First Meeting with He Mei

Early morning.

After a simple wash and tidy-up, Sosuke walked with a light, steady gait toward the spot where he had arranged to meet Might Duy yesterday.

With the permanent breakthrough of the Gate of Life and the Gate of Opening within the Eight Inner Gates, he still felt slightly unaccustomed to his body.

However, his mood remained excellent, and a brilliant smile never left his face.

Walking through the streets of Konoha Village, Sosuke was naturally well-liked; his brown, tousled hair shimmered slightly in the sunlight, and the radiant, sunny smile on his face was infectious to everyone he crossed paths with.

"Sosuke, heading out for training so early?" a man who had just begun preparing his breakfast stall greeted him with a smile.

"Yes, Uncle Oda. You're out setting up early again; take care of your health."

"You child, don't you worry, your uncle is still as sturdy as an ox. Here! Have some breakfast; you'll need the energy for your training!" the man said with a wide, hospitable grin.

"Sosuke is already an amazing genin now, how could you let him eat your steamed dumplings? Here, Sosuke, Aunt Kissan has some freshly steamed rice balls! Take a few; training is a real drain on your stamina, you can't go on an empty stomach!"

At the stall next to Uncle Oda's, a woman suddenly leaned out to call over to Sosuke.

To this, Sosuke thanked them both with a smile.

"Thank you for your kindness, Uncle Oda and Auntie Kissan, but I've already eaten at home; I won't hold you up from setting up your stall, and please, take care of your health."

With that, he walked away slowly. After Sosuke departed, Uncle Oda and Aunt Kissan both watched his back with smiles, clicking their tongues from time to time.

"That boy Sosuke is truly something else. I heard he was one of the most outstanding graduates from this year's Ninja Academy."

"That's for sure! Little Sosuke grew up right here, don't you know him by now!? Whether it's his character, his conduct, or his ability, which part of little Sosuke isn't better than the others? Such an amazing child, compared to those ignorant brats, little Sosuke is leagues ahead!"

"Sigh! If my own boy had even a tenth of Sosuke's maturity, I could die content!"

"Haha! Can you even compare them to Sosuke? This kid! He will definitely be a great ninja one day. Believe my judgment, Oda's judgment! It's never wrong!"

Sosuke naturally did not hear the praise Uncle Oda and Aunt Kissan heaped upon him.

At this moment, Sosuke was walking quietly along the street, carefully familiarizing himself with the strength of his empowered body, his heart still filled with joy at the massive surge in his chakra reserves.

Sosuke was even impatient to test just how much power those higher-level Kido could unleash!

Suddenly, a figure ahead made him stop in his tracks.

As if by coincidence, just as Sosuke looked straight at the figure ahead, that person also suddenly stopped, staring blankly at Sosuke.

Looking at that striking long purple hair and the slim, alluring, devilish figure, the name Captain Hannya naturally surfaced in Sosuke's mind.

As his gaze shifted downward!

Sosuke saw that beautiful, cold, and arrogant face, with a beauty mark adorning the corner of her rosy lips, adding a touch of color to her aloofness.

The moment he saw her, Sosuke was almost certain that this beautiful woman before him must be Captain Hannya.

Shimura Kazumi, meanwhile, was even more surprised to see Sosuke at this moment.

How could she run into this brat while out for a rare early morning stroll on her day off!

And! Someone tell me! Why does this brat feel even stronger to me!? What on earth happened to this kid!? Why would I have such a feeling!?

The various anomalies made Shimura Kazumi widen her beautiful eyes, scrutinizing the smiling Sosuke before her with deep suspicion.

At this moment, however, Sosuke suddenly spoke with a smile.

"Good morning, Captain Kazumi."

Although he couldn't be one hundred percent certain she was Captain Hannya, Sosuke still trusted his judgment; the subtle movements and mannerisms of the other party were enough to prove she possessed extraordinary strength.

Coupled with that hair color, he assumed that in Konoha Village, only his Captain Hannya could fit the criteria.

Thinking of this, Sosuke couldn't help but greet her; at the very least, he hoped that by being this polite, Captain Hannya wouldn't be so cold toward him in the future.

Hearing Sosuke's greeting, Shimura Kazumi naturally knew her identity had been exposed.

Looking at Sosuke's brilliant smile, Shimura Kazumi's face remained as cold as frost, and she couldn't help but feel a surge of irritation in her heart!!

This brat!! Is he mocking me for being poor at hiding my identity!! What an arrogant and detestable brat!! And he still has the nerve to smile!!

Therefore!

With a cold face, she said in an icy voice, "Sosuke! Tomorrow! Remember to report to Root!! Your second mission will be handed to you, and you will complete it independently!!"

"At this exact time!! Don't you forget it!!"

"Hmph!"

Having said that, Shimura Kazumi strode away on her slender legs, passing Sosuke as if she couldn't bear to stay a second longer, and quickly disappeared into the street.

Because he had successfully recognized his captain, Sosuke, who had hoped to earn a bit of goodwill through a polite greeting, felt even more helpless, the smile on his face turning awkward.

This Captain Hannya... did she eat gunpowder or something... why does it seem like I've offended her every time she sees me!? Where could I have possibly offended her?? I shouldn't have...

Sosuke, who was earnestly pondering who he might have crossed paths with recently, still couldn't figure out where he had offended Shimura Kazumi!

With this question in mind, Sosuke arrived at the forest where he had previously agreed to meet Might Duy.

Seeing the green figure waiting there early, Sosuke said softly.

"Sorry, Dai, I'm late."

Upon seeing Sosuke's arrival, Might Duy spoke with great excitement, his tone laced with a hint of fervor.

"It... it doesn't matter! Sosuke, it's my fault for arriving too early. Last night, I carefully recalled our battle, and I discovered that many of your movements are truly superb taijutsu techniques!!"

"Thinking that I could learn such powerful techniques! I was so excited I couldn't sleep all night, so I came here early this morning."

Hearing his words, Sosuke naturally wore a smile.

He truly is a genius passionate about taijutsu; has he already carefully pondered the techniques of Hakuda since last night?

To be able to discover the subtleties within them—I truly can't wait to see what level you can reach once you've mastered these techniques!!

Thinking of this, Sosuke's eyes held a hint of a smile as he spoke to him softly.

"Since you are looking forward to it so much, then Dai, let's begin now."

"I will teach you everything about the techniques of Hakuda through personal instruction! How much you can learn will depend entirely on yourself."

I might as well use this opportunity to gradually adapt to this body after opening two gates. Dai, don't you dare disappoint me; use all your strength to let me feel your growth!

Hearing what Sosuke said, the light in Might Duy's eyes couldn't help but brighten!

"Yes!! Let me experience it!! The exquisite techniques of Hakuda!"