The caravan finally halted before the designated dock warehouse. Sea wind carried a salty, fishy tang, mingling with the port's unique clamor—sailors' chants, cargo ships' whistles, and the metallic scrape of loading cranes—into a noisy backdrop. The porters began unloading, while Hiroyama Makoto busied himself with handover procedures, his face beaming with survivor's relief.
Shuji found a relatively secluded stone step near the warehouse, offering a view of both the docks and main street, and sat down. Anko crossed her arms, her dark purple coat's hood casually draped, her sharp eyes scanning passersby. Itachi sat quietly on Shuji's other side.
"Tea Country's management of its two continental territories is actually quite lax—as long as taxes are paid and no trouble arises, they don't care who handles it." Shuji continued explaining the situation to the two. "So, that bandit gang likely obtained administrative rights from Tea Country's daimyō, becoming officials of Tea Country."
Still, mere highway robbers turning legitimate—even with two or three hundred men—wouldn't happen without other reasons. It boiled down to the same point: in another world, one might chalk it up to their numbers and strength leading to conscription. But in the ninja world, soldiers couldn't form formations against ninjutsu. Especially a mountain bandit crew—given time, even a genin could use Transformation Jutsu to dismantle the Chasan Group's structure from within, causing self-collapse.
Combining the mismatched perspectives from Konoha and Hiroyama Makoto, Shuji already had some ideas.
Hiroyama Makoto seemed to have finally settled the initial formalities. He wiped sweat from his brow and trotted over, his face a mix of fawning gratitude and barely concealed anxiety: "Captain Shuji! Esteemed sirs! You've worked so hard! Truly hard! The Seafoam Inn near the docks is fairly clean—rooms are booked! Please honor us by staying; let me properly host you for a few days as a token of thanks! All expenses on me!"
This was the public-facing excuse. In truth, cargo handover would take days, but now inside Degarashi Port, Team Five could technically conclude the mission—especially after helping resolve the entry tax issue earlier. Hiroyama Makoto simply feared the guards might stir trouble once Shuji and the others left, so he clung desperately to have them stay.
Who could blame him for not foreseeing, when posting the mission, the risk of cargo loss after entering the city?
"Very well." Shuji pondered briefly before agreeing.
Hiroyama Makoto thanked him profusely and personally led the trio to the inn.
The Seafoam Inn sat at the edge of the dock district on a somewhat quieter street—a three-story wooden building with a simple but tidy facade. The owner, a taciturn middle-aged man, eyed the three forehead-protected ninja Hiroyama Makoto brought in with added reverence, swiftly arranging the top-floor rooms with the best views.
Shuji's room was outermost. Opening the window revealed most of the dock district and the distant azure sea. Anko and Itachi each returned to their rooms for a brief rest. Shuji stood by the window, gaze calmly surveying the bustling port below and the somewhat chaotic alleys. Chasan Group underlings in guard leather armor still wandered in small groups nearby, casting hostile glances toward the Seafoam Inn—but none dared approach.
Soon, Anko arrived in a lighter dark outfit, hair casually tied back, impatience on her face: "Captain, there are a few shady types downstairs watching us. Want me to clear them out?"
Now aware of their true colors, Anko felt no reservations.
Itachi had also packed his things and entered Shuji's room.
Just then, a slight commotion arose from the inn below, followed by the owner's somewhat tense voice: "Lord Wasabi? Why have you come personally..."
A mild yet authoritative voice replied: "No matter. I've heard Konoha guests are staying here—Jirōchō has come to pay respects. Please announce me."
Wasabi, huh. If memory served, Degarashi Port actually had two major families: the Wasabi and the Waisuke. For years, one of them had managed local affairs. The Chasan Group's entry must have displaced one—or affected both.
"Anko, bring that Wasabi gentleman up."
"Yes, yes~ Captain."
Moments later, steady footsteps echoed up the wooden stairs. A middle-aged man in deep gray silk kimono followed Anko in. Around forty, his gait firm, posture upright—clearly with solid taijutsu foundations. Hair neatly combed, features refined, eyes mild yet shrewd from worldly experience. This was the Wasabi family head, Wasabi Jirōchō.
His gaze quickly swept the three in the room, lingering briefly on Anko's impatience and Itachi's serene young face, before firmly locking onto Shuji by the window. Though appearing peers, Shuji exuded a temperament utterly unlike Anko's. Using such forceful methods at the gate, yet so restrained in person—Jirōchō swiftly judged that the earlier actions were anything but impulsive.
"Apologies for the intrusion." Jirōchō's face showed appropriately humble courtesy as he bowed slightly. "I am Wasabi Jirōchō. May I have the honored guests' names?"
"Shuji." Shuji's voice remained even as he pulled out a chair. "Family Head Wasabi is too polite. Please, sit."
Jirōchō thanked him and sat, then said: "Young Shuji's actions at the city gate were rather bold."
"Tch." Anko leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, letting out an undisguised scoff.
Shuji's expression unchanged, his finger tapped the wooden table lightly, producing a faint "thud." "Oh? Do elaborate." His tone was neutral, as if discussing the weather.
"Originally, the esteemed Hokage had other words for me to relay after young Shuji entered the city."
This drew even the quietly observing Itachi to turn toward Jirōchō, a fleeting thought crossing his youthful face.
Shuji remained seated, face showing no surprise—as if he'd anticipated it. "Do elaborate," he repeated, gaze steady as still water.
Jirōchō explained: "Our Wasabi family and the Waisuke family have long competed for Degarashi Port's management rights, evenly matched—until half a month ago, when the Waisukes suddenly absorbed that bandit crew from outside the city. The Wasabis lost control of the town."
"If that were all, for the port's stability, we could have endured temporarily. But to buy off those wolves, the Waisukes indulged their wanton tyranny! Inventing pretexts, imposing heavy taxes, extorting passing merchants! At this rate, the town will decline!"
"Thus, I requested aid from the Hokage."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild