There was indeed a very small chance that a supply convoy might encounter Iwagakure shinobi crossing the border.
However, in peacetime, raids deep behind enemy lines were rare.
Infiltration and espionage were the preferred methods.
This mission was considered one of the most dangerous C-rank assignments.
There was always the possibility that it could suddenly escalate into a B-rank or even an A-rank mission.
On top of that, there wasn’t much profit to be made.
Unlike missions to eliminate bandit groups, where they could usually divide up some of the recovered loot—as long as it wasn’t especially valuable—under the Jonin captain’s supervision.
Fortunately, nothing happened during the journey north.
The convoy arrived safely at its destination.
The Northern Fortress wasn’t actually a single fortress.
It was a massive wall stretching from east to west, blocking the route from the Land of Earth into the Land of Wind.
A defensive line like this couldn’t stop elite shinobi from crossing.
But it could effectively prevent large military forces and supply caravans from passing through.
The struggle between Iwagakure and Sunagakure along this defensive line had continued openly and secretly for decades.
The current commander of the fortress was a Jonin named Fuyi.
He was far from an ordinary shinobi.
As far as Daimaru knew, the largest political faction outside the direct control of the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, was led by Fuyi.
After the Third Kazekage disappeared, Fuyi had once been considered a candidate to become the Fourth Kazekage.
However, his political views failed to win the support of Chiyo and Ebizō.
Combined with Rasa’s superior strength—which made him better suited to lead Sunagakure into the war that had already become inevitable—Fuyi had no choice but to step aside.
In recent years, Fuyi had grown increasingly dissatisfied with Rasa’s policies.
In particular, he believed the sealing of One-Tail Shukaku was far inferior to that of the previous Jinchūriki, Bunpuku.
Gaara’s frequent loss of control filled him with anger, leading him to believe that Rasa was putting family above the village.
If the One-Tail’s seal had proven to be such a failure…
…then the Jinchūriki should have been replaced immediately.
As Kazekage, Rasa ought to have prioritized the lives of the entire village instead of hesitating simply because the vessel was his youngest son.
Unfortunately for Fuyi…
…with Chiyo and Ebizō firmly backing Rasa, the Kazekage’s position was unshakable.
Left with no other option, Fuyi had effectively exiled himself to guard the northern gate of the Land of Wind.
After arriving at the Northern Fortress, Team Otokaze rested briefly before beginning their rather monotonous patrol duties.
Their captain, Otokaze, however…
…seemed to have other business here.
“Lord Fuyi.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Senior Baki has rejected your proposal.”
“I see…”
Fuyi’s face was stern and dignified, carrying an air of authority without anger.
He wore a plain robe that was elegant yet solemn, completely free of unnecessary decoration.
“Has Baki also been won over by Rasa?”
“The Kazekage entrusted all three of his children to him.”
“It seems Rasa has spared no effort in drawing him to his side.”
Otokaze bowed slightly.
“Lord Baki and the Fourth Kazekage are both decisive men.”
“They simply have different views from yours.”
“Perhaps.”
Fuyi looked out into the distance.
On one side of the wall stretched an endless sea of sand.
On the other rolled countless hills.
The border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth lay right here.
“Even stationed all the way up north, I’ve heard certain rumors.”
“They say Baki and the Fourth Kazekage have been dealing with mysterious outsiders.”
“Do you know anything about it?”
Otokaze shook his head.
“Neither the Fourth Kazekage nor Senior Baki has mentioned it to me.” This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“Perhaps…”
“…the time they have been waiting for has finally arrived.”
Fuyi nodded faintly.
The fact that they had hidden everything from almost everyone suggested whatever came next would be significant.
There was no personal grudge between Fuyi and Rasa.
Their conflict was purely over Sunagakure’s overall direction.
Rasa believed they should wait patiently for the right opportunity.
Fuyi believed domestic problems had to be resolved before confronting external enemies.
Neither believed he was wrong.
“Should I continue investigating the Fourth Kazekage’s plans?”
“No.”
“Set those thoughts aside for now.”
“The Fourth Kazekage is still the Kazekage.”
“Even I must obey his orders.”
“Yes, Lord Fuyi.”
Otokaze departed.
Only the cold wind blowing south from the northern lands remained, brushing across Fuyi’s face.
“So…”
“Has the time finally come to risk everything for the village’s survival once again?”
…
By midday, the desert of the Land of Wind had already become scorching hot.
Meanwhile, snow in the northern Land of Earth probably hadn’t even fully melted.
Everyone was busy during this season.
As a result, the Northern Fortress itself remained relatively quiet.
With Otokaze absent…
Daimaru leaned against the battlements, enjoying the cool breeze.
Chi sat on a stone bench with her eyes closed, resting.
Yome stood atop the parapet, gazing into the distance.
Perhaps she simply wanted to feel a little taller.
“So boring…”
“When’s the next shift change?”
Daimaru yawned.
Truthfully, completing the mission peacefully wasn’t a bad thing.
It just delayed his training.
“Stay alert during the mission.”
“It won’t look good if someone sees you like that.”
No one knew what Yome was staring at so intently.
At this time of day…
…other than inside the fortress itself…
…they probably wouldn’t see another person for dozens of kilometers.
“I know.”
“You should take a break too, Yome.”
“Your eyesight is excellent.”
“That means you need to take even better care of it.”
“If you keep staring into the distance all day, you’ll end up nearsighted sooner or later.”
“I am not going to become nearsighted!”
Yome jumped down energetically.
“This is training too.”
“If my eyes gather more information than my brain can process…”
“…that’ll become a problem.”
“Rest is also part of training.”
“That burns too much energy.”
“Maybe that’s why your growth is stunted.”
“No wonder you’re so short.”
“You’re making things up again.”
Yome had more or less grown used to Daimaru’s teasing.
“Oh, right.”
“Daimaru.”
“How did you know Shira?”
“Before we left, he kept asking me to thank you properly.”
Daimaru waved his hand dismissively.
“No need.”
“Lady Saya already paid me.”
“To you it might have been a small favor.”
“But to Shira…”
“…it was a kindness he’ll remember for the rest of his life.”
“That’s a bit exaggerated.”
“Once he fully masters that ‘Seven-Day Breathing Method’ of his…”
“…people will naturally notice his talent.”
“You don’t really think everyone in the village is blind, do you?”
“You even know about that?”
“I actually considered asking him to teach me taijutsu.”
“That Seven-Day Breathing Method is pretty incredible.”
“But you gave up?”
“Yeah.”
“My aptitude’s too poor.”
“I couldn’t learn it.”
“There you go joking again.”
“Maybe.”
Daimaru didn’t explain any further.
Not just anyone could master either the Eight Gates…
…or the Seven-Day Breathing Method.
The difficulty of those secret arts was extraordinarily high.
The vast majority of shinobi simply weren’t physically suited to endure that level of training.
If they forced it…
…they would either die…
…or end up crippled.
Even the taijutsu prodigy Neji Hyuga couldn’t open the First Gate.
Kakashi Hatake could only progress as far as the Front Lotus before reaching his limit.
Did people really think those two taijutsu systems had been created for shinobi with poor ninjutsu talent?
What nonsense.
Might Duy.
Might Guy.
Rock Lee.
Shira.
Their extraordinary physiques were gifts bestowed by nature.
Too many shinobi pursued mastery in every field…
…only to become mediocre at everything.
Daimaru knew his own limits.
Trying to defy nature…
…wasn’t a road he intended to walk.
(End of Chapter)
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