Youthful Stirring~

"Morning, Genma~"

As Genma approached the pharmacy, a listless-looking boy with a pineapple ponytail waved at him weakly.

"Oh, Shiosui. You're as lifeless as ever. How's the shop been lately?"

Nara Shiosui was three years younger than Shiranui Genma and had yet to start at the Ninja Academy.

The two had not met at school. Their acquaintance naturally stemmed from the pharmacy where they now stood.

Two years ago, Genma had been introduced to Nara Pharmacy and become an apprentice there. Shiosui, meanwhile, had been more or less forced into becoming an apprentice because he looked lazy despite his young age, yet was rather mature for it.

At first, Genma had thought the little pineapple head was just a brat who would be hard to talk to, so he had not paid him much attention. But because the two often helped each other due to their lack of ability, the more they talked, the more surprised they became by each other's maturity.

Before long, they could talk about anything. By now, they were exceptionally close friends.

Speaking of intelligence, Genma would not dare claim he completely outclassed Shiosui. After all, the Nara Clan produced strategist-level talents one after another. In this world, where inheritance was relatively stable, Shiosui was also an exceptionally clever child.

At the very least, when Genma had been three, he had only helped with farmwork at home. Things like dispensing medicine and keeping accounts probably would have had to wait until he was ten.

It was close to noon, and many people were preparing meals at home, so the pharmacy had little business. Shiosui sat on a tall stool with his chin propped on one hand, glanced at Genma, and said, "Business is about the same as usual. Come to think of it, shouldn't you have graduated early and become a ninja? Why are you still here working as an apprentice with me?"

Being able to talk about anything with a friend was a good thing, but that did not mean one could say everything, or would say everything.

Repeating a grade was embarrassing to begin with, so Genma had never mentioned much of it to Shiosui. Usually, he only told him about what happened at the academy.

In Shiosui's eyes, Genma was already quite remarkable. He was not from the Nara Clan, yet he was able to work within one of its businesses.

There were ordinary employees at the shop who were not Nara either, but Shiosui could tell Genma was different. During their free time, aside from Shiosui himself, Genma was also someone who studied medicinal theory and learned to identify herbs.

The Nara Clan was considered a first-rate clan. At some point, a trend had emerged among the great clans: they were divided into the Main Family and the Branch Family, whose duties differed as well.

Comparatively speaking, the Main Family held greater authority and was generally trained in overall planning and management. The Branch Family faced far more restrictions. Although they learned many things, their focus was scattered, so they did not stand out in any one specialty.

Shiosui was unquestionably part of the Branch Family. Learning medicinal theory and identifying herbs were all in preparation for managing the clan's medicinal herb business in the future.

That was what puzzled Shiosui. He knew Genma came from a small clan, but he had never heard of his family selling medicine.

Working as a pharmacy apprentice for two years to develop social skills was understandable. But Genma had already attended school for two years. With his relatively outstanding talent, he should have been preparing for Early Graduation in his third year.

There were certainly parents who deliberately let their children graduate later because they felt sorry for them being so young. But for a child from a small clan like Genma, shouldn't they be competing to prove themselves and striving to raise their clan's prestige?

At least, in Shiosui's view, while it was cruel, that was how small clans ought to do things.

"Uh... I'm a bit special. Maybe you can ask your father. I don't really know the specifics either."

Shiosui's expression did not change. He merely raised his head and looked at the sky. "Oh, I see. Asking Father would be too troublesome. Since you don't know, I'm too lazy to find out. By the way, why did you come at this hour today?"

To Shiosui, most things were troublesome. Only things different from the usual were worth paying a little attention to.

Knowing Shiosui's temperament well, Genma gave a sly grin. "Your father said he'd raise my pay a little. If it's calculated by the hour, I can work a few extra hours now~"

Shiosui rolled his dull eyes as if startled, but a moment later, a trace of excitement appeared in them.

"It's settled, then. Once you get paid, you're treating me. I won't hold back!"

"Hmph, fine, I'll treat you. It's not like you can suddenly turn into someone from the Akimichi Clan!"

"Heh, I can't turn into an Akimichi, but can't I call some Akimichi over to help me eat? I'll eat you into poverty!"

"Bleh!"

Genma made a face, ignored Shiosui's smug expression, and began the day's studies.

Two years had only allowed Genma to match medicines to their names. He still could not memorize all the medicinal theory. So whenever the pharmacy was free, he studied medicinal theory and the skills he needed to hone.

For herb identification alone, he first had to train his eyesight and, secondly, his sense of smell.

Whether fresh herbs or dried ones, he could find them all in the shop. But one could not simply smell them however one pleased. Some herbs could affect the body if inhaled for too long.

Even after being here for two years, Genma remained extremely cautious.

"Roar!! I finally made it!"

A booming shout swept in as a muscular man appeared at the pharmacy entrance.

"Eh, Uncle Dai? Are you here to buy medicine?"

