Super Ninja

Training on how to protect valuable goods was essential for us, as it allowed us to master the best tactics for handling armed confrontations with bandits who might target the goods in our care. Our training covered both physical combat and strategic planning, both of which were vital for our demanding work.

When dealing with bandits who failed in their attempts, we had several options. With shinobi guarding the caravan, ordinary bandits had little chance of success. The first option was to capture them alive and deliver them to the city guards, avoiding unnecessary bloodshed while sending a strong message to other potential criminals. These captured bandits would then be sentenced to harsh labor, such as working in the mines—tasks that no one would willingly do for free. If a shinobi killed an ordinary person during a confrontation, public opinion often favored the shinobi, especially given the bandits' brutality and the dangers they posed.

If any of the bandits possessed shinobi skills or chakra, the situation would unfold differently, depending on the success of the defense. If such a person survived the battle, they would face even harsher punishment in the mines or be used as cannon fodder in the daimyo's army. The final and most dangerous group we could encounter were rogue ninjas, known as nukenin. Encounters with traitors were handled swiftly and decisively: capture, interrogation, and execution. These enemies were the most dangerous and unpredictable, requiring extra caution.

Although the likelihood of encountering nukenin was low due to their constant pursuit, we remained ever vigilant, fully aware of the threat they posed.

Our clients were already waiting for us at the Eastern Gate, eager to begin the journey. We had met them the day before, right after our training, to go over some details. The merchants from the Land of Iron and the Land of Waterfall were quite different from each other, yet they communicated easily and with a positive attitude. It was clear they had known each other for many years, which promised successful and productive cooperation.

The merchant from the Land of Iron was named Zoro Mugiwara. He was tall, fit, with long dark green hair, and he always carried a katana at his waist. He also wore gloves with metal inserts for protection—though I wasn't sure how effective they were, they certainly added to his readiness. Dressed in a simple kimono that exposed his hairy chest, he looked like a man prepared for battle at any moment.

The merchant from the Land of Waterfall was named Yuji Itadori. He was a short, stocky man with dark pink hair, and his broad frame made him appear almost boar-like. His small, slightly swollen eyes still revealed a shrewdness and a keen desire to swindle the unwary. With someone like him, extra caution was necessary. As soon as we sat down, he immediately tried to sell us clothing and shinobi tools, but we had to politely decline, explaining that our funds and resources were already committed to the important goals of our journey.

Captain Kyoichi led the discussion while we listened, taking it as an excellent example of how to converse with a client.

"Gentlemen," the captain addressed the merchants, "do you have any special requests for us?"

"Not really," Itadori sighed, "I just hope we won't face any long delays on the road."

The captain merely shrugged and remained silent, and no one else seemed inclined to speak.

On the day of our departure, we met with the clients and their caravan, who were ready to set off immediately. The first thing that caught our eye was the ten trade wagons, along with two additional wagons carrying stalls and other supplies. Besides us, the merchants were also accompanied by ordinary people who could still put up some resistance. Among them were two archers and two spearmen, adding more diversity to the defense.

The wagons, lined up in a long procession, were decorated with intricately carved wooden panels depicting scenes from ancient legends and myths. Gray oxen with strong, brown horns that gleamed slightly in the sunlight pulled the heavy wagons forward. Each wagon was loaded with various goods hidden under colorful coverings, with their sides adorned with multicolored curtains and hanging decorations.

The merchants, busy arranging their goods and preparing to depart, noticed us and greeted us with friendly nods, their faces lighting up with smiles of recognition. Among them was a boy, barely older than me, with wind-tangled hair and dust-covered clothes from his work. He ran to the first wagon, where an old man with a face thin and wrinkled like a dried apple was seated. The boy quickly whispered something in his ear, and after a moment's thought, the old man nodded and glanced in our direction.

"Yalla!" he suddenly shouted, energetically waving his hand forward.

At his command, the wagons, loaded with goods and covered in bright fabrics, began to move slowly. The wheels creaked at first, as if protesting from their long idle time, but soon turned confidently, kicking up clouds of dust as they rolled. We walked at the very end of the column, keeping pace with the last wagons, not falling behind even a step.

When we reached the village gates, the guards stopped us briefly. With serious, focused expressions, they checked the merchants' documents, carefully examining each one. A shinobi from the Hyuga clan, with his Byakugan activated and his eyes shining with an almost supernatural light, then scrutinized each of us, his gaze piercing as if seeing something invisible to the ordinary eye. After a brief but thorough inspection, he nodded, giving us the signal to proceed. We slowly began to exit the village, leaving behind its cozy, familiar walls, with new adventures and unexplored roads ahead of us.

