Training, reading, practicing Ninjutsu. Taiichi had been cycling through these activities since his return.
Most people only saw Taiichi cutting through enemies like vegetables, but few knew the rigorous daily routine he maintained to achieve that strength.
> [Congratulations. After prolonged training, Skill Sealing Jutsu upgraded to Lv5 (1/800)]
His specialized training paid off. One more level, and he could make the Multiple String Light Formation tags. At this rate, maybe two months.
Just as he celebrated this milestone, a knock came at his door.
It was Yohei and Saori. They looked relieved to see him.
"Taiichi! You have no idea! We've been bored to death!" Yohei complained immediately.
Taiichi learned about their plight. Without a captain, they were restricted to D-Rank missions. Yamaguchi had returned briefly but was immediately sent on another designated mission, leaving Team 8 leaderless again.
With Konoha so busy, everyone else was working hard, but they were stuck doing chores. It was frustrating.
Taiichi felt guilty. He hadn't contacted them since his return.
"The Mission Hall staff even suggested we disband and re-form!" Yohei ranted.
Saori tugged his sleeve, pointing at Taiichi's guilty face.
"Taiichi, I don't mean you! Don't worry!" Yohei tried to fix it but made it worse.
"Alright. Since I'm back, we can take missions again," Taiichi interrupted, standing up. "Let's go to the Mission Hall!"
They cheered and followed him.
With Taiichi present, the squad could take C-Rank missions again. They threw themselves into work, eager for experience.
Yohei and Saori were particularly enthusiastic, often doing more than their share, which embarrassed Taiichi.
Despite the busy schedule, they didn't neglect training. Shadow Clones allowed them to train during downtime, and having Taiichi as a sparring partner accelerated their growth.
Currently, they were on a C-Rank mission: Escort the swordsmith Kurizu to find inspiration and return safely to the capital.
Kurizu was a famous but eccentric master smith. The mission was simple: keep him safe for ten days.
This gave the team plenty of free time for training. Taiichi's guidance helped everyone improve significantly.
However, they underestimated Kurizu's eccentricity.
On the third day, the white-haired smith abandoned the safe road for a treacherous mountain path.
"The maple leaves are turning red there. That rust-like red is my inspiration!"
"Master, you sound like a painter, not a smith," Yohei muttered.
"What do you know? All high art draws from nature!" Kurizu glared at him. "Don't you ninjas meditate in scenic spots too?"
"Uh... do we?" Yohei scratched his head.
"Jonin or those at a bottleneck do," Taiichi explained. "To comprehend nature transformation."
"Oh! Like you with fire!"
"Master," Saori frowned at the map. "This is deep forest. Dangerous beasts and insects..."
"Bah! I've been forging for 40 years. If I feared danger, I wouldn't be a master!" Kurizu huffed stubbornly.
"No wonder the mission said he's weird. He's suicidal," Yohei whispered.
Taiichi sighed. The difficulty wasn't enemies; it was the client.
"We will protect you. But please listen to our instructions in danger."
"That's better!" Kurizu grinned at Saori. "This little girl speaks well."
He marched off, tools clanking.
Taiichi patted Saori's clenched fist. "Don't mind him. Just another mission target."
"Let's go, Yohei."
Saori blushed, not from anger, but from Taiichi's touch.
The mountain path was rough. Suddenly, Kurizu veered off toward a steep slope.
"Master, danger—"
Too late. Kurizu slipped.
"Earth Style: Mud River!" Taiichi acted instantly, turning the sharp rocks into soft mud.
It was a small slope, so Kurizu slid to the bottom harmlessly, just covered in mud.
"You did that on purpose," Yohei whispered. "You could have caught him."
"Impossible. Protecting the client is my priority," Taiichi denied, ignoring Yohei's skeptical look. He jumped down.
Saori watched, playing with her fingers.
At the bottom, Taiichi hauled Kurizu up.
"Master Kurizu, be careful. If this was a cliff, I couldn't save you."
"Let go! Let go!" Kurizu struggled, eyes shining. "I saw a perfect ore! Best material for alloys!"
Taiichi released him. The old man rushed to a rock, tapping it with a hammer, ecstatic.
This is why he's a master, Taiichi thought. Total dedication.
"Argh!"
Kurizu cried out. A green snake slithered away from under him.
Taiichi threw a kunai, pinning the snake. He checked Kurizu's wound.
"Five-step snake. Highly venomous!" Yohei identified the snake.
Kurizu turned pale, clutching his ore. "Little brother... can I be saved?"
From 'little girl' to 'little brother'. Taiichi smirked internally.
He stared at Kurizu silently until the old man started trembling. Saori nudged Taiichi's back with her knee. Enough.
Taiichi took out an antidote pill. "Master, eat this. My special antidote."
Kurizu threw it into his mouth. Two chews later, his face crumpled. He gagged.
Taiichi covered his mouth. "Swallow it! If you spit it out, you have to eat another one."
Kurizu swallowed hard. The pain in his leg vanished, replaced by the lingering horror of the taste. Bitter sweet? No, just bitter.
Taiichi used Delicate Illness Extraction Technique, drawing out the venom with water. The clear water turned black and red.
After three cycles, the water remained clear. He bandaged the wound.
When he tried to help Kurizu up, the old man was already focused on his ore again, ignoring his injury.
The trio exchanged helpless glances. But at least Kurizu became more cautious after that.
For the rest of the trip, Yohei scared off boars with fireballs, and Saori zapped hornets with lightning. Taiichi critiqued their techniques, helping them improve.
They visited the maple forest, crossed a lake, hiked fields, and climbed a cliff to watch the sunrise.
"Found it! That's it!" Kurizu cheered at the sunrise.
Inspired, he urged them to hurry back. Taiichi had to slow him down to prevent the old man from collapsing from exhaustion.
They arrived in the capital on the seventh day.
Kurizu rushed into his forge, kicked everyone out, and declared seclusion to forge a sword.
The three Genin stood outside the closed door, holding the mission scroll, wondering who was supposed to sign it.
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