Yielding to the Heavens

The likelihood of encountering Iwagakure ninjas crossing the border on a supply escort was exceedingly low. In times of non-warfare, covert infiltration was the norm rather than direct raids behind enemy lines. This time, the mission assigned to the Otofū team was considered one of the most dangerous within the C-rank category, with the potential to escalate to B-rank or even A-rank.

Moreover, such missions typically offered little in the way of spoils, unlike annihilating bandit groups where looting some goods was expected, usually managed by the leading Jonin if not too valuable.

The journey north unfolded without incident, and the convoy arrived safely at its destination.

The northern fortress wasn't a castle but a long wall stretching from east to west, blocking the path from the Land of Earth into the Land of Wind. Such a fortification system was no match for elite ninja, but it could prevent the passage of ninja armies and logistical support.

The covert tug-of-war between Iwagakure and Sunagakure over this defensive line had persisted for decades.

The current commander of the fortress was a Jonin named Fuyugi, a man of no ordinary stature. As Daimaru knew, the largest faction outside of the direct control of the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, was led by Fuyugi himself.

After the disappearance of the Third Kazekage, Fuyugi was once a hopeful for the Fourth Kazekage title. However, his policies were not favored by Chiyo and Ebizō, and with Rasa being stronger and more suited to lead Sunagakure, which was inevitably heading to war, Fuyugi had to accept his place.

In recent years, Fuyugi had grown dissatisfied with Rasa's policies, especially regarding the sealing of the One-Tail, Shukaku, which was less reliable than the previous Jinchūriki, Bunpuku. Gaara's frequent loss of control infuriated Fuyugi, who saw Rasa's favoritism as dangerous.

Fuyugi believed that if the Jinchūriki's seal was a failure, it should be replaced promptly, prioritizing the village's safety over the life of Rasa's own son. Rasa's inaction was unacceptable to him.

With Rasa's position unshakable due to the support of elders like Chiyo and Ebizō, Fuyugi had no choice but to exile himself to guard the northern gateway of the Land of Wind.

Upon arrival at the northern fortress, the Otofū team took a brief respite before commencing their rather monotonous patrol duties. However, it seemed their captain, Otofū, had other intentions in mind.

"Lord Fuyugi, I regret to inform you that Senior Maki does not agree with your plan."

"Is that so?"

Fuyugi, with a stern countenance that commanded respect and an air of cultured elegance in his unadorned, sober robes, exuded a natural dignity.

"Has Maki been won over by Rasa too? With all three of the Kazekage's children under his tutelage, Rasa has spared no effort to curry favor."

Otofū bowed slightly, respectfully clarifying:

"Senior Maki and the Fourth are not indecisive. They just don't share your perspective."

"Perhaps."

Fuyugi looked out over the landscape, with a sea of sand on one side and rolling hills on the other—the boundary between the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth.

"Even from the northern frontier, I've heard rumors. Maki and the Fourth have been dealing with some mysterious strangers. Do you know anything about this?"

Otofū shook his head:

"The Fourth and Senior Maki have not mentioned this to me."

"Perhaps the 'right time' they speak of has come."

Fuyugi nodded slightly, hinting at actions soon to be taken that were kept secret from almost everyone.

Fuyugi bore no personal grudge against Rasa; their conflict was purely political. Rasa's strategy to bide time clashed with Fuyugi's belief in securing internal stability before facing external threats. Neither thought themselves wrong.

"Shall I continue to probe the Fourth's intentions?"

"No need. Set aside superfluous thoughts for now. The Fourth is the Kazekage. Even I must obey his commands."

"Yes, Lord Fuyugi."

With Otofū's departure, only the cold northerly winds remained, brushing against Fuyugi's face.

"Is it time to fight for the village's survival once again?"

...

In the Land of Wind's desert, the noonday heat was intense, while the northern Land of Earth might not have fully thawed from winter's snow. Everyone was busy, and the northern fortress was relatively quiet.

With Otofū absent, Daimaru leaned against the fortress wall, enjoying the cool breeze. Senza sat on a stone bench, feigning sleep, while Yoru stood atop the parapet, perhaps just to appear taller.

"How boring. When do we rotate out?"

Daimaru yawned. It wasn't bad to complete the mission without incident, but it did delay his training.

"Stay alert during the mission. It's not good to be seen like this."

Yoru, with his keen gaze fixed on something in the distance, seemed oblivious to the fact that they were unlikely to see a soul for miles around the fortress.

"Got it. You should rest, Yoru. With your keen eyesight, it's important to take care. Staring for so long every day, you'll end up nearsighted."

"I won't get nearsighted!"

Yoru leaped down, full of energy.

"It's part of my training. If my mind can't keep up with what my eyes see, that'd be bad."

"Rest is also part of training. Precisely because your eyesight is so good, your brain has to process a lot of visual information, consuming a lot of energy. Maybe that's why you're developmentally delayed and not growing taller."

"Stop talking nonsense."

Yoru had grown accustomed to Daimaru's teasing.

"By the way, Daimaru, how do you know Zairo? Before we left, he asked me to thank you."

Daimaru waved it off nonchalantly.

"No need. Miss Sayuri has already compensated me."

"It might have been a simple gesture for you, but for Zairo, it's a lifelong favor."

"That's an exaggeration. Once he masters his 'Seven Breaths Method,' he'll naturally catch people's attention. Do you think all the ninjas in the village are blind?"

"You knew about that?"

"I even considered asking him to teach me taijutsu. That 'Seven Breaths Method' is pretty impressive."

"Then you gave up?"

"Yeah. I don't have the aptitude. Couldn't learn it."

"You're joking again."

"Maybe!"

Daimaru didn't elaborate further.

Not everyone can master the "Eight Gates" or the "Seven Breaths Method"! The difficulty of practicing these two secret arts is too high, and most ninja bodies aren't suited for such intense training. To force it would mean death or crippling injury.

Even a taijutsu prodigy like Neji Hyūga couldn't open the gates, and Kakashi Hatake could only reach the Front Lotus before he had to stop.

Did people really think these two taijutsu training methods were for those with poor ninjutsu aptitude? Nonsense.

Might Duy, Might Guy, Rock Lee, and Zairo—their exceptional physical condition was a gift from the heavens.

Many ninjas aimed to be good at everything but ended up being mediocre in all areas.

Daimaru was self-aware. It was best not to go against nature.