Root

Root.

"Oh? So there are Anbu protecting Kimura Takuya? I understand. You may withdraw."

Danzo waved his hand, dismissing the ninja who had been responsible for approaching Kimura Takuya.

"The abilities of Yakumo Kurama and Kimura Takuya must both be monitored. They must be kept firmly within the grasp of Konoha."

Danzo turned, left the room, and headed toward the Hokage Building.

While Danzo was busy haggling with the Third Hokage, Kimura Takuya was at home, catching up on sleep and having a pleasant dream.

He slept from the morning until late at night, only to be woken up by hunger.

"Come to think of it, Lee and the others should have passed by now, right?"

Kimura Takuya prepared to head out for a meal, intending to check on where he could get his Kirin Arm sorted out while he was at it.

He recalled the graduation tradition for Konoha genin: after graduation, they were assigned into three-man squads with a jonin sensei, who would then subject the genin to an assessment.

Only by passing this could they truly begin their careers.

Otherwise, they would be eliminated and unable to become official ninjas.

Although it was essentially just a formality.

One could not overlook the fact that some jonin were excessively strict.

For instance, Kakashi had once eliminated every single genin squad assigned to him.

It wasn't until Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura graduated that Kakashi truly began his work as a squad-leading jonin.

It was hard to tell if he was simply slacking off or waiting for the "Crown Prince."

After tidying up his home, Kimura Takuya went out and arrived at Ichiraku Ramen.

"It's been a while since I've had this. The ramen here is still pretty good."

From a distance, Kimura Takuya spotted the sign for Ichiraku Ramen.

Upon walking closer and pushing aside the noren curtain, he saw the entire Team Guy inside.

"Ah, Takuya! Are you here to challenge me to a battle of youth? Wait just a moment, I'll be finished eating in a flash!"

Lee said, shoveling noodles into his mouth frantically.

Kimura Takuya was speechless, but seeing everyone looking at him, he introduced himself.

"Guy-sensei, hello everyone. I am Kimura Takuya. I'm just here for some ramen."

"Takuya-kun! We heard about what happened at the hospital earlier today—truly impressive! To master such astonishing medical ninjutsu at such a young age... no wonder Lee said your talent for taijutsu is on par with his, even if you have no heart for it."

"You're too kind, Guy-sensei. I'm actually quite interested in taijutsu and hope to have the opportunity to learn from you, Guy-senpai, in the future. Also, since you are Lee's teammates, if you ever need help from a medical ninja, don't hesitate to come to me."

"Hahaha! Then I shall trouble you, Takuya-kun. If you wish to learn taijutsu, you are welcome to come to me at any time."

Guy chatted happily with Kimura Takuya; for a taijutsu-based ninja, the greatest fear was injury or illness.

Other ninjas could lose an eye or break a leg, and as long as they could still use ninjutsu, their combat effectiveness wouldn't be significantly impacted.

But taijutsu ninjas relied entirely on their bodies to make a living.

Once they encountered a serious injury or illness, they faced the prospect of immediate retirement.

Now that he had met such a genius medical ninja, Guy even disregarded his status as a senior and spoke to him as an equal.

He didn't treat Kimura Takuya like a child in the slightest.

During their conversation, Kimura Takuya learned that Team Guy had just finished their assessment today and had already taken on a D-rank mission.

Capturing a Ninja Pig.

A Ninja Pig had been active outside Konoha village recently, destroying quite a few farmlands.

It had even injured some people.

The villagers reported it to Konoha, which led to this mission to capture the Ninja Pig.

A Ninja Pig was a type of ninja beast.

In the world of the Hokage, any animal had the potential to unconsciously refine chakra.

It wasn't just the three great sage regions that had ninja beasts.

There were other gathering places for them as well.

It was just that those places lacked any actual sages.

Occasionally, the appearance of a single ninja beast was nothing out of the ordinary.

Konoha frequently received missions of this nature, and most wild ninja beasts simply refined chakra to strengthen their bodies; they didn't know ninjutsu, and their intelligence wasn't high.

