The Land of Fire was a sweep of beauty.
Rich in resources and blessed with four true seasons, it was a jewel among nations. Think of Amegakure's ceaseless rain, Sunagakure in the deep desert, Iwagakure built on stone. Everywhere else had flaws. Only the Land of Fire felt free of them.
That was why, whenever war began, every hidden village converged on Konoha.
It was the fattest prize.
Even on the road, shade pooled beneath thick leaves, birds flitted, beasts wandered, gold sunlight spilled down, a breeze brushed the skin. Laziness crept into anyone's bones.
Civilians strained at the work.
Their squad of shinobi lounged atop the wagons, taking in the scenery.
They were still within the Land of Fire. Normally, there would be no enemy. Humans could not stay taut forever, so the column moved in a soft, relaxed way.
On the last wagon, Uchiha Jin sat cross-legged, not in the mood for scenery.
His brows pinched as he circled back to yesterday's talk with Shisui.
Right or wrong was hard to name. Part of him had wanted to vent after years of lying low. More than that, it was a test of Shisui. If Shisui exposed it, the fallout would be small. As a clan talent, even Fugaku would hesitate to punish him, and it was over dead men besides.
Hiruzen would not matter either. Clan affairs were clan rule. The Hokage commanded the village and could mobilize clans for war, but he did not meddle in internal discipline.
So as long as Fugaku did not target him, safety held. The Hokage faction might keep an eye on him, but without ripping the mask off they could not move in the open.
Only Shimura Danzo was a true concern, sick with hatred for the Uchiha. If he learned of it, he would strike. Even then, unless Danzo came in person and threw all of Root at him, Jin could fight free.
A little risk to probe Shisui was worth it. Shisui was too good to him. Jin could not watch him die. If the test failed, he would save him once and be done. If it worked, it meant he mattered more than he thought. Then change might be possible.
Shisui would clash with Hiruzen sooner or later. Jin would not fear it alone, but allies never hurt. Shisui was a genuine prodigy. Given time, his future was boundless. His Mangekyo was famed as the strongest genjutsu: Kotoamatsukami.
"Shisui."
"I gave you a chance. Do not disappoint me."
"Time will tell."
Time slid by.
Three days later, at the border of the Land of Fire, just as they were seeking a boat, two Mist squads burst from cover.
"Hidden Mist Technique."
Both squad leaders flashed through seals the instant they moved. Thick fog rolled from their mouths, pouring over the convoy.
"Protect the wagons. Brace for contact."
Kudo Shin barked, hands already flying.
"Earth Style: Earth Wall."
RUMBLE!
Soil surged and rose into a tall barrier, throwing a shield around the wagons. Kudo did not stop. He cast twice more, raising three walls in all, then went pale and halted.
His chakra was spent.
He was a civilian chunin. Reaching this point was already excellent.
So it proved. Three ramparts stalled the two Mist squads. Without a true powerhouse, ordinary shinobi had no clean way to crack it. Two users of the Hidden Mist in a single party marked elite troops by Mist standards.
After all, Konoha graduates knew only the Three Body Technique. Konoha was the strongest village. Imagine, then, the state of Kirigakure. Ordinary fighters mostly threw kunai and leaned on shaky Three Body work. Against Konoha, it showed.
As Kudo acted, the civilians formed a circle. Their squad tightened together.
"My chakra is empty. I need ten minutes."
"Hold the line."
"They will not rush us easily."
He swallowed a ration pill, sat, and began to recover.
Jin and Nara Kazama exchanged a look, frowning lightly.
"Jin, thoughts," Kazama asked.
"Hidden enemies, visible targets. We defend," Jin answered.
Kazama nodded. Jin's read was sound. Mist would pick off stragglers from the fog if they pushed out.
Ishikawa Itsuki could not bear it.
He had been stewing all the way. Now the two chose what he hated most: defense.
"Cowards, both of you."
"Two Mist squads. What are you afraid of."
"Do not forget I am top three in class."
"I came to the front to kill the enemy and earn merit, not to play house."
"Relax. If you are in danger, I, a top three, will save you."
"And do not forget."
"When the leader is down, I am acting captain."
"I now order a proactive strike."
"I will make a clean counterkill and show them Konoha's strength."
"Charge."