August 21st, Year 5
It's morning, and Kondo going to hangout with Tenten today and take her out to Ichiraku's for lunch. Sakura can wait till tomorrow; no point juggling them. There also no rush, as he can take things one day at a time.
As he arrives at Tenten's training ground, she's unsurprisingly hard at work practicing her Kenjutsu with a samurai sword. As he makes his way over, she notices him and waves his direction.
"Hey there, Kondo-kun! Welcome back. How'd your trip with your Dad go?" Asked the China-themed girl.
"It was great, Tenten-san. I got alot of live target practice done. Next time, you should join my Dad and me. It's a great way to train."
"Really?! You'd let me tag along? I'd have to ask my mom for permission though, but thanks alot for the offer! I bet I'd be tons of fun" Tenten beamed.
"Anyway, now that you're here, how about a spar? My Kenjutsu needs some work." Tenten asked before Kondo takes out a pair of Kunai: one in each hand.
"Sure. Let's get started." Kondo responds as he dashes forward.
Afternoon roles around and the duo are having a lunch break a Ichiraku's. Kondo is grateful that the owner didn't tease him about bringing another girl over. Maybe he realized that that may cause some awkwardness.
'Should I hide Sakura and Tenten, from each other? Well, I'm not dating either of them, so I don't see the point. Infact, I can use it to my advantage if it comes up to readjust Tenten and my relationship: make us more than just training partners.
Sakura on the other hand may become distant if she found out. She'd assume I was taken and all that. Don't want that, so I'll have to play my cards right when the time comes.'
After their lunch, they returned to the training ground to launch projectiles at each other while dodging, before Kondo had to leave for home.
August 22nd, Year 5
"Hey Kondo-kun, do you like Sakura or something?" Ino asked while Kondo raised an eyebrow and Sakura coughed uncontrollably.
"That came out of nowhere. Why'd you ask?" Kondo was surprised by the sudden question.
"Well you guys always hangout at the park or here at the Flower Shop, and it's obvious you're not here for me cuz you only show up when Sakura's around... conviniently... OMG! Are you stalking Sakura?!!"
"Spread that lie and I swear to Kami I'll cut your hair bald!" Kondo responds harshly causing Ino to grip her head in fear.
"Look... Who wouldn't like hanging out with Sakura? She's fun. Is that so weird?"
'Kondo-kun...' Sakura thinks to herself.
"What about that other girl you hung around with yesterday? You even took her on a date! Is she way more fun than Sakura?" Ino drops a bomb; leaving the other two speechless.
'This gossiper is begging for trouble! How did she know, though? Better play this smart.' Kondo faces Ino.
"First off, her name is Tenten. Secondly, it was not a date, it was a lunch break. We had been training all morning and got hungry. Third, she's not more fun than Sakura. She's fun to train with and Sakura is fun overall. Don't go making misunderstandings!"
"Oh... Am I fun to hangout with?!" Ino questions expectantly.
"Not right now, you're not." Kondo replies evenly.
"Oh... I see" Ino deflates.
"Just be less nosy and gossip alot less and we'll have no problems, ok?" Kondo promptly readjusts.
"Really?!! Ok! Sure thing!!!" Ino bounces back to a chipper mood as a tomato-red Sakura tries to stutter her way back into the conversation.
August 29th, Year 5
A week has passed. Kondo has been spending his break with the 3 girls.
Aside from that he's been training his [Skills] on the side. He's also heard about some Genin preparing for a trip to another Hidden village to take part in the Chunin Exams.
Doing the maths, it appears Konoha will host the Exams in two years. He can't wait to watch the Finals: it's a great way to copy some jutsu.
'Do they let Uchihas watch? Wouldn't that be akin to exposing military secrets to the enemy by letting them copy the techniques of the up-and-comers.'
Speaking of the Uchihas, the massacre should take place anytime from 2-3 years from now.
Kondo considers getting involved; maybe saving an Uchiha or two. It would be too sad for all but Sasuke to be wiped out.
He soon dismisses the idea. 'I am currently mid-Chunin level. Maybe low Jounin level with the Gates. I have no battle experience, plus no hard-hitting jutsu to contend with the likes of EFFING ITACHI and MUDA-FU-QING OBITO! (Excuse my French)
Not to mention Danzo, Hiruzen, the Root and Anbu are also involved. If I screw up, it's game over. If I'm found out, my life is over. I don't want Obito visiting me at night. The insomnia would be a pain, plus my family would be endangered.
