Chapter 54: Proper Mission.

Itachi's mind wandered as he walked toward his first day as an ANBU member, the weight of Izumi's words still hanging in the air. They had echoed in his thoughts, more so than she probably intended. "They just use me however I'm handy, like taking care of the Feudal Lord's wife's pets, or helping move the Land of Fire admin to a new office, and stuff."

Well, he was relieved that she hadn't been on any dangerous missions.

Her voice had been tinged with frustration, an emotion he could scarcely understand. He had always been the one who observed, not one to express his feelings openly. But now, the idea of being used like a tool, something disposable… struck a chord deep within him.

The next words she spoke, "I feel like you're getting further and further away…" hit harder than he had expected. He hadn't thought of it that way. To him, it was only logical—he was climbing higher in rank, strengthening his abilities to protect Konoha. But as he looked at the distance between himself and Izumi, he realized she was right. He was moving further away—not just physically, and emotionally but also from his goal of becoming so strong that no one would fight, and peace would follow.

The world was swallowing him up, and he hadn't even noticed the gap widening on everything.

"We're still eleven years old. But, Itachi, you're already an ANBU."

He knew what it was like to be burdened by responsibility, to feel like his purpose in life was defined by what others expected of him. It was why he had to join ANBU—this quest to protect and sacrifice. Yet, he couldn't help but wonder if, like Izumi felt, his entire existence had been reduced to a role—a function.

But her words lingered in his mind, a reminder that not everyone understood his path, or perhaps, that even those closest to him couldn't see the isolation it caused.

"Like you, I've got a prodigy on my team—he's only nine and already a Genin."

The mention of Raijin Sarutobi didn't particularly catch his attention, but the word 'prodigy' did. Itachi couldn't help but sympathize inwardly with Izumi's teammates.

As his thoughts lingered on his new role, his mind shifted to Kakashi, the infamous ANBU captain. Itachi's lips barely moved as he muttered his name under his breath. "Kakashi Hatake… Friend-killer." The words felt cold on his tongue, a recognition of the harsh reality.

And then the rumors. "If it was to complete the mission, Team Leader Kakashi would even kill his friends."

Itachi had heard these whispers, just as everyone else had. Kakashi was a legend—yet a legend tarnished by the ruthless efficiency that defined him. A man who valued the mission above all else, even human connections. To kill a friend? Was that truly the cost of loyalty to the village?

Itachi's mind whirred. Kakashi had never been someone to be underestimated. But even if regarded as 'talented', Kakashi's coldness stood in stark contrast to the warm ideal of loyalty that Itachi had held for so long.

A chilling thought gnawed at the back of his mind—could he too, be capable of such a thing? Was it even the way to protect Konoha? Was that the true price of strength?

A quiet sigh left Itachi's lips as he quickened his pace, the looming shadow of his first mission ahead of him.

Mission first. Always. He reminded himself. But somewhere deep inside, he questioned whether this was truly the path he wanted, or the one he had been pushed toward.

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"Konohagakure's Shinobi Rules #4: A shinobi must always put the mission first."

Ryouka's voice sliced through the crisp morning air like the edge of a kunai. She stood with arms crossed, her sharp gaze sweeping over her team—Raijin Sarutobi, Izumi Uchiha, and Sora Yamada—each of them standing in a loose formation, their breaths visible in the chilly dawn.

Raijin and his team had tackled countless odd jobs: caring for the Feudal Lord's wife's pets, weeding, painting fences, babysitting, locating lost animals, helping relocate the Land of Fire's administration, cleaning village shrines, restocking the market, patrolling quiet routes, gathering herbs, assisting with school events, and maintaining the village monument. Some missions were well-paid, while others were done without reward. They had performed these tasks so often that they were beginning to grow restless.

"Well, today's different," Ryouka continued, her tone shifting. "This mission isn't about filling up the time, it's about making sure we do things right. It's a C-rank Mission."

[Well, today's different.] Raizu muttered a hint of boredom in his voice.

Raijin chuckled softly. Raizu attempted to replicate Ryouka's stoic expression and authoritative voice. The impression was so unexpectedly accurate that Raijin couldn't help but laugh.

"Huh? What's the matter?" Izumi whispered.

"Nah, it's nothing," Raijin replied quietly.

"We'll be crossing into the Land of Iron, and while it is a neutral country, things are… delicate." Ryouka continued.

This C-rank mission marked a milestone and a journey beyond the borders of the Land of Fire, a first for any Genin team. It was bound to be a whole new experience.

Sora raised an eyebrow. "Delicate? What do you mean by that?"

Ryouka glanced over at her. "Tensions are rising between the villages. The Land of Iron might be neutral, but they've got strict policies against shinobi conflict on their land. We need to be discreet, efficient, and keep a low profile. This isn't just another 'run-and-fetch' mission."

The trio exchanged a look, each of them weighing the gravity of the situation.

Sora spoke up, his voice low but firm. "We won't mess it up."

Izumi nodded. "Understood. We've been training for this kind of responsibility. The mission comes first."

"Exactly," Ryouka said, her voice steady. "Our objective is simple: retrieve a shipment of goods from the Land of Iron and return it to the village: Konohagakure. That's it. But we can't afford to take any chances. We're on neutral ground, and the slightest wrong move could jeopardize the mission and our safety. And with tensions rising between villages, our presence in foreign lands needed to be brief and discreet."

[Are there other villages like yours? Villages with shinobi and ninjas?] Raizu asked.

Shinobi and ninjas are the same thing. And yes, there are many other villages outside the Land of Fire, Raijin responded mentally. There are also samurai, though.

