The next day, after yesterday's experience, there were signs that Gekko Yun Jian might be the most worry-free Jonin squad leader since the founding of Konoha.
First of all, in his Team Three, although two members had relatively singular abilities—being pure combatants who slashed people with swords just like him—the remaining member handled professional tasks such as medical care, sensory perception, and tracking.
Even Higashino Shin's cooking skills were the best among them; in the future, when on missions in the wild, they might even have a versatile chef.
Moreover, he wouldn't be a burden and could be used as a primary attacker.
Most importantly, Gekko Yun Jian didn't even spend a penny on the first luxury meal he, as the Jonin leader, treated his cute subordinates to.
Two others were present at the time: Higashino Megumi and Uzuki Sakura. To thank the Senior for serving as their children's squad leader, the two mothers competed to pay the bill.
In the end, Uzuki Sakura won a great victory in this extravagant spending spree.
Gekko Yun Jian felt his status in the team plummet; even his son looked at him like he was a shameful miser.
To restore the glory of a Jonin leader, he felt duty-bound and decided to seriously plan the Ninja path for his members, allowing them to grow into strong, qualified Ninjas as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, he would teach his skills to Gekkō Hayate and Yūgao Uzuki. As for the other member, he'd just let him be and teach him some mission experience; as for Ninjutsu and such, it was completely outside his capabilities.
---
In the morning, after Higashino Shin finished his daily exercise, he took off his weights, ate breakfast, and washed up. He tied his Forehead Protector on his brow and seriously checked his Ninja tool pouch before strapping on his harness, which held the weapon he would use long-term.
His right hand drew a short sword from behind his left shoulder like lightning. He looked at the two characters 'Higashino' on it, confirmed everything was normal, sheathed the sword, and headed out.
When he arrived at the training ground where the team agreed to meet, Gekkō Hayate and Yūgao Uzuki were already there. Hayate was still the same, but Yūgao had changed into a tight-fitting outfit convenient for movement, and she also carried a sword on her back.
Due to height issues, both he and Hayate used short swords, but they were longer than Higashino Shin's. When they grew up, they would switch to standard straight long swords; this was determined by the combat styles of their respective families.
Higashino Shin didn't need to change. His attack range wasn't determined by the length of the blade; the quality of the sword was more important, allowing his techniques to be activated more smoothly.
The current heirloom sword was very good. Although not forged entirely from Chakra metal, it had great sentimental value.
If he could make a name for himself in the Ninja World with this sword in the future, perhaps he could even earn the moniker 'Konoha's Little White Fang.' Then he could make Kakashi call him Godfather!
Actually, never mind. The term 'Godfather' just sounds like there's a risk of being stabbed.
Not long after greeting the two, Gekko Yun Jian appeared.
Yūgao Uzuki was quite straightforward and immediately asked, "Hey, teacher, let's start the mission. Is the first step going to the Hokage Building's administrative hall mission desk?"
Gekko Yun Jian looked at the trio's attire, expressionless but secretly satisfied. He replied, "You're right, but I've already picked up the mission. We can start directly."
The young girl became even more excited. "What kind of mission is it? Will there be combat?"
"I understand your spirit of wanting to contribute to the Village, but unfortunately, you're just Genin. You can only start from the lowest d-rank missions."
"Ah? But didn't Brother Hayate already do them? Are you going to make him go through it again?"
Hayate was an honest person. "I don't mind. Focus on you two."
"Don't be naive. There is a mandatory quota for d-rank missions for Genin—at least eight. Otherwise, you won't even get the qualification to take the Chunin Exams."
After Gekko Yun Jian finished speaking, his expression softened slightly. "However, considering it's currently wartime and manpower is needed everywhere, I'll only give you five days to complete at least 20 d-rank missions. If the time is extended because you can't finish, you can't blame me."
"No problem!" x2.
Inside and outside Konoha Village, many simple tasks don't have dedicated staff and are all issued as d-rank missions. One reason is to let graduated Genin practice while building team chemistry and deepening bonds.
Another function is to give those Genin with no hope of becoming Chunin a chance to earn money to support their families.
