"C-rank, outside the village. We're playing couriers."

"Will we see somewhere new?"

"Yes. We're actually doing a pretty wide loop. We'll be gone for a while, so I'm giving you guys a day to get ready."

"What types of supplies do we need?"

She describes the local terrain and climate of where they'll be going, and makes recommendations for supplies.

Karin takes notes! "When do we leave?" she asks, bouncing a bit.

"Tomorrow morning, bright and early."

After waiting for acknowledgements, she dismisses them to get ready.

They're all there, right on time.

"Alright team. Time to head out," their jounin-sensei says, leading them out of the village.

Karin falls into a habit of periodically scanning their surroundings. It's good practice, even when they're in safer areas.

And, usually, there's nothing, especially not close to them - she'll sense movement in the distance, groups passing them by, of course.

Then there's something blocking their route up ahead. Eight people, who mostly feel like barely trained genin except for one darker, more powerful signature.

Well that's concerning.

She alerts her team.

She sighs.

"Can you get a pinpoint on the more powerful signature? Chakra nature, clan, techniques, training level..."

She can't get most of that too accurately, but she relays what she knows - doesn't recognize the clan, fire nature chakra, fairly good chakra control...

"I'll handle that one to start. You guys will need to take his friends, at least briefly."

"Roger that," Karin says, echoed by her team.

"Right. Do they seem to know we're here?"

Karin shakes her head. "My range is pretty big, and they haven't been reacting to us."

"We'll use that to our advantage, then." She outlines a few basic plans.

Her students listen attentively.

And then they can move on their enemies.

Nawaki's tense. Nervous. (He knows his body's immortal. But - he's still scared.)

Juugo's slowly sliding into a rage, trying to tamp down on his adrenaline -

It's hard.

Still, he's managing so far.

Karin stays back, since her strengths so far are at range.

Emi keeps her team safe. She's good.