[Then why don't we visit all of them? Imagine the stories I could gather! Oh! Do you think they have the beasts that the Jinchūriki's hold, the ones you keep comparing me to?] Raizu's voice bubbled with excitement.

Raijin had a fleeting thought of Raizu wriggling inside his navel like an eager pup. Well, you're more than a terrifying tail-beast.

[But what about these samurai? How are they different from ninjas… or shinobi?]

Raijin took a moment before answering. Samurai don't use Jutsu like us. The Land of Iron, where we're heading, is ruled by samurai. They train relentlessly, he continued. Some are skilled enough to cut through Jutsu itself.

…

The journey began smoothly, with the sun climbing higher in the sky, casting a golden hue across the landscape as the team made their way out of the Land of Fire. The journey to the Land of Iron was several days long, requiring strategic rest stops and constant vigilance.

The further they traveled from the Land of Fire's borders, the less familiar the terrain became. It shifted from lush woodlands to rocky foothills and then into the colder, harsher regions that signaled their approach toward their destination.

True to her nature, Ryouka maintained a strict pace, her steps both precise and methodical. She barely spoke unless necessary, her dark eyes never straying from the path. Her presence alone commanded discipline, an unspoken expectation that the three Genin under her charge would follow without question.

Raijin could feel the tension in the air—not fear, but awareness. Even Izumi, occasionally prone to indulging in conversation, kept her words to a minimum. Sora focused, and followed closely behind, his hands occasionally brushing against the pouches on his belt.

Raizu, however, was far less restrained.

[This forest is so much quieter than Konoha's training grounds,] the creature mused, his voice tickling at the edges of Raijin's consciousness. [Almost eerie, don't you think?]

Raijin suppressed a smirk. That's because we're outside the village.

[You say that like it's a bad thing.]

Raijin adjusted the straps of his pack, feeling the slight weight shift of the supplies, they carried. Their mission wasn't overly complicated, but Ryouka's had made it clear to expect trouble.

The Land of Iron was neutral—at least, in political terms. Unlike the shinobi villages, which constantly schemed and maneuvered against each other, the samurai had chosen to distance themselves from the conflicts of the Five Great Nations. Yet, neutrality didn't always mean safety.

[These samurai,] Raizu piped up again, curiosity laced in his tone. [Are they really that different from shinobi? I mean, no Jutsu at all? What do they do in battle—just swing swords and hope for the best?]

Their swords are an extension of their bodies, and their techniques are honed over years of discipline. They rely on discipline, swordsmanship, and sheer physical skill. But their techniques can still be deadly. Instead of chakra-based techniques, they wielded steel with an artistry that rivaled even the most skilled shinobi. Raijin explained.

[So, basically, they're just shinobi with a fancy sword obsession?] Raizu teased, poking fun at Raijin for the sword kept at his home, as if it were a symbol of royalty.

Raijin rolled his eyes. More like warriors who dedicate everything to mastering a single art. If we fought one of their best, we'd have a problem. And next time I'm bringing my sword.

Raizu hummed thoughtfully, then let out an exaggerated sigh. [Fine, fine.]

Their trek continued, with Ryouka setting the pace and the Genin following in disciplined silence. Despite the routine nature of their journey, Raijin remained alert. The world outside Konoha had rules of its own, and neutral territory didn't always mean safe territory.

Izumi, ever composed, kept her Sharingan inactive but alert. Sora, on the other hand, muttered under his breath about the cold winds sweeping in as they neared the mountainous region.

"I don't get why the Land of Iron has to be this freezing all year round," Sora grumbled, rubbing his arms.

"You should have brought warmer clothes," Izumi quipped, though her demeanor was stiff against the cold.

Raizu commented. [You know what, I like this guy.]

…

Upon reaching the Land of Iron, "Stay sharp," Ryouka said, her voice low but firm, as they reached the border checkpoint. The checkpoint was simple but efficient—two samurai standing at attention, clad in armor with the emblem of the Land of Iron emblazoned across their chests. They looked over the group with an air of indifference, their sharp eyes scrutinizing the ninja as they approached.

Ryouka stepped forward, her expression was neutral but respectful. "We're here to retrieve a shipment. We've been cleared for entry."

The samurai nodded curtly, their eyes flicking over to the rolled scroll Ryouka presented—proof of the mission and Konoha's request. They examined it for a moment before handing it back.

"Keep to the main route. No exceptions." The taller samurai's voice was stern, yet there was an unspoken warning in his tone. Any disruption here, even a small one, could cause problems for the team.

Ryouka gave a respectful nod. "Understood."

With the checkpoint passed, they continued on heading to Kageyama, moving deeper into the Land of Iron.

The streets of Kageyama were orderly, the people were respectful but distant. There were no ninjas in sight, and even the markets, though lively, seemed to operate under a watchful eye.

As they reached the warehouse, Ryouka's thoughts were focused on the task ahead. The shipment was stored on the outskirts of the village at multiple warehouses. Nothing extravagant—just crates of good to be brought back to Konoha. Simple enough. Still, they had to be cautious. But Ryouka had a feeling of having the simple delivery becoming complicated at any moment.

The warehouse stood at the edge of town, guarded by two more samurai who, like the ones at the border, seemed to have an uncanny ability to notice even the smallest details. Ryouka stopped just outside the gate, turning to her team. "Keep it low-key. We retrieve the goods, and we leave. No unnecessary interactions."

Izumi nodded, her hand instinctively resting on the hilt of her sword. "Understood."

Sora seemed to hold back a grin. "No fights, huh?"

"Let's just get this over with," Raijin said with his gaze steady.

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