Naruto The Warlord

Chapter 12

They traveled for 2 months to reach the ocean, but their rations kept them going strong. Physical training was limited as always due to the heat, but the instructors Gaara had provided alternative ways to train his people's chakra that wouldn't be as draining under the sun. The 'Sand' shinobi was surely used to adjusting their training due to the heat.

Now, with more diligent and more experienced instructors on the use of chakra, it only took a week for several of his fighters, including his officers, to finally be able to use chakra in a more practical way. Upon the first fighter managing to use his chakra to leap further than anyone else had ever seen anyone do, other than Naruto of course, it stoked a surge of motivation among his people. This man, one of Naruto's many officers, had finally done something many believed to be impossible and was proof that they too could learn to use this power. This surge dragged with it many more eager men and women, and after a couple of more weeks, several hundreds of his people could easily use chakra at a more basic level. The instructors taught them a few chakra exercises, medical jutsus and taught the most capable a couple of low level wind jutsus, before they finally left to return to the hidden village, leaving only a few including Temari to escort them for the duration of their presence in their lands.

The shinobi had refused to teach them the 'sand gliding' trick, the graceful movement they used to glide quickly across the sands, but Naruto had seen enough of it upon Temari's arrival to probably work it out himself. He could teach his people that later when their control got better, as well as the 'tree walking'. Eventually, he hoped they would be able to learn both the sand gliding trick and water standing trick. They needed experts in the use of chakra if they wanted to properly fend of any shinobi who came knocking.

As they traveled, Naruto had the sudden realization that winter had surely come to the far north by now, but the heat of the south made it difficult to remember. The heat would have been even more unbearable if they had attempted this journey in the summer, but they had reached the hotter parts of 'Wind' at just the right moment it seemed. That meant his birthday had passed him by without him realizing it and he was now 19 years old. They didn't have time or enough rations for a feast, so Naruto refrained from letting anyone know. He had never been big on celebrating his birthday anyway.

Over several weeks they met several other caravans, some who traveled with them for part of the way as they traded with one another. None of the caravans had any slave stock with them and they didn't know how lucky they were, since Naruto would have killed them if they did, Gaara's warning be damned. The closer they got to the south of 'Wind' and closer to the ocean, chances were the more and more slaves they would see. Naruto decided to avoid thinking too much on it, as his temper was foul enough as it was regarding such mistreatment.

At around 2 months, the air began to cool and the winds carried the smell of the saltwater ocean. Seagulls could be seen in the far distance.

Naruto sighed with relief when his scouts returned one day, informing them of their close proximity to 'The Ivory Docks'.

"So, 'The Ivory Docks' is just a day away, huh...?", Shou murmured worriedly, rubbing his chin from his position at Naruto's side. They currently rested in the command tent, his officers and advisers surrounding him as they conferred. "I don't have to tell you again how much of a horrible idea i think this is?"

"I heard you the first 5 times, my friend.", Naruto grinned wryly, drinking slowly as the officers chuckled. Some of them bantered lowly while their meeting was happening, but Naruto knew each and everyone of them kept an open ear to listen.

Shou shook his head, taking a drink himself to calm his nerves.

"I am grateful for the training and knowledge the Kazekage allowed to be bestowed on us, do not think me ungrateful.", Shou continued after a short moment. "But this is a large city. I spoke with one of the caravaneer's travelling with us and 'The Ivory Docks' is apparently one of, if not, THE largest settlements in all of 'Wind', not counting the capital."