A Genin's Daily Life Is All Odd Jobs

Nearly a month had passed since the bell-grabbing exercise.

During that time, the three kids had spent their days following Sakumo around doing odd jobs, including but not limited to clearing waterways, finding cats and dogs, plowing fields, watering crops, and repairing houses.

The work had left all three of them listless.

Seeing this, Sakumo promptly said he would teach them Ninjutsu as part of their daily routine. Although he was more skilled in the Chakra Blade Technique, a form of Ninjutsu that leaned toward Taijutsu, as a Kage Level powerhouse, he had studied Ninjutsu of all five elemental natures. Naturally, his reason for familiarizing himself with so many techniques was to learn more about Ninjutsu.

Sakumo himself only had a lightning nature. He used the other four natures—wind, fire, water, and earth—to complement his swordsmanship.

For example, he combined Subterranean Voyage and the Hiding Like a Mole Technique with his swordsmanship for precise strikes. After all, most ninja couldn't stay off the ground for long. Wind Release could provide support, increasing his speed or kicking up dust to obstruct an enemy's vision. Sakumo, on the other hand, rarely used water or fire.

With his wealth of experience, Sakumo was more than capable of guiding Tamaki and the others.

For Asuma, Sakumo focused on teaching him Hand Seals and Chakra control. The Sarutobi Clan's inherited Fire Style techniques would keep him busy for a long time. Asuma was also interested in Sakumo's swordsmanship, so Sakumo taught him plenty of basics and shared his experience.

Kurenai was even simpler. There wasn't much Sakumo could teach her about Genjutsu; that was a job for Yūhi Shinku. But Sakumo had fought so many battles that he had developed his own insights into dealing with Genjutsu users, enough to help Kurenai find and fill the gaps in her skills.

As for Tamaki, Sakumo didn't teach him much more about learning Ninjutsu. Instead, he mainly helped him refine how he used his techniques. In Sakumo's view, Tamaki, who already possessed three B-rank techniques, a forbidden technique, and the Rasengan, had no need to learn more Ninjutsu. What he needed now was refinement and a direction to explore.

During this time, Sakumo had also asked Tamaki why he knew so many B-rank techniques. After all, they weren't something a Genin could learn at will.

Tamaki's third uncle, Sanshu Mori, had taught him the Water Dragon Bullet and Earth Prison. He had returned several times over the past two years or so, and at first, Tamaki had pestered him into teaching him the two techniques. After confirming that Tamaki had truly learned both B-rank techniques, he had refused to teach him anything else, no matter what Tamaki said. Presumably, those were the only two techniques he was allowed to teach without restrictions.

As for the Shadow Clone, Tamaki had exchanged the compensation he received when the Anbu caught a spy for it. The B-rank technique was incredibly versatile. Although it was only B-rank, many A-rank techniques couldn't compare with its range of applications, so he hadn't waited until he became a Chunin to get it.

After confirming that there was no problem with the sources of Tamaki's B-rank techniques, Sakumo said no more. As for the Rasengan, once he learned that Tamaki had created it himself, he didn't ask further.

Another month passed in a routine of odd jobs and lessons. After yet another busy day, the adult and three children came to the Hokage building to submit their mission report.

The three followed Sakumo into the Hokage's office. Kurenai was a little reserved; Asuma had his hands behind his head and wore a casual expression; Tamaki imitated Sakumo, remaining composed and betraying nothing.

Sakumo meticulously handed over the mission scroll. "Reporting, Lord Hokage. Team Sakumo, one Jonin and three Genin, has completed its mission and come to submit the report."

"Thank you for your hard work." The Third accepted the mission scroll and set it aside without immediately looking at it.

Instead, he brought up another matter. "The kind of mission you wanted has come in. Take a look and see if it's suitable."

With that, he picked up a scroll from beside him and handed it to Sakumo.

Sakumo took it without a word and read it carefully.

For a moment, the entire office was very quiet. The Third turned to Asuma, wanting to say something, but Asuma didn't notice his father's gaze. The awkward relationship between father and son showed itself at that moment.

"Lord Hokage, Team Sakumo will take this mission."

"Ah, yes, good. I'll leave it to you, then." The Third seemed somewhat distracted.

"Sensei Sakumo, where are we picking up trash this time?"

