Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 202 The Daily Life of a Genin in the Star Capital: Shisui's Envy

The slightly crisp morning air, carrying the unique fresh scent of the Star City—a blend of cooking smoke and distant forest—penetrated into Chino Oya's slightly flared nostrils.

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting slanted spots of light on the quilt.

"Hmm..." Chino rubbed her eyes sleepily and reached for the alarm clock with a bear on it on the bedside table.

Her fingertips touched the cold plastic casing, and she squinted to take a closer look—

"Wow! It's 7:50!" The girl jumped out of her warm bed as if she had been pricked by a needle, her sleepiness vanishing instantly.

"Oh no, oh no, oh no! I'm late for the first day of training, I'm going to get yelled at by the instructor!" Chino hurriedly put on her clothes.

The Blood Pool Clan's iconic crimson clan robes had been replaced three months ago with darker casual wear more suitable for daily activities, and now they were all crumpled and torn by her.

She rushed into the small washroom like a whirlwind, hastily brushed her teeth, splashed cold water on her face haphazardly, and without bothering to comb her wet hair properly, letting her short white hair fly wildly, she dashed down the narrow wooden stairs.

The downstairs living room was filled with the aroma of toasted bread and the sweet warmth of hot milk.

Her father, Miyajo En, was sitting leisurely in a wooden chair by the window, with a copy of the "Star Daily" open in his hand.

The front page of the newspaper seemed to be reporting the official opening of the border trade route between the Star Country and the Swamp Country.

Sunlight fell on his sharply defined profile, dispelling the lingering gloom between his brows from his time in Hell Valley, making him appear peaceful and content.

He wore a pair of narrow-framed diamond-shaped sunglasses, which concealed his blood-red eyes that had once terrified countless enemies, leaving only a gentle smile on his lips.

On the table, a slice of toast spread with jam and a cup of steaming milk were quietly waiting for her.

"Chino, slow down!" Her mother's gentle, smiling voice came from the kitchen doorway. She was wearing a plain apron and holding a soup spoon. "You've become a ninja, why are you still so clumsy? Like a little kitten."

"We're going to be late, Mom!" Chino rushed to the table like a little animal pouncing on its prey, grabbed the two perfectly toasted slices of bread, took a big bite, and her cheeks immediately bulged out.

She mumbled indistinctly, picked up the warm milk cup with her other hand, and gulped down several mouthfuls. The liquid slid down her throat, finally calming down some of the heat from running.

"I'm going out!" she mumbled, grabbing the brand-new ninja tool bag from the low cabinet by the door. The weight of it filled her with a sense of security and joy.

The metal ninja tools faintly gleamed from the side pockets of the ninja tool pouch.

"Be careful on the road." Miyajo En finally looked up from the newspaper, pushed up his sunglasses, and watched his daughter skip out of the house like a deer. His eyes were full of love and a hint of emotion that was hard to detect.

He smiled at his wife at the kitchen door and said, "Let her go. The children have their own paths to walk. It's fine as it is now."

He picked up his cup of hot tea, took a small sip, and savored the hard-won peace of the morning.

Having escaped the prison of Hell Valley and distanced themselves from the swords of Cloud Village, the Blood Pool Clan has truly taken root and ushered in a new life on the unfamiliar land of Star City.

Chino jogged along, the morning wind stinging her face, but it couldn't dispel the excitement in her heart.

Three months ago, when the earth-shattering explosion in Hell Valley sent white light soaring into the sky and the blood of her people stained the valley red, she was just a child being protected by her father, dazed and confused by the shock.

It was that Asura Lord wearing the white fox mask who descended like a god tearing through the darkness, giving their race hope for survival.

After migrating to the Star Capital, under the careful care of the medical ninjas of the Star Village, her body gradually recovered and she was able to move around normally.

The gates of the Star Ninja Academy were also opened to her and other children of the Blood Pool Clan!

Although she only studied for three months, she relied on the Blood Pond clan's excellent chakra control talent and an indomitable spirit to pass the rigorous graduation test ahead of schedule and become a true Star Ninja!

The main building of Xingren School looked particularly solemn in the morning light.

Chino took a deep breath, calmed her rapid breathing from running, straightened her collar which had been askew, and gently knocked on the heavy wooden door with the "Principal's Office" sign.

