As Namikaze Minato observed Hoshita Shūichi, his first thought was the Flying Thunder God Technique.
For someone outside the Uchiha clan to possess such extraordinary reflexes made Shūichi an ideal candidate to learn the technique. Of course, the Flying Thunder God required more than just quick reactions—it demanded exceptional sensory perception and space-time aptitude.
"But it's still too early for that," Minato mused with a faint smile.
Shūichi was only six, while Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sanyō were just eight. For now, they needed to solidify their foundations, accumulate combat experience, and complete missions.
The first day after graduation passed swiftly.
The following morning, their mission involved helping villagers near Konoha deal with wild boars destroying their crops. Tracking the beasts was effortless for Shūichi's team, and they eliminated the threat with ease.
This mission brought Shūichi three steps closer to unlocking the [Tracking Expert] trait.
The afternoon resumed with Minato's rigorous training—traps, sparring against Shadow Clones, and taijutsu drills.
To Shūichi's surprise, this routine continued for an entire week: missions in the morning, training in the afternoon.
By the time they finally prepared to leave Konoha, Minato had already helped Shūichi secure the [Tracking Expert] trait.
The benefits were immediate—his tracking ability and sensitivity to traces doubled, accelerating his progress in both missions and training.
March 24th, 39th Year of Konoha.
The team gathered on the rooftop as usual, but this time, Minato announced, "Today's mission is a C-rank outside the village. Assemble at the gates in thirty minutes."
"Understood!" Shūichi, Shisui, and Sanyō replied in unison before vanishing with the Body Flicker Technique.
At home, Shūichi packed his backpack swiftly: kunai, shuriken, a medical kit, military ration pills, spare clothes, Explosive Tags, and even a hand grenade.
With time to spare, he visited Konoha Hospital and Ten'shō's shop to bid farewell to Yakushi Nonō and Ten'un.
When he arrived at the village gates, Minato and the others were already waiting—though he wasn't late.
"Move out!" Minato ordered, and the four set off southward.
Soon, they veered off the main road leading to the Daimyo's Capital, entering the forest southwest of Konoha.
As they leaped through the trees, Minato explained the mission: "Our target is a bandit group operating near the Land of Rivers' border. They've crossed into the Land of Fire multiple times, raiding villages."
Shisui immediately sensed something amiss. "Border patrols have stationed ninja squads. If these bandits repeatedly evade them, they must know the patrol routes."
A C-rank mission?
This feels more complicated.
Shūichi's thoughts raced. "Ordinary bandits, even with a rogue ninja or two, shouldn't consistently outmaneuver border patrols and retreat unscathed."
Sanyō frowned. "So, you're saying these 'bandits' are actually ninjas in disguise?"
Shūichi nodded. "Possibly. But if that were true, this mission wouldn't be assigned to us. Another possibility is that they're genuine bandits with one or two low-level rogue ninjas—but backed by precise intelligence."
Minato smiled approvingly. "Excellent analysis, Shūichi."
Shisui pressed further. "Minato-sensei, if that's the case, where would their intel come from? Amegakure? Before the Second Shinobi World War, the Land of Rivers fell under Amegakure's influence. Post-war, their reach shrank to the Land of Rain, while Konoha and Sunagakure split Rivers' missions."
"Could Amegakure be reclaiming territory, or is Sunagakure trying to monopolize the Land of Rivers' missions?"
Minato nodded. "Which scenario do you think is more likely, Shisui?"
After a pause, Shisui answered, "Sunagakure."
Sanyō blinked. "Why not Amegakure? Hanzo of the Salamander is called a demigod—wouldn't reclaiming the Land of Rivers be easy for him?"
Shūichi interjected, "But if it were Hanzo, he'd face opposition from both Konoha and Sunagakure. That's unwise. Sunagakure, however... It's been years since the last war. Their ambition to dominate the Land of Rivers isn't surprising."
Sanyō still looked puzzled. "How does that fit the current situation?"
Shūichi elaborated, "Hanzo wouldn't need such covert tactics—he'd send forces openly. Sunagakure, on the other hand, might lack the resolve for outright war, hence this indirect approach."
He paused, then added, "And these 'bandits' might be more than they seem."
Shisui's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
"Just a theory," Shūichi said. "What if they have legitimate identities in the Land of Rivers? If we eliminate them, the River Daimyo could blame Konoha, straining relations. Sunagakure could then step in, securing all of Rivers' missions."
Sanyō gaped. "How did you even think of that?!"
Shisui was equally stunned.
Minato, too, was impressed—Shūichi's final point hadn't occurred to him. "The Third Hokage was right. Shūichi's maturity and analytical skills rival an adult's."
Aloud, he praised, "Outstanding reasoning, Shūichi. This mission may be more complex than anticipated. Once we enter the Land of Rivers, exercise extreme caution. After locating the bandits, our priority is gathering intel on their background."
The trio chorused, "Yes, Minato-sensei!"
They departed at 9 a.m., rested at noon, and reached the Land of Fire's border by evening. Instead of crossing immediately, they camped overnight.
At dawn, after a meal of fish soup, the four crossed into the Land of Rivers.
(20 Chapter ahead)
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