47 Land of Mountains

The next morning, Riku, Renjiro, Aiko, and Hiro rose with the sun and made their way to the mission centre.

The moment they arrived at the mission centre, they noticed Mahito engrossed in sorting through various mission scrolls. Riku, with his typical straightforward demeanour, approached Mahito to inquire about missions involving bandits. Mahito looked up, a familiar twinkle of recognition in his eyes.

"Riku! It's been quite some time since I last saw you, how are you?" Mahito greeted them with a bright smile on his face.

Riku grinned in response. "I am good Mahito. My team has had enough rest and could use a challenge."

"Do you have any preference?"

"I think Dealing with Bandits will help them test themselves."

Mahito chuckled, shuffling through the scrolls in his hands. "Well, it seems you're in luck today. We've had numerous reports of increased bandit activity in the bordering regions. Here, you can take a look and pick a mission of your choice."

Mahito handed Riku a selection of mission scrolls, each detailing a different bandit-related assignment. Riku glanced through them, his eyes scanning the details with a discerning focus.

"These should keep your team occupied for a while," Mahito commented.

'Should I take more than one mission so that we could clear them at once? No. Maybe once they get more mission exposure. The last Mission may have gone well despite the unexpected incident, but that may have been beginner's luck. They have not been tested enough' Riku pondered.

After carefully reviewing the assortment of mission scrolls, Riku's gaze fixated on one particular assignment that stood out—a mission to the Land of Mountains.

The details outlined a concerning situation regarding reports of a group of rogue ninjas wreaking havoc in the region, posing a significant threat to the safety of the local civilians. It was a mission that resonated with what he wanted his genins to learn.

"We've got a mission to the Land of Mountains," Riku announced, his voice carrying a tone of seriousness. "There is a group of rogue ninjas causing trouble, and our task is to investigate and eliminate the threat."

"We will leave as soon as we've made the necessary preparations. Finish your final preparations and meet me at the gate."

As the team dispersed to prepare for the mission, Riku couldn't shake the gravity of the task ahead. Rogue ninjas, the rugged terrain and hidden valleys would present a challenging backdrop for their mission.

When the team reconvened at the village gate, Riku noticed the determined expressions on their faces and advised, "We don't know what we're walking into, so stay sharp and watch each other's backs."

With that, the team embarked on their journey towards the Land of Mountains. The journey to the Land of Mountains took them through unfamiliar landscapes and territories.

Since the Land of Mountains didn't share a direct border with the Land of Fire, the team had to navigate through the Land of Tea to reach their destination.

The lush scenery of the Land of Tea, with its rolling hills and vibrant greenery, provided a picturesque backdrop to their travels.

As they traversed the land, the team maintained a vigilant watch, wary of any signs of potential threats or disturbances. They seemed to have learnt from their past. Aiko, Hiro, and Renjiro moved in sync, their training and teamwork evident in the seamless coordination of their movements.

Their training sessions had been going great with them showing significant improvements. They had even managed to secure a win against Riku during one of their spars. It was a stark contrast to the number of losses they had suffered against their sensei, but a win is a win nonetheless.

This improvement enabled them to keep up with the high pace that Riku had employed since the journey to the land of mountains would take around three days of travel.

The journey was not without its share of encounters, as the team faced occasional wildlife and encountered fellow travellers along the way. However, due to the nature of their mission, they avoided pedestrian routes.

Riku took advantage of these moments to engage the team in brief training exercises, sharpening their reflexes and keeping them in a state of readiness.

As they approached the border between the Land of Tea and the Land of Mountains, Riku called for a brief halt. The landscape began to change, the gentle slopes transforming into more rugged terrain. The air carried a different energy, hinting at the mysteries concealed within the mountainous region ahead.

"Listen up," Riku addressed his students. "We're about to enter the Land of Mountains. Stay alert and be prepared for anything. We'll first head to Osaka, the capital, to have an audience with the Daimyo. After that, we'll coordinate an attack on the bandits with his security detail."

The team nodded in acknowledgement, their expressions reflecting a combination of focus and determination. In no time, they neared Osaka.

'It is quite a good city. With the ambience and all. You would think that with the terrain, it would be somewhat bleak.' Renjiro surmised.

Osaka, the capital city of the Land of Mountains, welcomed Them with a blend of traditional architecture and bustling activity.

As they entered the city, the distinct sounds of market vendors haggling, the aroma of local cuisine wafting through the air, and the sight of vibrant banners adorning the streets greeted them.

The city, though not as sprawling as some of the major nations, held a unique charm with its rich cultural heritage.

Their destination was the residence of the Daimyo, the ruling leader of the Land of Mountains. The Daimyo's estate stood at the heart of Osaka, a testament to the nation's history and governance.

Upon reaching the Daimyo's estate, the team was ushered through ornate gates. They were received by the Daimyo's attendants, who informed them that an audience had been arranged. Inside the grand hall, the Daimyo awaited, seated on a raised platform adorned with intricate carvings.

"Welcome, honoured shinobi of Kono," the Daimyo greeted, "I am grateful for Konoha accepting our mission. Your presence here is greatly appreciated."

Riku stepped forward, offering a respectful bow. "Thank you for receiving us, Daimyo-sama. Any information you can provide about the situation would be valuable."

The Daimyo nodded, acknowledging the gravity of the mission at hand. "Reports have reached my ears of rogue ninjas causing unrest in the outskirts of our villages and towns. Their actions have sown fear among our people. I entrust this mission to you, with the help of my trusted ninjas, to investigate the matter, identify the source of the threat, and take appropriate action to safeguard our citizens."

Riku replied with a firm nod. "Rest assured, Daimyo-sama, we will carry out our duty with diligence."

With the Daimyo's blessings and a clear mission directive, Team 25 exited the hall, their minds focused on the task ahead.

Aoi Miwato, the seasoned jounin and head of security for the Land of Mountains, awaited Team 25 in a strategic briefing room within the Daimyo's estate.

'Hmm? They only sent one team? And one filled with genins?' Aoi's brows scrunched up when Riku and his team entered the room.

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