At lunchtime, Neji received two rice balls and a bowl of miso soup—meals provided by the workshop. Compared to the relief rations in the slums, it was worlds apart. He chewed in small bites, feeling the food's warmth spread through his body.
"Neji, come here for a moment." Tetsusai suddenly beckoned to him from the inner room's doorway.
Neji set down his bowl and chopsticks and hurried over. Tetsusai's single eye swept over him before he suddenly asked, "Can you read?"
"A little," Neji answered cautiously.
Tetsusai nodded and led him into a room apprentices had never been allowed to enter. It was filled with jars and bottles, thick ledgers, and complex formula charts hanging on the walls.
"Starting today, you'll be responsible for recording ingredient ratios." Tetsusai pointed to a small table in the corner. "Stay an extra two hours after work every day."
Neji's heart skipped a beat. This was an important promotion. Recording ratios meant gaining access to the core formulas for Explosive Tags, a position within the workshop second only to the Akita father and son.
"Thank you for your trust." Neji gave a deep bow without showing excessive delight.
Tetsusai patted his shoulder with satisfaction. "You're far steadier than those green boys. Work hard, and your pay will double."
That night, Neji lay in his little wooden cabin, unable to fall asleep for a long time. Moonlight streamed through the gaps in the window, casting a silver band across the floor. He stretched out his hand and watched that sliver of light dance across his palm.
"This counts as a pretty good start..."
Neji murmured softly. Getting access to Explosive Tag formulas meant he could begin studying this world's Ninja Talisman System. He had always been interested in Ninja Talismans before, but though he had