NARUTO: In the Era of Sannin

The morning sun cast long shadows over Konoha as Team Kagami gathered at the village gates. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and leaves from the surrounding forest. 

Yuichi adjusted the straps of his backpack, stealing a glance at Mio, who was still radiating the same cold aura from earlier. She hadn't spoken a single word since their meeting, and even now, she stood slightly apart from them, her arms crossed.

Sakumo leaned toward Yuichi, whispering, "you too, still getting the cold shoulder?"

Yuichi sighed, rubbing his temple. "At this point, I think we both must've committed some grave crime in my past life."

Sakumo chuckled before looking over at Kagami, who was yawning and scratching the back of his head. "Sensei, are we waiting for anyone else, or can we leave?"

Kagami let out one last yawn before stretching his arms. "Nope, just waiting for my body to wake up. Alright, let's go!"

With that, they left the village behind, leaping from one tree to another as they set out toward the Fire Capital.

~

The trip to the Fire Capital was a long one, twelve hours on foot. Though Konoha was the heart of the military power of the Land of Fire, the capital itself was the political and economic center, making it the largest city in the entire country.

As they traveled, Kagami decided to educate his team about their destination.

"Alright, listen up," Kagami called out, keeping his pace steady as he glanced back at them. "Since this is your first time visiting the Fire Capital, let me give you a bit of history."

Yuichi, still somewhat exhausted from last night's ordeal, was thankful for the distraction. "Go on, Sensei. Enlighten us."

Kagami smirked. "The Fire Capital is at least ten times bigger than Konoha. And I mean huge. Konoha itself isn't small, but compared to the capital? It's like comparing a pond to a lake."

Sakumo whistled. "That big? That's insane."

"That's not even the best part," Kagami continued. "It's home to the Daimyo and countless high-ranking nobles. You'll find the largest market in the Land of Fire there, practically anything you could ever want is sold there. Weapons, armor, exotic foods, rare scrolls, you name it."

Yuichi hummed, now genuinely interested. "That explains why it's such a central hub. But how does Konoha fit into all of this?"

"Good question," Kagami said, leaping over a branch effortlessly. "While the Fire Capital is the economic and political heart, Konoha is the country's military force. The Daimyo funds Konoha, and in return, Konoha protects the entire Land of Fire."

Mio, who had been silent this whole time, finally spoke up. "What about the warrior monasteries? Do they have any political power?"

Kagami nodded. "Some, but not much. Unlike ninja villages, which operate like military institutions, warrior monasteries are more like clans, small but incredibly skilled. The most famous one in the Land of Fire is the Ninja Temple. Their monks are known for their unique jutsu, but they don't have the numbers to be a real military force."

Sakumo's brow furrowed. "Then what about the Twelve Guardian Ninja? I've heard about them before."

"Ah, them," Kagami said with a grin. "They're the best warriors chosen from across the entire country to serve as the Daimyo's personal guard. Only ten are selected at any given time. But above them, there are three even stronger warriors, known as the Three Jewels of the Emperor. They're the real deal, but their true strength is a mystery."

Yuichi crossed his arms, deep in thought. "So even if Konoha is the strongest military force, the Fire Capital still has its own elite fighters…"

"Exactly." Kagami smirked. "It's a delicate balance of power."

With that, the conversation gradually died down as the team focused on covering more ground. The journey was long, and after a single break, they pushed forward until the sun dipped below the horizon.

By the time they reached the Fire Capital, night had already fallen. The city, however, was anything but dark.

The streets were bathed in a warm, golden glow, illuminated by hundreds of lanterns that lined the roads. Towering pagoda-style buildings stretched high into the sky, their roofs adorned with intricate carvings and banners that fluttered gently in the evening breeze. 

The entire city buzzed with life, merchants called out their wares, street performers played traditional instruments, and the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air.

Yuichi, Sakumo, and even Mio found themselves momentarily stunned.

"Wow…" Sakumo muttered, eyes wide. "It's like a festival, but every day."

Mio, who had remained quiet for most of the trip, finally let some of her amazement show. "I've never seen a city this… alive."

Yuichi couldn't deny it, this was unlike anything he had ever seen before. Konoha was lively in its own way, but the Fire Capital had an overwhelming grandeur that made it feel like another world entirely.

Kagami chuckled at their reactions. "Welcome to the Fire Capital. Keep your eyes open though, pickpockets are everywhere."

Navigating through the bustling streets was no easy task. The sheer number of people made it difficult to move, and they had to push through crowds to reach their destination. 

They took several twists and turns, passing through alleyways and crossing multiple bridges until they finally reached the palace district.

The palace itself was an architectural masterpiece. Built on elevated ground, it stood tall with its grand white walls and gold-lined roofs, exuding an air of majesty. Guards clad in ornate armor stood at attention, their hands resting on the hilts of their weapons.

Kagami stepped forward, flashing a small identification token to one of the guards. After a brief exchange, they were granted access to the palace grounds, though their entry was limited to the guest houses.

Once inside, the exhaustion from the journey finally caught up to them.

Kagami clapped his hands together. "Alright, that's it for today. You three are free to rest, tomorrow we start our actual mission."

Sakumo let out a groan as he stretched his back. "Finally. My legs feel like they're going to fall off."

 "I second that," Yuichi couldn't argue.

Mio simply nodded, her usual cold demeanor returning now that the initial excitement had passed.

As they settled into their guest quarters, Kagami handed each of them a small, silver bracelet.

"These will serve as your identification while you're in the Fire Capital," Kagami explained. "Show them to any official if you're ever stopped for questioning. Don't lose them."

Yuichi examined the bracelet, noting the intricate engravings on its surface. "Seems a little fancy for just an ID."

Kagami smirked. "Well, the Fire Capital does love its extravagance. Anyway, I'm heading out to enjoy the night. You three behave yourselves."

Before any of them could object, Kagami disappeared out the door.

Sakumo let out a chuckle. "Of course he's ditching us the moment we get here."

"Figures,"Yuichi sighed, shaking his head. 

With the long journey finally behind them, the three young shinobi retired for the night, knowing that tomorrow, their real mission would begin.