Additionally, I don't know when exactly it'll happen, so unless I want to spy on the UCHIHA CLAN, be caught, have my mind unsuccessfully read by a Yamanaka because of my [Gamer Mind], and then offered to Danzo on a platter, I'd stay clear of that whole thing there. It's sad, but there's nothing I can do. I'm sitting that one out.'
September 12th, Year 5
It's time for another Father-Son excursion. Kondo as promised, tried to have Tenten join in, but her mother weren't feeling it, so that was a bust. However Tenten did thank him for giving it a try.
This time, the two are hunting coyote. They have so much pork, they'll be good for months, so a change to something alot lighter is warranted. Besides coyote fur goes for alot more than a boar's.
The approach is different this time. They'll hunt a group of hogs first, gut them and pour their guts into a shallow hole in a clearing and wait while consealed in a distance.
Coyotes have a powerful sense of smell, and the guts will attract them from all over. And all Kondo and Isamu have to do is pick them off from a distance.
September 19th, Year 5
A week in the wilderness, and the two return with their spoils.
200 neutralized: 170 adults & 30 pups.
All were Kondo's. His Dad didn't do squat besides supervision, helping setup camp & bringing him food during his stakeout.
150xp per adult coyote &
50xp per pup.
Kondo was a little miffed at that, but the XP gain was welcomed. Plus the extra pocket money was a nice icing on the cake.
October 11th, Year 6
3 weeks after returning from their hunt, and 4 days before the next Ninja Academy Semester begins, Kondo will be taking part in another excursion outside of Konoha's walls.
This time is different, though, as he is joining the Genin Team he befriended months ago along with their Chuunin Sensei: Ryo Koga.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
Ryo-Sensei is acquainted with Kondo's father Isamu, and the latter trusts him enough to supervise him for 3 days while he assists the team with their grand extermination mission: Hogs, Coyote, Raccoons, Possums, the whole nine yards.
Kondo was tasked with Coyote extermination, so they prepared bait and had him hide nearby to dispatch any that got close enough.
Dude and Brown went as a pair to patrol. And neutralize anything they find.
Ryo Sensei went by himself, and Lil Shion watches and maintains the campsite which is close to Kondo. He'll also swap places with Kondo on a regular interval to keep them fresh, as well as have food ready for everyone when they return.
This is what the team has planned, but Kondo has plans of his own which he intends to put into motion the moment he's left alone.
Poof! A Shadow Clone is created, is handed a scroll by Kondo and immediately makes a run for it while staying out of range of the members of the Genin Team.
After running dozens of miles away the clone unravels the scroll which contains a storage seal on it. Activating it poofs a backpack into existence.
Kondo has had this in the works for the past 3 weeks. Using his sizable pocket money he bought clothes, equipment and other necessities.
What for? A trip. Where to? The outside world. Kondo decided it was time to go on an adventure, and this was the safest way he knew how.
The clone proceeds to use a [Transformation Jutsu] to turn himself into a young adult before rummaging through the backpack for clothes and equipment which he puts on.
He then wears the backpack and walks off. His destination: Any small village or town on the outskirts of Konoha. His goal? To make his temporary base.
His immediate goals are:
1. Find a place to spend the night.
2. Information gathering.
3. Find a source of money.
4. Hunt to accumulate XP.
5. Buy clothes and equipment.
6. Go on from there.
Multiple hours of running through the treetops passes before Hwan finds what he's looking for: A small farming village.
He stops near a road leading to the village where he makes some final preparations. First, he activates his [Chakra Fabric] which now covers him from head to toe. As a Shadow Clone, this Skill is indespensible as he could lose all his belongings if he takes the most minor of damages.
It only takes a few minutes to complete, but requires no additional chakra or attention to maintain. He can even sleep with it on.
Second is his identity. He is Itadori Ichigo: a traveling hunter and orphan with some ninja training. With everything set, he makes his way to the road and then towards the village. He enters said village with no fanfare. Just a couple stares here and there: as expected when a new face shows up.
He asks for directions and is, well, directed to an Inn. He heads over, walks in, goes to the owner at the bar and reserves a room for a couple days.
He also asks said owner where he can find any butcher's, tanners and anyone else who deals with caught animals. He's given names and address.
Then he asks about any pest problems the village might be facing. The owner tells him what he knows, and mentions it's best to meet the village Chief for details.
Satisfied, he heads upstairs and settles in. This is his first day out in the world and he can't be any more excited.
October 12th, Year 6
Ichigo wakes up in the morning, takes a shower, orders breakfast downstairs before leaving for the Village chief's residence.