A small number of highly intelligent ninja beast clans, which had even developed their own ninjutsu traditions, would sign contracts with human ninjas.

While becoming summon beasts for human ninjas, they would also receive protection from them.

It could be considered mutually beneficial.

Some wild Ninja Beasts that aren't particularly strong are domesticated if they show potential, while those without potential or strength are sent straight to the dinner table.

The meat of Ninja Beasts is a high-end delicacy that only elite ninja and wealthy merchants can afford to consume.

It is said to be incredibly nourishing!

"Are you all moving out tonight?"

"That's right, Kimura Takuya. That Ninja Pig is extremely cunning; it doesn't show its face at all during the day. So, we plan to eat our fill and move out tonight."

"Can I join? I'd like to eat some wild boar."

"No problem! The mission only requires the kill, and the Ninja Pig itself counts as our customary extra income. After we hunt it, we can have a barbecue party!"

Might Guy explained the mission requirements, and Lee and the others were delighted to hear about a barbecue party.

The wealthy Tenten immediately offered to go home and fetch the grill and seasonings.

Kimura Takuya smiled slightly, mentioning that he was also skilled in a bit of culinary arts and could guest-star as the grill master.

In his heart, he was thinking about Oda Lang's severed arm.

The gap between a Ninja Pig and a Qilin isn't that large, right?

Wouldn't that settle the Kirin Arm?

The group set off in high spirits.

Though, they didn't bring something as excessive as a barbecue grill.

At this time, Tenten had just joined Might Guy's team and hadn't yet solidified her tool-based ninjutsu style, so she didn't know sealing techniques or tool summoning yet.

The group left Konoha and arrived near the mission site.

They prepared to wait for the rabbit to hit the stump.

Neji activated his Byakugan to search for the target, but suddenly his attention swept over Kimura Takuya.

He discovered that the latter's chakra was far greater than it had been yesterday?

Just as he was feeling puzzled, he saw Kimura Takuya smile at him.

"Just a secret technique, don't be surprised, and don't tell anyone."

Neji nodded.

So that was it; Kimura Takuya must really love eating wild boar.

He even used a secret technique just to eat wild boar.

Then they had better find that Ninja Pig quickly.

Once it's over, he might even be able to learn that technique Kimura Takuya used during their spar yesterday.

It's here!

I've found it!

"On the mountain behind us, that Ninja Pig is coming down from there. Everyone, get ready! Wait, something's wrong. It's running too fast. It doesn't look like it's out foraging; it's fleeing, and there's another Ninja Beast chasing it!"

"Neji, can you see what it is?"

"A leopard, a giant leopard. Its chakra volume is even stronger than that Ninja Pig's."

Might Guy rubbed his nose. He had intended to let his students gain some experience by having them deal with the Ninja Pig alone while he watched from the sidelines.

He hadn't expected something even more vicious to show up; this was clearly beyond the scope of what a few genin could handle.

It seemed he would have to step in personally, but that would mean losing the chance for the others to gain experience.

Kimura Takuya saw through Might Guy's thoughts and proposed, "Guy-sensei, leave the wild boar to Neji and the others. Let the two of us take down the leopard first, then we can circle back to support the three of them."

"That's the only way. Neji, Tenten, Lee, you three, remember not to fight the Ninja Pig head-on. That Ninja Pig is massive, and its chakra volume and strength are comparable to an average jonin. However, it doesn't use ninjutsu; remember to use your own advantages against it. I will resolve this as quickly as possible and come to help you."

After saying this, he took Kimura Takuya and charged toward the two beasts.

He started with a kick to the Ninja Pig, sending it flying to the side.

He then ignored the pig, leaving it for Lee and the others to handle.

He immediately opened the third gate, the Gate of Life, and charged toward the Ninja Leopard, a massive surge of chakra erupting from Might Guy's body.

Kimura Takuya followed behind, drooling at the sight; this was the true power of humanity—the Eight Inner Gates Formation!