The office fell silent for a moment.
"Disband?" Shifeng asked.
"Yes," Ōnoki said. "Blood Gold has proven that he can carry out missions independently, and he has gained enough real-world experience."
"Keeping him tied to the Anbu squad would only limit his growth."
"Starting today, he'll enter a period of independent training, focusing on chakra accumulation and Dust Release."
He looked at Shifeng and Yeying. "As for you two, you'll get new missions and new teammates. Thanks for all your hard work."
Shifeng and Yeying bowed in unison. "Yes, sir."
Jingxin bowed as well, a complicated mix of emotions welling up inside him.
Life in the Anbu had been tense and dangerous, but Shifeng and Yeying had truly been excellent teammates and mentors.
His experiences during this time had given him a deeper understanding of what it meant to be a ninja.
"All right, you can go for now." Ōnoki waved a hand. "Blood Gold, stay behind. I have a few things to discuss with you."
Shifeng and Yeying left the office.
After the door closed, Ōnoki floated over to Jingxin and patted him on the shoulder. "Don't get too sentimental. The Anbu was just one stage of your growth. What comes next is the real beginning."
"I understand." Jingxin nodded.
"Any new progress with your Dust Release training?"
Jingxin answered, "It's been slow."
"That's normal." Ōnoki smiled, satisfied. "You've had to carry out missions, so your training time has been cut drastically. Any progress at all is already impressive."
"Remember, don't rush."
"You have plenty of time, and Iwagakure has plenty of patience."
"We don't want someone who learned Dust Release in a hurry. We want a true powerhouse capable of carrying Iwagakure's future."
Jingxin clenched his fist. "I won't let you down."
"I believe in you." Ōnoki brought up another matter. "Uzumaki Chinatsu has almost fully recovered from her injuries."
"She spoke with me and said she wanted to do some work for the village. I assigned her to the Sealing Jutsu Research Class. Her knowledge and experience will be valuable to the village."
Jingxin nodded, then asked, "What about Karin?"
"That little girl..." Ōnoki's expression turned a little strange. "She keeps talking about becoming a ninja, protecting her mother, and... well, catching up to you."
"I had Akatsuchi arrange for her to enroll in the Ninja Academy. She's the same age as you, but she started far too late. So far, we've only discovered a talent for sensory abilities. After she graduates, she can consider specializing in that field."
Jingxin smiled. Karin really was a stubborn girl.
"All right, you can go too." Ōnoki said, "Starting tomorrow, you'll be on your own."
"The training grounds, the vault... You can decide how to train."
"But don't leave the village on any missions for now."
"Root didn't use official channels to get involved this time, so they're clearly still suspicious of you being in the Land of Earth."
Jingxin nodded. "Yes, sir."
By the time he left the Tsuchikage Building, dusk had fallen.
Lights had come on in the streets of Iwagakure, and the aroma of dinner drifted through the air.
Jingxin followed his usual route toward his stone house. When he reached the door, he stopped in surprise.
Two people were standing outside.
Kurotsuchi held a food box in each hand, her face bright with a smile. In the twilight, she looked like a blazing flame.
Karin wore the student uniform issued by the Ninja Academy, her red hair tied back in a neat ponytail.
She was holding a small basket too, a shy, hopeful look on her face. Her big eyes kept darting between Kurotsuchi and Jingxin.
"Big Brother Blood Gold!" The moment she saw Jingxin, Karin ran over, her little face lighting up with a smile. "Congratulations on finishing your Anbu missions!"
Kurotsuchi walked over too, lifting the food boxes in her hands. "I heard you 'graduated' from the Anbu. Karin and I made some food especially to celebrate."
Jingxin looked at the two of them, then at the food boxes and basket they were carrying. A sense of contentment from this peaceful life welled up inside him.
But why did he have such a bad feeling?
"Uh... thanks." He opened the door. "Come on in."
Jingxin cleared the table, and Kurotsuchi and Karin set down their food boxes and basket before opening them.
The aroma instantly filled the whole house.
Kurotsuchi's food boxes held traditional Iwagakure dishes.
Roast Rock Sheep Meat, a stew made with root vegetables native to the Land of Earth, and a plate of golden, crispy fried Rock Worm.
Karin's basket held a few simple snacks.
There were hand-shaped rice balls with cute seaweed faces, as well as a few candies in different colors.
"You made all this?" Jingxin asked, looking at Kurotsuchi in surprise.
He knew Kurotsuchi could cook, but he hadn't expected her to be this good.
"Of course." Kurotsuchi raised her chin proudly. "I put a lot of thought into it."
Karin added quietly, "I... I helped too. I made the rice balls..."
Jingxin looked at the two girls' expectant faces, picked up his chopsticks, and put a piece of roast Rock Sheep Meat into his mouth.
The meat was tender and juicy, and the seasoning was just right. It really was delicious.
"It's good," he said sincerely.
Kurotsuchi's smile grew even brighter.
She pulled out a chair and sat down, then casually picked up a piece of fried Rock Worm and put it in Jingxin's bowl. "You should try this too."
Then she added a helping of vegetables.
"These are good for restoring chakra. Eat plenty."
Next came the soup.
"Have some soup. It'll warm your stomach."
In less than a minute, Jingxin's bowl had become a little mountain of food.
Watching Kurotsuchi, Karin blinked, then picked up one of the rice balls she'd made and carefully put it in Jingxin's bowl. "Big Brother Kintsuchi... try this too..."
Her movements were gentle and her voice was soft, but her hopeful look was every bit as eager as Kurotsuchi's.
Jingxin looked at the rice ball in his bowl, then at the food Kurotsuchi had piled on. Suddenly, he felt this meal might be more difficult to get through than he'd expected.
Kurotsuchi noticed Karin's gesture and raised an eyebrow slightly, but said nothing. She simply continued piling food into Jingxin's bowl. "Little Brother Kintsuchi has been training so hard lately. He needs to eat more and build up his strength."
"Here, this lamb was butchered just this morning. It's especially fresh..."
Karin wasn't to be outdone. She put another piece of candy beside Jingxin's bowl. "Big Brother Kintsuchi... have some candy... It's sweet..."
Jingxin lowered his head and ate, doing his best not to look at either of their faces.
He could sense a subtle tension in the air. Neither girl showed any hostility, but the faint feeling of competition reminded him of some awkward situations from his previous life.
This was harder than dealing with Root.
He grumbled to himself.
The meal continued in a strange atmosphere.
Jingxin did nothing but keep his head down and eat, occasionally saying that the food was good or thanking them. He didn't dare say another word.
Finally, it was over.
"Are you full?" Kurotsuchi asked, getting up to clear the dishes.
"Yeah." Jingxin nodded. He was definitely full—almost uncomfortably so.
Karin helped clean up too, clumsy but earnest.
She wrapped up the remaining snacks and put them back in the basket. "Big Brother Kintsuchi. You can keep these... for when you get hungry..."
"Thanks." Jingxin patted her head.
Karin narrowed her eyes and rubbed her cheek against his palm like a kitten.
Kurotsuchi watched, her lips pursing slightly, but she said nothing.
She washed the dishes and put them away, then said to Jingxin, "We'll get going, then. Get some rest. Your new training starts tomorrow."
Karin waved too. "Goodbye, Big Brother Kintsuchi."
"Goodbye."
The two girls left the stone house.
Jingxin closed the door, leaned against it, and let out a long breath.
Before you continue