At the Fire Country's border, deep within a lush and vibrant forest, four figures dashed through the trees at high speed.
"Junichi-sensei, isn't this the era of peace? Why are there still so many bandits?" Asuma asked, puzzled as he recalled the lengthy mission request on the duty list.
Kurenai nodded in agreement. "I know the outside world isn't completely peaceful, but I never expected the Fire Country's border to be like this."
"The Fire Country is vast," Junichi replied with a hint of helplessness. "Even with military suppression and the help of us Konoha shinobi handling missions, it's impossible to completely eradicate bandits along the borders."
Compared to these small countries, our Fire Country is actually quite peaceful!"
Shimizu sighed softly. "Peace built upon constant turmoil... this world is truly sick."
Asuma smirked. "Is that a medical-nin's occupational hazard? You think everything needs treatment?"
Shimizu shook his head. "When a person falls ill, a medical-nin can treat them. But when the world is sick... who do we turn to?"
Asuma grinned confidently. "Obviously, that's our—"
Before he could finish, Junichi interrupted, "We've arrived."
The four of them leaped from the trees and stopped at a vantage point. Below them was a bandit hideout.
Seeing the scene, the three young shinobi remained calm and turned to their teacher for guidance.
"According to the mission details, there are 47 bandits here," Junichi stated. "But there could be more hidden or unaccounted for..." His gaze swept across his students before he smiled faintly. "How do you want to approach this? I'll leave the strategy to you three."
He stepped aside, watching them closely. He was curious to see what conclusion these talented disciples of his would reach.
However, Asuma's first words nearly made Junichi lose his balance.
"I think we should do it like this: Shimizu takes the middle, I go left, and Kurenai takes the right. No one should steal my opponents!"
Kurenai shot him a sharp look. "You do realize Shimizu and I are better at genjutsu than you, right? You just don't want to compete with us?"
Asuma nodded solemnly. "Exactly! I'm slower, so you should let me warm up first!"
Kurenai blinked in disbelief. Was it just her imagination, or did Asuma sound oddly proud of that?
Seeing them earnestly discuss their battle plan, Junichi quickly coughed twice to get their attention. "Ahem. Did you all forget the key principle from the shinobi handbook? Stealth and assassination?"
Asuma remained unfazed. "As long as the enemies end up dead, doesn't that count?"
"...That actually sounds reasonable... but something feels off," Junichi muttered to himself, suddenly questioning his decision to take these three under his wing. If he weren't afraid of Hokage-sama's wrath, he'd have made Asuma understand the true meaning of discipline!
"Sigh... Shimizu, what do you think?" Junichi asked, looking hopeful.
Shimizu smiled. "I don't really mind, but... since Asuma suggested it, let's go with his plan."
Asuma laughed and patted Shimizu's shoulder. "Good man!"
Shimizu could only smile helplessly. Back in the academy, he had told stories to bring their class closer together—he never expected to form an actual brotherhood out of it. Well, it was too late to back out now.
Meanwhile, inside the bandit hideout...
"Boss Seger! We got word from the Konoha informant!" a burly bandit with a thick beard reported.
"The villager we bribed? He's keeping an eye on the mission board for us?" asked the one-eyed leader seated at the center.
"Yes! He sent word that some shinobi have taken a mission to wipe us out!"
At this news, the surrounding bandits were visibly shaken.
"K-Konoha shinobi?!"
"Dammit! Who the hell put out the request?!"
"What should we do? Should we just disband and scatter?"
"Calm down!" Seger snapped, his voice cold and authoritative. "How much is the bounty?"
"Sixty-two thousand ryo!"
Seger sneered. "According to our information, 62,000 ryo is only the payout for a C-rank mission. This means the ones coming after us are likely just Genin."
Hearing this, the bandits relaxed a little.
"Oh, just Genin? Those weaklings barely know how to fight!"
"Yeah! We've taken down ninjas in the Land of Rivers before!"
The bearded bandit flattered Seger. "Boss, you're destined to be the King of Bandits! These little ninja brats are nothing!"
But Seger shot him a sharp glare. "I told you not to panic... but you should run when it's time to run!"
One of the bandits looked confused. "Boss... what do you mean?"
Seger's expression darkened. "Konoha isn't like those minor hidden villages. Their Genin squads come in two types—one is a team of only Genin, the other is led by a Jonin."
"If it's the latter... we wouldn't stand a chance."
His icy gaze swept over them. "So, after this last raid, we're heading for the Wind Country!"
"But boss," one bandit hesitated, "The Wind Country is also one of the Five Great Nations..."
"You fool!" Seger scoffed. "The Five Great Nations are where the real money is. We'd be fools to stay in a poor backwater like the Land of Rivers."
"As for why I chose the Wind Country... its territory is vast, and Sunagakure's strength is the weakest among the Five Great Shinobi Villages. As long as we don't cause too much trouble, the ninja there won't bother chasing us down."
"That's why you're the boss!"
"Let's loot one last time before we leave!"
Suddenly, a sharp crack echoed outside.
Seger's expression turned grim. "They're here already?"
"Let's go check it out."
A group of uneasy bandits rushed outside—only to see three children standing before them.
"Just three of them?" One of the bandits sighed in relief. If it was only Genin, there was nothing to fear.
Seger stepped forward and unsheathed his blade. "Are you Konoha shinobi?"
Asuma placed a hand on his chin. "Well, this is awkward."
Seger narrowed his eye. "Don't underestimate us, kid! If you leave now, I might let you live!"
Shimizu tilted his head. "Oh? Are those your last words?"
Seger's face darkened. "You little—do you know how many overconfident fools I've killed? Fifty-si—"
Before he could finish, a massive fireball roared toward them.
A bandit tried to run but found his body frozen in place, only able to watch as the flames consumed him.
Seeing the scene unfold, Seger's blood ran cold. "I-Impossible! How can Genin be this strong?!"
On a distant treetop, Junichi watched with an unreadable expression.
"...Does this still count as stealth? Maybe...?"