An Easy Life?

The office fell silent for a moment.

"Dismissed?" Shifeng asked.

"Yes," Ōnoki said. "Blood Gold has already proven he possesses the ability to execute missions independently and has gained sufficient practical experience."

"Continuing to bind him to an Anbu squad will only limit his growth."

"From today on, he will enter a period of autonomous training, focusing on chakra accumulation and Dust Release practice."

He looked toward Shifeng and Yeying. "As for you two, there will be new missions and new teammates. You have worked hard during this time."

Shifeng and Yeying saluted in unison. "Yes."

Jingxin also saluted, a complex surge of emotions rising in his heart.

Although life in the Anbu was tense and dangerous, Shifeng and Yeying were truly excellent teammates and mentors.

The experiences of this period had given him a deeper understanding of the profession of a ninja.

"Alright, you two may return first," Ōnoki waved his hand. "Blood Gold, stay behind; I have a few more things to instruct you on."

Shifeng and Yeying left the office.

After the door closed, Ōnoki floated up, flew in front of Jingxin, and reached out to pat his shoulder. "Don't be too sentimental. The Anbu was just a stage on your path of growth; what comes next is the true beginning."

"I understand," Jingxin nodded.

"Regarding your Dust Release training, has there been any new progress?"

Jingxin replied, "It has been relatively slow."

"Normal," Ōnoki smiled with satisfaction. "You have had to execute missions, and your training volume has been sharply reduced; the fact that you have made any progress at all is already quite rare."

"Remember, do not be impatient."

"You have plenty of time, and Iwagakure has plenty of patience."

"What we want is not a Dust Release user who has been rushed to completion, but a powerhouse who can truly carry the future of Iwagakure."

Jingxin clenched his fists. "I will not let you down."

"I believe in you." Ōnoki brought up another matter. "Uzumaki Chinatsu's injuries have basically healed."

"She spoke with me, wanting to do some formal work for the village. I have arranged for her to join the Sealing Jutsu Research Class; her knowledge and experience are very valuable to the village."

Jingxin nodded, then asked, "What about Karin?"

"That little girl..." Ōnoki's expression became somewhat strange. "She talks all day about wanting to become a ninja, wanting to protect her mother, and... well, wanting to catch up to your footsteps."

"I had Akatsuchi arrange for her to enter the Ninja Academy. She is the same age as you, but her start was too late. Currently, only her talent in sensory perception has been discovered. After she graduates, we can consider having her specialize in that direction."

Jingxin revealed a smile; Karin truly had a stubborn streak.

"Alright, you should go back as well," Ōnoki said. "Starting tomorrow, you are a free agent."

"The training grounds, the secret archives... in short, you arrange your own training."

"However, do not leave the village to execute missions for the time being."

"The Root did not intervene through formal channels this time, so they are clearly still suspicious that you are in the Land of Earth."

Jingxin nodded. "Yes."

When he left the Tsuchikage Building, the sky had already darkened.

The streets of Iwagakure were lit with lamps, and the aroma of dinner drifted through the air.

Jingxin walked along the familiar route toward his stone house. When he reached the front, he froze.

Two people were standing at the door.

Kurotsuchi held a food box in each hand, a bright smile on her face, her entire being like a burning flame in the twilight.

Karin was wearing the student uniform issued by the Ninja Academy, her red hair tied into a neat ponytail.

She also held a small basket, a shy look of anticipation on her face, her large eyes glancing from Kurotsuchi to Jingxin from time to time.

"Brother Blood Gold!" Seeing Jingxin, Karin immediately ran over, a smile blooming on her small face. "Congratulations on finishing your Anbu mission!"

Kurotsuchi also walked over, raising the food boxes in her hands. "I heard you 'graduated' from the Anbu, so Karin and I specifically made some food to celebrate for you."

Jingxin looked at the two of them, then at the food boxes and the basket in their hands, a sense of satisfaction from a peaceful life rising in his heart.