His distinctive thick eyebrows, large eyes, and green jumpsuit revealed his identity. With just one glance, Genma recognized Might Duy and stepped forward to greet him.

"Oh, Genma. Then I won't have to trouble anyone else. Give me two portions of Body Tempering Medicine for a week." As he spoke, Might Duy patted his pockets and pulled out a flat, deflated wallet.

Genma immediately began sorting the herbs. With Shiosui's help, the herbs were chopped into powder and mixed together, and soon, two large packets of Body Tempering Medicine were ready.

When the two packets were handed to Might Duy, he scratched his head awkwardly, his spirits dimming somewhat.

"What's wrong, Uncle Dai? Don't you have enough money?"

Having taught him for three years, Might Duy did not stubbornly keep up appearances. He nodded. "That's right... I don't have enough. I only have enough for one and a half portions."

"One and a half portions? If it's only half a portion, I can cover it for you first, Uncle Dai. But didn't you usually only buy one portion before?"

Might Duy seemed to recall something. A hint of happiness appeared on his weathered yet resolute face.

"I... I have a son now. He's five years old, and he looks a lot like me. He works very hard, too. So I finished my mission early today. I need to hurry home and cook for him~"

Seeing Might Duy's proud expression and the dispirited air around him completely vanish, Genma stuffed both packets of medicine into his arms.

"Uncle Dai, please take them. Consider it tuition for the Taijutsu you taught me when I was younger."

"Uh, that wouldn't be right. Those Taijutsu techniques aren't worth much."

"It's fine, really. I work here now, and I usually don't spend much money anyway. But speaking of which, Uncle Dai, how come I've never seen your son before?"

To get Dai to accept his gift, Genma hurriedly changed the subject.

Of course, he really was curious as well.

"Oh, that~" Dai scratched his head, looking a little unnatural. "His mother sent him to me rather late. It's really nothing."

"Is that so..." Genma stood there blankly for a moment, countless thoughts flashing through his mind.

Everyone said thick eyebrows reproduced asexually, but now that he had actually asked, why did this feel a little like a single-parent household?

Seeing Dai's awkward expression, Genma could not help saying, "Well, it's nothing, Uncle Dai. He's your son. I think he must be an outstanding child."

To Genma's surprise, Dai suddenly burst into tears.

"Wahh~ Genma, I don't even know how to thank you. You're right. My son is absolutely the most outstanding son in the world."

Might Duy choked up, his words becoming somewhat incoherent.

Genma instinctively felt that something was off.

Might Duy's strength was actually absurdly high.

The fact that he had kicked the famed Seven Ninja Swordsmen into the Three Lucky Treasures was proof enough.

Yet at this point, aside from his exceptionally standard Rigid Fist, he had never displayed much strength. Still, no matter what, Might Duy definitely possessed power beyond that of a Genin.

It was ridiculous that the useless Genin of the village saw Might Duy and treated him entirely like an idiot.

Yet he used those cruel words as motivation and continued training madly.

But the more he did that, the more people found him an eyesore.

Sometimes, when Genma heard Might Duy talk about his missions, they always sounded like beautiful memories worth cherishing.

But Genma knew people were not born strong. The more optimistic someone was, the more likely they had a past too painful to look back on. Having endured the worst pain, they could laugh off the smaller pains of everyday life.

Looking at it now, Might Duy's sudden emotion might have come from something deep within him being touched.

After all, compared to others, Genma training under him had been genuine encouragement. Helping cover his medicine costs now was another form of genuine encouragement.

The only shining light in the darkness could be called hope.

Perhaps Genma's casual act had truly moved Might Duy.

"All right, Uncle Dai. Your son is still waiting at home. Come to think of it, when he starts school, he might even become my classmate~"

"Uh~ Is that so?" Might Duy wiped away his tears. "If so, then I think he'll have someone to chase after. Genma, you must become his lifelong rival!"

Genma immediately panicked. Thinking of the endless challenges he would soon face from Might Guy, all kinds of thoughts collided wildly in his mind.

Then, a white-haired man with a flashy attitude gave him an idea.

Genma quickly flashed a broad, toothy grin. "Uncle Dai, I might not be the strongest, but White Fang Lord's son will also be my classmate. And I'll make him my lifelong rival. Didn't you always say that men should dare to challenge the impossible?"

Might Duy paused, then quickly gave him a thumbs-up. "I didn't expect you to remember those words, Genma. Then let my son and you both make White Fang Lord's son your lifelong rival!"

Genma secretly rejoiced and gave him a thumbs-up as well. "Mm, Uncle Dai, you're absolutely right. Didn't you say just now that you had to go home and cook?"

"Oh, oh, right, I need to cook. I'll be going first, Genma." Might Duy scratched his head, feeling that something was not quite right, though he could not put his finger on it.

But carrying two packets of Body Tempering Medicine, he was in an exceptionally cheerful mood.

Dai strode away in great steps.

Shiosui, who had been utterly baffled and had watched Genma's performance for a long time, could not help rubbing his eyes. "Is it really okay to make him that motivated?"