Leaving the borders of Konoha, our path lay through lush forests that stood around the village like sentinels. The sun's rays barely penetrated the thick foliage of the tall trees, creating a play of light and shadow on the ground. The forest was full of life: the songs of birds blended with the rustling of leaves, and the air was filled with the light fragrances of blooming plants and fresh earth.

We moved slowly along a winding track, lined with various plants: from low-growing shrubs to majestic trees entwined with vines. Occasionally, bright spots of flowers peeked through the foliage, adding color to this green world. The clean, fresh air was filled with the smells of the forest, and each breath filled us with energy and freshness.

Picturesque views opened up before us: small streams crossing the path reflected the sun's rays, creating a play of light on the water's surface. Somewhere in the distance, the sound of a waterfall could be heard, and occasionally we encountered small clearings where the sunlight gently warmed the ground.

As we progressed, the landscape became more diverse: we passed through small hills covered with soft moss and rare flowers. In these areas, the forest became less dense, revealing open views of the surrounding area. In the distance, the outlines of mountains covered with a green carpet of forests could be seen.

There was no stop for lunch because the merchants wanted to cover as much distance as possible. For them, this was a primary imperative. The track we were moving along was quite crowded with various people: from ordinary travelers to shinobi teams who flew by incredibly fast on the upper paths, not even stepping onto the track itself.

As evening approached and darkness began to fall, we stopped at a small grove off the main track to rest. The trampled grass and numerous footprints indicated that this spot was a popular resting place for trade caravans.

"Inspect the surrounding area," Captain Kyoichi ordered.

"Hai," we responded in unison.

While the merchants attended to their tasks, our trio of genin spread out to survey the area, noting any interesting details. I discovered a small stash of shinobi weapons, sealed with a simple paper tag that read: "Use only in a critical situation. ANBU." Even if I had wanted to, I would never touch ANBU weapons unless it was truly an emergency. Finding nothing else of interest, I returned to the captain.

"Report," the captain said, sitting on a small stump.

"Captain," Shiko Yamanaka began, "I found a small empty hideout with bedding and supplies for a hidden life. There was also a note from ANBU."

"Good," the captain nodded, unsurprised. "Excellent. Next."

"I found a small packet with explosive and signal tags," Ayamane Nara reported. "Also from ANBU."

"Excellent," the captain grinned and turned his gaze to me. "And you, Suzuki?"

"I found a stash of cold weapons from ANBU," I replied calmly. "Nothing else of interest."

"Excellent work," the captain nodded with satisfaction. "You all found the ANBU hideout. Though… what kind of hideout is it if genin could find it, right?"

We nodded in agreement.

"The thing is, if you knew certain signs, you would have found these hideouts immediately without even searching," he explained. "I'll show you along the way how to spot and recognize such signs. My first lesson: look for things that seem too perfect on the path. Trees, bushes, or the arrangement of stones that are just a bit too orderly."

The twelve merchant wagons formed a semicircle, creating a protected space in the center. Within this semicircle, fires were lit, and simple but comfortable benches and tables were set up around them.

The oxen, tired from the long journey, were tied to trees on the edge of the camp and given fresh grass to eat. Some of the wagons were opened, and supplies of food and drinking water were brought out. The merchants and guards quickly set up the camp, each person efficiently performing their role in this well-coordinated operation.

As night fell, the fires blazed brightly, casting a warm glow on the faces of those gathered around. The warmth of the fire and the aromas of the evening meal created a cozy atmosphere. After dinner, Zoro Mugiwara, the tall man with dark green hair, began to tell a story that captivated everyone's attention.

"Many years ago, when I was trading in the Land of Grass, I heard an incredible legend," he began, his voice soft and mesmerizing. "They say that deep within these lands, there is a magical stone that possesses the power to grant immortality."

Faces around the fire lit up with interest and surprise. "They say this stone was created by ancient shinobi and is guarded by powerful protectors. Many have searched for it, but it remains part of the legend, always out of reach."

Zoro glanced around, savoring the attention from those gathered around the fire.

"Some think it's just an old tale," he continued, "but I've met people who passionately believed in the stone's existence. They claimed it not only grants immortality but also bestows great wisdom upon those who possess it."

The group exchanged glances, their eyes filled with curiosity.

"But," Zoro added, his voice taking on a mysterious edge, "they also say the stone is cursed. Those who seek immortality risk losing the most precious thing of all—their humanity."