He's in no rush: taking in the sights and sounds of the village. His guess is it's population is shy of a hundred. Pretty small, but not by alot. The buildings in the middle of town are arranged in something identical to an Old Western with Old Japanese shop buildings, while the residential buildings are on the outskirts and more spaced out due to the size of their respective farmlands.
'Not bad, not bad at all.' Kondo finally reaches the Chief's residence at the centre of town. There's already a short line, but that's not a problem for him. He takes a seat and waits.
Many minutes pass and it's finally his turn. After introductions, Kondo gets straight to the point and asks about any vermin trouble. Fortunately, the Chief is as forthcoming as he'd been told.
Turns out there is a Hog and Coyote presence, but not to catastrophic levels. Just enough to be an annoyance, but not enough to justify spending money to hire Shinobi to take care of.
The Chief advised Kondo to visit the farm owners and find from them directly if they need any assistance.
Another problem is smaller vermin such as rats and raccoons attacking and eating harvested crops.
Armed with such information, Ichigo makes his way to the farms. Some of the residents were unwilling to talk; some were, but didn't let him help.
His first success was with an old man. His wife was apprehensive about the stranger, but the man didn't care. He needs all the help he can get to deal with the pest problem.
Ichigo was then invited into the farm and was made aware of his duties. His first was to eliminate rats that are eating his harvested grain as well as crops on the field. The second is to dispatch a bunch of coyotes that have been attacking and eating his chickens.
After hearing all this, Ichigo gets straight to business and is lead to one of the store houses. After scanning the building for a bit, he makes a couple hand seals and palms the floor.
"What you doing, boy?" Asks the farmer.
"This will help me find the rats." Responds Ichigo. This is untrue. The hand seals did nothing. He just used as a front. He was actually using [Electromagnetic Sense] to find the rats, and boy where there alot: hundreds even.
"Can I have a shovel? This'll require alot of digging."
"There's one at the corner over there. Let's see how you work."
Ichigo nods at the man before taking a Senbon needle and throwing it at a random spot on the dirt ground which it disappears into followed by a short "squeak". He then takes the shovel and promptly digs out a dead rat with a needle sticking out of its head.
"One down." Ichigo proceeds to take out multiple Senbon and fling them at multiple spots all over the floor and walls. "And many more to go."
From 9:30am to 3:45pm that day, Ichigo did nothing but chuck Senbon and dig out bodies: 333 to be exact.
The old man whistles at the big pile. "Well I'll be! That's a hell of a lot: eat'n all my crops. Pretty good work you've done already. All's left is the goshdarn coyotes."
"True. I'll be using some of the rats as bait to lure them where I want them. I'll be setting things up before it gets dark, then we'll see how it goes."
"You've been working all morning. Sure you don't need a rest?"
"No worries, this is nothing. I've got tons of energy left."
"Alright, if you say so..." Said the farmer before walking off.
Ichigo got busy gutting some of the rats into a bucket, dipping said rats into their innards, and placing them at strategic spots to attract the prey.
By nightfall Ichigo was done and had hidden stealthily with senbon ready waiting for the coyotes to arrive. Hours later and his first targets show themselves at a location close the chicken coops.
Ichigo makes his way over to observe it snatch the dead rat and dart off. As time passes, he notices more coyotes, until he's confident most of the group were present at the farm.
He then proceeds to headshot them in quick succession before they knew what was happening. He got all but two females. This was intentional, as he wanted to spook them into running away so they'll lead him to their den where he can wipe them out completely.
As predicted, the coyotes run off while having the wherewithal to take rats with them. Ichigo quickly gathers up the bodies and darts off after them without being seen. He also takes into account the direction of the wind, so they don't smell him either.
After minutes of running, the females finally lead him to the den. He does the deed, and brings back the bodies in a scroll.
He returns to the farm to continue his stakeout. He takes out a couple stray coyotes, hogs and raccoons, but no large groups before daybreak roles around.
October 13th, Year 6
Ichigo presents his catch to the farmer who is impressed with his work.
555 rats, 15 adult coyotes, 6 pups, 6 hogs, 5 piglets and 2 raccoons.
He pays him for his services, and allows him to take the coyotes with him. He also agreed at Ichigo's request to put a good word in for him with the townsfolk. This hopefully would make them less apprehensive and raise his chances of being offered work.
He leaves the farm and heads to the inn to freshen up and have breakfast. Then he heads to a butcher's shop to sell the coyotes and have them process the hog for him. He's payed on the spot and asked to return before dark for the hog parts.