"We're not picking up trash. This time, we need to leave the village."

"A new mission? Let's find somewhere to talk about it in detail."

Asuma, whose impatience Sakumo had kept in check while making him do odd jobs all this time, could hardly wait. He grabbed Sakumo and tried to pull him outside.

Sakumo gave the Third an apologetic look, but Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't mind and waved his hand.

Noticing this, Tamaki sighed inwardly. What an awkward father-son relationship.

Once outside, they found a quiet dango shop and discussed the mission over food.

"You've had enough experience with the previous missions. Next, it's time to make things a little harder for you."

"It's about time."

Kurenai said nothing, but she agreed with Asuma. Tamaki didn't mind either way. A Jonin instructor wouldn't accept a mission beyond his own capabilities, so he could cover for the three Genin.

"This time, the mission is to take down a group of bandits. The details are..."

"Understood?"

Even Asuma, who was usually loud and boisterous, didn't speak. Instead, he and Kurenai both looked at Tamaki.

"Sensei, do you have any advice?"

Rather than bringing up any questions of his own, Tamaki asked Sakumo for advice. Sakumo was satisfied with that too.

Someone who could spot shortcomings and problems was a genius; someone willing to ask a teacher for guidance was smart. Even so, Sakumo didn't intend to teach them directly.

"My only advice is to go to bed early tonight and not be late tomorrow."

"Dismissed."

Without waiting for the three kids to speak, he picked up a skewer of dango and left first.

"Sensei Sakumo just left like that?"

"Sensei has his own thoughts, and it's only a small group of bandits. There won't be any major problems."

Although Tamaki didn't know why Sakumo hadn't given them any guidance, the point remained: a Jonin instructor wouldn't accept a mission beyond his own capabilities.

With that, Tamaki picked up the remaining dango and had it packed to take away. Kurenai didn't like sweets, so she didn't mind. Asuma? Never mind him.

As for Tamaki himself, he had three women at home who liked sweets: his mother, his eldest aunt, and Hikari. If he brought some dango back, wouldn't it be easier to earn forgiveness the next time he did something wrong at home?

Seeing that Sakumo and Tamaki had both left, Asuma spoke hesitantly to Kurenai beside him.

"Kurenai, I was wondering if you'd be interested..."

"I'm going home too. You should go back and get some rest early, Asuma."

"Hey, Kurenai."

Ignoring Asuma's attempt to make her stay, Kurenai got up and left the shop too, leaving Asuma's planned invitation to spend time alone together unspoken.

Just as Asuma was grieving to himself, the proprietress of the dango shop came over.

"Thank you for your patronage. Twenty skewers of dango come to three hundred ryo."

"Huh? Sensei Sakumo didn't pay again?"

"Excuse me, sir, will you be settling the bill now?" The proprietress's gaze began to turn dangerous.

"Here."

The proprietress, who had thought Asuma was going to skip out on the bill, was just about to lose her temper when she saw him take out the money and pay. Her face instantly lit up with a smile.

"Handsome, would you like anything else? We have plenty of other flavors of dango here."

"No, thanks."

Ignoring the proprietress's attempt to keep him there, Asuma went home with a heavy heart.

Before long, Tamaki returned to his family's medicinal herb shop.

"Mother, Auntie, I'm home. I brought some snacks too."

"Snacks? Where? What are they?" Before either of the two elders could speak, Hikari came rushing over.

She picked up a skewer of dango and began savoring it.

"How come you're back so early today?"

"Don't talk with your mouth full." His aunt walked over and lightly patted the back of Hikari's head, while his mother, Futate Shizuka, covered her mouth and chuckled beside them.

"Mom, Auntie, you should try some too. This dango tastes good." With that, she handed a skewer each to Tamaki's aunt and mother, then turned back to ask him, "Where did you buy this dango?"

"Over by the food street."

Faced with such a heartwarming scene, Tamaki smiled too. Unfortunately, the Shinobi World was not at peace. Otherwise, he would have liked to join Konoha Hospital and live a quiet, stable life like Hikari.

"I'm leaving the village on a mission tomorrow. It won't be too difficult; I just have to follow my instructor."

Tamaki didn't give them the details of the mission. There was no need to make his family worry any more than necessary. Even so, they still looked worried, though they didn't say much. They only helped him go through his luggage over and over.

