July 9th, 39th Year of Konoha, 9 a.m.
The team departed from the Daimyō's capital.
The pace, however, was agonizingly slow.
Hoshita Shūichi glanced back at the leisurely palanquin and the six accompanying samurai, feeling slightly unaccustomed to the sluggish progress.
At this speed, how long will it take to reach the Land of Bears and return?
A month? Two months?
True to his thoughts, three uneventful days passed before the group finally arrived at the border of the Land of Fire.
Before entering the Land of Rain, Namikaze Minato issued a warning: "Stay alert once we cross into the Land of Rain. Shisui, you'll take point. Shūichi, guard the left flank. Sanyō, the right. I'll oversee the center."
Hoshita Shūichi and the others nodded in unison.
July 12th, 9 a.m.
The team officially entered the Land of Rain.
The six samurai accompanying the envoy remained close to the palanquin, while Hoshita Shūichi and his teammates fanned out. Namikaze Minato stayed in the middle, coordinating their movements.
Of course, this was also because Namikaze Minato possessed sensory abilities.
At regular intervals, he would expand his perception, covering a far wider range than Hoshita Shūichi and the others could manage.
It's raining.
Hoshita Shūichi looked up as droplets splashed against his face, starting as a light drizzle before quickly thickening into sheets that obscured his vision.
Following protocol, he immediately closed the distance between himself and the main group.
After another hour of travel, the downpour intensified, forcing the team to halt. They didn't resume their journey until around 2 p.m., when the rain finally let up.
Hoshita Shūichi remained on the left flank. Though clad in a raincoat, the dampness clinging to his clothes was deeply uncomfortable.
What miserable weather. Looks like it's about to pour again...
He glanced at the oppressive, leaden sky.
Sure enough, within half an hour, the rain returned, falling in a steady patter.
The team tightened their formation, but Hoshita Shūichi suddenly froze, his eyes locking onto a fleeting shadow in the storm.
Trouble...
He formed a hand sign, creating a shadow clone to report to Namikaze Minato.
Back with the main group, Namikaze Minato saw the clone and immediately pressed a finger to the ground, closing his eyes to sense their surroundings.
Watching the pose, Hoshita Shūichi couldn't help but admire it. So cool!
"One, two... eight in total. Two squads. They don't seem intent on attacking—just surveillance?"
After finishing his sweep, Namikaze Minato stood. "Shūichi, inform Shisui and Sanyō to stay vigilant. If the enemy doesn't engage, avoid contact."
"Understood!"
Hoshita Shūichi nodded and relayed the orders to Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sanyō.
This heightened alert persisted until nightfall, when the group reached a small town.
Despite their exhaustion, Hoshita Shūichi and the others remained on guard.
After dinner, Namikaze Minato assigned shifts: "Minato and Shisui will take the first watch. Shūichi and Sanyō, the second."
"Understood!"
The three acknowledged, and Hoshita Shūichi and Kurama Sanyō immediately went to rest. Within two minutes, both were in deep sleep—Hoshita Shūichi out of habit, and Kurama Sanyō by self-hypnosis.
At midnight, the two woke to relieve Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Shisui.
Thankfully, the night passed without incident.
By 5 a.m., Namikaze Minato took over again.
At 9 a.m., the team set out once more.
Within half an hour, the watchers reappeared.
During the midday break, Kurama Sanyō couldn't hold back his frustration. "These guys are annoying. Sensei, why don't we drive them off?"
Namikaze Minato shook his head. "That might be exactly what they want."
He then smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. Things should improve once we leave the Land of Rain."
As predicted, the watchers vanished after they exited the Land of Rain.
Hoshita Shūichi and the others exhaled in relief.
The mental strain of the past few days had left them more exhausted than any physical exertion.
Still, Hoshita Shūichi couldn't help but ponder the watchers' identity and motives.
The Land of Bears has always been under the Land of Earth's influence, making Iwa-nin the most likely culprits.
But Suna-nin could also be behind this.
Why just watch and not attack?
While Hoshita Shūichi mused, Kurama Sanyō voiced the same question to Namikaze Minato.
Namikaze Minato explained, "Regardless of who's behind it, if they're not trying to stop the envoy, then they're after intelligence."
Hoshita Shūichi interjected, "Which means we'll face real trouble on the return trip."
Kurama Sanyō clenched his fist. "Then we'll teach them a lesson!"
July 20th
The team finally arrived at the Land of Bears' capital. They split into two groups, taking turns guarding the Land of Fire's envoy.
Two uneventful days passed.
July 23rd
The team departed the Land of Bears, reaching the Land of Rain's border three days later.
Before re-entering, Namikaze Minato spoke gravely: "From here on out, we're in combat mode."
"The mission comes first—not eliminating enemies!"
Hoshita Shūichi and the others nodded firmly. "Understood!"
Namikaze Minato continued, "We'll divide into three teams: Shisui and Sanyō, you're Team A. Shūichi, you're Team B. I'm Team C."
"Team B's sole responsibility is protecting the envoy. Do not leave their side."
"Team A and C will handle any hostiles."
"If anyone is injured, fall back to Team B for treatment by Shūichi."
July 28th
The team officially re-entered the Land of Rain.
As expected, it wasn't long before Namikaze Minato detected enemy surveillance.
Within half an hour, figures appeared on both flanks, attempting to encircle them.
Namikaze Minato acted decisively. "Team B, advance with the envoy! Team A, engage the left flank!"
"Understood!"
Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sanyō moved out, while Namikaze Minato vanished to the right.
Hoshita Shūichi continued escorting the envoy forward.
Ten minutes later, Namikaze Minato and the others returned.
Uchiha Shisui reported immediately, "Sensei, they're trying to wear us down."
"These are minor mercenary groups from the Land of Rain—hired with bounty money."
Namikaze Minato nodded. He'd gleaned the same from the attackers.
"Which means more ambushes are coming. We'll adjust our plan."
He turned to Hoshita Shūichi. "From now on, the three teams will rotate engagements until the real enemy shows themselves."
Meeting Hoshita Shūichi's gaze, he asked, "Shūichi, any questions?"
Hoshita Shūichi shook his head. "None."
Namikaze Minato handed him and Uchiha Shisui each a specially marked kunai. "Shūichi, your task is to handle the left flank. If outmatched, focus on evasion and disruption."
"And whichever team remains behind—if a strong enemy breaches the perimeter, fire a signal flare!"
"Understood!"
With synchronized nods, Hoshita Shūichi channeled chakra into his feet and vanished from sight.
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