After five long days of travel, the dense forests and flatlands of the Land of Fire slowly transitioned into rolling hills and small mountainous terrain, marking their arrival in the Land of Tea.
Unlike other nations, where the land was often vast and open for multiple uses, the Land of Tea was unique. About 70% of its terrain consisted of small mountain ranges, creating a natural barrier against invaders while simultaneously blessing them with fertile highlands.
Because of its strategic coastal location, rainfall and fresh water from rivers were never an issue, giving them consistent agricultural prosperity.
However, what truly set the Land of Tea apart from other agricultural nations was not its abundance of crops, but rather the elevated landscape. It allowed for production of rare and valuable crops like Tea, loved and used by many people all over the world .
It was this very landscape that allowed the country to dominate the tea industry, producing some of the finest and most expensive tea varieties in the world.
Beyond its booming agricultural trade, the Land of Tea was also a beloved tourist destination, thanks to its lush, green terraced fields, stretching as far as the eye could see; Slow-flowing rivers, weaving through valleys like silver threads; Cool, misty mornings, creating a surreal and peaceful atmosphere and lastly the scenic villages, known for their hospitality and centuries-old traditions.
As Yuichi took in the picturesque beauty around him, he couldn't help but compare it to a region of his previous life, a land known for lush tea gardens and vibrant culture.
However, unlike that land, this was a Shinobi World and nothing in this world existed without conflict brewing underneath its surface.
~~~
As they ventured deeper into the country, they finally reached their true destination—Camellia City, the political and economic core of the Land of Tea, where the Daimyo resided.
Despite being a smaller country compared to the Land of Fire, the Land of Tea was no weakling—it had enough wealth and resources to topple smaller nations with ease.
The first thing Yuichi noticed was the overwhelming scent of fresh tea leaves in the air. The entire city was built within the heart of the country's largest tea-producing region, making it feel as if nature and civilization had seamlessly merged together.
Unlike the Fire Capital, which was grand and bustling, Camellia City had a different kind of charm.
The streets were lined with wooden houses, each with flower-laden balconies. Numerous tea houses and small merchant stalls decorated the main roads.
The people moved at a slower, more peaceful pace, their faces reflecting contentment rather than urgency and even the guards and patrols, though present, didn't give off an oppressive air.
Despite its tranquil atmosphere, however, the Land of Tea was not without danger.
"Kagami-sensei," Sakumo called out as they continued through the city, "I thought small nations weren't usually this well-developed. How come the Land of Tea is thriving so much?"
Kagami, who had been casually observing the surroundings, finally answered, "The Land of Tea is different from most small nations. Their strength doesn't lie in military power, but in economic and trade dominance. The entire world consumes tea and this place controls almost 80% of it."
Mio, who had been quietly listening, crossed her arms. "But wouldn't that make them a target?"
Kagami smirked. "Of course. That's why they play their cards differently. Instead of relying on a strong military, they use their wealth to form strategic alliances. They hire mercenaries, samurai, and shinobi from the major villages to handle their dirty work."
Yuichi's brows furrowed. "So, what about their own ninja village? Do they even have one?"
Kagami chuckled, "They do. But let's just say it's not exactly reliable." Kagami pointed his finger towards the patrol guard, " they people are the ninjas, and their main work is to manage the peace within the country."
All three of them showed confused reactions to Kagami's statement as it makes no sense to them. After all, for a hidden village's shinobi to work like mere guards in cities just shows how useless that hidden village's force was.
~~~
While the Land of Tea had its own hidden village, it was a far cry from the powerhouses like Konoha, Kiri, or Kumo. To describe the Hidden Tea Village 'A Weak Yet Functional Force' would be the most appropriate comment.
"Tea Village is… different," Kagami explained, his tone carrying a mix of amusement and pity.
"Their shinobi aren't as disciplined or as powerful as the major villages. In fact, about 60% of their important missions are outsourced to other villages like ours."
Yuichi tilted his head. "Then why even have a ninja village at all?"
"The same reason every nation has one- security, tradition, and national pride." Kagami shrugged.
"They might not be strong, but they still serve a purpose. They handle minor threats, internal disputes, and small-scale conflicts. But anything serious like bandits, rogue ninjas, or political assassinations or security are given to us."
Mio sighed. "So, basically, they exist just to show that they have a military presence?"
Kagami nodded. "Pretty much."
Sakumo scratched the back of his head. "Then why do we keep taking their missions? If they can't even protect their own country, isn't that kind of pathetic?"
Kagami smirked. "It's not about strength, it's about money. The Land of Tea pays well. Konoha would be foolish to turn down the steady income we get from them."
Yuichi, who had remained deep in thought, suddenly spoke.
"But what happens when a nation with no real military force gets too rich?"
The question made Kagami's smirk fade.
"That," Kagami said, his voice lowering, "is exactly why we're here."
~~~
Their caravan finally came to a halt near the Daimyo's residence, a grand estate-like palace built within the highest point of the city, overseeing the rolling tea fields below.
The security was tight, with guards stationed at every entrance and patrolling the grounds. Even so, compared to the defenses in Konoha or other major capitals, it was still relatively lacking.
As the servants unloaded supplies and prepared rooms, Kagami turned to his team.
"Alright," he said, "our official mission starts tomorrow. Tonight, you can rest or explore the city, but don't cause any trouble and look out for things."
Yuichi, who had been gazing at the distant mountains, finally exhaled.
Something about this mission didn't sit right with him.
The slow-paced, seemingly peaceful environment felt…
Too perfect.
His instincts, sharpened over his time as a hunter, were warning him about something, but he had no proof, no reason to suspect anything yet.
Still, he made a mental note to stay alert after all a warning was given by the Kagami itself.
As the team dispersed, Yuichi took one last glance at the twinkling lights of Camellia City, then at the Daimyo's heavily guarded estate.
"In this world, no place was ever truly peaceful. Especially not ones as rich as this," he muttered under his breath as he blended into the crowd.