In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen was smoking and handling paperwork as usual. Seeing Shuji enter, he wasted no time on pleasantries and got straight to the point:
"Your squad-building work has been excellent, and your recent coordination looks good." The Third Hokage's voice carried a note of approval as his gaze settled on Shuji's face. "In your judgment, are you ready for missions?"
"Mitarashi Anko's mental state has largely recovered," Shuji answered cautiously. "Therefore, my assessment is that this squad can handle B-rank missions." He deliberately emphasized "B-rank"—for their first official mission, he needed to give the team some buffer space and didn't want the village to immediately throw them a hot potato.
The wrinkles around Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes twitched almost imperceptibly. The previous Shuji had been more direct and aggressive in his approach, rarely showing this kind of almost "weakness"-like caution regarding mission difficulty. Was it the shadow of his last severe injury and loss of teammates? Or was it because of that sensitive eight-year-old Uchiha on the team? Or perhaps... The stray thoughts flashed by without affecting his actions.
"Mm." The Third acknowledged, precisely extracting one scroll from a stack on his desk. With a flick of his wrist, the scroll traced an arc through the air and landed in Shuji's hands. "B-rank mission: escort a merchant caravan to Degarashi Port."
An escort mission? Classified as B-rank meant the core risk lay in the possibility of combat with ninja. Shuji took the scroll, untied the binding cord, and quickly scanned the neat writing.
Client: Hiroyama Makoto
Profession: Cloth merchant
Cargo: A batch of Fire Country premium fabrics
Destination: Degarashi Port
Mission Rank: B
The content itself was clear and concise, appearing to be an ordinary cross-border commercial escort. But the B-rank classification was the biggest warning sign.
Degarashi Port was located on the coastline of the Fire Country's southwest corner, nominally belonging to the Tea Country—a nation with quite unique geography.
The Tea Country possessed two disconnected enclaves on the continental landmass, embedded in the southwest and southeast corners of Fire Country territory respectively, separated by vast Fire Country lands.
Additionally, it owned two large offshore islands: Nazaki and Ōuzu. Its total territorial area even exceeded that of Water Country.
However, Tea Country had no hidden village.
Its unique geographical position (only bordering Fire Country by land) and its reality of lacking military power made it essentially a stable mission preserve for Konoha Hidden Village, with nearly all important domestic commissions flowing to Konoha.
Hiroyama Makoto's caravan was currently stationed at Nanshu Station south of Konoha village. Traveling from Fire Country's heartland to Degarashi Port in Tea Country—both within Konoha's sphere of influence—yet facing risks of encountering ninja?
Shuji looked up, gazing calmly at the Third: "Does this mission have other objectives?" The escort risk alone wouldn't support a B-rank classification; there must be unstated additional factors.
"Quite perceptive." Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't surprised. He took a draw from his pipe, the exhaled smoke briefly obscuring his expression. "Near Degarashi Port, a group of rogue ninja has emerged recently—quite troublesome."
"Understood." Shuji nodded; this explanation made sense. "Does the village have detailed intelligence on these rogues?"
"A five-person team," the Third retrieved two thinner scrolls from his drawer and placed them on the desk, "calling themselves the 'Black Erosion Group.' Their movements are mysterious, and they've mastered some rather sinister secret techniques—not easy opponents." He pushed the two scrolls forward. "For this mission, besides ensuring Hiroyama-san's caravan safely reaches Degarashi Port, I hope your squad can investigate this 'Black Erosion Group's' background."
He pointed to the two scrolls: "A-rank mission: expel or annihilate the Black Erosion Group; B-rank mission: reconnaissance and gather detailed intelligence. You may judge and choose which to complete based on your squad's actual situation locally." He paused. "If after on-site assessment you deem the risk too high and beyond your capabilities, you're permitted to complete only the core caravan escort mission and return safely."
"Additionally," Sarutobi Hiruzen added, "your squad number will continue using your previous Fifth Squad designation."