"Please come in." A gentle, scholarly voice came from inside.

Chino pushed open the door and went in.

The room was spacious and bright, with huge bookshelves filled with scrolls and books.

Behind the desk, Pharmacist Nonou put down her pen and looked up.

She was dressed in an elegant, dark blue nun's habit, with thin-rimmed glasses perched on her nose. Her gaze behind the lenses was clear and full of wisdom, and she exuded a calm and reliable aura.

As the vice principal of Xingren School, this former "wandering priestess" is now a respected and admired elder in the eyes of countless children.

As for the nominal headmaster, Lord Shura, he was always elusive and rarely seen.

"Principal!" Chino stood straight, her voice clear and bright, filled with undisguised excitement.

"Good morning, Chino-san." Nonou smiled gently as she stood up and walked around the large desk.

Her movements were graceful and composed, holding a dark ninja headband in her hand.

Congratulations on graduating early with excellent grades.

Nonou walked up to Chino and solemnly handed her the headband with both hands.

The cold metal sheet touched my palm, carrying a heavy weight.

In the center of the forehead protector is a red five-pointed star.

The symbol of Hoshinin Village gleamed with a restrained luster in the light streaming in from the window.

"Thank you, Principal!" Chino accepted the gift with both hands, holding it tightly until her knuckles turned white. She could clearly hear her heart pounding.

This is the symbol of status she has always dreamed of!

Looking at the burning light in the girl's eyes, Nonou sighed softly, her tone filled with the concern of an elder: "Actually, as the principal, I would prefer that a talented child like you stay in school for a few more years, build a solid foundation, and enjoy a carefree period of learning. The path of a ninja... is far more difficult than the classroom."

She thought of Dou, that child, who was also exceptionally gifted, but who had prematurely borne too much burden that should not belong to him.

After the previous reunion between mother and son, Dou has now been transferred to the medical department for more in-depth study and some kind of "special" training.

She only hoped that Chino could walk more steadily.

"Thank you, Principal!" Chino smiled. "But I come from a ninja clan, and I will have to go through these things sooner or later. The Blood Pond Clan also needs to offer the power of the Blood Dragon Eye to Lord Shura and to the Land of Stars!"

Chino's smile and eagerness reminded Nono of the children at the ninja academy.

Most of them became orphans due to natural disasters or wars, and having witnessed life and death and the cruelty of this world, they pursued power more than many ninjas from other villages.

If the Ninja Academy hadn't set strict graduation requirements, these students would probably have been clamoring to graduate every year.

Thus, in the nearly two years of education at Xingnin Village, only three war orphans were approved for early graduation because their learning abilities and talents were too strong, and the ninja academy had no more teachers to teach them. One of them was Kabuto Yakushi, who was working as a spy.

Others who were approved to graduate early were children who had awakened their bloodline limits, such as Kimimaro, Haku, and Yukimi. Even Yukimi, who had the lowest combat power, was already a Chunin. What she lacked was more practical experience.

They were all led and guided by Jonin, carrying out D-rank and C-rank missions, and then gradually getting involved in some B-rank bandit suppression missions when it was safe to do so.

They will not actively participate in ninja battles.

As for Chino, she was too eager to improve and too desperate to awaken her bloodline limit.

Looking at the determined little girl in front of her, Nono sighed, then her eyes were filled with affirmation and encouragement: "I respect your choice and efforts. Since you have decided to embark on this path, then, On behalf of Hoshino Ninja Academy, I hereby formally confer upon you the Hoshino Ninja headband."

"May you uphold the Way of the Star Ninja, protect the peace and tranquility of the Star Kingdom, and become an outstanding ninja!"

"Yes, Principal! I definitely will!" Chino nodded excitedly.

She eagerly fastened the headband to her forehead; the cool metal pressed against her skin, and a strong sense of belonging and mission welled up within her.

At that moment, there was another knock on the office door.

"Please come in," Nono replied. The door opened, and a tall, capable-looking female ninja walked in.

She wore a vest in the style of the Star Ninja Village, underneath which was a black, tight-fitting combat suit for easy movement. Her long, deep red hair was tied into a neat ponytail and hung down her back, and she also wore a Star Ninja headband on her forehead.

