After unlocking that "Beginner's Laziness" disposition, Shuo felt as though he had become... even lazier.
Not physically, but mentally. Before, even when he was lying down, he would think about how to earn imitation points and get stronger. Now? He just wanted to lie there.
The sounds of emergency treatment outside, the groans of the wounded, the footsteps of medical ninja running back and forth... yes, he heard them all, but they felt as though they were behind a pane of frosted glass. What did any of it have to do with him?
He rolled over, faced the tent fabric, and went back to sleep.
[Remaining in deep energy-saving mode. Beginner's Laziness is functioning steadily. Passive energy recovery rate has increased slightly. Wound healing speed +5%. Please maintain this state.]
Pretty good, Shuo thought groggily. This ability finally had some practical value-it let him slack off with greater justification while recovering from his injuries.
Over the next few days, the situation on the front line seemed to stabilize.
Iwagakure made no major moves, and Konoha was happy to use the time to rest, regroup, and move supplies.
With the double buffs of "light particle activation" and "peaceful lying flat," Shuo's injuries healed surprisingly fast.
Even the female medical ninja marveled at it. During his final examination, she looked at his chest and said, "The bones have healed well, and the new flesh and skin are sturdy too... Your constitution really is rather unusual."
Shuo sat on the edge of the bed, slowly pulling on his newly issued, clean Chunin Vest-yes, thanks to his warning about the western flank, he had received a battlefield promotion to Chunin while unconscious.
The reason given was that he had "demonstrated composure, judgment, and certain special abilities beyond those of a Genin in a crisis, buying crucial time for the camp's evacuation."
He looked at the mark on the vest that signified his Chunin rank, feeling little.
A promotion? Was that a good thing? It seemed to mean more missions, more work... Tsk, what a pain.
"All right, there are basically no problems now, but avoid intense combat and demanding missions for the time being. Give your body some more time to adjust," the medical ninja instructed.
"Yes-got it-" Shuo drawled, fastening the last button before standing and moving around a little. He still felt somewhat weak, but walking was no problem.
He ambled out of the medical tent into pleasant sunshine.
The camp was much quieter than before. Many of the tents had been dismantled; it looked as though they would be relocating soon.
He was wondering what he would do next-most likely withdraw with the main force to a rear outpost or return straight to the village-when he saw Kentaro running toward him.
"Shuo! You can finally come out!"
Kentaro looked in good spirits. His arm was still bandaged, but he could move without trouble. "How are you feeling?"
"Not bad. Won't die."
Shuo yawned. "What about you? Back with your unit?"
"Yeah. I'm doing easy work, like perimeter patrols and taking inventory of supplies."
Kentaro scratched his head, looking at Shuo with lingering curiosity and... awe? "Um... Shuo, back in that tree, that glowing thing in your hand..."
"Oh, that."
Shuo's expression did not change. He had long since prepared an explanation. "An old ninja tool I found at home. A single-use item. Once you use it, it's gone. Probably something my parents left behind. I'm not sure either." He shrugged, looking as if to say, "Don't ask me, I'm confused too."
Kentaro was skeptical, but there was little more he could ask. After all, the Uchiha Clan had a long history. It made sense for them to have some strange ancestral possessions.
"Oh, right. I heard we might be heading back to the village soon."
Kentaro changed the subject, his voice hopeful. "It looks like the war is almost over."
"Really? That's good."
Shuo's reaction was flat. Over? Once it was over, he wouldn't have to fight anymore. That was a good thing.
But once he got back to the village, would he have to do missions again? D-rank? C-rank? Just thinking about it... Ugh, what a pain.
As they spoke, a whistle sounded from the center of the camp, calling everyone to assemble. All ninja who could move were required to gather.
Jōnin Akimichi Dōtō stood on a makeshift wooden platform, with Minato Namikaze beside him.
Akimichi Dōtō cleared his throat, his voice booming:
"Everyone! According to the latest intelligence and Lord Hokage's orders, our unit's deployment here is largely complete! Iwagakure has shown an interest in peace talks, and large-scale clashes on the front line are expected to cease soon!"
A wave of subdued cheers and murmurs rose below the platform.
The shadow of war that had hung over them for years was finally about to lift.
"Therefore, our unit will withdraw to Konoha in groups starting at dawn tomorrow! The seriously wounded will leave first under the escort of designated squads! Everyone else will move in unit order! Once we return to the village, merits will be rewarded and compensation provided for casualties, all according to regulations!"