Zoro's story sparked a lively discussion among the listeners. Many wondered if such a stone could truly exist and, if so, what secrets it might hold. The night wore on, filled with stories and myths, while the campfires flickered in the darkness, creating the illusion of a world where magic still lingered. These simple entertainments helped us pass the time.

"Captain," Shiko addressed our sensei, "could this story be true?"

"Zoro's story?" the captain asked.

"Yes," she nodded.

"Anything is possible," he shrugged. "There's too much we don't know about our world to dismiss something as 'impossible' or 'unrealistic.'"

"I see," she replied thoughtfully.

"Alright," the captain clapped his hands on his knees. "That's enough storytelling. It's time to assign the watches."

The three of us were assigned our watches, and the captain decided he wouldn't participate tonight.

"Suzuki, you'll take the first watch. Be vigilant. These forests can be treacherous," he said with a sly grin.

"Hai," I nodded, feeling a bit uneasy at the captain's reaction. I couldn't shake the feeling that he might set up some kind of test for us during the night, which would be far from pleasant.

"Shiko, you'll take the second watch," the captain continued, addressing Shiko Yamanaka, who nodded in agreement.

"And Ayamane, you'll take the last watch. Hopefully, you won't need to act, but be prepared for any surprises," the captain said, addressing Ayamane Nara. Once again, those subtle hints—my teammates noticed them too.

We confirmed the captain's assignments, fully aware that the safety and peace of the caravan during the night rested on our vigilance. Just because we were a day's journey from the village didn't mean we were entirely safe.

As the captain finished speaking, he retreated to his resting place. The night descended on the camp, with only the flickering fires lighting up the darkness. The girls also went to rest, still in their uniforms.

I started by patrolling the camp's perimeter, assessing the situation and listening to the sounds of the night forest. Though the night noises were soothing, I stayed alert, knowing that danger could be hidden in any rustle, especially if chakra beasts were lurking, eager to feast on human flesh.

Away from the campfires, in the shadows of the trees, I could only make out silhouettes and shadows dancing to the rhythm of the flickering light. Occasionally, I paused to listen, checking for signs of intruders or movement in the forest.

As my watch ended, I approached Shiko to hand over the duty. She was sound asleep, oblivious to the world around her. I nudged her gently but quickly stepped back as she swung her hand reflexively.

"Tsk," I muttered, watching as she came to her senses and lowered her eyes in embarrassment.

"Sorry," Shiko whispered, "Is it already my turn?"

"Yes," I nodded and quietly added, "Everything's calm, but stay vigilant."

Shiko nodded, and I handed over the watch, heading to my spot for some well-deserved rest. The night continued quietly, disturbed only by the rustling leaves and the crackling fire. Sleep came quickly and unexpectedly; I hadn't anticipated falling asleep so fast.

I woke up with the sunrise. The rays of morning light filtered through the leaves of the trees, painting the camp in soft shades of pink and gold. The air was fresh and cool, filled with the scents of morning dew and lingering campfire smoke.

Around, the morning bustle was already beginning. The merchants were waking up and going about their morning routines, preparing the wagons for a new day of travel. The sounds of birds chirping mixed with the voices of people and the noises of breakfast preparations.

Getting up from my bed, I stretched, feeling a slight stiffness in my muscles after the night watch. I approached the fire, where a kettle of water was already boiling, and poured myself a cup of aromatic tea. The warm morning promised a good day on the road. At least, I think so. The captain was already next to me, sipping hot tea and nibbling on some kind of sandwich.

Soon, I noticed Ayamane approaching us. She looked a bit tired but content.

"Everything was quiet," she reported, sitting down next to me by the fire. "No signs of trouble. Report over."

"Excellent," the captain grinned, taking a sip of tea.

"I hope today will be just as peaceful," I said, finishing my tea and quickly packing my travel bag.

The sensei only grunted at this but didn't comment further. After breakfast, Captain Kyoichi gathered all of us for a brief briefing. The wagons were almost ready to depart. The merchants were checking the last straps before we set off again.

"Today, we need to pass through a dense forest," he explained. "It may be more challenging to keep an eye on the wagons there, so stay vigilant. The chance of encountering chakra beasts is higher in this forest."

We all nodded in agreement and began preparing for the new day of travel. The wagons were loaded, the oxen harnessed, and soon the caravan was on the move. The forest around us grew thicker, and I felt each of us becoming more alert, ready for any surprises. I hope no trouble will come our way, and no chakra beasts will want to have a chat with us. But if that happens… there's nothing we can do. We'll fight.