This was the third day of their journey to the Capital. Three days that felt like a month. Yuji had forgotten how slowly the world moved when you weren't leaping from one tree branch to another. The steady pace of the horse-drawn cart was a slow torture for a shinobi, but it provided far too much time for thinking.
They could have arrived faster if they had just run and jumped through the trees like ninja. But they were on an escort mission, not a race. And their clients, now sitting comfortably in the cart with his daughter, were not tree-hoppers.
Strangely, the atmosphere among them had returned to normal. The horrific event at the edge of the ravine seemed to have been sealed in an unspoken box and stored at the back of their minds. Kiba and Akamaru's chatter once again filled the air, punctuating the forest's silence with a debate over whether a skunk's smell was worse than his father's socks after training; Akamaru voted for the latter.
But beneath the noisy surface, something had changed. They remained vigilant. Especially Yuji.
Every time the rustle of the wind sounded a bit too strange, or a shadow among the trees seemed too deep, his hand would reflexively move closer to his kunai pouch. The lesson from Tsukasa-sensei, no mercy for your enemies, had been etched into his mind in a way no textbook ever could.
That realization brought with it another, more unsettling awareness.
Over the past few years, he had trained in so many different things. He learned the basics of ninjutsu, his taijutsu was decent thanks to Iruka-sensei's help, and his fuinjutsu—Yuji was proud to call himself a bit of an expert.
But the problem was, he was doing everything at once. He couldn't focus on just one thing. As a result, his skills felt... scattered.
As soon as he returned from this mission, he would ask Tsukasa-sensei to teach him a few useful things. He needed focus. He needed guidance from someone who had seen it all.
And then there was another problem looming on the horizon, a problem far bigger than bandits or greedy corporations. The Chunin Exams.
Oh, that would be a major drag. Honestly, Yuji didn't want to participate at all. It was a hornet's nest full of crazy people and unnecessary danger. It was the main stage where the original story's plot truly began. And Yuji wanted no part in that plot.
However, he knew it might be inevitable. If Tsukasa-sensei brought it up, and Masami and Kiba agreed to join, who was he to refuse? A team was a team. If Yuji refused, he would look like a coward. He would be hated. Their strange but functional team dynamic would be ruined.
And more importantly, the exam required a three-person team.
Damn it. And there... there was Orochimaru. One of the Three Legendary Sannin. A mad genius with an obsession for immortality. Yuji had to avoid him, no matter what. He had no business with the snake Sannin. Let the world descend into chaos on its own. Let Konoha be destroyed. Let the Third Hokage die. Yuji would just watch from a distance while eating popcorn with his parents. That was the plan. A very good and safe plan.
"You're thinking again, Yuji?!"
A hard pat on his shoulder pulled him from his spiral of anxiety. It was Kiba, grinning at him, with Akamaru barking in agreement from on top of his backpack.
"Are you scared there'll be more enemies, huh!" Kiba continued, his tone a mix of taunt and genuine concern. "Your negative aura is radiating everywhere! Just relax! If they come, we'll face them together! Besides, we're almost at the Capital, you should be excited!"
Yuji looked at his overly enthusiastic friend. Negative aura. Maybe Kiba had a point.
"My radiating negative aura is only a few percent," Yuji replied flatly, returning to his defensive mode. "And it's completely suppressed by your blazing spirit energy, which is so blinding it could probably be used to light a lighthouse."
Kiba blinked, trying to process that sentence. Then, he decided to take it as a compliment. "That means I'm the strongest, right?! You hear that, Akamaru?!"
Akamaru barked in confirmation.
"Of course," Yuji said, rolling his eyes.
Kiba, now satisfied with his "victory," turned his attention forward, where Tsukasa was walking casually. "Sensei! I have an idea!" he shouted. "You'd better treat us to some good food when we're in the Capital! I hate that I've been eating dried meat for days!"
Yuji, this time, was in complete agreement. He was sick of dried meat and the river fish he'd managed to catch. The rations were practical, but they tasted like seasoned cardboard. Damn, he should have learned how to cook. That was probably the most important survival skill of all.
"Oh? Making a suggestion, Kiba-kun?" Tsukasa called back without turning. "I thought you were just going to make a demand."
