The squad set out from Konoha.
At first, Kobayashi Takeshi and Satō Yū could barely contain their excitement, craning their necks at the scenery so different from what they saw inside the Village, but after a few hours the thrill was replaced by the monotony and fatigue of a long march.
In the afternoon the column halted for a breather beside a tree-lined road.
Yamato gathered his three subordinates.
"How does your first mission outside the Village feel?"
Kobayashi flexed an ankle. "Not bad—just a bit duller than I expected."
Satō Yū silently regulated her breathing and nodded to show she could hold out.
Tejima Shinichi answered with typical brevity: "No problem."
Yamato nodded and, true to his role as Jonin Instructor, began:
"This is an escort mission, not a forced march; we have to match the pace of the merchants and the pack-horses." He pointed to the caravan watering its animals. "At this rate it will take at least two days to reach the border village of Cha."
Satō Yū's face showed surprise: "That long?"
"Mm," Yamato confirmed. "So learning to preserve stamina and stay alert on a long trek is basic for this kind of assignment. When we reach Hozumi Village we won't rush straight after the bandits; we'll first collect solid intel—numbers, rough strength, movement patterns, likely hide-outs. Blind action is the worst move."
All three listened carefully, committing his words to memory.
Tejima Shinichi, however, was not surprised by the time estimate.
He recalled Team 7's first mission to the Land of Waves, escorting the Bridge-Builder Tazuna at an ordinary pace; that trip had taken days round-trip.
By that yardstick, two days to the eastern border was reasonable.
The conclusion made Shinichi quietly shake his head.
The Ninja world was neither small —each great country sprawled wide and war was constant —nor, when he thought about it, particularly large.
Ordinary folk could cross a national border after only a day or two on foot; such geography bore no resemblance to the "countries" he remembered from his previous life.
So tiny a map, yet so full of strife and hatred —there was grim irony in it.
"Especially you, Shinichi."
Yamato's gaze suddenly locked onto him in warning.
Kobayashi and Satō looked over, puzzled why he'd been singled out.
Yamato went on: "I know you've just acquired a new Ninjutsu and are eager to master it. Wanting power is fine, but a Ninja's first duty on a mission is to keep himself and the team safe."
"Using Shadow Clones to train while we march —especially with a high-level Water Release like 'Water Release: Hard Water Whirlblade' that demands precise Chakra control —is inefficient and constantly drains your mind and reserves. If we're ambushed while you're tired or distracted, one slow reaction could be fatal."
Clearly Shinichi's little roadside practice had not escaped Yamato's eye.
Shinichi offered no argument; he simply nodded. "Understood, Yamato-sensei. I'll be careful."
Just then the caravan chief, Heikichi, came over with a water-flask and an ingratiating smile.
"Honoured Ninja, thank you for your hard work." After the polite opener he smoothly continued, having plainly overheard Yamato's lecture. "What Lord Yamato says is so true —information is vital! Speaking of those cursed mountain bandits, alas…"
The smile vanished, replaced by fear and anger.
"Those beasts aren't human!"
Heikichi began to describe them:
"They've been holed up in the hills near Hozumi for a while. At first they only demanded road tax, but their appetites grew and they started raiding the village outright!"
"Last month they even—" his voice cracked with dread and fury, "they killed! Anyone who resisted was cut down… they torched a dozen houses! Demons, every last one!"
"Their leader's a scar-faced brute, a ronin from some other country, ruthless beyond words. He's gathered a dozen vicious followers… our village militia clashed with them twice and lost men both times…"
"Left with no choice, we scraped together the money and posted the mission!"
Kobayashi's fists clenched in outrage: "Scum! Picking on helpless folk like that!"
Satō Yū's brows knit tight, disgust flashing in her eyes.
Shinichi listened quietly, his gaze occasionally drifting to Heikichi's flushed, slightly over-animated face and the embellished details in his tale.
Yamato spoke up, steadying their emotions and steering the talk back on course:
"We have the general picture. Thank you, Heikichi. We'll decide on action only after we reach the village and gather firmer intelligence."
Heikichi bobbed his head. "Yes, yes, whatever the lords think best!"
Rest over, the column moved on… two uneventful, watchful days passed.
When the sun dyed the sky orange for the second evening, the outline of a village built against a mountain finally appeared ahead.
Low earthen houses clustered together, cook-smoke curling upward in secluded peace.
"We're here —that's Hozumi ahead."
Heikichi pointed, relief shining on his face.
The caravan rolled through the gate; villagers, forewarned, emerged and lined the street.
Curiosity filled their eyes, but mostly hope —yet when they saw Yamato and Team One at the head, murmurs rose.
"Are those the ones?"
"They look… so young…"
"The masked one seems steady enough…"
Shinichi swept his gaze across them.
Most were gaunt, plainly dressed, hope mingled with doubt in their expressions.
He could almost hear their unspoken reservation —too young.
Sensing the mood, Heikichi leapt from the wagon and introduced them warmly:
"These are the Ninja I fetched from Konoha! Lord Yamato, Jonin in command! These three are his crack subordinates! With them here, the bandits' days are numbered —we'll win our village back!"
His fervent words eased the villagers' anxiety.
A white-bearded elder leaning on a cane stepped forward and bowed deeply to Yamato:
"I am the headman of Hozumi. On behalf of the village, thank you for coming all this way."
Yamato returned the bow:
"It's our duty. Once we're settled, please fill us in on the details."
Heikichi hastily added:
"We've prepared simple quarters and food. The village is poor; I hope you won't mind."
He bustled ahead to lead them to the communal hall.
As Heikichi pressed on, Yamato raised a hand to stop him.
"No need." His calm voice cut off further arrangements. "The escort phase is complete. We're grateful, but this isn't the time to rest."
He looked to the old headman:
"News of our arrival has likely reached the bandits. Learning Konoha Ninja are involved, they'll either tighten guard, pull out… or, in desperation, strike even harder."
The villagers paled and straightened nervously.
Yamato continued:
"We must scout at once —seize the initiative before they move."
The headman stepped forward and bowed once more.
"Then… we entrust the village entirely to you, honoured Ninja!"