Dinner that evening was especially lavish. Afterward, Ichite Ki asked Tamaki to come to the study.

"Uncle, is something the matter?"

"You're a Genin now. What are your plans going forward?"

"Going forward? I'll focus on Life Return and Kekkei Genkai."

"What about the Eight Gates Released Formation? You don't intend to study it further?"

"Although I have some talent for it, the technique takes too much time, and I won't see results in the short term. I'd rather obtain a Kekkei Genkai and increase my strength quickly."

"Kekkei Genkai, huh?" Ichite Ki's expression was slightly odd. "Speaking of which, your Uzumaki Kekkei Genkai hasn't shown any signs of progress these past few years. It would be good if you could develop it."

"I don't intend to put my efforts into the Uzumaki Kekkei Genkai. I want to obtain a stronger Kekkei Genkai, like Wood Release."

Ichite Ki was somewhat at a loss for words. Never mind Wood Release—the boy hadn't even figured out his Uzumaki Kekkei Genkai yet. Although his Chakra was indeed vast and had been growing at nearly three to four times the rate of his peers since more than two years ago, that still couldn't be considered a true Uzumaki Kekkei Genkai.

As for Wood Release, that was a myth! When Ichite Ki was a child, the God of Shinobi from the Senju Clan had still been alive. He had seen that Kekkei Genkai with his own eyes, and even today he couldn't believe it was something a ninja could do.

"Don't aim too high. Developing a Kekkei Genkai you don't possess is too difficult, and your shape transformation and nature transformation aren't up to scratch yet. Focusing on the Uzumaki Kekkei Genkai might suit you better. Is there anything else you want to do?"

"Nothing else. As you said, Uncle, I'm studying shape transformation and nature transformation under Sensei Sakumo now. I can open three gates of the Eight Gates Released Formation, which is enough. Once I've fully perfected the Gate of Spirit and Life Return, I'll be strong enough to reach Jonin level."

Ichite Ki nodded. His nephew had always had plenty of ideas. Although he didn't always follow his elders' experience, his ideas were simply ahead of their time; he was still down-to-earth in what he did. If he wanted to develop a Kekkei Genkai, so be it. What ninja didn't want to develop a Kekkei Genkai of their own? Studying shape transformation and nature transformation with that as his goal wasn't a bad thing either.

"Since you don't have anything else in mind, there's something I should tell you."

"You know we're from the Senju Clan. The few surviving members of the older generation recently heard about you. They told me that if your talent meets their expectations, they'll put many resources toward you."

"Did they say what resources?"

"Ninjutsu, connections, funds, Chakra weapons. And if you truly want Wood Release, they should have some records of it. After all, they were clan members from the same era as Lord Hashirama. They may even have tried to synthesize Wood Release."

Tamaki rubbed his chin. The resources sounded good, but they had only recently heard about him?

Bullshit!

Those people had probably been paying attention ever since his uncle reported that he had "possibly" awakened the Uzumaki Kekkei Genkai.

As for why they had never shown themselves, that was because of the Second's orders and the Third's wariness.

And now they had appeared because he was becoming increasingly conspicuous in the village.

The Eight Gates Released Formation, Life Return, the Gate of Spirit, the Rasengan.

Asuma's classmate, Hatake Sakumo's disciple.

Whether in terms of strength or connections, he had demonstrated enough value to move them.

As for whether they wanted to rebuild the Senju Clan, gain a greater voice in the village through him, or help him grow so he could secure preferential treatment for their direct descendants in the future, he wasn't quite sure. But it couldn't be much beyond those general possibilities.

Tamaki was very tempted by the terms they offered. Why had he become a genius?

To grow faster!

He hoped to gain greater strength as soon as possible so he could survive more easily.

This Shinobi World was rotten to the core. If not for the Fourth Shinobi World War and the Ōtsutsuki invasion, Tamaki really wouldn't have minded spending his whole life peacefully at Konoha Hospital.

And now, his reputation as a genius had attracted a group of investors. That was good.

"I understand, Uncle. I can't guarantee that I'll succeed, but I won't give up on those things easily."

"Mm. If you have any problems, come to me anytime."

Ichite Ki supported him as he always had.