"Dismissed! Return to your quarters and prepare to withdraw!"
The crowd dispersed with a buzz of conversation, most faces showing relief and the joy of going home.
Shuo followed the crowd out, thinking things over. Back to the village... the Uchiha Clan... It seemed the original owner's parents were both dead, with no close relatives. He was just a peripheral member of the clan. That saved some trouble. No complicated relationships to deal with.
"Shuo."
A gentle voice stopped him.
Shuo turned. It was Minato Namikaze, who had come up beside him at some point.
"Jōnin Minato." Shuo stopped, his attitude respectful but tinged with laziness.
"We're heading back to the village tomorrow."
Minato smiled, the sunlight on his blond hair a little dazzling. "Do you have any plans once we're back? Will you keep taking missions? Or would you like to focus on training for a while?"
"Plans?"
Shuo thought for a moment. "I haven't decided yet... Maybe I'll rest for a while first." He spoke honestly. He had just returned from death's door on the front line. Shouldn't he get a long vacation?
Minato seemed amused by his frankness. "Rest is important too. But if you're interested in improving yourself... especially that unique speed and 'light' ability of yours..."
He paused, looking into Shuo's eyes. "You could come take a look at my team. Of course, just a look. No obligation."
An invitation? And such a casual one, without any pressure. Shuo was a little surprised. Minato's team? Wasn't that the one that would have Kakashi, Obito, and Rin in the future? But Obito and Rin probably hadn't graduated yet? Kakashi might already be a Chunin or Special Jōnin?
Join the main cast? That sounded busy, with a lot to deal with.
"Thank you, Jōnin Minato."
Shuo neither accepted nor refused immediately, using that classic, ambiguous Kizaru-style response. "I'll... give it serious consideration. But my ability... really is unstable. I might cause you trouble."
"Trouble?" Minato smiled, a glimmer of insight crossing his eyes. "Sometimes, dealing with 'trouble' is part of a ninja's job. Besides, I think your way of dealing with 'trouble' is rather distinctive." He gave a meaningful wink.
Shuo said nothing.
He kept feeling that Minato seemed to know something, but had not said it outright.
The feeling of being partly seen through, but not completely, was subtly irritating, but... it wasn't bad either.
"Anyway, get some proper rest once we're back."
Minato patted his shoulder lightly. "I look forward to your decision. I'll be off now. There are still a few things I need to handle." With that, he turned into a streak of golden light and vanished instantly.
The Yellow Flash... He lived up to the name.
Shuo looked at the empty space before him and made a mental comparison.
Minato's Body Flicker Technique combined bursts of chakra with space-time techniques. It was fast and had some of the characteristics of 'instantaneous movement.'
What about his own 'Light Particle Shift'? At present, it was more like high-speed, straight-line gliding with a little short-range 'blinking.' It consumed a lot of energy and was still unstable.
He had a long way to go.
He shook his head, put those comparisons out of his mind, and ambled back to his temporary tent, which had not yet been dismantled. He began packing his pitifully few belongings-a few changes of clothes, some dry rations, his newly issued Chunin identification, and a meager allowance.
With so little to pack, he soon finished.
Sitting on his pack, he watched the sun sinking westward outside the tent and the people bustling around the camp as they prepared to withdraw.
The war was ending. He was going back to Konoha.
What would the future hold? Keep imitating Kizaru, accumulate imitation points, and unlock more abilities?
Join Team Minato? Or find a way to keep slacking off?
He didn't know.
But at least for now, there was only one thing he wanted to do.
Shuo lay back on his bedding, tucked his hands behind his head, crossed one leg over the other, and stared at the tent roof.
Tomorrow would be a long march back to the village. It was bound to be exhausting.
So tonight... he needed to make the most of his time and get a good night's sleep.
He closed his eyes, letting the evening noise of the camp gradually fade away.
[Remaining in a state of 'complete relaxation between events.' 'Beginner's Laziness' bonus active. Imitation points +2.] [Host detected to be about to enter a new environment (Konoha). System tip: a bigger stage often means more 'trouble' and... more 'opportunities for imitation.' Please prepare.]
Prepare?
Shuo curled his lip drowsily.
Prepare for what...?
Things would... work themselves out when the time came.
He rolled over, and soon soft snores rose from him.
Outside the tent, Konoha's camp quietly packed its belongings beneath the setting sun, preparing for the journey home.
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