The Land of Rivers was a small country located at the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire, named for its many rivers. Standing at the border, one could almost see where the lush vegetation of the Land of Rivers gave way to the harsh sands of Land of Wind.
This region was not initially a nation. Its origins dated back to the end of the Warring States period, when various ninja clans dominated the land.
The First Hokage sympathized with the harsh conditions of Suna in the Land of Wind. To provide some relief, he allocated this relatively fertile land, compared to the desert, to the First Kazekage, Reto.
History was always written from the perspective of power. What textbooks called 'generosity' from the First Hokage was likely strategic positioning disguised as goodwill.
However, the Daimyō of the Land of Wind grew concerned that Suna might develop rebellious ambitions because of this land. As a result, he orchestrated the separation of this territory into an independent country, the Land of Rivers.
From a modern perspective, this decision seemed like cutting off one's arm. However, there was a misconception.
In the shinobi world, the aristocracy of various nations was deeply intermarried. These so-called national rulers were essentially part of the same extended family.
The common ninja died for their village while daimyō exchanged territories like trading cards—all within the same extended family. It was almost comical how ninjas fought for borders drawn by distant relatives.
For Suna, the independence of the Land of Rivers was a loss, but for the Daimyō of the Land of Wind, it was merely a matter of assigning territory to a relative.
Suna, unwilling to accept this loss entirely, took covert measures to ensure the Land of Rivers could not establish its own ninja village, thereby retaining a portion of the missions originating from the region.
Thus concluded today's lesson on the history and geography of the shinobi world.
Currently, Minato and I were traveling along the border between the Land of Rivers and the Land of Wind.
The wind carried fine particles of sand that found their way into every fold of clothing. Even chakra-enhanced fabric couldn't fully protect against the desert's persistent invasion.
Our target was a secret Suna supply route hidden in the wind and sand.
The information came from an intelligence operative claiming to work in the "Darkness of Konoha."
This was the first mission for the Gale Blade Flash Spiral Legend Storm Ultra Howling Zero Division Squad.
This intel from Root was suspiciously detailed. But Danzō wasn't one to sabotage Konoha's war efforts, regardless of his methods.
Minato took this mission very seriously.
He wasn't just executing a mission. This was a test case for our squad's viability. He needed to prove to the Third Hokage that specialized strike squad could be more effective than traditional squads.
"Ahead is the key outpost for Suna's operations along this route. I've heard you have sensing abilities as well, have you detected anything?" Minato asked, pointing at a sand-filled gorge ahead.
I subtly activated my Rikugan, scanning the area. "Yes, I can sense faint chakra reactions."
"Can you tell how many?" Minato pressed, his eyes narrowing against the shifting sands.
"Seven... no, eight chakra signatures," I answered after a careful scan. "Five clustered near what must be the central structure, two at what appears to be an entrance, and one circling—likely a patrol."
"Unbelievable… they've concealed themselves within the sand pretty well."
The natural obstruction of the sandstorm was no match for the Rikugan, which revealed the movements of the Suna ninjas in the distance.
This was a point where the senior intelligence operative had much to contribute.
"This is Suna's concealment technique. When multiple users combine it in the desert, they can gather large amounts of sand to form a natural barrier. Without excellent sensing abilities, it's hard to detect," Minato explained.
"Efficient chakra usage," I noted. "They're rotating the jutsu maintenance. Three signatures show chakra depletion patterns consistent with recent shift changes."
"Your sensory talents are as remarkable as your ninjutsu skills," Minato praised.
"I still have much to learn. Besides, Captain Minato, standing before you, any genius would pale in comparison," I said, borrowing lines from Jiraiya's playbook.
After some mutual flattery, the two of us stealthily approached the Suna outpost hidden beneath the sandstorm.
"Direct assault through the sandstorm would alert them immediately," Minato observed, scrutinizing the terrain. "And tunneling below would trigger their vibration sensors. Suna is particularly vigilant about underground approaches."
"That leaves us with limited options."
His patience was impressive. Most jonin would have made a decision by now, but he was gathering every possible data point first.
