the scheming of the higher-ups, and the pure, burning youth of people like Guy and Rock Lee, as well as the loneliness of people like Gaara struggling to survive.
But this was the first time he had encountered someone like Shūji, who articulated his fighting principles so clearly, firmly, and even with a touch of philosophical speculation, elevating "justice" and "never compromise" to such a principled level.
This is not merely passion; it is an almost religious conviction. Especially in the Shinobi World, where "chains of hatred" are the norm, the relationships between major powers are complex and delicate, and compromise and scheming are ubiquitous, this ideology appears exceptionally pure, exceptionally dazzling, and even somewhat glaring.
But Shira could not refute it. Because deep within his heart, a fragment of his soul from another world, something called "original intention," resonated faintly.
He knew how difficult and dangerous this path was, almost a tragic idealism. But he also knew that if he didn't even dare to think about it or speak about it, then the world would truly be left with only the eternal law of the dark forest.
After several seconds, Shira slowly exhaled. He looked into Shūji's eyes, which burned with unwavering faith, and nodded very seriously and solemnly.
"I understand your thoughts." Shira's voice was steady, without perfunctory remarks or lecturing, only an equal exchange.
"This road will be extremely difficult, so difficult that you may never see the end, and you may even have to pay a price you can't imagine. You will be ridiculed, isolated, and battered by reality."
Shūji pursed his lips, already prepared to be reprimanded or criticized.
But what Shira said next made him widen his eyes in surprise.
"But," Shira's tone shifted, her gaze like a deep pool, clearly reflecting Shūji's figure, "Your direction is not wrong. At least, I don't think it's wrong. To protect those who deserve protection, to reduce suffering and oppression, to increase justice and hope—if this isn't right, then what is?"
He patted Shūji on the shoulder, the touch light but carrying a sense of approval. "Remember what you said today, Comrade Shūji. Then, use your eyes, your mind, your strength to see, to think, to judge what is truly the 'evil' that needs to be fought against, and what is the 'good' worth protecting."
"Having ideals alone will only lead to a harder fall; you need matching wisdom, strength, and unwavering will. This mission to the Land of Snow is just the beginning. Use your eyes to see clearly everything that is happening there."
Shūji was stunned. He had anticipated all sorts of reactions, but he hadn't expected such a direct and firm affirmation.
An indescribable surge of heat rushed from his heart throughout his body, making his nose tingle and his eyes feel hot.
He blinked hard, forcing back the dampness, his chest heaving violently. Then, he nodded heavily, his voice choked with emotion, as he looked at Shira.
"Yes, Captain! I... I've got it!"
He looked at Shira, his eyes now holding not only the respect he had shown before, but also a bright light, as if he had found a kindred spirit.
He felt that the words he had kept inside, the thoughts that others might have found naive and laughable, had finally found someone who could understand and even affirm them.
This sense of recognition is more precious to him than any reward.
Maki watched this scene, a gentle smile curving his lips. Ishikawa, stroking his chin, muttered, "Goodness, now we have more than one weirdo in our team."
His tone didn't show any displeasure; on the contrary, it seemed to indicate a bit of amusement.
Maki smiled and said, " Pakura- sensei used to say that the future of Sunagakure requires a constant influx of truly outstanding new blood."
"Seeing everyone like this now, she must be very gratified." She saw everything before her as a kind of solace, for herself, and perhaps also as a tribute to her deceased teacher.
The men smiled and nodded at her, saying nothing more.
Shira then turned to Ishikawa and Shūji: "Alright everyone, let's get back to the main topic. Our mission this time is in a special environment. Ishikawa, your sensory abilities may be affected by the low temperatures in the snow, so prepare contingency plans in advance, including multiple communication and early warning systems."
" Shūji, your fire and water attributes might be surprisingly effective in the Land of Snow, but you also need to be careful about Chakra control in extreme environments."
" Maki, Sealing Jutsu may need to handle various situations, including potential energy seals, traps, and even the temporary sealing of valuable items. Please be sure to prepare thoroughly."
"Understood." "I understand." "I'll be ready." The three responded in turn.
"Everyone, get ready. Cold-weather clothing, snow gear, high-energy food, medicine, and specialized ninja tools. Check the list with the logistics department and make sure everything is complete."
"Two days from now, at the village entrance in the early morning, everyone remember to bring any critical supplies," Shira instructed finally, her tone carrying the decisiveness of a team leader.
"Yes!" the three responded, then dispersed, each heading to the logistics department or their own quarters to begin intensive preparations.
Shira did not leave immediately. He walked to the edge of a secluded watchtower, took out the copy of the Shinobi World world map from his pocket, his gaze fell on " Sea Roar Port " on the east coast, and then followed the virtual route northward, eventually arriving at that snow-covered country.
The Land of Snow, Fujikaze Yukie, Kazahana Koyuki, Asama Sandayu, Kazahana Dōtō's Raging Waves, Chakra Armor, Rainbow Ice Wall, Geothermal Generator, and Konoha's Team 7.
Good heavens, there are so many celestial beings here!
All the clues and names intertwined in her mind. Shira vaguely remembered the plot of this theatrical version; it was a story of danger followed by a happy ending.
But now, the intervention of Sunagakure Rasa's covetousness of Chakra Armor technology have become new variables.
The general direction may not change, but the details and dangers involved will likely exceed the scope of the original plot.
Shira put away the map and looked at the scene of Sunagakure, which was slightly distorted by the heat wave.
Two days later, they will leave this familiar, scorching, windswept land and head to that icy, turbulent Land of Snow.
"Be extra cautious," he muttered to himself, turning and walking down from the watchtower.
Two days flew by in the midst of intense preparations.