Not only that, Uchiha Kai had also discovered the relationship between increases in attributes and changes in chakra reserves.
At level four, every 0.1 increase in an attribute added five points of chakra. And each time an attribute crossed a whole-number threshold, the chakra increase doubled.
After raising his Divine attribute from 6 to 6.2, Uchiha Kai's chakra had surged by 40 points—almost as much as a standard Genin had in total. It showed just how tremendous the boost was when an attribute crossed a threshold.
If he kept stacking increases like this, the boy's strength would make rapid, exponential leaps.
And that was one of the few bits of good news he'd had this past month.
At the mission assignment office, Uchiha Kai and the others pushed open the door and went inside.
"Ah... It's finally over! It's always this kind of dirty, tedious work. I feel like my kunai are getting rusty!"
Morino Kei wailed miserably, his face full of despair.
"Hahaha... Kei, you're as lively as ever," Maruboshi Kosuke said with a gentle smile from behind them.
"Even tedious work has its purpose. The world isn't all fighting and killing, and ninja don't exist only to fight. It's good to stop and rest for a moment now and then."
The gentle old man spoke in a deep voice, his words carrying the experience and weariness he'd accumulated over decades.
"Ah... Yeah, yeah, I know..." Morino Kei muttered, narrowing his eyes.
"Honestly... Kai's already nagging enough, and now there's an old man who's even better at lecturing. Are you trying to drive me to an early grave...?"
The tall, broad-shouldered boy scratched his head, looking rather troubled. He suddenly missed the days when Aburame Keiichi was still around.
Teacher Keiichi was strict and always picking on me... but at least he didn't nag this much... Morino Kei grumbled inwardly.
Teacher Keiichi, please come back!
The next moment, Morino Kei pushed open the door to the mission assignment office with a miserable look. The figure inside made his face light up.
"Teacher Keiichi!?" the boy cried.
The man in a loose robe, his face stern, looked up. He swept his gaze over them and rolled his eyes.
"Hey, brat, don't shout like that! Have you no manners? Can't you see the Third Hokage is here too?"
Aburame Keiichi's mouth twitched as he reminded him dryly.
Morino Kei froze. He stopped his carefree antics, scratched his head, and spoke cautiously.
"Uh... Lord Hiruzen, long time no see. Sorry for the trouble."
Hearing the boy's insincere flattery, Hiruzen Sarutobi, seated behind his desk, couldn't help smiling kindly.
He tapped out his pipe, then spoke with a warm smile.
"Hahaha, there's no need to be so formal. Kei's grown so much. With a body that strong, he's sure to make a fine ninja."
"How have your missions been going lately?" the old man asked gently.
"Th-they've been okay," Morino Kei said, scratching his head.
"Is your father doing well?"
"He's fine. He nags me every day, just like before, and still won't accept that I've become a ninja." Morino Kei looked helpless, bewilderment written all over his face.
At that, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression went blank for a moment. Then he said with a complicated look, "Sigh... You can't blame your father. What parent wouldn't worry about their child?"
The others came forward, one after another, and greeted Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Greetings, Third Hokage," they said in unison.
"Good, good. You're all doing well," Hiruzen Sarutobi replied kindly, his eyes crinkling.
"Third Hokage, here's the report for this mission. Team Seven completed it successfully."
Maruboshi Kosuke spoke calmly, then placed the scroll in his hand on Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk.
Aburame Keiichi spoke first from beside him.
"You've had a hard time lately, Senior Kosuke. You covered for me, an unworthy teacher, while I was away. I'm truly sorry for the trouble."
"Hahaha, not at all. You're an elite Jonin who's made a tremendous contribution to the village. It's only natural that I cover for you while you're on a mission." The old man waved a hand and chuckled self-deprecatingly.
"Besides, looking after the younger generation is a fine job." The old man turned to look at the boys, who were exchanging glances, and smiled for no apparent reason.
"That youthful energy is so hard to come by. For an old fellow like me, it's one of the few ways I can still contribute."
As his words fell, Aburame Keiichi shifted slightly. He raised a hand, then lowered it again, the words catching in his throat.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. He folded his arms across his chest and gazed steadily at Maruboshi Kosuke, his expression troubled, before speaking earnestly.
"Kosuke, what happened back then is in the past. You've already made amends for what you did. If your comrades knew how determined you were, they'd praise you with relief from the Pure Land."
"You don't have to keep yourself trapped in the cage of the past," Hiruzen Sarutobi said solemnly, his gaze unwavering.
"The village needs experienced and capable ninja like you."
Maruboshi Kosuke thanked him, then silently shook his head.
"I understand how you feel, Third Hokage, and I know what I'm doing." The old man lifted his head, his gaze seeming to pierce the ceiling and travel far into the distance.
"But I swore before Lord Tobirama that I would never accept a promotion for the rest of my life," the old man said hoarsely.
"Please, let this withered old tree live out its days as a Genin, burning until it turns to ash and enriches the earth..." the old man pleaded, though his voice remained firm.
Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi had little more to say. He nodded and fell silent.
"Rest assured. Whenever the village needs me, you can entrust me with any mission. I'll do everything in my power." ...
The two aging ninja continued their conversation, leaving the boys behind them full of curiosity.
"Huh? What are the Third Hokage and the old man talking about? From what he's saying, Old Man Kosuke sounds like a really strong ninja." Morino Kei scratched his head, baffled, and spoke quietly to his companions.
"Yeah, it's strange. The Hokage thinks so highly of him? It sounds like he's asking Grandpa Kosuke to accept a promotion," Hyuga Rei said, equally puzzled.
"It's so weird. Who refuses to get promoted and stays a Genin their whole life? Besides, I've only heard bad things about Old Man Kosuke around the village." Morino Kei scratched his head.
"Everyone says he's just a cowardly Genin who's afraid to go to the battlefield, so he spends all his time doing D-rank missions to avoid danger. Just like Uncle Guy."
At that, Uchiha Kai spoke up, his expression serious.
"So it's only a rumor. A ninja's strength has never been determined by gossip."
"The scars all over Old Man Kosuke's body and his strong, steady stride don't lie. The chakra hidden in that body must not be underestimated."
"Besides, just making it to such an old age as a ninja, safe and sound, is proof of strength in itself, isn't it?" the boy asked.
The two nodded, seeing the point, and voiced their agreement.
"And you can't judge by appearances. Not just Grandpa Kosuke—Uncle Guy is frighteningly strong too..." the boy said earnestly to Morino Kei.
"Huh? Really? Uncle Guy is that strong?! I thought all he did was carry tea and water for people every day. He's practically become Madam Shijime's sidekick..."
Morino Kei asked doubtfully, his face full of disbelief.
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