But why did he always have a bad premonition?

"Uh... thank you." He opened the door. "Come inside first."

Jingxin cleared off the table, and Kurotsuchi and Karin placed the food boxes and the basket on it and opened them.

The aroma instantly filled the entire room.

In Kurotsuchi's food boxes were traditional Iwagakure dishes.

Roasted Rock Sheep Meat, a stew made from root vegetables native to the Land of Earth, and a plate of golden, crispy fried Rock Worms.

In Karin's basket were some simple snacks.

Hand-molded rice balls with cute smiling faces made of seaweed, along with a few candies of various colors.

"You made all of this?" Jingxin looked at Kurotsuchi with some surprise.

He knew Kurotsuchi could cook, but he hadn't expected such a high level of skill.

"Of course." Kurotsuchi lifted her chin proudly. "I put a lot of effort into it."

Karin also whispered, "I... I helped too. I molded the rice balls..."

Looking at the expectant gazes of the two girls, Jingxin picked up his chopsticks and placed a piece of grilled Rock Sheep Meat into his mouth.

The meat was tender and juicy, the seasoning was just right, and it was truly delicious.

"It's good," he said sincerely.

Kurotsuchi's smile grew even brighter.

She pulled out a chair to sit down and naturally picked up a piece of fried Rock Worm, placing it into Jingxin's bowl. "You have to try this, too."

Then, she added a helping of vegetables.

"These are good for chakra recovery, eat plenty."

Next came the soup.

"Drink some soup to warm your stomach."

In less than a minute, Jingxin's bowl had piled up into a small mountain.

Karin watched Kurotsuchi's actions and blinked, then picked up her own chopsticks, carefully picking up a rice ball she had molded herself and placing it into Jingxin's bowl. "Brother Kintsuchi... try this too..."

Her movements were light and her voice was soft, but the expectation in her eyes was no less than Kurotsuchi's.

Jingxin looked at the rice ball in his bowl, then at the vegetables Kurotsuchi had added, and suddenly felt that this meal might be harder to endure than he had imagined.

Kurotsuchi noticed Karin's actions and raised an eyebrow slightly, but she didn't say anything, simply continuing to add food to Jingxin's bowl. "Brother Kintsuchi has been working hard on his training lately, he needs to eat more to replenish his nutrients."

"Come on, this lamb was slaughtered just this morning, it's incredibly fresh..."

Karin was not to be outdone, picking up a piece of candy and placing it by Jingxin's hand. "Brother Kintsuchi... eat some candy... it's sweet..."

Jingxin kept his head down, eating and trying his best not to look at the expressions on their faces.

He could feel a subtle tension in the air; although neither girl showed any hostility, that faint sense of competition reminded him of certain awkward situations from his past life.

This is harder than dealing with Root.

He complained silently in his heart.

The meal proceeded in a strange atmosphere.

Aside from burying his head in his food and occasionally saying "it's delicious" or "thank you," Jingxin didn't dare say another word.

Finally, it was over.

"Are you full?" Kurotsuchi asked, standing up to clear the bowls and chopsticks.

"Yeah." Jingxin nodded; he was indeed full, perhaps even a bit stuffed.

Karin helped clean up as well, her movements clumsy but very earnest.

She wrapped up the remaining snacks and placed them in a basket. "Brother Kintsuchi, keep these... you can eat them if you get hungry..."

"Thank you." Jingxin patted her head.

Karin narrowed her eyes, rubbing against his palm like a little kitten.

Kurotsuchi watched this, her lips pursed, but she said nothing.

She washed the bowls and chopsticks, put them away, and then said to Jingxin, "We'll be going now. Get some good rest; tomorrow starts a new round of training."

Karin waved as well. "Goodbye, Brother Kintsuchi."

"Goodbye."

The two left the Stone House.

Jingxin closed the door, leaned against the door panel, and let out a long sigh of relief.