"It's a polite demand!" Kiba said. "We've worked hard! We've risked our lives! We deserve Yakiniku!"
"I agree with the Yakiniku part," Masami said from the other side of the cart, surprising everyone. "The dried meat is starting to taste like sand."
Tsukasa laughed. "Alright, alright! You win!" He turned while walking backward, his wide smile returning. "Don't worry, it's all under control! When we get to the Capital and finish this mission, I won't just treat you to Yakiniku. I'll act as your personal tour guide!"
"A tour guide?" Yuji asked, suspicious.
"Of course!" Tsukasa said. "I'll show you all the best spots! The legendary dango shop known only to Jonin! The market where you can buy weird weapons! And most importantly, the best view from the tallest rooftop to see the entire city!"
"A rooftop race!" Kiba exclaimed.
"A rooftop race," Tsukasa confirmed.
"I'll prepare my flute," Masami muttered, probably imagining how she would calm the angry guards.
Yuji could only sigh. His teacher was truly incurable. But... Yakiniku did sound very good. And the idea of seeing the Capital up close, not just as a name on a map, did stir a little curiosity within him.
"Make sure the Yakiniku place has the best quality meat," Yuji said, a very specific request.
"You can count on it!" Tsukasa promised.
As they continued their journey, the mood became lighter. They talked about what food they missed the most. Choji, if he were here, would have dominated the conversation. Kiba wanted grilled ribs. Masami surprisingly wanted anmitsu, a sweet dessert. And Yuji... he just wanted something that didn't taste like preserved meat.
After passing through a winding dirt road, and the soothing gurgle of a river. Then, the trees thinned, and the world seemed to open up. Before them, spread across a wide plain, was the Capital of the Land of Fire, Hibashira.
Even from a distance, its size was intimidating. Its walls were not as high and militaristic as Konoha's. They were lower, more open, more like an embrace than a fortress. But what lay behind them was what made Yuji hold his breath.
This wasn't a village. This was a city. A real city.
When they finally arrived at the bustling main gate, Yuji felt a strange and painful wave of nostalgia hit him. The gate was large and adorned with intricate carvings, but the security felt far more relaxed than in Konoha. The guards, who looked more like city police than elite shinobi, just checked their mission scroll quickly, waved at Tsukasa as if they were old acquaintances, and let them in without much fuss.
And as Yuji stepped past the gate, he entered a world that had long been lost to him.
The city deserved its title as the Capital. Its size was astonishing, and it was filled with tall buildings that towered towards the sky. Yuji couldn't remember if the Naruto series had ever shown a glimpse of the Capital; everything was always centered on Konoha, a hidden military village. But this... this was different.
It was crowded. Crowded like the city where David Gerald used to live. Thousands of voices mixed into a constant hum, the shouts of merchants, the laughter of children, the clatter of footsteps on the stone streets, and the endless buzz of conversations in various accents. The air was filled with countless smells: the sweetness of freshly baked pastries, the savory aroma of grilled meat from roadside stalls, the sharp scent of expensive perfume, and the faint smell of the canals that flowed through the city.
The city combined modern and traditional atmospheres in a confusing yet charming way. Two-story wooden buildings with traditional tiled roofs stood beside four or five-story buildings that used more plaster and glass. Bustling market stalls were everywhere, selling everything from hand-painted silks to mass-produced ninja tools. And among it all, lush green trees and well-kept little parks provided a touch of nature amidst the concrete and wooden jungle.
Yuji saw a few shinobi walking among the crowd. He recognized people from other lands, a tall, thin man with a turban that marked him from the Land of Wind, and a small group that might have been from the Land of Water. They didn't walk with caution. They walked like tourists, looking around with curiosity. The Capital's security was clearly not as strict as Konoha's. Indeed, there were many 'police' patrolling, but the atmosphere was more open, more cosmopolitan. This wasn't a military fortress; it was the country's economic hub. People from all over the world came here to trade, to seek their fortune, to start something new.
"WOW! YOU WEREN'T LYING, SENSEI! THIS CITY HAS SO MANY TALL BUILDINGS!"
Kiba's booming voice pulled Yuji from his reverie. His teammate stood in the middle of the street, his head craned back, his eyes wide with amazement as he stared at the top of the tallest building. Akamaru, perched on his head, barked with fiery enthusiasm, sharing his master's awe.