Her sharp eyes, tinged with tenderness, swept across the room.

"Summer Jonin, you've arrived." Nonou introduced with a smile: "This is the new member assigned to your class today, Miyagi Chino, who just graduated."

Summer's gaze fell on Chino, scrutinizing her from head to toe. Her focus lingered for a moment on the headband on her forehead and her youthful yet determined face. She nodded slightly and said succinctly, "My name is Summer. From today onwards, I will be your mentor, a Jonin."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a gentle, older sister-like quality.

“Yes, Ms. Natsumi! Please take care of me!” Chino immediately straightened her back and responded loudly.

She could sense a subtle pressure emanating from the teacher's gentleness; it was the aura of someone who had truly experienced life-or-death struggles.

"Alright, Chino, go with Natsumi-sensei." Nono gave Chino an encouraging look at the end.

"Thank you, Principal! I won't let you down!" Chino bowed deeply, then turned to Natsumi, her eyes filled with anticipation: "Teacher, shall we go?"

"Principal Nonou, farewell." Natsumi nodded slightly to Nonou, then turned and left.

Chino quickly jogged to catch up.

The second training ground of Xingnin Village is located on the outskirts of the military zone. The ground is compacted and leveled soil, and it is surrounded by tall trees.

When Natsume brought Chino here, two other figures were already waiting in the room.

A tall, upright boy, dressed in a vest similar to those worn in summer, leaned against a wooden post at the edge of the field with his arms crossed, a hint of impatience on his face.

He had short, spiky black hair and thick eyebrows; it was none other than Morishita Toshito.

The other was a young girl with shoulder-length light brown short hair, delicate features, and wearing well-fitting casual clothes with a uniform vest over them. She looked very energetic and was kicking small stones on the ground idly. She was Murahashi Hazuki.

Upon seeing Xia Ri approach, the two immediately stood up straight: "Teacher Xia Ri!"

Their gazes then fell on Chino, who was following closely behind Natsumi.

Morishita Toshihito's thick eyebrows immediately furrowed as he looked the little girl, who was more than half a head shorter than him and had a chubby face, up and down, his eyes filled with undisguised suspicion and displeasure.

"Tsk," he clicked his tongue without any politeness, looking directly at Natsumi: "Teacher, this is the new recruit who came in after Kabuto left? Are you kidding me? A little kid?"

He recalled Kabuto Kumamoto, the bespectacled man who always smiled gently yet remained unfathomable. Although they hadn't known each other for long, the maturity and composure Kabuto displayed during missions, far exceeding that of ordinary genin, made him feel very reliable.

Now you're replacing it with such a tiny one?
Morishita Toshito felt a surge of irritation.

Hazuki Murahashi blinked curiously, her gaze sweeping over Chino a few times. When she saw the brand-new Star Ninja headband on Chino's forehead, she gave a friendly smile and greeted her, "Hello, new teammate! My name is Hazuki Murahashi."

Chino blushed as she was stung by Morishita Toshito's disdainful gaze and words, and a surge of anger welled up inside her.

She took a sudden step forward, puffed out her small chest, and glared defiantly at Morishita Toshito, her voice crisp and clear: "Hey! Big guy! Who are you calling a little bean? Who are you looking down on! I am a ninja of the Blood Pond Clan! Don't underestimate me, Miyagi Chino!"

"The Blood Pool?" Morishita Toshito was taken aback. This surname was quite well-known in the Star Capital, after all, it was a ninja clan that was personally brought back by Lord Shura.

But the disdain on his face hadn't completely faded; instead, he sneered with the arrogance common among ninja clan members, "Oh? A young lady from a ninja clan? A hothouse flower? Have you ever seen blood? Do you know what a real mission is like?"

He didn't have a good impression of the ninja clan members, always feeling that these people had an aura of superiority and were likely to hold them back.

"You!" Chino's face turned red with anger, and her fists clenched tightly.

"Enough!" The usually gentle Xia Ri's cold voice instantly froze the tense atmosphere between the two.

Her stern gaze swept over Morishita Toshihito and Chino: "Toshihito, put away your prejudice. Chino, control your temper. Remember, from today onwards, the three of you are a team, comrades who can entrust their backs to each other! Fighting amongst yourselves is the most foolish thing to do!"

