Daydreams of "Paid Leave" on the Road Back to the Village

The journey back felt considerably easier than the trip out.

His body was actually more exhausted-two consecutive rounds of intense reconnaissance and combat, especially those final Light-Speed Kicks, had nearly drained the light energy Shuo had only recently recovered. His steps were unsteady now, and his right foot was so sore and numb that he wanted to chop it off.

But his mood was different. They had exceeded the mission requirements, the outpost's crisis was over, and most importantly... the three days of paid leave Minato had personally promised were beckoning to him.

Just thinking about it put a little spring in Shuo's step.

They had not waited for the outpost's official reinforcements. Once Minato confirmed that the main mercenary force had scattered and could pose no threat in the short term, the team set off home.

The outpost commander thanked them profusely and practically tried to hand over every good thing in storage. Minato politely declined, taking only some necessary food, water, and medicine.

Obito was still gesturing excitedly along the way, focusing on his Great Fireball that had "turned the tide of battle" (even though it had only caused confusion).

Rin smiled gently, occasionally correcting his exaggerations.

Kakashi walked in silence, seemingly reviewing the entire operation.

Minato led the way as usual, occasionally glancing back at his team. Whenever his gaze lingered on Shuo, it carried a hint of an indescribable smile.

Shuo brought up the rear as usual, taking small steps to conserve as much strength as possible.

As he walked, he quietly activated "Light Energy Affinity (Basic)," trying to absorb some sunlight to recover energy. Its efficiency was laughable, but it was better than nothing.

"Shuo."

Minato slowed to walk beside him. "How's your foot?"

"Fine. It won't kill me."

Shuo shook his right foot. "It just feels a bit... like I've run ten marathons."

"Have Rin give you a proper examination when we get back, and use Medical Ninjutsu to soothe your muscles and chakra pathways."

Minato spoke with concern, then changed the subject. "Still, your control over those final light projectiles really opened my eyes. Especially making the balls of light rise at the last moment... that wasn't simple chakra control, was it?"

Here it comes.

Shuo sighed inwardly.

Minato-sensei's curiosity always seemed particularly strong at times like these.

"I don't know what happened either."

Shuo slipped smoothly into playing dumb, his eyes going blank. "It just felt like... when I kicked them out, I thought it'd be nice if they went a little higher... and then they did?"

He paused, then added, "Maybe... it was the wind in the valley?"

Minato looked at him, his smile deepening, but did not press. He merely said, "A very unique gift. Explore it properly, and perhaps you can develop a combat system that's yours alone."

"Oh."

Shuo gave a noncommittal reply.

A combat system?

That sounds exhausting. Right now, I just want my three days off.

[Ding! Successfully fobbed off (?) your mentor's probing questions with a "natural phenomenon," maintaining your abilities' mystique. Imitation Points +15.]

[Current Imitation Points: 502/500! Conditions met! Unlocking new ability...]

Huh? An unlock? Shuo perked up slightly and quietly brought up the panel.

[Ability unlocked: Light Garment · Prototype (Passive/Active).]

[Description: Passively maintains an extremely faint film of light particles over the body's surface, slightly increasing physical defense (roughly equivalent to wearing an extra thin vest) and slightly reducing the direct impact of conventional ninjutsu (such as low-level Fire Release and Wind Release). When actively triggered, it can greatly enhance defense for a short time and produce a mildly blinding reflection, but at enormous cost. Current level: Paper-thin.]

Light Garment?

A defensive skill?

And it's passive? Nice! Shuo's eyes brightened.

He had always lacked ways to stay alive. This "paper-thin" Light Garment sounded unimpressive just from its name, but every little bit counted!

And it stayed active passively, requiring no extra attention.

He immediately chose to unlock it.

A warm current spread over the skin of his entire body, tingling briefly before quickly fading.

He looked down at the back of his hand. There was no visible change, but he could vaguely sense an extremely thin, almost imperceptible energy field clinging to his skin.

He tried pinching his arm... Hmm, it seemed... a little harder to pinch it red? It could also have been his imagination.

"Shuo-senpai!"

Obito had come over at some point and asked curiously, "How did you see what was happening down below from the cliff? It was so dark, and so far away!"

Shuo glanced at him and replied casually, "Good eyesight."

Obito said, "...Huh?"

Kakashi coldly rubbed salt in the wound from beside them. "Dead last, did you sleep through every basic class on sensory ninja?"

"Kakashi, you!" Obito immediately bristled.

Rin hurried to smooth things over. "Obito, some ninja are born with unusual sensory abilities. Shuo-senpai is probably the type who's especially sensitive to light and chakra fluctuations."

Shuo gave Rin a look that said, "You get it," though she might have gotten the wrong idea.

Minato watched their antics with a smile, then suddenly asked Shuo, "Shuo, what are your plans after a few days' rest? Keep studying your 'light'? Or take some easy missions?"

Shuo thought it over.

For his three days off, he planned to sleep until he woke naturally on the first day, lounge around at home studying the theory scroll Minato had given him on the second (if he could get through it), and on the third... perhaps wander around the village and eat something good?

As for afterward...

"I haven't decided yet..."

He answered honestly. "Maybe... see if there are any missions that don't require traveling far or fighting, and ideally let me clock out on time?"

