996 Work is a Blessing

Back in the village.

"Teacher, were you just talking to Lord Minato?"

Kurenai Yuhi couldn't help but ask about the situation.

"Heh heh, just putting on a show. Otherwise, that Kakashi kid..."

Kyoichi shook his head and sighed.

Asuma thought for a moment and nodded slightly in agreement.

Indeed.

That guy Kakashi is quite difficult to deal with.

If he were Uchiha Obito and on the same team as Kakashi, he wouldn't be able to cooperate with him either.

It's too strange!

Shisui remained silent.

After a few steps, he finally asked, "Were you really on a team with Kakashi before, Teacher?"

"Yes, about a year and a half ago. Not long after I was promoted to Chunin, I received a mission and was temporarily teamed up with him. Two teammates died on that mission."

"Why would that happen?"

Shisui was very surprised.

Was the mission death rate that high?

Kyoichi shook his head and didn't elaborate. Kurenai Yuhi explained in a low voice, "Kakashi went through some things. He believes that a ninja's duty is to complete missions, so he will do anything for the mission..."

"I see."

Shisui was stunned for a few seconds after hearing this, then quickly understood.

The White Fang's suicide!

He was only one year old that year and had no idea what was going on. He only heard about it later when his clan members were badmouthing the Third Hokage.

"Alright, let's forget about Team 7. Starting tomorrow, our First Squad will begin taking missions. Remember to gather at the Hokage Building in the morning... Dismissed!"

The sooner they completed missions, the sooner they would earn money.

Being a ninja wasn't easy, and everything required money. Especially chakra weapons, which were huge money sinks. Although Kyoichi had the Thunder God Sword, it wasn't suitable for Iaido.

So, it was better to save some money.

"We're starting tomorrow?"

Asuma was confused.

Normally, it wouldn't be this fast.

"The Teacher probably wants us to quickly accumulate mission counts so we can take on C-rank missions and above sooner."

Shisui guessed.

"That's possible. Sigh, there have been constant wars in recent years. The Teacher has really been worrying himself sick over us. We must train hard and not let the Teacher down!"

"I've decided. Starting tomorrow, I'll run every day to improve my taijutsu."

Kurenai Yuhi clenched her fist, cheering herself on.

Even if she couldn't become a taijutsu powerhouse like Tsunade, she at least didn't want to hold Asuma and Shisui back. And she certainly didn't want to become a weak link due to poor taijutsu like Rin.

"As for the Teacher, I should focus on swordsmanship."

Shisui pondered for a moment.

He had been struggling with his decision before, but after witnessing Kakashi's Ninja Sword Technique today, he felt there was no need to hesitate.

Ninjutsu?

Kyoichi couldn't use Fire Style.

Shisui could major in either taijutsu or swordsmanship. Clearly, swordsmanship was his best path. Moreover...

Ninja Sword Technique, Phantom Sword Style, perhaps they were more suited for him!

"You're choosing swordsmanship, so I'll focus on taijutsu."

Asuma smiled.

He would major in taijutsu and minor in ninjutsu.

As for swordsmanship.

That wasn't his forte. He preferred short blades.

"I'm not good at close combat. Taijutsu will just be a minor to avoid holding us back, but what the Teacher said to Rin today reminded me. Genjutsu and Medical Ninjutsu both require extremely high chakra control. Perhaps I can apply that knowledge."

Kurenai Yuhi had a sudden inspiration.

The Teacher knows Medical Ninjutsu. She would major in Genjutsu, with taijutsu and Medical Ninjutsu as minors!

It seemed feasible.

The next day.

At the Hokage Building, by the time Kyoichi arrived, the three children were already there.

Minato Namikaze had sent a Shadow Clone over.

"Let's go, we'll head in to pick up the mission first."

Kyoichi yawned.

When he went back yesterday, he specifically checked his system panel, but he only earned one Earth Style: Earth Wall.

However.

Thinking about it, it made sense.

This trip took a lot of time, but there probably weren't many instances where he truly guided them effectively.

Kakashi wasn't someone whose mind could be easily changed, and as for Obito...

Forget it.

That foolish kid wouldn't change his mind unless Rin died and he turned dark. Let him figure it out slowly; the return on investment for hand-holding him was too low.

Therefore.

Kyoichi woke up this morning with everything settled. The most important task now was to manage his own subordinates.

Upon entering the lobby, the Chunin responsible for distributing missions was surprised.

"Sir, you are...?"

"First Squad, just formed yesterday. Please assign us a D-rank mission. There should be many piled up since no one has taken them recently... these, these, these, three missions."

They were assigned to a team yesterday, and today they came to pick up missions?

And.

They took three missions at once?

He was dumbfounded. Were they here for training or to genuinely earn money?

"Is that not allowed?"

Seeing that he hadn't moved for a long time, Kanda Kyoichi couldn't help but ask.

"It's not that it's not allowed, but D-rank missions are mainly for... Alright, since it's Lord Kyoichi's request, I'll assign these three missions to your squad."

After assigning the missions, Kyoichi nodded in thanks.

As they left the building, Kurenai Yuhi asked, "Teacher, you took three missions?"

"Yes. Have you thought about the main specialization I mentioned yesterday?"

"We've thought about it."

Shisui and the other two began to explain their chosen specializations.

Kyoichi listened and nodded gently, feeling very pleased.

It was just as he had thought!

Fortunately, his disciples weren't as stubborn as Kakashi and Obito, or he would have been so angry he'd want to smack them to death, let alone teach them.

He picked up the three mission cards and said, "Perfect. You'll go your separate ways. Shisui, you'll chop wood. Asuma, go help carry water. Kurenai Yuhi, you'll catch a cat."

"Huh?"

The three were stunned.

Splitting up?

This was different from before!

Didn't they always act together?

"What, is there a problem?"

"Teacher, don't we usually work together?"

"Having you work together on missions is to cultivate team synergy. You all intentionally cooperate with your teammates, and you've considered teamwork when choosing your specializations. There's no need to foster synergy with these D-rank missions; consider them as training."

Kyoichi said with a smile.

After completing the missions, the Jonin leading the team gets a share.

Working 996 is a blessing, it's such a waste for three people to do one mission!

"Understood!"

Shisui's eyes lit up.

Chopping wood to train swordsmanship, carrying water to hone physical strength, catching a cat to improve speed...

The teacher's division of labor had its own reasoning!

"If you understand, then there's nothing more to say. Go complete your missions. Shisui and Asuma, your missions aren't difficult. The only one with a potential issue is Kurenai. I'll be with her and will step in to help if absolutely necessary."

"Yes, sensei."

None of the three were stupid and quickly understood Kyoichi's reason for assigning them roles.

Kurenai Yuhi's taijutsu was the weakest.

However.

Her main focus was genjutsu, and her requirements for taijutsu were nothing more than speed, reaction, and stamina.

A cat was the most agile "enemy" in a D-rank mission!

"Let's begin."

"Yes!"

The three scattered.

Kyoichi followed Kurenai Yuhi at a leisurely pace.

He was considering whether he should learn from the future Kakashi and buy some entertainment products to read, otherwise, it was truly boring to keep following these children.

But.

At this time, Jiraiya was still on the front lines, and his debut work, Tale of Perseverance Ninja, hadn't even come out yet.

What a shame.

The cat-catching mission required Kyoichi to accompany them because it was outside the village, but D-rank missions wouldn't be too far from Konoha, so they arrived quickly.

Kurenai Yuhi's speed wasn't fast, but she wasn't without advantages.

Her sensory abilities were strong, and she understood genjutsu.

As long as she used them reasonably, catching a cat alone wouldn't be difficult.