On the cart, Koji, who was carefully guiding his horse through the crowd, snorted. "You'd better lower your voice a little, kid," he growled. "You sound like a village dog who's found a new toy for the first time."
Kiba paid the old man no mind. He was still looking around with pure, unfiltered amazement. "Look at that, Akamaru! That one even has sparkling windows! I bet the view from up there is amazing!"
Akane, still sitting calmly in the driver's seat, smiled lightly at the enthusiasm. "The view is indeed beautiful," she said. "But my stomach is starting to sing. We should find some food first."
"GREAT IDEA!" Kiba immediately agreed, his attention instantly shifting from architecture to food. "I'm hungry too! I want meat! Lots of meat!"
Yuji, well, he thought that wasn't a bad idea at all. His own stomach was starting to rumble softly, tired of their travel rations.
"Then, let's go!" Tsukasa-sensei exclaimed, his smile as bright as the sun above them. "I'll show you my favorite eating spot! This place has everything you could want!"
"You'd better not disappoint us, Sensei," Masami added, her flat voice somehow managing to sound like a very polite threat.
"You doubt me?" Tsukasa replied with a mock-wounded tone. "Your stomachs will thank me later!"
After walking a bit further and finding an inn with a stable to leave Akane and Koji's cart and horses, they were finally free to explore the city. Tsukasa led them down the bustling main street, then turned into a district that seemed more luxurious, filled with elegant restaurants and tea houses.
Finally, he stopped in front of a large, two-story building. The building was grand, with a small gate at its entrance and large red paper lanterns hanging from its eaves. But its style was still very traditional, made of dark, varnished wood and paper walls. A large sign with beautiful calligraphy read "Kagetsu".
"Here we are!" Tsukasa announced proudly. "A paradise for hungry stomachs!"
They stepped inside. The interior was as impressive as the exterior. The room was spacious and open, with wooden floors polished to a shine and low tables scattered throughout, each separated by beautiful shoji partitions. Waitresses in kimonos moved quickly and silently, and the air was filled with the delicious aroma of various dishes.
A friendly waitress greeted them and led them to a semi-private room at the back, which overlooked a small, tranquil rock garden.
As they sat on the soft cushions, Yuji felt an immense sense of relief. He reached into his pocket, feeling the weight of his small wallet. Tsukasa-sensei had distributed the pay from their D-Rank missions very fairly. Yuji had saved up enough money to treat himself to a good meal. But as he was about to take out his wallet, Tsukasa raised his hand.
"Save it, little soldier," he said with a smile. "Remember my promise? Today, all of this," he spread his arms to encompass the entire restaurant, "is my treat."
Kiba cheered. Yuji just nodded, putting his wallet back in his pocket.
The Kagetsu restaurant was a marvel of quiet efficiency. Shortly after they sat down and ordered, waitresses came and went without a sound, carrying plates of beautifully arranged raw meat slices, fresh vegetables, and various sauces. The tables in this restaurant had a small charcoal grill embedded in the center. A waitress skillfully lit the charcoal under the grill, and soon, a pleasant heat began to radiate from it.
Tsukasa-sensei, with the enthusiasm of a child, immediately arranged several portions of meat. Akane and Koji, who seemed less interested in the dining commotion, sipped on a pot of high-quality oolong tea.
Kiba was practically vibrating with anticipation in front of him.
"Huoh! The meat is good quality! I can smell it!" Kiba exclaimed, sniffing the air above the plate with his eyes closed, his nose twitching like a real dog's. Akamaru, sitting sweetly on his lap, let out a small, excited whimper.
Masami, who was gracefully pouring tare sauce into her small bowl, glanced at Kiba from under her long eyelashes. "Stop that," she said, her flat voice a stark contrast to Kiba's enthusiasm. "You look strange."
"Anyone would get strange seeing meat this good!" Kiba retorted, sticking his tongue out in a taunt before placing the first slice of meat on the hot grill.
Tssssss!
The satisfying sizzle filled the room, followed by the incredibly delicious aroma of grilled meat. Yuji felt his stomach rumble harder. He picked up a piece with his chopsticks and placed it on the grill. This... this was a luxury he hadn't felt in a long time.
