Tadao had been organizing training days with more of his classmates after school where they could train and help each other in any field they were lacking.
This was something he and Ekitai started where both of them converse about class which grew to them helping each other in the field that they were lacking like taijutsu for Ekitai and she gave him training to resist genjutsu.
Following their training sessions, they started inviting others to their exercise training.
The first to accept were the Dango twins coming from a family who focused a lot on taijutsu; they saw this as a great opportunity to hone their skills with fellow classmates and show off.
The others who accepted joining were Harumi and Seiji.
Unfortunately, Harumi wasn't able to attend most sessions due to her already packed schedule with the Academy, helping in the orphanage, and fuinjutsu practice.
The rest of the new members were able to follow our itinerary of two-hour practice on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Most of the time in the training we’d compete with each other in our jutsu or learn new tricks like tree climbing to practice our chakra control, and mock spares to hone our battle skills. and whatever new way of pushing themselves they could find.
Dodging a kick from the agile Gasu he struck his moving form with his own one-two kick combo. Managing to react fast enough Gasu backpedaled out of the way from the kicks before he attempted to grab my leg with his unnatural speed.
Not wanting to be immobilized hastened my kick to a blur to get away from his clawing hands, changing my stance to a boxing one.
Taking a few steps to distance myself I readied for a counterattack and not a second Gasu came with ferocity aiming for the well-known tenketsu in the body. Even though he won't be as efficient as the Hyuga with their dojutsu, his attacks still carry heavy weight.
He tried parrying his attacks with his own but Gasu was quicker sneaking in a couple of shots. He could feel his limbs become more sluggish with each successful blow.
If this is to continue I’d eventually get immobilized. Mind decided Tadao attacked with ferocity performing a double tornado kick on Gasu.
Lowering his stance Gasu was able to duck the two kicks but didn't have enough for the axe kick coming right after. Holding up his hands in crosshairs he held on before his legs started to buckle on the weight.
Smiling victory Tadao was going to end the fight with a last strike when out of nowhere gray figure tackled him from behind launching him to the ground.
“Don't forget me doofus!” screamed Kotai as he came for another go launching me out.
Unable to move fast enough I got the wind caught out of me skidding on the dirt. “Damn, that hurt!”I cried.
In my distraction, I became too invested in our fight to the point of being unaware of my own surroundings and losing sight of an opponent.
“This was supposed to be free for all. Why'd you two ganged up on me?” Scratching the spot he tackled. It won't take long for it to recover with my minor healing factor and chakra it still hurts like hell.
“To show you how it feels to be ambushed mid-fight duh.” Responded Kaiton.
Nodding alongside him, Gasu agreed. “You've been doing it to us for far too long, it's high time for you to have a taste of your own medicine.”
Understanding but still not fully resigned I said staring up at them. “Fine but I’ll still do it anyway.”
“We've been out too long, let's check on the other two.” said Kaiton to help me get back on my feet.
I had only noticed now but in our fight, we've strayed from our usual spot in the time we fought. An attempt to put me in unfamiliar surroundings to make the ambush easier?
With a leisurely pace, we headed over to the area where the battle royal started. In a mostly empty clearing we saw the two Ekitai and Seiji sitting on the field.
Noticing us coming, Seiji waved disturbing Ekitai enough for her to leave her meditation and spot us. Picking up our pace we quickly reached them in a few seconds.
“What took you so long?” asked Ekitai
“It's this guy.” pointed Kotai at me. “He just wouldn't give up he's like a rat with how slippery he is”
“What do you mean by that? I did a great job and did you guys plan this?” I asked a tick appearing on my forehead as I stared at the two, not a scratch in sight.
Watching me they all nodded. “Yeah”
“You're too passive whenever we fight, you act too much like a vulture only making your move when we're exhausted. It's hella annoying.” Scratching his head, Seiji said.
“We had to make it believable and they were supposed to ambush you too but we figured it to be too risky. That's what you get for acting like a vulture always waiting for us to get tired before you even take action.” spoke Kotai.
“Well, I think my strategy is sound. It's not like we're not doing a one-on-one, it's a free-for-all.” defending my stance I crossed my arms.
Four against one I am going to be losing this argument. Deciding it is better to concede. “Fine, I'll tone it down a bit.”
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Looking to change the subject, Harumi asked. “How is tree climbing going for you? I've already reached the crown.”
“Yeah me three,” I said.
“Me three,” said Seiji.
“Me four.” let out Kaiton
Looking at Gasu he fidgeted. “Ah, I've only gotten halfway.”
“He has been slacking he wouldn't join whenever I ask him.” Informed Kaiton
He looked at his twin with a betrayed look but all he got was a smile.
With something to do with the rest of the time we all decided to guide him in tree climbing.
Tree climbing is a trick that requires fine chakra control not too little or you fall off the tree and not too much or the portion of bark you're stepping on breaks bringing you down with it. A great way to test your chakra control.
The rest of the hour was spent helping and encouraging Gasu with his tree climbing and therefore chakra control.
Soon he was able to go most of the way to the top of the tree without falling although created cracks wherever he stepped so not yet perfect but it will do for the day.
Entering the village they said their goodbyes going their separate ways to their respective homes.
Walking through the busy marketplace filled with bustles of people haggling and hawkers advertising their products.
Examining the goods on display he couldn't help but sigh, nothing really caught his eye most of the things up for sale were just souvenirs for tourists.
While Yugakure was a hidden village, another thing it was famous for was its hot springs. The land of hot water is a prime tourist destination with plenty of hot springs, great vistas, and a low crime rate.
Strolling he eventually reached the gambling district crammed with many stalls of different games of luck and already rigged. No one in their right mind would put up a game of skill in this world of shinobi if they didn't want to be stripped of their undergarments.
In one of the stalls he could see the bright-colored signs tempting one to enter promising riches. Laughter from the people who won it big but it was drowned by the sheer number of people who lost.
A den of dreams come true and are shattered. Spotting a black-haired girl who looked to be around my age carrying an in her arms following a long-haired blond in green robes.
Pausing for a moment in surprise I continued my pace pretending that I didn't notice them. There's no point in talking to them. She's still in a flunk and am no Naruto and have no talk no jutsu.
But this really is a testament to how badly the shinobi villages disregard their shinobi’s mental health. Konoha is said to be the most advanced of the five villages in terms of morality and security of its people. doesn't even have a basic wellness plan for their sannin.
They literally have a clan specializing in the mind arts and you're telling me they don't have any therapist. Most of the world’s problems could be solved if the specific were to be given therapy.
Striding through the crowded street we walked by each other with nothing happening.
I retired back to my room doodling on the extra paper I had from my practice on seals. My thoughts fall back to the chance encounter. I wasn't expecting her to already be out but it makes sense her lover and younger both died in the war she’s most likely trying to distance herself from back home.
A random business came to my head before I shook it off. Maybe I should start a therapy business?
The effects of war put a scar on everyone, even in most hardened souls. Will that happen to me?
I had no delusion in my capabilities even if I were to use all my tricks I'd be at most as strong as Sasuke without the Sharingan I might be able to defeat him with the elemental advantage however that's a mid or high genin level of strength at most but in the battlefield, a genin is at most a message runner and not even a good one when everyone is either a chunin or jonin.
Maybe I could convince Gasu to teach me the eight gates; he's always been the more laid-back twin. Maybe they even have techniques to learn it faster since their clan focuses mainly on taijutsu.
With the perk, I should be able to sustain the gates for much longer, and as long as I don't lose a limb completely I'd be able to recover even if it’d take weeks to recover.
Finishing a regular explosive tag I stored it in the sealing seal on my braces where the explosive section lay. I continued creating more explosive tags as I ruminated on the day.
I really have a lot of explosive tags
I really have a lot of explosive tags, roughly a little bit over a thousand. I could probably sell them for some good money.
The market price for explosive tags is around 900 ryo while in peace times although I heard that its price could shoot up to double or triple in times of war.
The cost of making one is just 700 ryo. I could probably get at least a 100 ryo profit even if I were to sell them to those third-party sellers or perhaps I could ask Mom to sell them to her teammates then I could get the full 28% profit.
Doing some mental gymnastics Tadao calculated. Speed counting the number of explosive stages he had and ending with one thousand thirty-seven.
If I were to multiply that by 900 I could get… nine hundred thirty-three thousand and a profit of two hundred seven thousand in pure profit.
No wonder fuinjutsu masters are rich even if I were to just make an explosion tag a day I could live off that income and not worry about food. How the hell did Konan get nine hundred billion explosive tags even if she were to sell that for a ryo a tag then she would be the richest person alive.
Giddy with excitement I ran to the living room where I saw my mom’s shadow clone cooking up dinner and explained to her my plan.
“It's even fine if you give them a friend discount of 5 ryo I’ll still make a killing anyway.”
“That's kind of you to suggest I'll do my best but most of us already have a supplier whom we get our supplies from.”
“Really?”
“Yes really so don't be gloomy if it takes time for it to sell dear. How about this? I'll ask Ringo if she knows anyone.”
“That's fine.” my mood only partially deflated. I waited for her to finish dinner before finishing my part and went outside to practice my Body Flicker, a D-rank jutsu that stays relevant even in higher levels of strength.
Jogging out a clear field with only grass in my immediate surroundings. Hopping and stretching my limbs I warmed up to begin. Clicking a watch in my pocket. I invigorate my body with chakra letting me temporarily go to speeds so fast that it looks like teleportation.
I moved a hundred meters in a fraction of a second then I did it again and again to the point where there were more than one of him in the clearing and I stopped heaving in large lungs full of breath.
Drawing out the pocket watch from earlier it shows that it hasn't even reached the five-second mark. Sitting on the ground I contemplated. 4 seconds better than last time I could probably run for a couple of kilometers before I ran out of chakra.
That should be enough training. It's already night and I should go back. Following the trail I arrived back home and retired on my bed.