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Ino deliberated repeatedly and ultimately decided to play it safe.
She would wait until her 'Spirit' automatically increased to 7 before using the pot to add to it.
From 6 to 7, it's merely an increase in Chakra from Kakashi's level to Asuma's, a relatively small gap. However, from 7 to 8, it's essentially jumping from Asuma's level to Tsunade's, which is a significant difference.
Ino estimated that each attribute would see a massive boost from 7 to 8, and subsequent increases from 8 to 9, and 9 to 10, would also be substantial. 1-7 was like compulsory education, while 8, 9, and 10 were equivalent to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, with each level having a very large leap in between.
She needed to rely on 6 points of 'Spirit' to master the Shadow Clone Technique.
Attending school, working part-time, training, and causing trouble—her life became incredibly fulfilling.
With about a month left until Ino's class graduated, the parents of the Ino–Shika–Choji clans, seeing Ino's progress, and not wanting their own children to fall behind, decided to invite an old senior to guide their training, with the idea of mutual learning and supervision. This senior was Konoha Village's lesser-known Genin, Kosuke Maruboshi.
This old man had extremely long seniority; his professional rank was still Genin because he refused to accept the Jonin title. Otherwise, he would have been a Jonin fifty years ago.
The old man was once a subordinate of the Second Hokage and a comrade-in-arms who fought alongside the Third Hokage, Danzo Shimura, and Akimichi Torifu, Choji's grandfather.
The Third Hokage would occasionally visit this old friend to chat and reminisce about their glorious past.
The Fourth Hokage also held this old senior in high regard during his lifetime.
The old man was skilled in Water Release Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu, and possessed extremely rich experience in wilderness survival.
It was only because the clan heads of the Ino–Shika–Choji clans stepped forward, and because the old man owed the Ino–Shika–Choji a favor from the past, that he agreed to help train the younger generation. Ordinary people really couldn't persuade him.
Early in the morning, Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji took leave from school and, as agreed, arrived at the Village's main gate to await the legendary 'Konoha Genin' who would lead them in outdoor training.
They waited and waited for half an hour, but there was no sign of Kosuke.
Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane, who were guarding the gate, stood inside, watching them from afar, not coming over to chat.
Ino thought about it. Although she didn't know if Kotetsu Hagane had any connection to Danzo, it was better to be safe than sorry; building good relationships was always right. Even without mentioning Danzo, these two guarding the gate in the disaster-prone Konoha Village managed to live safely until boruto, without losing an arm or a leg. Kotetsu even used what appeared to be the Three-Tails' eye as a hammer, which showed their capabilities. She had to maintain respect.
She politely went over to greet them: "Good morning, teachers. I am Ino. Please guide me."
There was a significant age gap between them, so calling them 'seniors' felt a bit off. She thought 'teachers' should be fine.
The two clearly knew her identity and did not dare to be negligent, politely introducing themselves.
"No need to call us teachers, Miss Yamanaka. I am Izumo Kamizuki."
"Miss Yamanaka, you're too kind. We're not important figures. I'm Kotetsu Hagane."
Ino's sales experience wasn't for nothing; she was very good at building connections.
Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane greatly respected Asuma Sarutobi, but Ino didn't know Asuma yet.
She started with her nominal father's subordinates, Aoba Yamashiro and Tobitake Tonbo. These two Ninja from the intelligence department were the same age as the two gate guards. With people they both knew, their relationship quickly became familiar.
Before long, Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane became 'Brother Izumo' and 'Brother Tie' in her mouth!
She estimated that in a little more time, it would become 'Old Iron'!
The two of them were actually very bored guarding the gate every day. It was rare for a girl to be willing to chat, so they naturally wouldn't refuse.
As they chatted animatedly, Ino pulled her two companions over as well, introducing them to each other.
The Ino–Shika–Choji were definitely a top-tier power in the Village, so Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane naturally wouldn't show any attitude.
Old Man Kosuke was late, and Shikamaru was getting really bored waiting. Seeing how enthusiastic the two were, he quickly joined the conversation. Izumo Kamizuki even took out snacks that he used for late-night shifts at the gate and gave them to Choji. The relationship between the five quickly became familiar.
Training outside the Village was different from attending school. Ino and her two companions all wore their respective combat uniforms.
Ino wore a purple sleeveless jacket, with bandages and a Shuriken pouch tied to her right leg, and a waist pouch on her left lower back containing Exploding Tags, smoke bombs, military rations pills, Kunai, and other items. On her feet were a pair of standard open-toed sandals.
Her attire at this time, aside from not having the same 'sleeve cover' as Sasuke, was roughly similar to Ino's original Genin-stage outfit.
Shikamaru and Choji also weren't wearing their usual school clothes. Shikamaru wore a short-sleeved shirt with the Nara Clan crest, fully equipped with various gear. Choji also uncharacteristically wore leg wraps, a waist pouch, and other common Ninja equipment.
The three of them chatted and waited at the gate.
Knowing they were waiting for Kosuke, Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane both urged them to cherish this learning opportunity and never to be negligent just because he was a Genin, emphasizing the need to maintain respect.
The sun rose higher and higher. It was already nine in the morning, but the legendary Konoha Genin still hadn't appeared.
"Did he forget?" Shikamaru looked dejected. He had just finished special training with his elders at home and was unusually tired, genuinely not wanting to participate in any more group special training.
Choji had already run off to a shady spot to eat snacks.
Ino was also confused now. Chatting with 'Old Iron' had made her thirsty, so she chugged a large glass of water. Looking at the sun overhead, the Konoha Genin still hadn't appeared?
"Perception!" She suspected the other party was hidden in the shadows using Ninjutsu, observing their reactions, but after searching around, she didn't see a single ghost.
Shikamaru tilted his head, looking at her.
She searched again: "...It seems he just didn't come, or perhaps this old senior's stealth methods are very clever."
Choji was happily eating snacks nearby. Ino and Shikamaru suspected the old senior was observing them from the shadows, so they put down their backpacks and sat in the shade of a tree to check the equipment in their bags.
These bags were somewhat like school bags, containing tents and some blank scrolls. Ino, a Ninja not known for her strength, also carried two Fūma Shuriken that opened up like large fans, and unlike the Ninja tools she carried with her, these were truly 'large items'.
Aside from not having Ninja headbands, their current equipment was exactly what a Genin would typically use.
"What did you bring? Let me check against yours." Shikamaru stretched his neck, looking at the equipment in Ino's backpack.
As he looked, he compared it to his own backpack, checking if he was missing anything.
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