Light conversation began as they ate. Kiba and Tsukasa argued about which cut of meat was the best. Akane patiently answered Masami's questions about some of the herbal teas she saw on the menu. Koji was silent, sipping his tea and occasionally glancing at the group of shinobi with an expression that was no longer entirely sour.
In the midst of his chewing, Yuji's thoughts returned to the city beyond these shoji paper walls. To its crowds, its size, its complexity.
"By the way," Yuji began, swallowing a piece of meat that melted in his mouth. "This Capital is so big. I've heard that even the sewers under the city are vast, like an underground labyrinth. Is that true?"
The question made Kiba pause his eating for a moment. "Sewers? Why are you thinking about sewers while we're eating Yakiniku?"
"Just curious," Yuji said.
Koji snorted, putting down his teacup. "Of course it's true," he grumbled. "Otherwise, this city would flood every time it rained heavily. With all these buildings and stone roads, the water has nowhere else to go."
Yuji nodded. That made sense. But his mind didn't stop there. A city this large, with such a dense population... it reminded him of his previous world. And with that memory, came another, deeper question.
"With the size of the city and the number of people from other parts of the world coming here," Yuji continued slowly, looking at Tsukasa. "Are, are there homeless people here?"
The question instantly changed the atmosphere. Kiba looked confused. Akane frowned with concern. Tsukasa-sensei, who was about to put a piece of meat into his mouth, stopped. He placed the meat back on his plate and looked at Yuji. His smile faded slightly.
"That's a very sharp question, Yuji," he said softly. He leaned back, his elbows on the table. "Yes. Of course there are."
He took a breath. "Look," he began, his tone shifting from a cheerful teacher to an experienced social observer. "The people who come here, most of them come from small villages like Mizuhara. They come for a fortune. They hear stories. Stories of a merchant who became rich, or an artist whose work was bought by a nobleman."
"The news of the few who succeed," he continued, "will cause a wave for others to follow. They sell their land, pack all their belongings, and come to the Capital with big dreams in their heads. Unfortunately," he sighed, "dreams sometimes don't match expectations. The competition here is fierce. Your capital will only be spent on expensive rent and food. And if you're not smart enough, or not lucky enough, you won't make anything."
"When that happens," he said, his voice growing heavier, "they won't be able to pay the rent. They get evicted. And they're too ashamed to return to their villages as failures. So, well... they sleep wherever they can. In alleys. Under bridges. And yes," he looked Yuji straight in the eye, "some of them end up in the sewers."
A heavy silence fell over the table. The sizzling sound from the grill suddenly felt very loud. Yuji felt a chill that had nothing to do with the room's temperature.
"In that case," Masami's calm voice broke the silence. She wasn't looking at anyone, just playing with her chopsticks over her bowl. "With so many desperate people gathered in one hidden place like that... it's not impossible for crime to gather there as well, right? A shadow community."
Tsukasa swallowed a piece of cold meat before answering. "You're very smart, Masami-chan," he said, his tone full of grim approval. "Exactly. Where there is desperation, there is opportunity for those without morals. Small gangs, black markets, information brokers... it's all down there. It's the city's filthy underbelly."
"But," he added, seeing his students' tense faces, "no need to worry about that. As long as you don't go near the sewers or the wrong alleys at night, you'll always be safe. There are plenty of guard-nin and city police patrolling here. The Capital is safe on the surface." He smiled faintly. "But well, as I always say, you must always be vigilant. Luck doesn't always favor the unprepared."
Akane, who had been listening with a sad expression, finally nodded slowly. "That's why," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "That's why we insisted on refusing the unreasonable offer from Ritsu."
Everyone looked at her.
"Because it's not just about money for us," she continued, her eyes meeting Yuji's. "We also want our village to prosper. If we can succeed at this exhibition, maybe we can find an honest investor to help us build a small factory in Mizuhara. Create jobs. Give people a reason to stay, to build a life in their own home."
She looked at her father, who was just staring at his teacup in silence. "We don't want the children from our village to have to come to a place like this and risk everything, only to end up... wherever that may be."
Her words hung in the air, filled with the weight of a purpose far greater than just selling a sword.
"AHHH!!!" Kiba shouted, "enough talk! Let's finish all of this!"
And for that, for the umpteenth time, Yuji agreed with Kiba.
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