Chapter 28: The Wasabi Family
The caravan finally stopped in front of the designated dockside warehouse. The sea breeze, thick with the smell of salt and fish, hit them full in the face. The unique clamor of the port—the shanties of sailors, the whistles of steamships, the grinding of metal cranes—all wove together into a noisy backdrop.
The workers began to unload the cargo. Hiroyama Makoto, his face wearing the smile of a man who had just survived a disaster, hurried off to handle the transfer.
Shūji found a relatively quiet set of stone steps nearby, a spot where he could observe both the docks and the main street. He sat down. Anko, her arms crossed, her new purple hood resting on her back, scanned the passersby with sharp eyes. Itachi sat quietly on Shūji's other side.
"The Land of Tea's control over its two continental enclaves is very loose. As long as the taxes get paid and no major incidents occur, they don't really care who is in charge," Shūji continued to explain the situation to his team. "So, that gang of bandits probably just acquired the management rights from the Land of Tea's Daimyō, making them 'officials'."
Still, for a mere gang of highway robbers to go legitimate... even with a few hundred men, there had to be another reason. In the shinobi world, soldiers were useless against ninjutsu, let alone a disorganized mob. A single Genin with the Transformation Jutsu could infiltrate and shatter the Tea Mountain Gang's structure, causing it to collapse on its own.
Connecting Konoha's intel with Hiroyama's, Shūji was starting to get a clear idea.
Hiroyama, having finished his initial arrangements, came jogging back, his face a mask of obsequious gratitude and undisguised anxiety. "Captain Shūji! Honored shinobi-sama! You've worked so hard! I've booked rooms at the Sea Breeze Pavilion inn, right here on the docks! It's clean, I promise! Please, you must honor me by staying! Allow me to host you for a few days, to show my meager gratitude! All expenses are on me!"
This was the polite version. In reality, the cargo handover would take days. Now that they were in the port, Squad 5's mission was technically complete. But Hiroyama was terrified that the moment the shinobi left, the "guards" would come back for revenge. His original mission request hadn't factored in the risk of losing his cargo after arriving in the city.
"Very well." Shūji agreed after a moment's thought.
Hiroyama bowed repeatedly, personally leading the three to the inn.
The Sea Breeze Pavilion was on a quiet street at the edge of the dock district. It was a three-story wooden building, its exterior simple but clean. The owner was a quiet, middle-aged man who, upon seeing Hiroyama enter with three shinobi, grew visibly respectful. He quickly arranged for three rooms on the top floor with the best views.
Shūji's room was on the corner. Pushing open the window, he had a commanding view of most of the port and the blue sea beyond. Anko and Itachi went to their own rooms to settle in. Shūji stood by the window, his calm gaze sweeping over the bustling harbor and the chaotic streets below. The Tea Mountain thugs, now in guard uniforms, were still loitering in groups nearby, their hostile eyes drifting toward the inn, but none dared to approach.
Before long, Anko, having changed into a lighter, dark-colored combat outfit, came over, her hair tied back. "Captain," she said, annoyed, "there are a few shady guys downstairs staring at the inn. Want me to go clean them up?"
Now that she knew who they really were, she had no reservations.
Itachi, also finished, entered Shūji's room.
Just then, a small commotion came from downstairs, followed by the innkeeper's nervous voice. "Wasabi-sama? What brings you here in person—"
A gentle, but authoritative, voice cut him off. "It is no trouble. I heard that honored guests from Konoha are staying here. I, Jirōchō, have come to pay my respects. Please, inform them."
Wasabi, Shūji thought. If I remember correctly, Izuke Port is run by two local families: the Wasabi and the Wasuke. The Tea Mountain Gang's arrival must have displaced one, or both, of them.
"Anko, let Mr. Wasabi up."
"Yes, Captain."
A moment later, steady footsteps sounded on the wooden stairs. A middle-aged man in a dark gray silk kimono followed Anko into the room. He was about forty, with a steady gait and a strong posture that spoke of a good taijutsu foundation. His hair was impeccably groomed, and his face was refined. His eyes, though gentle, held the shrewdness of a man who had seen the world. This was the head of the Wasabi family, Wasabi Jirōchō.
His gaze swept quickly over the three of them—Anko's impatient stance, Itachi's calm, small face—before landing firmly on Shūji. Though they looked the same age, Shūji had a completely different air. To use such force at the gate, yet be so composed in person... Jirōchō made a quick judgment: his actions were anything but impulsive.
"Please forgive my sudden intrusion." Jirōchō gave a perfectly polite, humble smile and a slight bow. "I am Wasabi Jirōchō. And how may I address you, honored guests?"
"Shūji." His voice was flat. He pulled out a chair. "Wasabi-dono, you are too kind. Please, sit."
Jirōchō sat. "That was a reckless move at the gate, Shūji-kun."
"Tch." Anko, leaning against the doorframe, let out an undisguised scoff.
Shūji's expression didn't change. He tapped the wooden table. "Oh? I'd like to hear why." His tone was casual, as if discussing the weather.
"Your Hokage-sama," Jirōchō said, "had a different message for me to relay to you, after you entered the city."
At this, Itachi, who had been observing quietly, turned his head. A flicker of deep thought crossed his young face.
Shūji remained perfectly still, showing no surprise, as if he had expected this. "Please, elaborate," he repeated, his gaze as calm as water.
Jirōchō said, "My Wasabi family and the Wasuke family have long competed for control of Izuke Port. We were evenly matched, until half a month ago. The Wasuke family suddenly absorbed that gang of bandits from outside the city. Just like that, the Wasabi family lost all our authority."
"If it were just that, we might have endured it for the sake of the port's stability. But to buy the loyalty of those wolves, the Wasuke family is letting them run wild! They are inventing new taxes, extorting every merchant who passes! If this continues, the entire port will collapse!"
"Therefore," Jirōchō concluded, "I requested help from Hokage-sama."