Chapter 18 – The Road to War
Half a year had passed since their first kill.
In that time, Yuva, Tenzo, and Daichi had completed dozens of C-rank missions — clearing bandit camps, scouting border zones, and protecting small villages. Each mission sharpened them. Each battle hardened them.
And now, they faced their first escort assignment — a mission that would test their teamwork beyond the safety of Konoha's walls.
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🛻 The Merchant's Caravan
> Mission: Escort a merchant caravan to the border of the Land of Fire.
Rank: C
Reward: 50,000 ryō
The three arrived at the southern gate early in the morning. A round, heavyset merchant with a wide hat and sweating forehead waved them over.
"Ah! The ninja guards, yes?" he said, his voice trembling with both fear and excitement. "My name is Daisuke. I trade spices and silks. My goods are precious — and so is my life. Please, protect us!"
"We will," Yuva said simply.
The caravan consisted of three wagons, pulled by sturdy oxen and manned by three workers and two servants. It was slow-moving — perfect prey for bandits and rogue shinobi. Their task was to keep it safe until it reached the border town of Tamagawa, two days' journey from Konoha.
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🌲 Trouble in the Forest
The first day passed quietly.
The road wound through thick forests, and the canopy above filtered sunlight into shifting patterns on the ground. Birds chirped. The wheels creaked softly.
But on the second day, Yuva's eyes narrowed. He stopped mid-step, kneeling and pressing his hand to the earth.
"…We're being watched," he murmured.
"How far?" Tenzo asked.
"About one kilometer ahead," Yuva replied. "At least nine chakra signatures. Weak — genin-level. They're lying in ambush."
Daichi's fists tightened. "Bandits?"
"Bandits… but trained," Yuva said grimly. "Let's try our new combo. Tenzo — your job is to protect the caravan. Daichi and I will attack."
Tenzo nodded. "Got it."
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🪤 The Ambush
As they moved deeper into the forest, nine figures stepped out from behind the trees, blocking the road. They wore ragged clothes and masks, but their chakra told the truth — they were trained shinobi, probably missing-nin or mercenaries.
"Well, well," the leader sneered. "What's this? Three little brats playing ninja? Hand over the cargo and maybe we'll let you live."
Yuva's expression shifted instantly. His shoulders slumped. His eyes widened in pretend fear.
"S-Stay back…" he stammered, taking a step back and trembling.
The bandits laughed — loud and careless. "Look at them! They're terrified!"
It was exactly what Yuva wanted.
The moment they let their guard down, his chakra surged.
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⚡ Water and Lightning Combo – Deadly Precision
"Lightning Release: Electromagnetic Murder!" Yuva roared, slamming his palms into the ground.
"Water Release: Wild Water Wave!" Daichi shouted, releasing a surge of water to flood the clearing.
Lightning coursed through the water in a blinding flash. The bandits screamed as the current surged through their bodies, paralyzing them instantly. Their muscles locked. Their bodies shook.
"Now!" Yuva shouted.
The brothers dashed forward, kunai already crackling with chakra. The first enemy's throat was cut cleanly. The second was stabbed through the heart. The rest fell one by one — unable to even fight back before the blades reached them.
It was swift. Efficient. Merciless.
Within thirty seconds, all nine enemies lay dead on the forest floor.
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📦 Mission Complete
The merchant stared in shock, his mouth open wide. "Th-that was… incredible."
"Keep moving," Yuva said calmly, cleaning the blood from his blade. "We're not done yet."
They continued their journey without further interruption.
By dusk, the caravan rolled into the border town of Tamagawa without a single scratch. Their first escort mission had been a flawless success.
The merchant bowed deeply, his hands trembling as he offered the payment. "Thank you… truly. Without you, we would have all died."
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📆 Six Months of Growth
After the mission, the months that followed were relentless. The triplets completed many more C-rank missions — escorting merchants, clearing bandit nests, delivering sensitive documents, and scouting dangerous zones.
Each mission added another layer to their experience.
Each encounter sharpened their instincts.
Each battle hardened their resolve.
They learned new techniques, refined their elemental control, and mastered their teamwork to a terrifying degree. Yuva's sealing skills grew more advanced. Daichi's earth control became more fluid. Tenzo's medical ninjutsu — now including Mystical Palm Jutsu — saved lives on the field.
And with every passing day, the tension in Konoha grew heavier.
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⚠️ Storm Approaching
By the end of those six months, the change in the village was impossible to ignore.
The once-calm streets were now filled with rushing shinobi. Squads returned with injured comrades, and the hospital overflowed with patients. Black-ops messengers vanished and reappeared with grim reports. Training grounds were packed day and night.
Konoha was under siege.
The combined pressure of Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Sunagakure had turned the Land of Fire into a battlefield. Kiri assassins struck deep in enemy territory. Skirmishes broke out on multiple fronts every day.
Konoha fought alone, outnumbered and overstretched — but still holding its ground.
And deep down, Yuva and his brothers knew what this meant.
Their days of preparation were coming to an end.
Soon… they would be called to war.