Hot wind swept sand and grit that stung when hitting exposed skin. Looking out, endless ochre stretched across the landscape. Undulating dunes rose like frozen waves, extending to where the horizon melted into the sky.
"It is so hot," Shuji heard.
Kamizuki Izumo felt the air he inhaled scorching his throat. The weight upon his shoulders felt many times heavier than usual.
Akimichi Chōji was not faring much better.
"We just entered the Land of Wind. You two are truly useless," Anko said without mercy, mocking the two newly-assigned teammates.
"This time, it is indeed somewhat hotter than last visit," Shuji said fairly.
Perhaps the previous circumstances had been too urgent to notice the environmental conditions.
For this mission, Squad Five only brought Anko from the regular team, since village politics were complicated and Itachi remained behind to stay in-village. Shuji had specifically instructed Itachi that if any special situations arose, he could seek Tsunade's assistance with Shisui's accompaniment.
This ensured that even with Shuji absent, nothing would go wrong.
Izumo and Chōji were here for practical experience. This mission's danger rating was considerably lower than the previous diplomatic assignment, carrying an element of training. The village needed to cultivate the next generation's strength, subjecting them to diverse mission environments as a necessary growth stage.
"If Shuji says so, it does seem that way," Anko immediately adjusted her stance to match Shuji's assessment.
Izumo and Chōji exchanged weary glances, struggling to adapt to the windswept desert environment.
When the familiar massive canyon came into view, Shuji raised his hand, signaling the team to halt.
Sunagakure's visible and hidden guard posts appeared noticeably sparse compared to the last visit.
Had Sunagakure's internal troop deployments become problematic? Or had the new alliance with Konoha lowered their alert level?
A squad of Sunagakure shinobi emerged from the canyon. The leader was not Maki, whom they had met previously, but a young shinobi who appeared only a few years older than Shuji.
"Konoha's envoy?" the Sunagakure shinobi asked, his gaze sweeping over the four. It finally settled on Shuji. "I am Yūra, a Sunagakure jōnin. I have been ordered to welcome you here."
"Konoha jōnin, Shuji."
The standard identity verification process ensued, though notably abbreviated compared to the previous visit.
After verification completed.
Sunagakure did not confine the Konoha group in the narrow chamber of the One-Inch Canyon as before. Instead, they directly guided them through the treacherous ravine into Sunagakure's interior, even arranging clean, tidy quarters.
"Konoha's guests, please rest here temporarily," Yūra said.
"The Kazekage is currently occupied with pressing matters. Chiyo the advisor will receive you shortly."
"Understood," Shuji replied with a nod.
Yūra offered no further words and departed, leaving two Sunagakure shinobi stationed outside the quarters.
Anko seemed somewhat surprised. "This is far more courteous than last time."
"Circumstances have changed," Shuji replied.
Last time, Sunagakure had approached with intentions of exploitation and maximum pressure. Naturally, they caused difficulties at every turn.
"Izumo, Chōji, how do you feel now?"
"Better. It is much cooler here in Sunagakure," Izumo answered. Chōji confirmed he was managing.
"Rest while you can and adapt quickly. Anko, first watch rotation is yours."
After making arrangements, Shuji sat in a chair, closing his eyes to meditate and organize his thoughts about potential scenarios.
Roughly two hours later, a Sunagakure messenger arrived to inform them that Chiyo requested the Konoha delegation's presence.
The aged Sunagakure advisor maintained his former appearance—slightly hunched yet sharp and capable.
"Please, sit, Konoha's little brat," he said, barely opening his eyelids as greeting. His eyes swept past the three others behind Shuji, lingering briefly before commenting, "Hmm? The quiet little brat from last time is absent. New brats instead."
Both Izumo and Chōji became noticeably tense at being addressed. This reaction seemed to amuse Chiyo, drawing low, raspy "heh heh" laughter from him.
"Truly inexperienced children indeed. Hey, the purple-haired girl, where is the other quiet little brat? Did your Konoha secret missions bury him somewhere?"
Anko maintained her composure smoothly. "He returned to the academy for studies."
Failing to extract amusing information, Chiyo clicked his tongue and muttered, "Inexperienced brats are more normal, I suppose."
Shuji said, "After all, facing Sunagakure's advisor inevitably creates some nervousness."
Chiyo showed a pleased expression. "That is how it should be, Konoha's brat. This is far more interesting."
"Well, enough preliminaries. Tell me, what brings the Konoha envoy to Sunagakure this time? Surely not just to visit this old man?"
Shuji replied, "By order, I have come to invite Sunagakure to participate in an upcoming joint Chūnin Selection Exam that Konoha will host."
"Joint Chūnin Exams? Joint selection?" Chiyo's white eyebrows twitched slightly. He then released a low, enigmatic chuckle. "Heh... Konoha truly has leisure time. Just catching your breath and already arranging spectacles."
He slowly raised a teacup from beside him, blew on it, and took a sip. "However, we Sunagakure lack such leisure time to entertain your games."
Shuji said, "This exam is not mere entertainment."
"It aims to promote exchange and competition among chūnin-level shinobi across villages, collectively advancing practical combat capability and adaptability. For Sunagakure, this also represents an opportunity to display the new generation's strength to the world."
Chiyo set down his teacup. "All lies and nonsense. Straight talk, Shuji."
"On Konoha's own ground, participating in a Konoha-hosted Chūnin exam offers what advantage? Countless outstanding shinobi—if Sunagakure's shinobi compete well, they become stepping stones for Konoha's shinobi. If they fail, my village's investment in training collapses. How could we gain anything? Tell me, where is this so-called opportunity?"
Shuji's voice maintained its steady tone. "That is precisely what I hope to hear from you, Advisor Chiyo. What value do you see in sending a team?"
Chiyo's weathered face twisted into an expression of disdain. "Empty rhetoric. Quality goods from Konoha."
He sipped his tea slowly. "Sunagakure has no leisure for such games. We are pressed on our western frontier."
Shuji said, "The Third Earth Shadow has not set foot in the Land of Wind yet. Should that occur, we will discuss it then."
With that comment, the Sunagakure advisor's face darkened considerably.
Izumo and Chōji exchanged nervous glances. So envoys conduct business like this? Just moments ago they were at odds, now suddenly...
Before proceeding further, Chiyo suddenly said, "Konoha's brat, surely you realize what I understand."
He slowly reclined, adopting the posture of someone waiting to hear terms offered.
"Organizing such joint exams brings maximum benefit to the host. You gain visibility for your strength while understanding other villages' new generation capabilities. For Sunagakure, we invest substantial resources deploying experienced jōnin guides and protective escorts. This requires expenditure, yet no clear benefits."
He continued, his words incisive, "So if you want our participation, the terms must be worth the risk, Shuji."
"We cannot simply send teams to become stepping stones for Konoha shinobi. Our carefully cultivated shinobi cannot be sacrificed for you to demonstrate your strength."
"The little brat, what do you have to offer? Provide sufficient incentive, and Sunagakure participates. Without it?"
He settled back, adopting the posture of one awaiting the opening offer.
"No deal."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild