The next day, a scroll containing over a dozen ninjutsu techniques arrived in Rinjin's hands.
At the same time, Rinjin began his "clap-your-hands-and-everything-appears" training method.
Countless shadow clones popped into existence, each diving into the practice of ninjutsu from all five chakra natures.
For Rinjin, who had already mastered all five chakra natures, these techniques were nothing more than child's play.
Leaving his clones to train, Rinjin called over Fugaku, Teuchi, and Riyi.
Looking at the three dirt-covered kids before him, Rinjin clapped his hands with a smile.
"Yesterday, I picked up a C-rank mission in the assignment hall. But today, we're not doing any missions. Go home and rest. We'll set off the day after tomorrow."
Teuchi, his face lined with scratches from a cat, suddenly raised his hand and asked curiously, "Rinjin-sensei, what's the mission about? Can you tell us now?"
Hearing this, Rinjin thought for a moment and nodded.
"Sure. This time, our destination is the western border—the Land of Grass, which is right next to the war-torn Land of Rain.
Our mission is to gather intelligence on the ninja of the Land of Grass.
Of course, there's a chance we might encounter combat. But don't worry about the mission reward—if the difficulty exceeds the standard for a C-rank mission, I'll negotiate with the commissioner to raise the pay."
Hearing this, Riyi rolled her eyes in exasperation.
What a shameless guy. The commissioner is literally himself.
Teuchi, on the other hand, clenched his fists in excitement. If the mission rank increased, so would the reward, which would help him save money to open his own ramen shop someday.
As for Fugaku Uchiha, the young boy's handsome face remained stoic. Clearly, his family was well-off.
Time flew by, and two days passed in the blink of an eye.
On the third morning, Rinjin stood at the newly rebuilt gates of Konoha. He was dressed in a black long-sleeve shirt and black pants, with a green Konoha flak jacket over his torso and his forehead protector tied securely on his head.
Riyi, dressed similarly, looked like a tomboy despite being a pretty little girl.
As for why a Genin like her had a Jonin's flak jacket? Don't ask. The answer is, she stole Rinjin's.
Soon, Fugaku and Teuchi arrived, fully prepared.
Teuchi seemed particularly excited, even strapping a spoon to his backpack.
Even Fugaku's usually calm and refined face showed a hint of anticipation and joy.
"Alright! Team Eleven is all here. Let's move out!"
At Rinjin's command, the four of them set off, walking out of the village under the envious gazes of the gatekeepers.
After all, who doesn't love a good trip outside the village?
Just as Rinjin and his team were stepping through the gates, a familiar voice called out from behind them.
"Rinjin! Wait for me!"
Turning around, Rinjin saw Tsunade, dressed in a short red and green waist-tied robe, radiating youthful energy as she ran toward them.
Watching her sprinting and panting for breath, Rinjin stopped and looked at her in confusion.
"What's up, Tsuna... I mean, Tsuna-chan?"
Tsunade caught up, bracing herself on Rinjin's shoulder as she gasped for air.
"Lord Hiruzen... told me... to join your mission."
As she spoke, she pulled out a mission scroll and handed it to Rinjin.
Taking the scroll, Rinjin opened it and immediately understood.
It turned out that Hiruzen Sarutobi was worried someone in Rinjin's team might get injured, and since they had no medical ninja, he assigned Tsunade to join them.
Somehow, Rinjin felt that Hiruzen, that crafty old man, had more in mind than just this.
But for now, he couldn't figure out what.
After introducing Tsunade to the kids, Team Eleven resumed their journey.
Walking at the back of the team, Rinjin and Tsunade strolled side by side, chatting casually.
"Rinjin, you always manage to surprise me every time I see you."
"Oh? What kind of surprises?" Rinjin asked curiously.
"Just surprises~," Tsunade said with a sly smile. She glanced at Rinjin and chuckled softly. "The last time I saw you, you'd just become a Jonin.
Now, you're already leading a team. I wonder when it'll be my turn to get promoted to Jonin..."
Hearing this, Rinjin gave Tsunade a puzzled look and asked matter-of-factly, "Is becoming a Jonin that hard?"
He remembered his own promotion to Jonin being quite simple. After returning from the Land of Lightning, he was summoned to the Hokage's office and handed a forehead protector.
"It's not exactly hard," Tsunade sighed. "But for medical ninjas, the process is tedious and complicated."
Stretching lazily, Tsunade arched her chest—already showing signs of development—and continued,
"We have to spend a lot of time at the ninja hospital. It's such a waste of time.
Don't you think so?"
Rinjin, ever observant, noticed Tsunade's subtle movements and quickly averted his gaze, breaking into a cold sweat.
Good grief! Is this something I'm allowed to look at for free?!
Seeing Rinjin's silence, Tsunade's lips curled into a playful smirk. She nudged him lightly with her elbow.
"Hey, Rinjin, I'm talking to you!"
"Oh, oh, sorry! I zoned out," Rinjin quickly apologized.
"What do you think about the current system?" Tsunade pressed.
Hearing this, Rinjin pondered for a moment before replying slowly.
"It's fine. Having medical ninjas spend time in the hospital is a good thing."
"Huh?" Tsunade's voice stretched in disbelief as she pouted in dissatisfaction.
Unbothered by her reaction, Rinjin continued, "Having medical ninjas work in the hospital broadens their horizons.
Don't you think it's irresponsible to send inexperienced rookies straight to the battlefield?
What if they're scared by the sight of gruesome injuries? It wouldn't just waste their time—it would also delay critical treatment for the wounded.
Plus, seeing a variety of injuries in the hospital helps them better understand the dangers of the battlefield.
In the hospital, if something goes wrong, there are more experienced people to help. But on the battlefield, who's going to back you up?"
Watching Rinjin furrow his brows in serious contemplation, Tsunade couldn't help but feel reassured, even if she didn't entirely agree with his viewpoint.
Suddenly, she smiled brightly and tugged at Rinjin's sleeve.
"Rinjin, if I wanted to propose reforms for medical ninjas, would you support me?"
"Support you?" Rinjin glanced at Tsunade before shaking his head vigorously.
Isn't that Dan Katō's job? Why drag me into this?!
"Do you even know who I am? Why should I help you?"
Seeing Rinjin shake his head so adamantly, Tsunade's beautiful face darkened. Lowering her head, she muttered in a muffled voice,
"Who are you? Why can't you help me?"
Hearing her question, Rinjin reached toward Tsunade's... ninja tool pouch on her back.
With a flick of his nimble fingers, he pulled out a scroll and opened it, pointing to the commissioner's name before handing it to her.
"Look!" he said.
Tsunade let out a heavy snort, grinding her teeth as she reluctantly took the scroll. But when she saw the name, her expression froze as if she'd been turned to stone.
"Land of Rain... Daimyō... Rinjin Sakata..." she read his name aloud, one word at a time.
Grinning mischievously, Rinjin snatched the scroll back and stuffed it into her ninja tool pouch.
"So, do you still want me to support your proposal?"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
"8 amazing fanfics available on my Patreon.
Support for 200+ advance chapters:
patreon.com/DarkGolds"