With that taken care of, he heads off to visit farms he hadn't been to yesterday to ask if they require his services. As expected, they were some duds, but he eventually found some takers: A middle-aged woman with her teenage son.
From the looks of things, she was in desperate need of a helping hand. Turns out she's been recently widowed and is adjusting to running the farm with just her and her son.
They don't have enough to hire farm hands right now, so a neighbor lent them their son to assist, but it seems he's not enough to cut it.
Just like the old man, they need rats and coyotes taken care of, but are afraid that they can't afford his service fee. At least not until the next harvest.
So being the bleeding heart that he was, Ichigo makes a deal with the woman. He'll exterminate the pests, and she'll pay him back after the next harvest. Also, she'll have to put a good word in for him with the townsfolk. He needs to build a good reputation around these parts.
He gets to work, leaves to, and returns from the butcher's shop to get his hog meat, and by daybreak he presents his catch.
October 14th, Year 6
357 rats, 10 coyotes, 6 pups, 3 hogs, 5 piglets and 5 raccoons.
The fee is estimated, they both sign an agreement and have a copy drafted to the Chief, then Ichigo takes off with his larger catch leaving a thankful lady behind. And while he heads to the inn, his main body heads home.
POV: Kondo
Kondo is escorted back to Konoha by Dude and Brown. Sending two Genin seemed like overkill but Ryo-Sensei wasn't taking any chances with his friend's son.
The hunt was fruitful for Kondo. He dispatched 58 coyotes, 35 hogs, 10 piglets, 15 raccoons and 2 possums in these last 3 days.
He was compensated with 20 hogs for his trouble and sent on his way after a hearty group breakfast.
Ninja Academy restarts tomorrow, and he intends to be alot more laid-back this time around since his technically quite busy on the outside.
POV: Ichigo Itadori
Inn, breakfast, butcher, now back to the Inn. He hadn't slept both nights so he was taking a morning nap to recharge.
Hours later, at 26 after noon to be exact, Ichigo is woken up by a knock on the door. He opens it and is greeted by an attendant who informs him the Chief is downstairs and would like to speak with him.
This confuses Ichigo, but he agrees regardless. He returns to his room to freshen up a bit, then goes downstairs to meet with the Chief.
"Hello Chief, you called for me?" Inquires ichigo.
"Sure did, son. You have the time to talk?" Responds the Chief with a smile as he beckons him over to take a seat.
"Sure do, what would you like to talk about?" Asks Ichigo as he sits.
"Business."
"Business?" Ichigo is confused.
"I heard word of your work. Old friend of mine says your the best vermin exterminator he's ever seen or heard of. Mai-san has good things to say too, especially since you were willing to work on credit. Meant alot to her, you know? Took a huge load off her shoulders. What with her husband gone and all."
"Thanks. I just try to do my best. Besides, I have to take whatever job a can get. Don't have the luxury of turning down the offer even under those circumstances."
"Good work ethic? Great! That's what I like to hear. Listen. I'd like to offer you a contract on behalf of the village. Are you interested?"
"I'd like to hear it first, if that's not a problem."
"Of course. You see, what we'd like you to do is clear all the farmlands in this here village of all vermin. You'll also be clearing the surrounding wilderness 20 miles out. That should give us long-term relief and breathing room to grow our crops better. You think you'll be up for that?"
"Hmmm! That shouldn't be a problem for me to take care of in a couple weeks. What say we discuss payment, then?"
"Couple of weeks, eh? You're that confident you can handle it that quickly? Oh well, I've got no reason to doubt you, so I'll take your word for it. In terms of compensation, here's what I propose:..."
After a lengthy chat with the Village Chief, they iron out and agreement and a contract will be prepared for signing tomorrow.
The compensation proposed included:
1. Paying Ichigo a fixed weekly instalment for the work he's done already.
2. Letting him take whatever he catches.
3. Free rent at the Inn until he is done with his work.
It's a pretty good deal. Yes, it's designed to keep him around for quite awhile, but he intends to stay around for quite a bit, so that's not a problem. Besides, the more comfortable the residents are with him, the easier it is to accomplish his goals.
He just needs to gather information about the area and surrounding settlements before heading out to explore. He has the money to do so already, but he'll wait a month or so before deciding to go through with it.
With the talks ended, Ichigo leaves for the butcher's shop to retrieve the hog meat before returning to sleep for the rest of the day. It's only been his third day, and things are already looking up.