Escort Mission (1)

[Mission Hall, Kinzoku Clan]

The Kinzoku clan was located on the North shore of the continent, in the further North point of the Land of Rice. Although this made them slightly isolated, this also came with the benefits of hoarding resources for themselves, without having to fear the assault of enemies. As a result, over centuries, the clan had grown from a simple wooden settlement into a beautiful compound surrounded by 15-meters-tall walls, divided in three zones. The inner compound on the highest point of the mountain, reserved for the main family branch.

The central compound, for second family branch members. 

And lastly, the plains, reserved for the third family branch members.

It was difficult to estimate the numbers of shinobi within the compound, but in total, there was a population of roughly 1000. Among them, half were civilian or family members with little fighting capability. Among the remaining 500, half were blacksmiths, the rest being real shinobi.

However, in the whole village, there was no kage-level figure. Even the patriarch, Kenji, was only an elite-jonin at best. Elders like Kohei or the brother of the patriarch Nakamaro were jonin-level figures, but they were only a dozen or so.

Blacksmiths were working the best iron crafts of the country, and as such, allied clans were willing to pay a fortune to pay for their products. Selling was easy, but actually delivering was not trouble-free. Sending convoys without an escort would be akin to ask for bandits to loot the product, which is why the clan had a policy to always send a squad of shinobi for small to medium-size convoys. Large convoys would never depart without at least a jonin-level elder.

Elder Nakamoro, who oversaw the allocation of missions to the various squads of shinobi, was standing in front of his daughter. The stakes were high.

"Do you think you can handle it?", Elder Nakamoro asked Yumi

"Yes, father", she answered whole-heartedly, knowing that this was a great opportunity, "Furthermore, I believe Genji from the second family branch is ready for his first mission"

"Oh? I thought it would take quite longer for him to be acknowledged. He is Sakura's brother, right? Their father produced two worthy heirs, the way I see it"

Yumi nodded: "Actually, he managed to beat our newest recruit, Eiji, single-handedly without sustaining a single injury. He is not to be underestimated"

"Good. Then, you will depart tomorrow. Even if you completed escort missions in the past, this will be your first time as a squad captain. I will not tolerate failure", Elder Nakamoro said, switching from the stance of a loving father to the title he actually held

"Thank you, father"

Taking the scroll containing the details, Yumi walked around the compound to share the information with her squad member. Taki, the ninjutsu specialist, was lazing off in his house, playing with his little sister. Eiji was in a restaurant, drowning his sorrow of losing to Genji in such a humiliating way in alcohol, a despicable sight for a fourteen-years-old.

Disappointed, Yumi arrived at Sakura's house, and was surprised. 

The two siblings were training, again. It was as if they never stopped.

===

'Sakura is not weak but she lacks versatility and experience', Genji analysed

[Sakura Kinzoku - Lv. 19 Shinobi | Relationships: Excellent]

She had leveled up once in the past few weeks, now almost qualifying as an elite genin as per the power ranking system. Still, Genji could easily control the duel, his overwhelming ninjutsu and genjutsu preventing her from closing the distance.

Just as she charged, using the Kinzoku Kenjutsu Style [C], Genji escaped

'Body Flicker [D]'

'Vacuum Shuriken [D]'

Following the dodge, Sakura was forced to watch in horror as a wave of three vacuum shuriken closed the distance.

Barely managing to parry them, she then collapsed on the ground. Approaching her, Genji touched her forehead and smiled.

"Seems like you are doing the dishes tonight", Genji smirked

From a distance, a tear flew down Yumi's cheek.

The love between the siblings was evident. 

'Since when did I even talk properly to my brother?', Yumi thought to herself