Title: "Escort Duty"
"The Daimyo?"
Asuma's eyes widened, clearly surprised.
"With such an important task... no wonder they're assigning two Jōnin."
But… together they…
"Don't hold back?"
Asuma hesitated.
"jingyi, are you coming too?"
Minato looked over as they ran, composed despite the pace.
"You and Asuma will guard the Daimyō. I'll scout ahead. If we're attacked, the three genin will follow Asuma's lead he's in command."
Jingyi gave a brief nod, unfazed.
These three… barely add up to two and a half brains.
From the second test of the Chūnin Exams, it was obvious: Aoba couldn't control Obito at all, and he had to let Asuma take the lead.
Obito wanted to protest.
But...
He'd heard about Asuma's performance during the Exams brave and fierce. If she hadn't stayed behind to protect his teammates, she would've passed.
Compared to that... I'm just...
Obito sighed quietly.
Minato and jingyi said nothing. They knew this kid's memory only lasted as long as a dumpling. Even if they comforted him, he'd forget about the Chūnin Exams by dinner.
But...
Asuma was quietly thrilled.
Jingyi raised an eyebrow.
You're the Third Hokage's daughter. And you're starstruck about meeting a daimyo?
Have some shame.
Then again...
I haven't met one either.
---
The road from Konoha to the capital city of the Land of Fire—Kyoto—was lively, crowded with caravans and merchants.
"This is the main route to Kyoto," Minato explained. "It always grows more prosperous during wartime."
Jingyi nodded.
So many people.
Merchants, nobles, and wealthy civilians who had fled inland during the war were now traveling west, their carts packed with goods and personal guards—some even hired Konoha shinobi for protection.
Asuma's eyes lingered on a passing carriage.
Asuma flushed and stammered, "N-No! I just feel bad for them…"
"Bad? They're the lucky ones. They have money. They can afford to hire protection and flee. The real pity lies with those who couldn't escape at all."
Jingyi shook his head.
In the ninja world, most people barely survive. Who has time to pity the rich?
Asuma was quiet for a moment, thoughtful.
She's right. These people are lucky.
She watched more closely now noticing the expensive fabrics, the guarded convoys, the food. Even during war, these people had options. Others especially in border towns had none. Some were probably already dead.
Even ninjas weren't guaranteed safety.
---
With the four-man team's speed, they soon neared Kyoto.
"Minato, you go meet the Daimyō. I'll stay out here and keep watch."
"Right."
Minato would accompany the Daimyō on the official journey, but Jingyi had no interest in the politics or the attention.
He toyed with a kunai and surveyed the surroundings outside the mansion gates.
Kyoto itself was calm.
No shinobi forces here.
That was deliberatehidden villages didn't station forces in capitals. It was an unspoken agreement among nations. If ninja started assassinating daimyo, no country would survive the political chaos.
But…
Once they leave the capital, anything can happen.
It wouldn't surprise me if the Third Hokage wants someone to stir trouble. Could be bait.
---
"Jingyi-sensei, could I... could I ask you something?"
Yamashiro Aoba approached awkwardly, clearly nervous.
He still hadn't recovered from the Chūnin Exams. He'd voluntarily forfeited for Might Guy's sake, but deep down, it gnawed at him.
Obito passed.
Obito, the class clown. The so-called "dead last."
And Aoba had fallen behind. Literally he couldn't even keep up during the run, stumbling behind like a fool.
Jingyi tilted his head.
"What're you afraid of? I don't bite. Sit down."
He patted the stone edge nearby.
Aoba sat.
Asuma looked on, a little jealous. Jingyi didn't speak to him that gently. As for Obito... well, Obito had a unique relationship with Jingyi. Usually loud, sometimes scolded, but always looked after.
Complicated.
"You did well in the Chūnin Exams," Jingyi said. "If your taijutsu were stronger, you might've passed."
"What about me?!" Obito cut in, suddenly wide awake.
The others turned toward him with looks that said it all.
"…What?!" Obito snapped, defensive.
"As long as you followed Aoba's lead, your team wouldn't have been eliminated," Jingyi said bluntly. "Aoba was dragged down by you."
"I-It's not Obito's fault!" Aoba quickly said. "I wasn't strong enough either!"
"See that?" Jingyi smiled. "That's humility."
Obito glared, puffed up in embarrassment but said nothing.
Asuma jumped in to redirect. "Sensei, what about Aoba's weakness? You didn't answer."
"No rush. We've got time."
Actually, Jingyi had needed a moment to remember what Aoba's talent even was.
Ah—right. The crows.
"Your family raises crows, right? And you've got some secret jutsu?"
"Yes," Aoba nodded.
"Have you thought about developing illusion techniques using the crows?"
"…Illusions?"
"Yeah. Crows are perfect for genjutsu distraction, misdirection, fear tactics. You've got strong mental resistance too. I remember that genjutsu that almost got me during the test. Use that."
Aoba's eyes lit up.
His clan had always focused on reconnaissance, but no one had seriously explored crow-based illusions.
"Also," Jingyi added, "Work on your taijutsu. If you're slower than Obito, that's a problem."
That earned a snort from Asuma and a squawk from Obito.
"You're good at support and intelligence, but you're not just a scout you're a shinobi. Learn to protect yourself."
Aoba nodded earnestly.
Jingyi's right.
It's not just about what I can't do. I need to improve what I can.
"Remember what kills a shinobi isn't weakness. It's getting comfortable with it."
Jingyi patted his shoulder.
Then he stood, facing the gate.
Minato emerged from the Daimyō's residence.
As expected, the Daimyō wouldn't depart immediately his staff needed time to finalize preparations.
But by mid-afternoon, word came from inside:
They were ready to depart.