Shuji's gaze lingered momentarily on the scroll cover marked "Fifth Squad"—the squad number of his predecessor's unit that had once fought side by side at the border, ultimately leaving only him to escape with intelligence... He silently collected the two scrolls detailing the Black Erosion Group mission as well.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up, walked around his large desk to Shuji's side. He extended his hand, patting Shuji's shoulder in a consoling manner, though his gaze turned toward the busy scene of Konoha outside the window, his voice lowering: "Tea Country's commission quota is crucial to the village's current finances—there can be no failures." He withdrew his hand, his tone tinged with helplessness. "The Cloud delegation will arrive soon, and personnel deployment within the village is tight. Both ANBU and regular forces must prioritize ensuring the delegation's safety and peace negotiations... I can only trouble your Fifth Squad to go check the situation at Degarashi Port first."
Shuji nodded slightly, showing no excess emotion on his face: "Yes, Lord Hokage."
He collected the three scrolls and turned to leave the Hokage's office. The heavy wooden door closed behind him, blocking out the tobacco scent and that weighty entrustment. The corridor lighting was somewhat dim, and Shuji's steps were steady, though his mind was already racing through calculations.
Black Erosion Group... rogue ninja... investigation or even expulsion... The mission difficulty was clearly substantial. Itachi's genius was limited by age and stamina, and while Anko's condition had recovered, she hadn't returned to peak form. Their first official mission involving dual objectives in an area with potentially strong enemies—the risk factor skyrocketed.
But the Hokage's meaning was also clear: over the past decade, the village had only been stable for one year during Konoha years 50-51. No matter how wealthy Konoha was, financial pressure was significant, and Tea Country couldn't be abandoned.
"Fifth Squad..." Shuji murmured the reactivated number, memories surging up. Though not personally experienced, they still left Shuji with complex feelings.
Taking a deep breath and suppressing his wandering thoughts, Shuji quickened his pace toward the Third Training Field. It was time to prepare for Fifth Squad's new journey.
At the training field, the sunlight was becoming scorching. Anko was repeatedly practicing Hidden Shadow Snake Hand attack angles against a reinforced wooden post, sweat soaking the back of her dark purple coat, but her eyes remained focused. Itachi sat in meditation on nearby open ground, seemingly repeatedly simulating some chakra manipulation technique.
Seeing Shuji return, Anko stopped her movements, wiped away sweat, and asked with anticipation: "Captain, what did the old Hokage... cough, Lord Hokage want with you? Is there a big mission?" Her eyes showed eagerness—the recent days of training had clearly helped her regain some of her form.
Itachi also opened his eyes, quietly looking toward Shuji.
Shuji walked to the center of the field and spread the three scrolls on the sandy ground. "B-rank mission: escort a cloth merchant caravan to Degarashi Port in Tea Country." He pointed to the core mission scroll, speaking concisely.
"Degarashi Port?" Anko raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that place pretty peaceful? B-rank? Are ninja from other countries planning to cause trouble on the road?"
"Peaceful was before." Shuji's voice was calm. "Now, a group of rogue ninja calling themselves the 'Black Erosion Group' has appeared near Degarashi Port. They've mastered secret techniques, act mysteriously, and threaten the trade routes." He pointed to the other two scrolls. "Additional missions: investigate Black Erosion Group intelligence (B-rank), or depending on circumstances, expel or even annihilate them (A-rank)."
Anko gasped: "A-rank?! Playing this big on our first mission?"
"Lord Hokage gave us the choice." Shuji emphasized. "Priority is ensuring the caravan safely arrives. Investigation and expulsion depend on what we learn locally and our own condition." His gaze swept over both of them. "The mission risk isn't small—our opponents are rogue ninja with unknown intelligence, so we must be careful."
He paused, voice steady: "Fifth Squad's objectives: First, ensure Hiroyama Makoto's caravan reaches Degarashi Port without a scratch. Second, within the premise of not endangering our own safety, collect as much Black Erosion Group intelligence as possible. Third," he looked at Anko and Itachi, "only then do we expel the Black Erosion Group. Understood?"
"Understood!" Anko put away her earlier surprise, her expression becoming serious as she nodded firmly.
Itachi also responded clearly: "Yes, Senpai."
"Good." Shuji collected the scrolls. "Target location: Nanshu Station. The caravan departs tomorrow at dawn. Dismissed now—go prepare your gear, ninja tools, and medicine. Tomorrow before 6 AM, assemble at the village gate."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild