NARUTO: In the Era of Sannin

The village gates loomed in the pale light of dawn as Kagami stood waiting, his arms crossed and his face serene yet watchful. 

The morning chill had settled over the village, and the faint mist curling around the ground gave the scene an almost ethereal touch. Kagami's students arrived one by one.

"Good morning, sensei!" Sakumo greeted cheerfully, though there was a hint of excitement in his voice that betrayed his youthful energy.

"You're unusually chipper for someone heading out this early," Mio commented dryly as she adjusted the strap of her pack. Her sharp eyes scanned Sakumo, noting his slightly uneven strides. "Got enough sleep?"

"Enough to keep up with you," Sakumo shot back, his grin widening.

Yuichi arrived last, his steps measured, and his face reflecting his usual calm demeanor. But Kagami noticed the subtle furrow of his brow and the faint bags under his eyes. 

He's been thinking too much, Kagami thought, though he didn't press him on it. Instead, he gestured toward the gate.

"Alright, we'll be heading east toward the Land of Grains," Kagami began, his tone firm but instructive. "You're not here just to complete a mission. You're here to learn—about teamwork, diplomacy, and responsibility. The Land of Grains is a unique place, and I expect you all to behave accordingly."

"Unique how?" Mio asked, her curiosity piqued.

Kagami smirked. "You'll see. But first, some context."

As they began walking, Kagami continued, his tone becoming more serious. "The Land of Grains is situated between the Lands of Fire, Lightning, and Water. Despite its precarious position, it has thrived over the years, earning it the nickname 'Paradise Isles.' The country is essentially a cluster of small islands connected by bridges and trade routes. Unlike other nations, it's not ruled by a daimyo but by a powerful merchant association."

"Merchants?" Sakumo asked, his brow furrowing. "So they don't have a ninja village?"

"Correct," Kagami replied. 

"They rely on the big villages for tasks requiring shinobi. That's how they keep the peace—they pay high prices to ensure the big three nations don't turn on them. It's a delicate balance, but it works. However..." 

He paused, his gaze sharpening. "That also means we may encounter shinobi from other villages. Not all relationships are friendly. Watch your actions."

The students nodded, the weight of Kagami's words settling over them.

"Lastly," Kagami added, "there's no single merchant company. Different merchants form alliances with various villages. Konoha tends to get lower-level missions because we offer competitive rates, which is why we're here. The client we're assisting today is one of our regulars. Keep that in mind."

The journey to the Fire Country's port was grueling. They covered the distance in a single day, keeping their breaks to a minimum. 

By the time they boarded the ship, exhaustion had caught up with all of them. Mio and Sakumo collapsed into their sleeping bags the moment they entered their cabin.

Yuichi, though equally tired, lay awake for a while, staring at the wooden ceiling of the ship. His thoughts drifted to Kagami's words, the weight of the mission, and the faint echo of Kevin's memories that sometimes stirred within him. 

Eventually, fatigue claimed him, and he drifted into an uneasy sleep.

The next day brought new challenges. The sea was rough, and both Mio and Sakumo quickly discovered they were not made for life at sea. Motion sickness hit them hard, leaving them pale and miserable.

"I-I'm going to run on water all the way there," Sakumo groaned, clutching his stomach.

"You'll drown before you get halfway," Kagami said flatly, before knocking Sakumo out with a precise tap to the nape. "Now rest."

Yuichi, though less affected, smirked at Sakumo's plight but offered a small tip to Mio when she looked at him with pleading eyes. To her surprise, it did.

By the time they reached the Land of Grains, the sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the clustered islands. The sight was breathtaking, fields of lush crops stretched as far as the eye could see, interspersed with small villages and dense patches of trees. 

Bridges connected the islands, their structures sturdy yet elegant, adorned with lanterns that glowed faintly in the evening light. The air was thick with the scent of fresh grain and salt from the sea.

"This is... beautiful," Mio said softly, her eyes wide as she took in the scenery.

"Welcome to the Land of Grains," Kagami said, a faint smile on his lips. "Don't get too distracted. We have work to do."

They made their way to the client's residence- a large, well-furnished house near the docks. The merchant greeted them warmly, providing detailed information about the wild boar problem that had been damaging their crops. 

Kagami listened intently, occasionally nodding.

As they left the merchant's house, Kagami outlined their plan. "We'll split into two teams to herd the boars toward a trap. If we execute this properly, we should be done by mid-afternoon tomorrow and can return to Konoha by nightfall. Any questions?"

Mio and Sakumo both nodded, though the mention of returning by boat made them shiver. Yuichi noticed and chuckled softly. "I'll teach you some tricks to deal with motion sickness," he offered.

"Please do," Sakumo said, his voice almost desperate.

That evening, Kagami encouraged his students to rest, but Yuichi found himself unable to stay cooped up. Slipping out of the inn, he wandered the streets of the bustling town. 

The marketplace was alive with activity, merchants haggling, tourists marveling at the exotic goods, and street performers entertaining small crowds.

Drawn by the lively atmosphere, Yuichi explored further, eventually leaving the crowded streets behind and finding himself in a quieter area. 

Fields of crops stretched out before him, swaying gently in the evening breeze. The sky above was a canvas of deep blue and silver, dotted with stars.

Yuichi sat down beneath a large tree, letting the cool grass soothe his tired body. He pulled his left hand out and began practicing the Rasengan, his hands glowing faintly as he channeled chakra. Each attempt ended in failure, but he didn't stop, his determination unwavering.

Time passed unnoticed as he continued his practice. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and his muscles ached, but the calmness of the surroundings kept him grounded. 

The gentle rustling of leaves and the soft hum of crickets lulled him into a sense of peace.

Eventually, exhaustion caught up with him. Leaning back against the tree, Yuichi let his eyes close, the breeze carrying him into a dreamless sleep.

The next morning, Kagami found Yuichi still beneath the tree. Smiling faintly, he shook his head and gently nudged his student awake.

"You'll catch a cold if you sleep out here," Kagami said.

Yuichi blinked up at him, momentarily disoriented. "Sorry, sensei. I lost track of time."

"Just make sure you're ready for the mission," Kagami said, his tone kind but firm.

As the team regrouped and prepared to set out, Yuichi felt a renewed sense of purpose. The Land of Grains stretched out before them, its beauty a reminder of what they were there to protect.

This is only the beginning, Yuichi thought as he followed his team into the fields.