The team traveled through the Gobi Desert for a whole day. The afternoon sun was scorching, and even in winter, the exposed rocks and sand still emitted heat.
The camel bells of the caravan rang rhythmically, accompanied by the heavy breathing of the animals and the low conversations of the porters.
As the youngest Genin in the team, Shira naturally received extra attention from her teammates—especially from Asuka.
"Hey! Shira! Are you really eight years old? You look so tiny!"
Like a restless sparrow, Asuka, after completing a round of reconnaissance, wandered over to Shira's side, her eyes sparkling as she scrutinized him. "A Genin at eight years old? And you even completed A-Rank Mission? How did you train? Are your Taijutsu really that amazing?"
He fired off a barrage of questions, displaying the straightforwardness and curiosity typical of a young man. Although, in terms of ninja seniority, twelve-year-old Asuka was a senior, Shira's composed demeanor and legendary achievements clearly made it impossible for Asuka to treat him entirely as a junior.
"Senior Asuka," Shira replied politely, "I was just lucky to have encountered a strict teacher, and I didn't dare to slack off myself." He was indeed telling the truth.
"Don't call me 'senpai,' it's kind of embarrassing." Asuka scratched her head and chuckled. "I heard you're exceptionally skilled in Taijutsu, even the Jonin praised you? How about we spar when we get back to the village after this mission? I'm really fast!"
He was eager to try, clearly quite confident in his skills.
The Sasori beside him scoffed, " Asuka, save your breath. Your pathetic martial Taijutsu are just a hindrance."
Although he was teasing Asuka, his gaze would occasionally sweep over Shira, clearly showing some concern for this youngest but most famous teammate.
Sada silently wiped the joints of the puppet in his hand, as if he hadn't heard anything.
The Chunin the team, Reppu, walked slightly ahead without turning around, but was clearly listening to the conversation behind him.
Shira shook her head, her tone serious. "Senior Asuka, it's best to be cautious during the mission. Although it's only a B-rank escort, the journey is long and there are many variables. Conserving energy and staying vigilant should be our top priority."
Shira dared not be reckless again; it was best to play it safe.
"Okay, okay!" Asuka pouted, but didn't insist any further. With a swift movement, she ran to the flank of the group to scout, muttering to herself, "She's clearly younger than me, how come she's as mature as Uncle Reppu..."
Reppu then turned his head slightly and whispered to Shira, "Caution is a good thing. Asuka has good talent, but he's too impulsive and needs more training. Sada Sasori are puppeteers, skilled in mid-range control and traps, but close combat is their weakness. Your Taijutsu are the sharpest weapon in our team; we'll need you to turn the tide when necessary."
"Understood, Captain Reppu." Shira nodded. Reppu's arrangements were clear, with everyone fulfilling their responsibilities.
Meanwhile, deep within a wind-eroded rock forest about ten miles from the caravan's planned route.
Several figures gathered in a sheltered stone cave. The leader was a gaunt man with deep-set eyes and a cold, venomous gaze. He had a hideous scar on his face, running diagonally from his brow bone to the corner of his mouth; his code name was " Viper."
"Is the news confirmed?" Viper's voice was hoarse and unpleasant, like sand being rubbed together.
"Confirmed, boss." A short, agile man codenamed " Mandrill " licked his chapped lips. "It's definitely the ' Ship of the Desert ' caravan, fat sheep! Quite a lot of goods, looks like luxury goods and medicinal herbs heading towards the Land of Fire, very valuable!"
"Where are the guards?" another deep voice boomed. The speaker was a burly man, as big as a bear, with dark skin, carrying a huge iron hammer, codenamed " Giant Rock." He looked somewhat simple-minded, but the occasional flash of ferocity in his eyes proved that he was no benevolent person.
"Four Sunagakure, presumably led by a Chunin and three Genin. There's also a kid who's been peeking around in front, probably doing reconnaissance," Mandrill reported.
" Sunagakure ninja..." Viper narrowed his eyes, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the hilt of the poisoned Kunai at his waist. "A bit prickly. That Chunin looks tough. If we go head-to-head, even if we can take him down, we'll lose a few teeth. It's not worth it."
"What do we do now, boss? We can't let this easy prize slip through our fingers!" a skinny man with pockmarked face and greedy eyes cried out anxiously. He was " Vulture," skilled at picking up scraps and cleaning up the battlefield.
"What's the rush?" Viper gave him a cold glance. "We're not too far from Sunagakure, and they're on high alert. Once they reach ' Sawakuchi Town ' ahead to resupply and relax, then we can venture out a bit further... That's when our opportunity will come."
"What does the boss mean?" The Mandrill's eyes lit up.
"Their vigilance is lowest on their return journey, or after they've left the town some distance away," Viper chuckled hoarsely. " Giant Rock, take a few men to that ' Rolling Stone Gorge ' they'll inevitably pass through, and prepare some 'little gifts' beforehand."
"Don't use Explosive Tag, they'll ruin the cargo. Use more tripwires, traps, and your favorite 'rolling boulder greeting.' Mandrill, keep an eye on them and figure out when they enter and leave town."
"Hehe, alright! I'll make sure they get what's coming to them!" Giant Rock grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth, and stood up, carrying his sledgehammer.
"Everyone else, prepare lassos and tranquilizer arrows. I want the animals alive and the goods intact!" Viper's eyes gleamed with venom. " Sunagakure ninjas, avoid them if you can. If you can't, lure them into the Giant Rock trap and slowly grind them down!"
"Yes!" the group responded in hushed tones, quickly dispersing and disappearing into the shadows of the rocky forest, like real venomous snakes and jackals, beginning to set up a deadly hunting ground.
The caravan was completely unaware of this and continued to slowly make its way towards its destination for the day— Sawakuchi Town— under the guidance of Reppu.
The setting sun cast long shadows of them, and the outline of the town ahead appeared and disappeared in the twilight, like a tranquil oasis in the desert.
But beyond the oasis, on the road to Konoha, a crisis is quietly brewing.