If not for this, many perpetual Genin who only know simple Chakra applications and have no other survival skills would not be supported for free by Konoha. If they had nothing to do, they would starve to death—like the former Might Duy.
As for talented squads, they just need to complete some with training value and reach the quota for low-level missions.
Higashino Shin also understood, but he still quipped, "I'm fine with it, as long as it's not finding a pet cat for a Daimyo's family or a noble."
Gekko Yun Jian didn't quite understand. "How is that possible? Those guys rarely come to Konoha."
His words didn't reveal much respect for the Daimyo or nobles, but Ninjas like him are relatively rare. The vast majority are still very respectful toward those noble people, with an irrational loyalty in their bones that completely fails to live up to the extraordinary energy flowing through their bodies.
A millennium of Ninja obedience education has already stamped a stubborn Mental Seal on these people's brains. Higashino Shin often seemed out of place with them because his thoughts weren't obedient enough.
Yūgao Uzuki: "So, our first mission is?"
Gekko Yun Jian: "Finding cats!"
Higashino Shin: "???"
"Ahem!" Gekko Yun Jian looked at Higashino Shin's questioning face and explained, "This used to be the Uchiha Clan's responsibility, but most of their clansmen are currently on the Eastern Battlefield and don't have enough manpower to handle it."
Not far from Konoha is an abandoned town called Empty City, where the Ninja Cat Clan lives. They are very close to the Uchiha Clan.
It's currently the season when cats start going into heat, so many little ones run over to Konoha to hook up randomly. After all, while pet cats aren't Ninja Cats, they are quite pretty, aren't they?
You have to understand, Ninja Cats are different from ordinary cats, just as we Ninjas are different from ordinary people. The Ninja Cat Clan is an intelligent species. To ensure their offspring inherit that intelligence, members are not allowed to mate with ordinary cats. They have a formal marriage system, just like us humans.
So, they sent a mission to the Village to catch the little ones in Konoha and bring them back."
Higashino Shin was speechless. Damn, even Ninja Cats are practicing racial discrimination?
Yūgao Uzuki: "If there aren't many, it should be simple."
Gekko Yun Jian pulled out a bunch of photos. "Then I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. There are 23 of them in total. Moreover, they are all Ninja Cats that can use Chakra, so their speed is much faster than ordinary cats."
Yūgao Uzuki: "..."
Gekkō Hayate: "Teacher, this mission would be most suitable for members of the Hyuga Clan, right?"
"You're wrong, Hayate. The Hyuga Clan can't just activate their Byakugan whenever they want inside the Village. I think you all understand why."
Yūgao Uzuki: "Teacher, you did this on purpose, didn't you? With such a large number and all of them being Ninja Cats, how long will it take to catch them?"
"That depends on your skill. This is a mission I specifically selected for you." Gekko Yun Jian smiled slightly, summoned an extra-large metal cage with a Seal tag from a sealing scroll, placed it aside, and sat on it with a flash, looking like a dead pig that doesn't fear boiling water.
This really was specifically selected. If he hadn't known someone had sensory abilities, this mission wouldn't have fallen to them.
"Leave it to me!" Higashino Shin reached out and took the photos, carefully memorizing the appearance of the Ninja Cats, then gave them to Hayate and Yūgao to look through.
His sensory perception expanded, covering the entire Konoha, and he quickly memorized each target point in his mind.
Yūgao Uzuki: "Brother Shin, how is it? Did you find them?"
"Found them!" Higashino Shin quickly reported several locations to them. "Quite a few cats have gathered in these places. We'll split up. I'll handle the west and north; you two take the remaining two directions. Meet back here after completing the mission."
"Yes!" x2.
After determining their directions, the three departed with Body Flicker.
Ninjas don't take the usual path, jumping across other people's roofs daily.
As Higashino Shin leaped, he thought about this mission. He felt as if the higher-ups, knowing he had sensory abilities, had specifically assigned this mission to test him.
This way of doing things can only be described as very 'Ninja'.
Every Ninja Village adheres to strict confidentiality principles, and so do Ninjas. The Village won't force you to fully disclose your abilities, but if you have special techniques, the Village will take note of it and then judge roughly through certain missions. You don't need to volunteer the information at all.
Being a Ninja, after all, is all about that.