Morishita Toshito pouted and reluctantly turned his head to the side.

Chino puffed out her cheeks and glared angrily at the ground, but didn't say anything more.

Summer then took out a scroll from his ninja tool bag, flicked his wrist, and with a soft "pop," the scroll unfurled.

Her gaze swept over the three young genin, her voice solemn:

"This mission is classified as Rank B."

"The objective is to eliminate a remnant of bandits entrenched in the snow-covered forest area surrounding Ahe Town."

Toshihito Morishita and Hazuki Murahashi's expressions immediately turned serious.

For their genin squad, a B-rank mission was already quite challenging.

Chino also sensed the change in atmosphere, temporarily suppressing her dissatisfaction with Morishita Toshito, and curiously and nervously pricked up her ears.

Xia Ri pointed to the simple map on the scroll and began to explain in detail: "This band of bandits was originally active on the northern border of the Land of Demons, which is now the northern region of the Land of Stars. At its peak, the band numbered more than three hundred people. They committed all kinds of atrocities, including burning, killing, and looting. After the establishment of the Land of Stars, they were wiped out and suppressed several times."

"They are extremely cunning. Once they encounter a strong encirclement and suppression, they will flee north into the Snow Country to hide. After several operations, their main force has been annihilated, but about ten core members have escaped. Intelligence shows that they have recently sneaked back into the snow forest area near Ahe Town to harass passing caravans and logging camps."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the three men: "Don't let your guard down just because there are less than ten of them left! These are the most ferocious and cunning core members of the bandit gang, experienced and ruthless. According to reliable intelligence, at least three of them possess considerable chakra, and their combat skills and experience are comparable to those of a regular genin. Moreover, they know every inch of that complex and frigid snow forest terrain and are adept at using the environment for ambushes and guerrilla warfare. This mission will be a severe test of your team's coordinated combat capabilities and practical experience!"

"Understood, teacher!" Hazuki Murahashi nodded earnestly, her hand unconsciously resting on the ninja tool pouch at her waist.

Although Morishita Toshito still had a stern face, a fighting spirit ignited in his eyes. His previous contempt was somewhat diluted by the pressure of the mission: "Hmph, this is a good opportunity to stretch my muscles."

Chino nodded vigorously, her little face full of eagerness, her voice clear and crisp: "Leave it to us, Teacher Natsumi!"

She seemed to have completely forgotten her earlier unpleasantness and only wanted to prove herself.

"Let's go!" Xia Ri put away the scroll, turned around cleanly and decisively, and took the lead in walking towards the road leading north outside the village.

Toshihito Morishita and Hazuki Murahashi immediately followed.

Chino took a deep breath, clenched her fists, and jogged after him.

The brand-new headband swayed gently on her forehead as she ran.

Just as the four members of the team left the edge of the training ground, a figure wearing a dark blue Uchiha clan uniform happened to walk from another path and brushed past them.

It was Uchiha Shisui.

He wore a Konoha headband on his forehead, which made him look somewhat out of place in the Star Capital.

Summer met his gaze, and they nodded politely to each other without saying anything more.

Shisui's gaze swept over the three young genin behind Natsumi, especially the white-haired girl with a slightly puffed-up expression on her small face, and the spiky-haired boy who was clearly unhappy.

Watching them follow their teacher toward their mission, a faint, pure envy involuntarily surfaced in Shisui's gentle black eyes.

The peace here is real.

There was no invisible, suffocating wall of suspicion between the ninja clans and the village like in Konoha.

The Blood Pond Clan, the Kaguya Clan, the Yuki Clan, the Ibri Clan, and other ninja clans—clans that have either perished or been considered outcasts in the outside world—live peacefully here. Their children can study together, team up, and carry out missions, striving towards the same goal.

There was no lingering hatred from the Warring States period, no deep-seated estrangement, and no chain of suspicion constantly hanging over their heads.

If the Uchiha clan of Konoha could be like this...

A bitter feeling welled up in Shisui's heart.

His life in Star City during this period was so peaceful that he almost forgot the unease he felt when he was first "kidnapped" and the mission to gather intelligence. He even became somewhat addicted to this rare tranquility.

(End of this chapter)