Chapter 29: The Trial
"Anko, Itachi, you two will watch over Mr. Hiroyama's warehouse."
Itachi and Anko acknowledged, and Shuji turned to Mr. Wasabi, the local magistrate: "I understand your concerns. As you said, Mr. Wasabi's position here may be precarious."
After all, Wasabi's decision to personally seek out Konoha ninja could be seen as a threatening move.
Shuji expected Wasabi to invite him inside, but after a moment's hesitation Wasabi said, "I have no urgent matters here—only some arrangements to make. Please wait a moment, Captain Shuji. I will return to apologize in person once I'm ready."
"Very well. We won't trouble you further, sir."
As Wasabi departed to make his arrangements, Shuji watched his escorted exit and found it curious.
"That fellow asks for help, then shirks when you're ready to act," Anko said, understanding that Shuji intended to step in directly, yet Wasabi had refused that aid.
"Perhaps he's always had protection but can't meet publicly—he needs time to organize," Shuji replied evenly.
"This mission is truly complicated," Anko sighed. "No wonder you—Captain Shuji—seem unfazed. You must never be troubled by it."
Even Itachi, the youngest member, spoke up: "As shinobi, we can't publicly intervene against local officials, Anko-senpai."
"In that case, why involve the merchant at all? The escort portion is effectively complete. If we can't act openly, we could handle it tonight—after all, they're mere civilians."
"Because the village assigned us two extra objectives: those bandits link to rogue ninja… or rogue ninja themselves," Itachi recalled their first mission's intel on a dozen highwaymen led by a rogue ninja. "That's why Captain Shuji chose caution."
"But still…"
"Want some water?" Shuji poured himself a cup, then looked at them.
"I do." Anko sat across from him.
"As Itachi said, if they've been recruited, the Chasan Group must have backing. As for why the Hokage didn't assign the mission openly…" Shuji's tone grew thoughtful. Villages never list such tasks publicly—like the Wave Country C-rank escort in the original story, quietly masking real objectives to test circumstances.
"Before becoming shinobi," Shuji continued, "this might have seemed trivial. But as shinobi, especially Jōnin, we know the village's review process: you can't arbitrarily assign mission rank. Konoha wouldn't be unaware of Daizuna's intentions in the Land of Waves. When Kakashi faced the Seven Mist Sannin, he sensed something wrong yet still accepted the mission, later confronting rogue ninja. That suggests Konoha's dual motives: seeking new commissions and probing the Land of Waves."
"This escort isn't a two-way street," he said, "but Hiroyama's premium C-rank escort gave the village the opportunity to bump it to B-rank. The extra objectives are optional. Only the B-rank escort must be completed properly."
As for the unspoken motives…
"Perhaps the trial is for me," Shuji reflected. His actions since recovery—first mission choice, second mission caution—did not align with the Shuji determined to prove the Senju bloodline's honor.
Even in his past life, a model employee whose performance waned would prompt a manager to personally check in—so this mission, in effect, tests Shuji himself.
There is no real difficulty: Shuji may complete only the minimum escort, and the village will not hold him accountable for not aiding Wasabi, as no proof binds the village to Wasabi's request.
This B-rank mission can be treated as recognition for a war hero—a harmless credential added to his record before the village moves on to new plans once they deem Shuji's spirit tested and proven.
This path likely aligns with Lady Momoka's hopes and Shuji's own resolve. He is merely an ordinary person—fortunate and unfortunate—without special talent or wisdom. Yet the future will not permit him such choices: after an Uchiha massacre, the village would be weakened, threatening his survival. To prevent such outcomes, he cannot lack status within the village.
"Villages seldom intervene in other nations' internal affairs aloud," Shuji explained to Anko. "We handle it quietly as the situation warrants. That's why a Jōnin squad takes this mission."
"Heh," Anko grinned. "Then we'll leave everything to our Jōnin captain. People like me can only follow orders."
Her lazy smile in her purple coat drew Shuji's glance—he too wished he could just take it easy.
Meanwhile, as Wasabi finished his courtesy call, the current militia captain at Degarashi Port reported to a tall samurai–clad man in brown kimono and white haori standing beside the gate.
"Lord Komainu, how shall we handle those ninja? About the highway toll…"
"Keep an eye on them, do not clash with Konoha ninja. The highway toll can wait until after they leave." Komainu's cold gaze fixed on the militia captain. "Mind your men—understood?"
The militia captain trembled, immediately bowing in assent.
Back at the Wasabi residence, Jirōchō Wasabi conferred with another. "Ah… Jōnin Shuji…"
"It matters not. If he wishes to help, let him."
"Then I shall invite him again—my earlier refusal must have given Captain Shuji doubts about my trustworthiness." Jirōchō smiled and rose.
"He'll understand once he sees me."
"Of course he will."
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