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.

The bandits aren't much match for Emi, let alone Emi with backup and warning.

She takes them alive. Better to let the law deal with them, and they might have relevant information.

Most of them surrender once it's both very clear they're outclassed and she won't be killing them right away.

Detouring to the nearest town big enough to hold them's a pain; still, it's an important one.

They're back on their way, soon enough.

Courier work's kind of boring, actually...

"Be glad it's not exciting."

She shrugs.

But Nawaki nods.

She notes that, and - she's not good at being comforting, but maybe she should try.

Their mission rolls on.