To ordinary people, ninja are beings from another dimension. Whether it's the overwhelming physical superiority or the arsenal of deadly Jutsu, the gap between a civilian and a shinobi is like the difference between a tiger and a lamb.
Right now, Taiichi and Saori were the tigers.
They tore through the mob with terrifying efficiency. Taiichi, in particular, was lethal with his blade. One strike, one kill. Every cut targeted the neck or the heart.
It looked brutal, but compared to how these villagers had tortured and murdered the merchants, it was practically a mercy.
The slaughter lasted for over two hours. Eventually, even Yohei, having recovered enough chakra, joined the fray. Even though the enemies were weak, there were over a hundred of them, and after the initial panic from the fireball, the survivors had scattered into the night. Hunting down every last one took time.
When the team finally regrouped, the atmosphere was heavy.
Taiichi, Yohei, and Saori were still just kids fresh out of the Academy. This was their first time executing a "no survivors" mission. The mental toll was significant.
But they weren't average kids. They took a moment to adjust, steadying their breathing and their minds.
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness. It was Captain Yamaguchi, who had been missing in action since they left Konoha.
"Captain! Where have you been?" Yohei immediately started showing off, his earlier exhaustion forgotten. "You missed it! My Fire Style: Great Fire Destruction was incredible! The power was insane!"
Yamaguchi looked at Yohei, a mix of amusement and annoyance on his face. "Are you asking me to admire how you collapsed on the ground like a wet noodle after firing one shot?"
Yohei froze.
"That Jutsu was the worst part of the entire operation," Yamaguchi scolded. "You scattered the enemy, making the cleanup harder, and you drained your reserves so badly you couldn't fight. If there had been even one decent ninja among them, you'd be dead right now."
Yohei turned bright red. He wanted to brag, but instead, he got roasted. He hadn't realized the Captain was watching the whole time.
"I'm sorry, Captain. I won't do it again," Yohei apologized quickly.
"Don't apologize to me. Apologize to your team," Yamaguchi said sternly. "You got lucky this time. Next time, your recklessness could get them killed."
Yohei sobered up instantly. He turned to Taiichi and Saori and bowed deeply. "I'm sorry, guys. I put you in danger."
"It's fine, as long as you learn from it," Taiichi said. "But yeah, that was risky."
Saori nodded in agreement.
"Alright, enough of that," Yamaguchi said, his tone softening. "I watched the whole mission. Overall, your performance was excellent."
"From gathering clues and analyzing intel to the infiltration and the final combat—you executed everything perfectly."
"This mission was a test," Yamaguchi revealed. "Every new squad goes through something similar. You passed with flying colors. I'll make sure the mission report reflects that."
Taiichi and Saori beamed. A good report meant better missions and faster promotions. Yohei looked a bit down, knowing his blunder would be on his record, but Taiichi patted him on the shoulder.
"Don't sweat it. We'll get more chances."
"Yeah, Yohei, I believe in you," Saori added.
"Mission complete," Yamaguchi announced. "We'll camp here tonight and head to Scarlet Flow City tomorrow morning to turn in the quest. The local Lord needs to send a cleanup crew."
---
They left the carnage behind and set up camp by a nearby river.
In the distance, the fires Yohei had started were still burning, consuming the village. Here by the river, the team rested quietly.
Taiichi sat by the campfire, taking first watch. He looked back at the burning glow in the distance, feeling the stark divide of the ninja world.
Rich and poor. Noble and commoner. Ninja and civilian.
This world had people with the power to move mountains and reshape rivers, yet that power was used almost exclusively for killing. It felt like such a waste.
But Taiichi couldn't change it. Not yet. He wasn't strong enough. Maybe if he reached the level of Hashirama Senju, he could force the world to be different.
---
The next morning, before the sun had fully risen, Team 8 packed up and headed for Scarlet Flow City. As a border city and a major trade hub between nations, it was bustling and prosperous.
They went straight to the City Lord's manor to report.
The bandit problem had been a massive headache for the City Lord, severely impacting trade. He hadn't expected Konoha to solve it so quickly.
When he read the report and learned the "bandits" were actually local villagers, everything clicked. No wonder my guards never found them, the Lord realized. They were hiding in plain sight as farmers.
Grateful for saving his trade route, the City Lord insisted on hosting a lunch banquet for Team 8.
Yamaguchi accepted the invitation graciously.
"Jonin Yamaguchi, Konoha really is the best," the City Lord praised, raising a glass. "Excluding travel time, you solved this in a single day! I'm going to recommend to the Daimyo that we prioritize Konoha for all future contracts."
Yamaguchi smiled. This was exactly what he wanted to hear. This was why he stayed for lunch.
"You're too kind, my Lord. Scarlet Flow City prospers because of your wise governance," Yamaguchi replied smoothly, returning the flattery. "I will be sure to mention your cooperation to the Hokage."
"Konoha is part of the Land of Fire, after all. We always send our best when the Daimyo or a City Lord calls."
The lunch ended on a high note, with both sides exchanging compliments and securing future benefits.
On the way back to the village, Yamaguchi used the experience as a teaching moment.
"Ninja survive on missions. And who gives out those missions? The Daimyo and the City Lords. Maintaining good relations with them is crucial."
"It's not just about fighting ability," Yamaguchi explained. "A Jonin needs negotiation skills to maximize the benefits for the village."
"The City Lord was in trouble because the bandit issue reached the Daimyo's ears. By solving it and speaking well of him in our report, we help him save face. In return, he pushes more work our way. It's a win-win."
The three Genin listened intently. This was the kind of political insight regular Genin were rarely taught. Yamaguchi was sharing it because he saw their potential.
Taiichi, walking in the back, felt a new respect for his Captain. The stern, by-the-book Yamaguchi was surprisingly slick when it came to politics.
This is the real world, Taiichi reminded himself. Knowing the plot of Naruto doesn't mean I know everything. The world is more complex than a manga.
In the distance, the great gates of Konoha came into view.