Northwestern Border of the Land of Fire
The region bordered the Land of Rivers, Land of Rain, and sat not far from Kikyō Pass. It had long been a hotspot during the previous Great Ninja Wars due to its proximity to several nations and strategic trade routes.
Despite recent peace, the area remained unstable qqqqqQ/still vital for commerce, but dangerous due to rogue ninja and mercenaries.
"This is Baiyun Town?"
Asuma Sarutobi glanced around the recovering settlement, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Yeah," Jingyi, a temporary Jōnin commander, nodded. "I was stationed here a few months back when a small squad from Sunagakure tried a raid. We repelled them, but the damage lingered."
Since the war, reconstruction had begun. New trade routes were forming again, but...
"Without a stationed ninja force, it's open season," Jingyi added grimly. "Konoha's garrison pulled back last month. Now, only occasional patrols pass by, and bandits are getting bold again."
Jingyi leaned back against a wall and closed his eyes focusing his chakra sensory technique outward.
"Got them."
His tone sharpened. "Near the border with the Land of Rivers. A group of armed rogues ex-samurai types. Still roaming after multiple raids. Must be confident."
"Sensei, what should we do?"
Kurenai Yuhi stood alert, glancing at the rebuilding streets around them. Roads had been repaired over the past few weeks, and civil activity was returning. But it felt fragile.
"First survey the terrain."
Jingyi's tone became instructional.
This wasn't just about fighting it was a teaching opportunity. He looked at his genin: Asuma, Kurenai, and Shisui Uchiha.
"C-rank missions and above can turn deadly. Always be prepared. If you're given command in a skirmish, what's your first move?"
"Assess terrain. Set traps. Establish fallback points."
Asuma replied quicklyn straight from the academy textbooks.
"Good. But where would you set the trap?"
"...uh…"
Asuma paused, caught off guard.
"Exactly."
Jingyi gave him a wry look. "You know the what, but not the how. Yet."
Shisui spoke up, his Sharingan inactive but his voice steady:
"The western path, near the river. It's an open route where wandering shinobi and former samurai cross. Patrols usually focus there."
Jingyi raised a brow, impressed. "You've been briefed well."
The Uchiha were known for their pride but also their talent. Shisui was still young, but his instincts were sharp. Too bad the clan politics were brewing a storm...
"Alright, head west. Set traps. If you spot the enemy, engage only if you can control the situation. Remember your training."
"Yes, sir!"
The trio departed. Jingyi formed a shadow clone, dispatching it toward the town center to support reconstruction.
Then, he pulled out a book "Fundamentals of Cellular Theory" borrowed from the Third Hokage's collection. With his system-awarded medical knowledge, Jingyi could now grasp the more intricate theories.
His recent research focused on activating cell functions to increase stamina and healing. There were hints that, with enhanced cellular activity, "skin respiration" could aid chakra recovery though it was still an experimental theory.
A "poor man's" version of the Body Activation Technique might just be achievable.
He read a while, then sensed chakra movement to the west.
Kurenai was alert kunai in hand.
She's improving.
Her mastery of the Body Flicker Technique had grown, Asuma was now adept at Wind Release: Vacuum Blade, and Shisui, although receiving less instruction, progressed rapidly with kenjutsu and Shunshin.
They had found the enemy.
Jingyi observed from afar.
Kurenai's natural perception benhanced from illusion training was proving invaluable at close range. But he wondered if she could also handle formal chakra sensory training, which focused more on mid-to-long-range detection.
Different tools but both useful.
Soon, the enemy appeared worn-down armor, bloodstains, and overloaded coin pouches. They'd raided someone likely recently.
The genin hid among trees, waiting.
Then—Boom!
A trap exploded.
"Detonation tags... wasteful, but it's their first combat."
Bandits shouted: "Ninjas! Ambush!"
Shisui was first to act: Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique swept the field, followed by Wind Release: Great Breakthrough from Asuma.
Chaos erupted.
Kurenai's kunai struck true, dropping two rogues. Her hand trembled first blood but she stood firm.
"Go!"
Asuma led the charge, chakra swirling into a kunai Vacuum Blade. He struck forward, piercing a man's chest cleanly.
"Cover him!"
Kurenai formed seals. "Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death!"
Shisui blurred into the crowd Clone Jutsu, Transformation, and then swift assassination. His blade moved like wind.
"Form up! Protect the flank!"
The rogues regrouped, drawing blades. Some fell into Kurenai's genjutsu, eyes glazed over.
Asuma surged forward another kill but was blindsided. Several blades arced toward him
"ASUMA!"
Kurenai launched a shuriken.
Too slow.
Suddenly CLANG!
A flash of steel.
The samurai blades snapped cut clean in two.
Jingyi stepped forward, blade drawn, aura surging.
"Lesson time is over," he said coldly.
"Now let me show you why we're called shinobi."