There is indeed a very low chance of encountering ninjas from Iwagakure Village crossing the border while escorting supplies.
However, during peacetime, raids behind enemy lines are rare, and infiltration is the more common tactic.
This time, the Sound Wind Team is undertaking a particularly dangerous C-level mission, which could be temporarily upgraded to a B-level mission or even an A-level mission.
Moreover, this kind of mission is not very lucrative. Unlike the extermination of a bandit group, where you can acquire stolen goods, the items collected in this type of mission are usually minor and often divided among the leading jounin if they aren't particularly valuable.
Fortunately, nothing occurred during the journey north, and the group arrived at their destination without incident. The Northern Fortress is not a typical city fortress; it's a Great Wall that stretches from east to west, blocking the path from the Kingdom of Earth to the Kingdom of Wind.
While such a wall and fortress defense system may not prevent elite ninjas from climbing over it, it effectively deters larger ninja forces and their logistical supplies.
The ongoing skirmishes between Iwagakure and Sunagakure along this line of defense have persisted for decades.
The current commander of the fortress is a jounin named Fuya. He is not an ordinary individual. As far as Daimaru knows, Fuya is the leader of the largest faction outside the direct control of the fourth-generation Kazekage, Rasa.
After the disappearance of the third-generation Kazekage, Fuya aspired to succeed Rasa. However, his ambitions were not favoured by Chiyo and Ebizo. Additionally, Rasa was stronger and more suited to lead a country that had inevitably fallen into conflict at that time. In Sunagakure, Fuya was left with no choice but to obey.
In recent years, Fuya has grown increasingly dissatisfied with the policies of the fourth-generation Kazekage. In particular, he believes the sealing of the one-tailed Shukaku is far less reliable than under the previous jinchuriki. Gaara, the one-tailed jinchuriki, is often uncontrollable, which infuriates Fuya, leading him to accuse Rasa of nepotism.
Since the sealing of the One-Tail Jinchuuriki has been so ineffective, Fuya believes a new candidate should be appointed without delay. As Kazekage, Rasa should prioritize the lives of the entire village rather than merely protect his youngest son.
However, with the backing of the elders Chiyo and Ebizo, Rasa's position is unshakeable, forcing Fuya into self-exile as he guards the north gate of the Kingdom of Wind.
Upon arriving at the Northern Fortress, the Sound Wind Team took a brief rest before embarking on what turned out to be a rather tedious patrol mission. Captain Otokaze appeared to have other intentions for their presence there.
"Lord Fuya, unfortunately, Senior Baki does not support your plan."
"Really?" Fuya's expression remained stoic; he was neither angry nor intimidating. Dressed in a plain robe that was both elegant and serious, he bore no unnecessary decorations, reflecting his dignified demeanour.
"Has Baki been swayed by Rasa too? The three children of his are all entrusted to him for guidance. Rasa truly spared no effort in winning him over."
Otokaze bowed slightly and explained respectfully, "Neither Baki-sama nor the Yondaime are indecisive; they simply have different perspectives."
"Perhaps." Fuyi gazed out at the view. On one side of the wall lay an endless sea of sand, while on the other were countless hills. The boundary between the Kingdom of Wind and the Kingdom of Earth lay right here.
"Even from the north, I've heard rumours that Baki and the Yondaime are dealing with some mysterious outsiders. Do you know anything about that?"
Otokaze shook his head. "Neither the Yondaime nor Baki-senpai has mentioned it to me."
"Maybe the time for discussion is upon us!" Fuya nodded slightly, keeping his intentions concealed from nearly everyone. It seemed the next move would be significant. Fuya and Rasa had no personal animosity, but their differences in political affairs for Sunagakure were pronounced.
Neither Rasa, who advocated patience, nor Fuya, who believed in addressing internal matters first to combat external threats, would see themselves as being in the wrong.
"Do you want to continue inquiring about the Yondaime's plans?"
"No need; I'll keep any unnecessary thoughts to myself for now. The Yondaime is Kazekage; even I must follow his orders."
"Yes, Lord Fuya." With that, the Sound Wind Team departed, leaving only the cold wind blowing from the north against Fuya's face.
"Is it time to fight for the village's survival again?"