Minato chuckled. "Missions like that... are probably rather rare. But I'll keep an eye out for you."

Kakashi said flatly from beside them, "Under mission management regulations, Chunin must complete a certain number of C-rank or higher missions each year. Slack off too much, and you'll be demoted."

Shuo said, "..."

There's a rule like that too? What a pain.

Obito, however, was optimistic. "It's fine, Shuo-senpai! We can do missions together! With you around, missions feel so much easier!"

Looking into Obito's sparkling eyes, Shuo thought, It's precisely because I'm with you lot that missions get so 'lively'...

But he did not say it aloud.

With idle chatter along the way (mostly from Obito), time passed fairly quickly.

By evening, the familiar outline of Konoha's gates had appeared in their view.

The moment they stepped into the village, that familiar sense of peace and security washed over them.

The streetlights, the aroma of food, the children playing... everything was utterly different from the danger-ridden border outpost.

Shuo took a deep breath. Even the air seemed sweeter (though that might have been hunger).

After their brief mission report at the Hokage Building, the Third praised the team once again, giving Shuo several extra looks in particular.

Shuo kept his head lowered and went through the motions, thinking only of being dismissed and going home.

At last, they left the Hokage Building.

"All right, the mission is officially over."

Minato announced, "Thank you all for your hard work. Go home and get some rest. Shuo, your leave starts tomorrow. We'll meet at the usual place in the morning three days from now."

"Yes-"

Shuo drew out the word listlessly.

"Um, Minato-sensei!"

Obito suddenly raised his hand. "Let's all get ramen to celebrate the successful mission! My treat!"

Rin nodded gently. "I agree. Everyone really is tired. A meal together would be a nice way to relax."

Kakashi said nothing, but did not object either.

Minato looked at Shuo in silent inquiry.

Shuo rubbed his stomach. He really was hungry.

And he had been thinking about the taste of Ichiraku Ramen for days.

"All right..."

He finally nodded. "But I want an extra-large serving of chashu."

"No problem!"

Obito thumped his chest.

The group arrived at Ichiraku Ramen.

The little shop was filled with steam and delicious aromas.

It was fairly busy at this hour, and they had to wait a while for seats.

Once they were seated around the counter and the steaming ramen arrived, Shuo felt most of his exhaustion melt away.

He bent over his food and dug in, eating slowly but with great concentration.

Obito kept talking as he ate, Rin occasionally responded, Kakashi ate quietly, and Minato listened with a smile.

As Shuo ate, he suddenly felt a little uneasy.

Was... someone watching him?

He raised his head, a noodle still dangling from his mouth, and looked around blankly.

Nothing seemed unusual about the other customers.

But that feeling of being watched... was it coming from outside?

He tilted his head slightly and glanced toward the street out of the corner of his eye.

In the dusk, a black-haired, black-eyed boy wearing Uchiha clan clothing stood across the street, his face stern and rigid as he gazed calmly into the ramen shop.

When he saw that Shuo had noticed him, the boy gave a slight nod, then turned and left at an unhurried pace.

It was Uchiha Itachi.

Though he was much younger than Shuo remembered, Shuo could not mistake that temperament, so composed it verged on indifference.

What was he doing here?

Just passing by? Or...

Shuo recalled his own identity as an Uchiha, along with Fugaku's meaningful look at the previous Clan Meeting.

Trouble isn't coming knocking again, is it? he muttered inwardly.

"Shuo, what is it?" Minato noticed his distraction.

"Nothing."

Shuo withdrew his gaze and resumed eating. "Thought I saw someone I knew."

He said no more.

For now, he did not want to get involved in the Uchiha clan's affairs, nor could he be bothered to explain.

After they finished their ramen, Obito did indeed insist on paying (though Shuo wondered whether his allowance was enough).

They said their goodbyes and headed to their respective homes.

Shuo walked alone along the road back to the Uchiha Clan Compound.

Night deepened, and the lights on either side of the street glowed warmly.

As he walked, he felt out his newly unlocked "Light Garment."

That film really did seem to have some use. Even the night breeze felt a little less chilly against him.

Passing a small oden stall, he stopped and bought two skewers of daikon and eggs, eating as he walked.

As he passed the training ground, he could still see some hardworking young ninja putting in extra practice.

He glanced at them, shook his head, and quickened his pace.

Working hard is good... but doesn't pushing yourself like that get tiring?

At last, he returned to his quiet little house.

He opened the door to the familiar smell of dust.

Rather than switching on the light immediately, he went to the window and looked out at the compound's silent streets and the indistinct houses in the distance.

The sight of Uchiha Itachi outside the ramen shop that day surfaced in his mind again.

These peaceful days... probably won't last much longer.

He sighed, switched on the light, and began tidying up.

Whatever happens, I'll enjoy these three days of paid leave first.

As for everything else...

The boat will sink when it reaches the bridge? No, straighten itself out.

He gave an enormous yawn and decided to take a hot bath first, then have a lovely sleep.

Tomorrow is the first day of my vacation, after all.

Outside the window, Konoha's night was quiet and deep.

In the distance, toward Hokage Rock, an extremely faint glimmer of golden light seemed to flash and vanish.