Task Assignment Office

Not only that, but Uchiha Kai also discovered the relationship between attribute increases and changes in Chakra quantity.

For every 0.1 increase in stats at Stage 4, there was a 5-point increase in Chakra, and every time a full attribute was crossed, the Chakra increase would double.

After Uchiha Kai increased the "Spirit" attribute from 6 to 6.2, his Chakra surged by 40 points, nearly matching the total Chakra of a standard Genin, demonstrating how terrifying the boost was after crossing an attribute.

If this continued to stack, the young man's strength would advance by leaps and bounds with exponential growth.

And these were some of the few pieces of good news from the past month.

At the mission assignment office, Uchiha Kai and his companions pushed open the doors and entered.

"Ah... finally, it's over. It's always these dirty, trivial tasks. I feel like my Kunai are getting rusty!"

Morino Kei wailed with a grimace, looking like he'd rather be dead.

"Hahaha... Kei-kun is still so lively," Maruboshi Kosuke said with a gentle smile as he walked behind.

"Trivial matters also have their reasons for existing. In this world, there's more than just fighting. Ninja aren't just meant for battle; it's good to pause and reflect for a moment."

The gentle old man spoke in a deep voice, his words revealing decades of accumulated experience and hardship.

"Ah... I get it, I get it..." Morino Kei squinted and muttered.

"Seriously... Kai is already enough of a nag, and now there's an even older, more talkative person. Are they trying to torture me to death..."

The tall, sturdy young man scratched his head, his expression quite troubled. He suddenly missed the days when Aburame Keiichi was around.

Teacher Keiichi might be strict and always picking on me... but at least he wasn't this talkative... Morino Kei thought to himself.

Teacher Keiichi, please come back quickly!

The next second, Morino Kei, with a pained expression, pushed open the door to the mission assignment office, and the figure that appeared before him brought him joy.

"Teacher Keiichi!?" the young man exclaimed.

The man inside, wearing a loose robe and a stern expression, looked up. After a glance, he rolled his Byakugan.

"Hey, brat, shouting like that shows no manners. Can't you see Third Hokage-sama is here too?"

Aburame Keiichi's mouth twitched as he reminded him softly.

Hearing this, Morino Kei froze and stopped his boisterous actions. He then scratched his head and spoke cautiously.

"Hey~ Hiruzen-sama, long time no see. Thank you for your hard work."

Listening to the young man's insincere flattery, Hiruzen Sarutobi, seated behind the desk, couldn't help but show a kind smile.

He gently tapped his pipe to extinguish it and then spoke kindly.

"Hahaha, no need to be so reserved. Kei, you've grown so much. Such a strong body is definitely a good sign for a ninja."

"How have your recent missions been?" the old man asked softly.

"Th-they've been okay," Morino Kei scratched his head.

"How has your father been recently?"

"He's been fine, nagging me every day like always. He still won't accept me becoming a ninja," Morino Kei said helplessly, his face full of incomprehension.

Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression went blank for a moment, then he said with complex emotions.

"Ah, don't blame your father. What parent doesn't worry about their child?"

After he spoke, the others behind him quickly stepped forward and greeted Hiruzen Sarutobi one by one.

"Greetings, Third Hokage-sama," they said in unison.

"Good, good, all good," Hiruzen Sarutobi squinted and responded kindly.

"Third Hokage-sama, this is the mission completion report. Team Seven has successfully completed it."

Maruboshi Kosuke said slowly, then handed the scroll in his hand to Hiruzen Sarutobi, placing it on his desk.

Aburame Keiichi spoke first.

"Thank you for your hard work during this time, Kosuke-senpai. I apologize for troubling you by filling in for me, your incompetent teacher." The man's tone was respectful.

"Hahaha, not at all. You are an elite Jonin who has made great contributions to the village. It's only natural for me to fill in for a mission," the old man waved his hand and chuckled self-deprecatingly.

"Besides, mentoring the younger generation is also a good task." The old man turned his head to look at the bewildered young men and smiled inexplicably.

"This youthful energy is so rare. For an old man like me, it's one of the few contributions I can still make."

As his words fell, Aburame Keiichi's body stirred. He raised his hand, then lowered it, his words caught in his throat.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, crossed his arms, and stared intently at the complex-faced Maruboshi Kosuke, earnestly persuading him.

"Kosuke, what happened back then is in the past. What you did has long since been atoned for. Your companions, knowing your resolve, would praise you with comfort in the afterlife."

"There's no need to trap yourself in the cage of the past." Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was serious, his gaze firm.

"The village needs experienced ninja like you."

Hearing this, Maruboshi Kosuke first expressed his thanks, then shook his head in silence.

"I understand your feelings, Third Hokage-sama. I also know what I am doing." The old man looked up, his gaze seeming to pierce through the ceiling and gaze into the distance.

"However, I have already sworn an oath before Tobirama-sama that I will never be promoted in this lifetime," the old man's voice was hoarse.

"Please, allow me to spend the rest of my life as this piece of rotten wood, a Genin, burning until I turn to ash and fertilizer..." the old man pleaded, though his tone was incredibly firm.

Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi could only nod and say no more.

"Rest assured, as long as the village needs me, you can entrust any mission to me. I will certainly do my utmost."...

The two aging Ninja conversed, sparking curiosity in the several youths behind them.

"Huh? What is the Third Hokage talking about? From what he's saying, Old Man Kousuke sounds like a very strong Ninja?" Morino Kei scratched his head in confusion, speaking softly to his companion.

"Indeed. The Hokage actually values him so highly? It sounds like he's begging Grandpa Kousuke to get promoted?" Hyuga Rei was equally puzzled.

"It's so strange. Why would someone insist on remaining a Genin and refuse promotion? Besides, the rumors I've heard about Old Man Kousuke in the village aren't very good." Morino Kei scratched his head.

"Everyone says the old man is just a timid Genin who's afraid to go to the battlefield, so he spends his days doing D-rank missions to avoid danger, just like Might Guy."

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Kai spoke slowly, his expression solemn.

"So it's just rumors then. A Ninja's strength is never determined by gossip."

"Old Man Kousuke's scars and his robust steps don't lie. The Chakra hidden within that body should not be underestimated."

"Moreover, for a Ninja to be safe and sound at such an old age is proof of strength in itself, isn't it?" the youth retorted.

The two nodded, realizing their mistake, and expressed their agreement.

"Besides, you can't judge a book by its cover. Not just Old Man Kousuke, but Might Guy is also terrifyingly strong..." the youth said to Morino Kei with a serious tone.

"Huh? Really? Is Might Guy really that strong?! Isn't he said to just help people fetch tea and water all day? He's practically Madam Shijime's little follower..."

Morino Kei asked with a face full of doubt and disbelief.