Read my new story :
American Fast & Furious NSFW
America's #1 Scumbag NSFW
Time flew by. It was Konoha Year 45.
Taiichi was 9, Yohei and Saori were 12.
As they entered their growth spurt, Yohei and Saori's chakra reserves were growing explosively.
Taiichi envied them. His chakra was decent, but developing Blaze Release drained him instantly. His progress was slow due to lack of chakra.
Reality was harsh. He couldn't change his age. He could only train harder, hoping physical growth would boost his chakra.
Team 8 maintained a rigorous training schedule and swept through C-Rank missions, building a reputation among the lower ranks.
One morning, while Taiichi trained by the river, a familiar "Jiji!" call approached.
A bird flew toward him. The formerly fat Jiji was now slim and majestic.
He swooped down, flapped his wings to create a dust cloud, and landed dramatically on a rock.
"Jiji! Taiichi! Aren't I handsome?" The squawk ruined the image.
This bird is narcissistic.
"Jiji, long time no see. Did Captain Yamaguchi return?"
"Jiji! Yes! Long-term mission over. Meet tomorrow at 9 AM, Training Ground 7. Jiji!"
Jiji flew off immediately. "Gotta tell Yohei and Saori! Then find a girlfriend! Bye!"
Taiichi shook his head. He just came to show off. But he was happy. C-Rank missions were getting boring.
The next morning, Taiichi arrived early, but Yohei and Saori were already there.
Soon, Yamaguchi arrived. He looked thinner but spirited, his gaze firmer than before.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." He bowed deeply.
The trio was stunned.
"I failed as a captain, leaving you alone for so long. I'm sorry!"
"Captain, don't say that! You're safe, that's what matters!" Taiichi waved his hands.
"We waited for you!" Saori added.
"Yeah! We did great without you! We're famous now!" Yohei bragged.
Yamaguchi smiled. "I heard. You did excellent. As compensation, lunch is on me! BBQ! Let's talk!"
"Yay! 10 plates of premium beef!" Yohei cheered.
"Careful you don't puke during training," Taiichi laughed.
"Captain, isn't that too expensive?" Saori worried.
Yamaguchi froze. Yohei was all talk, but Saori could actually eat a lot.
"It's fine! I did high-rank missions. My wallet is full!"
That night, Taiichi wrote to Tsunade via Katsuyu, sharing the news and asking about real estate in Konoha.
The next day, they went to the Mission Hall, excited for B or A-Rank missions.
"What! Mission Hall is closed?!" Yohei yelled.
"Are you guys stupid?" The staff looked at them. "And you, the captain! It's New Year! Holiday for 3 days!"
"New Year!" Yamaguchi facepalmed. "I forgot!"
"No wonder the streets were crowded!" Taiichi realized.
"So..." Yohei trailed off.
"Go home for New Year!" Yamaguchi declared. My wife knew. That look she gave me...
"Yay!" Yohei cheered and ran off.
Taiichi went shopping. The streets were festive. He bought gifts for the orphanage kids and a scarf for Nono.
At the orphanage, he was greeted by Grandma Keiko and the kids.
"Taiichi! I thought you weren't coming!"
"Sorry, almost forgot. Where's Nono-nee?"
"She forgot too. Went to the hospital for overtime."
Taiichi distributed gifts to the kids, creating a clone to play with them. He gave Grandma Keiko knee warmers.
Then he went to the hospital.
It was crowded. New Year meant stomach aches, firework injuries, and stress.
In the ER, Nono was treating a child's burnt hand. She looked exhausted.
When she stood up, she swayed. Taiichi caught her.
"Nono-nee, rest a bit."
"Taiichi! You came!" She smiled but refused to rest. "Flu outbreak plus holiday injuries. We're short-handed."
"Nurse Nono! Acute gastroenteritis here!"
"Coming!" She ran off.
Taiichi sighed. He looked around and remembered Dr. Fujita's offer.
He went to find her. Passing the Trauma Department, he was spotted.
Fujita looked at him like a resentful wife. "Oh, Taiichi-kun. Remembered your work pass?"
"Director... please don't be like that," Taiichi apologized. "I saw how busy it is, so I came to help."
She stared at him, then sighed. "Fine. Here."
She gave him a pass and a coat. "Go help Trauma."
Taiichi took them happily. But at the door, he turned back.
"Thanks, Director! But ER is busier, so I'm going there first!"
He fled.
"TAIICHI MATSUSHITA! YOU COME BACK HERE!"
Her roar echoed through the soundproof door.