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The desert in the Kingdom of Wind was sweltering under the noon sun, while the snow in the Kingdom of Earth to the north may not have completely melted. At this hour, the Northern Fortress was relatively quiet, as everyone was busy with their own tasks.
Otokaze was absent, and Daimaru leaned against the edge of the city wall, enjoying the cool breeze. Sen sat on a stone bench, dozing off, while Yome stood on the parapet, scanning the distance, perhaps hoping for a better view. Daimaru admired her focus; she was a couple of inches taller than him, her long hair flowing in the wind, and she had a keen eye capable of spotting potential threats from miles away.
"It's so boring. When are we going to change the guard?" Daimaru yawned, frustration creeping into his voice. While completing the mission safely was ideal, he felt it was cutting into his practice time.
"I know it feels slow," Yome replied, rolling her eyes dramatically. "But staying alert is important. We can't afford to be seen by anyone."
"I get that, but this is starting to feel like a snooze-fest." Daimaru kicked a small stone off the edge of the wall and watched it tumble down. "What are we even doing here? This isn't exactly thrilling work."
"Maybe you need to find a way to keep yourself entertained without putting us in danger," Yome shot back, crossing her arms. "You're supposed to be a shinobi, remember?"
"It's better to remain alert during the mission. We shouldn't be seen by others," Yome continued, her gaze fixed on the horizon. At that moment, there was no sign of life for miles around the fortress.
"I know; you should take a break. Yome, your eyes are sharp, but you need to take care of them. If you keep staring for too long, you'll be nearsighted before you know it."
"I'm not nearsighted!" Yome jumped down energetically. "This is a kind of mental training. If I observe too much, it could be detrimental if my mind can't process everything."
"Rest is also a form of mental training," Daimaru countered. "Even with your keen eyesight, your brain has to process a lot of visual information, which can drain your energy. Maybe that's why your growth has stalled."
"....."
"So, what's going on with Shira?" Yome suddenly asked, changing the subject. "I heard he wanted to thank you before we left. Do you know why?"
Daimaru waved his hand dismissively. "No need for thanks. Miss Saya already conveyed my appreciation."
"You might think it's no big deal, but for Shira, it's a lifetime favor," Yome said, looking thoughtful. "You should really take that to heart."
"That's a bit of an exaggeration, don't you think?" Daimaru replied, raising an eyebrow. "Once he masters the 'Seven-day Breathing Technique,' someone will definitely notice his potential. It's not like he's going to fade into obscurity."
"You know about that technique?" Yome asked, her eyes widening in surprise. "Have you been considering asking him for some training?"
Daimaru nodded slowly. "Yeah, I thought about it. That technique is powerful, and it could really elevate my skills."
"But then you decided against it?" Yome inquired, tilting her head curiously.
"Exactly. My abilities just aren't suited for that kind of intense training." Daimaru sighed, looking somewhat defeated.
"You're joking again," Yome said, a teasing smile on her lips. "Don't sell yourself short. You have potential!"
"Maybe, but not everyone can master the 'Eight Gates' or the 'Seven-day Breathing Technique.' The difficulty of those techniques is insane, and most ninjas aren't built for that level of training. If you push too hard, it could lead to serious injury or worse."
"True, but I've seen you push through some tough training sessions," Yome replied, a hint of admiration in her voice. "You're tougher than you think."
Daimaru laughed lightly. "Thanks for the vote of confidence. But I'm realistic about my limits. Just because I'm not the strongest doesn't mean I can't find my own path."
"You're right about that," Yome said, nodding. "It's just important to find what works for you. You don't have to fit into anyone else's mold."
"Exactly! You can't force it." Daimaru nodded his head up and down as he considered the point he was making, reflecting on his own skills and limitations.
'Look at Neji. Even he can't open a single gate, and he's a genius in taijutsu. And Kakashi? He can only train until Kaimon. Daimaru's thoughts wandered deeper.'
'Do you really think that these two taijutsu training methods are prepared for people with poor ninjutsu qualifications?
Nonsense.
Might Duy, Might Guy, Rock Lee and Shira, their outstanding physiques are a godsend.
Many ninjas strive to be good at everything, but end up being sparse at everything. This is why one should be self-aware and should not do anything that goes against nature.'