Their concealment technique had clear advantages. It was easy to perform as a group, low in energy consumption, and could be maintained around the clock through shifts.
However, it also had a glaring weakness: it was only effective in desert terrain. Once discovered by the enemy, it served no more purpose than decoration.
Based on Minato's observations, the terrain here left little chance for silent infiltration.
"Fifteen-minute patrol intervals at the east entrance. That's our window," he stated.
"And if we encounter unexpected resistance?" I asked.
"Then we adapt," he replied with quiet confidence. "The plan is a framework, not a prison."
So this was the leadership style that would eventually earn him the Hokage mantle.
He decided to take direct action through this entrance.
Two Suna ninjas guarded the entrance.
After briefly strategizing in Konoha's hand signs, Minato and I moved into action.
Lightning chakra gathered in my hand, but using exceptional chakra control, I minimized the lightning chakra's stimulating effect on cells to an almost invisible level, allowing me to deliver a swift and decisive slash that silently took out one Suna ninja.
With a faint sound of rapid movement, Minato became a blur. His movement was so swift that the air barely had time to displace around him. His kunai found the throat of the second Suna ninja, and he slit it.
Known as the future fastest ninja in the shinobi world, Minato didn't rely solely on the Flying Thunder God. His Body Flicker Technique was also unrivaled.
The stories didn't exaggerate—he truly was redefining what was possible with basic techniques.
Without wasting words, we silently infiltrated the outpost. At best, we estimated we had only 15 minutes from now—but that was assuming no unforeseen circumstances arose.
With nothing but a brief exchange of hand signals, Minato and I split up according to our original plan, heading to the various warehouses within the outpost.
Thanks to the high-quality intelligence provided by a certain person's organization—well, actually, Root, we already had a general idea of the warehouse locations.
The layout matched perfectly—which raised questions about how they acquired such detailed information. Danzō's reach extended further than most realize.
Anyway, our current task was to confirm the locations and leave Minato's custom-made Flying Thunder God kunai as markers.
Once all the locations were marked, Minato would use the Flying Thunder God to teleport himself and me to each spot in rapid succession, deploying the Rasenshuriken for precise and simultaneous explosions.
Minato wasn't exaggerating when he said this strategy wouldn't have been possible without me.
Advanced techniques like elemental jutsu and other forbidden techniques shared one defining feature to achieve an S-rank rating: sheer destructive power.
The last well-known S-rank elemental jutsu in Konoha was the Second Hokage's Hard Whirlpool Water Blade.
Simply put, under the power of an S-rank jutsu, no matter how strong the barrier formations guarding the warehouses were, they would be rendered useless.
This is the last one. Minato should be nearly done as well, I thought to myself, inserting the kunai into a concealed spot while eyeing the massive warehouse before me.
The mission was proceeding almost too smoothly. In my experience, that was often when complications arise in stories.
Some of these warehouses were empty, while others held various war supplies. Some of the items even made me envious.
Military-grade soldier pills, desert-adapted medical equipment, even specialized chakra transmission devices... items that could save lives in Konoha.
However, prioritizing the mission and aware of the limited time, I wisely chose to restrain myself and avoided any actions that might disrupt or compromise the operation.
In another life, perhaps I would have helped myself to a few 'samples.' But Minato's trust was worth more than any physical resource.
I was determined to complete the mission flawlessly.
When I agreed to join the strike squad, I had made up my mind to build enough prestige in this war. This would allow me to take part in the village's wartime command system.
By doing so, I could keep track of Rin, Kakashi, and Obito's movements on the battlefield and respond swiftly to any emergencies to rescue them if needed.
Ah, I'm really working myself to the bone for these friends, I thought, chuckling internally as I worked.
A flash of yellow light signaled Minato's arrival at my side.
When the strike squad had first formed, he had gifted me a Flying Thunder God kunai as a token of trust.
"No, you're right on time. As the intel suggested, I've marked three locations on my end," I quickly reported.
"I've also successfully marked the other three locations from the intel. However, I discovered an additional hidden warehouse," Minato said, revealing his findings.
"A hidden warehouse?"